As of 4 p.m., Thursday, February 13th, 2014, the 37th day of the 2nd session of the 81st Legislature, 574 bills have been introduced in the Senate. Of those, 45 passed and have been sent to the House of Delegates for consideration.
Senate Bill 90 would make interfering or preventing call for assistance of emergency personnel a criminal offense. Emergency personnel include: police, fire and medical emergency assistance.
Senate Bill 403 would regulate possession and importation of injurious aquatic species in order to protect West Virginia water and aquatic life. The bill specifically prohibits the possession, sale, importation or release of bighead carp, silver carp, black carp, large-scale silver carp diploid white amur and snakeheads. Permits for an exception would be given for scientific research.
Senate Bill 426 would prohibit a member of a higher education commission, council and board continue to serve on the commission, council or board for longer than their appointment. This proposal would fill any vacancies on the Higher Education Policy Commission by prohibiting a person to serve on the commission past their appointment time. There is an allotted time past a persons appointment time that a successor is appointed by the Governor or the Governor can appointment the same person for a second term.
Senate Bill 450 would allow the restricted sale of alcoholic liquors in specific outdoor dining areas. This proposal would allow outside areas that are adjoining an establishment with a liquor license to allow consumption outside.
Senate Bill 454 defines dam ownership in the Dam Control Act, which currently presumes ownership to the property owner the dam is on. The bill is a result of the interim Agriculture and Agribusiness Committee’s study of dam conservation.
Senate Bill 458 would dedicate additional circuit court fees to fund the civil legal services of low-income people. Circuit court fees would increase from $155 dollars to $200 dollars. The additional $45 fee would move into the Fund for Civil and Legal Services for Low Income Persons. The additional fee would not apply in family court.
Senate Bill 530 would create different carbon dioxide emissions for coal-fired electric generators and natural gas electric generators. This bill would regulate air pollution through fossil fuel emissions.
Senate Bill 531 would require funeral directors to have an undergraduate bachelor’s degree and a year in mortuary school or an undergraduate bachelor’s degree in funeral science to qualify for the proper licensing.
Senate Bill 536 would give in-state tuition to honorably discharged veterans regardless of state residency. This also includes veterans who were discharged due to injuries resulting from military service.
Senate Bill 539 would allow law-enforcement officials that are employed as security officers on school campus’s be allowed to carry firearms. The officer must meet the requirements and qualifications of the law enforcement agency to carry a firearm.
Senate Bill 542 would require the Department of Protection be notified of the release of fluids or chemicals into groundwater, surface water or subsurface soil. The bill also creates penalties for non-compliance of immediate notification.
Senate Bill 543 would create Jobs Impact Statement Act. The West Virginia Development Office would be required to prepare an impact statement in consultation with schools of business and economics at Marshall and West Virginia Universities when the Governor requests.
Senate Bill 552 would increase penalties of transporting schedule I or schedule II controlled substances into the state. This bill would deter importation of controlled substances into the state by increasing the maximum prison sentence to 15 years.
Senate Bill 566 would protect victims of domestic violence, sexual offenses or stalking from disqualification of unemployment benefits. When a victim loses their job due to domestic offenses, this will allow them to qualify for unemployment benefits.
