As of 4 p.m., Wednesday, March 4, 2009, the 22nd day of the 79th Legislature’s 1st Regular Session, 456 bills have been introduced in the Senate. Of those, seven have passed and have been sent to the Senate for its consideration. Some of those bills passed were:
Senate Bill 99 would allow a circuit judge discretion to impose the original sentence on a youthful offender who has successfully completed a training program but who has been charged with committing another crime between his or her release from the offender center and the sentencing hearing. The offender would still get credit for time spent at the center.
Senate Bill 239 would allow the voters to decide by a majority vote on the proposal of determining the option of a metro government in counties with a population exceeding 150,000 and containing a Class I municipality. It would be decided by a majority of voters of the principle city and a majority of voters of the county, excluding the principle city.
Senate Bill 341 would transfer the authority to administer the juvenile justice database from the Department of Military Affairs and Public Safety to the West Virginia Supreme Court of Appeals. The court would grant the Division of Criminal Justice Services access to confidential juvenile records for the purpose of collection and analysis.
Senate Bill 307 would establish an advisory council on maternal risk assessment within the Office of Maternal, Child and Family Health and would grant legislative rule-making authority to the Department of Health and Human Resources to develop a uniform maternal risk screening tool that would serve as an alert to medical care providers of the need for greater evaluation and assessment of high-risk pregnancies.
A Sampling of Bills Introduced In the Senate
Senate Bill 376 would establish education innovation zones and allow school employees to devise and implement improvement strategies
Senate Bill 380 would provide a taxpayer with a qualified child or children a tax credit that would equal 20 percent of the taxpayer’s federal earned income credit. Those who qualify to receive the tax credit would be informed every year.
Senate Bill 386 would authorize the State Board of Education to adopt reading, language arts and mathematics proficiency standards for students in grades three and eight. It would create critical skills instructional support programs for students who do not meet proficiency standards established by the state board. It would also provide for the retention of students who do not meet the proficiency standards and who do not successfully complete a critical skills instructional support program.
Senate Bill 388 would provide a full tax deduction for the purchase of a new automobile in the tax year 2009. This bill would provide an exemption from the sales tax for the purchase of a new vehicle in the tax year 2009, and provide a sales tax holiday for fuel efficient vehicles every year after 2009.
Senate Bill 395 would provide penalties if a person fails to make a reasonable, good faith attempt to return a minor child in a timely manner at the expiration of a lawful custodial time or visitation period. These penalties would also apply to persons who attempt to conceal a minor child or assist in the concealment of the child.
Senate Bill 396 would authorize and regulate the sequestration and storage of carbon dioxide and to clarify the issue of pore space ownership.
Senate Bill 399 would create a senior resident lifetime hunting, fishing and trapping license that will cost $15. Persons who are 65 years of age before January 1, 2010 would remain exempt from the purchase of the license.
Senate Bill 401 would consolidate and combine all gambling related functions, the State Athletic Commission, and the Alcohol Beverages Control Administration within the Department of Revenue. The consolidation would create the State Gaming and Alcohol Commission.
Senate Bill 412 would create the Governor’s Office of Health Enhancement and Lifestyle Planning to oversee coordination of state departments, agencies, bureaus and commissions for the purpose of redesigning health system delivery services in West Virginia.
Senate Bill 416 would increase the salaries of family court judges from $82,500 to $111,000 beginning on July 1, 2009.
Senate Bill 419 would create a Healthy Lifestyles Restaurant Calorie Posting Program. It would require certain food service establishments to post caloric information at the point of purchase.
Senate Bill 426 would require certain medical providers to accept Tricare Military Insurance.
Senate Bill 427 would clarify that the Board of Medicine is an autonomous board, which may hire employees at its will and pleasure. The bill would allow the Board of Medicine to determine the qualifications of applicants for licenses to practice as a physician assistant for a licensed physician.
Senate Bill 432 would redefine the ability of Class I and Class II cities to terminate law-enforcement officers prior to the end of their probationary period. After the completion of the probationary period persons would have the right to appeal a removal, suspension or discharge.
Senate Bill 435 would establish the Learn and Earn Cooperative Education Program between eligible community and technical colleges and participating companies for students enrolled in technical programs.
Senate Bill 440 would grant additional authority to county litter control officers, specifically to issue citations for failure to prove lawful disposal of trash and creating, contributing to or allowing an open dump.
Senate Bill 446 would create the Neighborhood Housing and Economic Stabilization Program. The bill would authorize the Economic Development Authority to contract with the Housing Development Fund to administer the program.
