The West Virginia Legislature is surrounded by a number of myths or misconceptions, ranging from the legislative process to members’ offices. Listed below are several busted, and even confirmed, myths.
MYTH: If a bill is introduced, it must come to a floor vote.
Every bill has the potential to come to a floor vote. First though, the bill must make its way through committees. Even before that, the bill must be placed on the agenda to be introduced into the committee. If the committee has opposition to the bill, the bill will likely go no further than that particular committee.
If the bill is not reported from committee, nor finalized on the floor, then it is said to “die” in committee or “die on the floor.” There are many reasons bills are not taken up for review. Some simply don’t meet the deadlines for appropriate discussion. However, since the Legislature “sits” for two consecutive years, a bill may be reintroduced the following year providing for further review of the idea.
MYTH: All members have their own offices.
While Senate members do have their own offices, with a shared common room for secretaries, House of Delegates members share offices. Most delegates have at least one office mate.
One exception is the major committee House chairs and vice chairs. They have their own offices next to and near the committee rooms they chair.
MYTH: After session ends, everybody goes home.
Legislative Per-diem workers, interns and lobbyists pack the capitol complex during session, but after they have left, there is still a full-time staff that works year round.
In addition, interim meetings, special legislative sessions and an extended budget session the week following the end of the regular 60-day session, bring back lawmakers throughout the year.
MYTH: Meetings are held behind closed doors, without public access.
Most meetings are open to the public or can be heard online through live audio streams. However, party caucuses and meetings restricted to only chairmen are not open to the community.
Additionally, during interim meetings, the Commission on Special Investigations is never open to the public nor is it streamed live because they are exempted by State Code.
MYTH: Only seven members can sponsor a bill.
While this may be the case in the House, the Senate allows for an unlimited number of sponsors on a bill.
Though unlikely, this opens the potential for the entire Senate to sponsor a bill.
MYTH: The Legislature passes hundreds of bills each session.
Over the past 10 years, the Legislature has passed an average of 270 bills per regular session. Over two thousand bills are introduced each session, and approximately 200 will make it to the Governor’s desk to complete the process and become law.
MYTH: All bills must be signed by the governor to become law.
While the Legislature is in session, the governor has five days to approve or veto a bill. After session, the governor has 15 days to act on a bill. If the time lapses, the bill automatically becomes law without the governor’s signature.
