As of 4 p.m., Thursday, February 13th, 2014, the 37th day of the 2nd session of the 81st Legislature, 630 bills have been introduced in the Senate. Of those, 77 passed and have been sent to the House of Delegates for consideration.
Senate Bill 6 would require a prescription for medications that contain drugs used in the production of methamphetamine. The bill makes ephedrine, pseudoephedrine and phenylpropanolamine schedule IV controlled substances. Products that are tamper resistant, and cannot be used in the production of meth will still be sold over-the-counter.
Senate Bill 15 would remove certain billing limitations for HIV or STD testing by public health agencies. This proposal would make the person getting tested, or their healthcare provider, responsible for the testing costs regardless of if the testing is done at a private facility or public healthcare department.
Senate Bill 100 would change the limitations of low-speed vehicles. This legislation would allow a low-speed vehicle to operate on roads with a speed limit of 35 miles per hour, rather than 25 miles per hour, which is the current law.
Senate Bill 307 would authorize community corrections programs to operate pretrial release programs to reduce regional jail costs. Defendants would pay a fee, $7 a day or $30 a month for supervision and evaluation while in the program.
Senate Bill 315 would expand the list the West Virginia Military Authority is allowed to accept money from. The proposal would allow the military authority to accept funds from any state, federal or U.S. territory agencies.
Senate Bill 327 would update terms in the West Virginia Corporation Net Income Tax Act. The meaning of “federal taxable income” would be updated, among other terms. This legislation would update the terms to bring them to conformity with the Internal Revenue Code’s definitions.
Senate Bill 376 would require certain construction workers to complete an OSHA safety program. The safety program would only needed to be completed once at little to no cost to the construction worker.
Senate Bill 416 would clarify that appraisals done by the State Tax Commissioner of natural resources applies to all oil and natural gas property and all reserve oil and natural gas property.
Senate Bill 427 would update the current motor vehicle insurance verification and penalties to reflect the electronic insurance verification program that has been previously authorized by the Legislature. One provision would remove the requirement that insurance companies have to notify the Department of Motor Vehicles when a policyholder’s insurance is canceled.
Senate Bill 457 would require the same programs offered in regional jails be available in state correctional facilities. Overcrowding has caused many inmates who would normally be in a regional jail, be transferred to a correctional facility. This legislation would ensure that the inmate would have the same programs available.
Senate Bill 576 would construct a state-wide, fiber-optic broadband infrastructure network that would be purchased by the state. The network would be called the broadband middle mile. The bill also provides provisions for bonds to fund the construction of the broadband middle mile.
Senate Bill 610 would require health insurance providers to cover costs for certain non-narcotic pain relief treatment systems. This legislation would allow alternative medicine for pain relief.
Senate Bill 616 would allow the Division of Energy to accept and use contributions, donations and gifts. These gifts, donations and contributions would be in addition to federal funds the Division of Energy receives.
Senate Bill 623 would require mining company employers to notify the Director of the Office of Miner’s Health, Safety & Training if an employee’s drug or alcohol test is positive. The bill also requires an employer to notify the director if an employee refuses to submit a sample, possesses a substituted sample, submits a substituted sample, possesses an adulterated sample or submits an adulterated sample.
