As of 4 p.m. Wednesday April 3, 2013, 664 bills have been introduced in the Senate and 169 bills have been passed. A sample of the bills passed by the Senate this week:
Senate Bill 21 would require all health care providers to wear identification badges. The bill would define terms and appropriate rules to the Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Resources.
Senate Bill 90 would make it a felony for any person to drive a vehicle while under the influence of alcohol or controlled substance and cause serious injury to another person. The bill also defines the term “serious bodily injury.”
Senate Bill 117 would make it a criminal offense to be in the possession of burglars’ tools and establish penalties for the crime.
Senate Bill 354 would require the Commissioner of Highways to conduct a study on different methods of revenue for the development and maintenance of state roads and highways.
Senate Bill 355 would require employers to pay a discharged employee within four business days or no later than the next payday, whichever comes first. For this section of code, “business day” would be defined as a day state offices are open for regular business.
Senate Bill 369 would allow residents of certain states to carry a concealed deadly weapon as long as they have a concealed weapons license in that state. Only those residents of states that accept a West Virginia concealed weapons will be allowed to carry a concealed weapon in this state with a valid permit.
Senate Bill 394 would provide dependent children of state troopers who have died in the line of duty with a scholarship. The scholarship would not exceed more than $7,500 per year.
Senate Bill 444 would increase the amounts West Virginia University and Marshall University can have invested in their respective foundations.
Senate Bill 451 would clarify when a carbon monoxide detector is required in a structure. The bill would include all structures that have fuel burning appliances or equipment that emits carbon monoxide byproducts.
Senate Bill 460 would exempt state residents who are on active military duty for over thirty day from paying state income tax. To qualify, participants must be on active duty in the National Guard, the United States armed forces or the armed forces reserve.
Senate Bill 466 would create the Dangerous Wild Animal Act. This act would create the Dangerous Wild Animal Board, whose purpose would be to create a list of dangerous wild animals, issuing permits to those who own dangerous wild animals prior to the effective date, and other duties.
Senate Bill 533 would change the definition of the terms “battery” and “domestic battery.” These new definitions would bring West Virginia up to date with federal definitions.
Senate Bill 569 would amend give the Governor the responsibility of appointing a State Fire Marshall. The Senate would have to approve the nomination.
Senate Bill 586 would transfer the authority to license cosmetology, barber, and massage schools to the West Virginia Council for Community and Technical College Education. The code currently gives this power to the West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission.
Senate Bill 615 would temporarily decrease the table game renewal license fees for pari-mutuel racetracks for one year.
Senate Bill 624 would sentence those who are willfully not paying child support to be sentenced to home confinement while working or looking for a job. This bill would also create harsher sanctions for the next offenses.
Senate Bill 652 would require home inspector applicants to get a criminal background check. This bill would also give the State Fire Commission the rule-making authority over home inspector applicants.
Senate Bill 663 would create the “West Virginia Feed to Achieve Act.” The act would ensure all students would have access for a nutritious breakfast and lunch. The act details where these funds would come from and provide funds to schools to establish nutrition programs.
