As of 4 p.m., Friday, January 29, 2016, the 17th day of the second sessions of the 82nd Legislature, 785 bills have been introduced in the Senate. Of those, 17 of the bills have passed and have been sent to the Senate for further consideration. Among those:
House Bill 4241 (Adding citizen members to the Real Estate Commission) would serve to add citizens and no practicing members to the board and to provide for their removal upon obtaining an active license. This bill is currently being discussed in the Committee of House Government Organization.
House Bill 4239 (Relating to construction of a modern highway from Pikeville, Kentucky to Beckley, West Virginia) would require reports and the purpose is to propose the construction of a modern highway from Pikeville, Kentucky to Beckley, West Virginia. The Bill calls for the Commissioner of Highways to determine how the highway can best be funded and constructed. The bill is currently being discussed in the Committee of House Roads and Transportation.
House Bill 2147 (Requiring the circuit court, when appointing counsel for alleged protected persons, to make appointments from a listing to all interested attorneys in the circuit) would work to require the circuit courts, when appointing counsel for alleged protected persons, to make appointments from a listing of all interested and qualified attorneys in the circuit and on a rotating basis. The appointments shall be made on a rotating basis. If no interested counsel are available, the court shall appoint any competent counsel it seems proper.
House Bill 2584 (Allowing a potential juror for jury duty until a later date based on seasonal employment) would allow a judge to excuse a potential juror from jury duty until a later date based on seasonal employment. This excuse shall be determined on the basis of information provided on the juror qualification form or interview with the prospective juror or other competent evidence whether the prospective juror should be excused from jury service.
House Bill 2588 (Relating to the filing of financial statements with the Secretary of State) would require financial disclosure forms to be filed with the Secretary of State electronically. Exceptions are in instances where a candidate has been unable to file the financial statement, and, providing for exceptions in the case of hardship.
House Bill 2796 (Providing paid leave for certain state officers and employees during a declared state of emergency) would work to provide paid leave for certain officers and employees during a declared state of emergency. The bill details that and state employment who is designated as an essential member of an emergency aid provider may be granted leave from his or her state employment with pay, for not more than fifteen work days in each year.
House Bill 2800 (Adding law-enforcement officers’ contact information and names of family members to the list of exemptions from public records requests) would work to add law-enforcement officers contact information and names and contact information of family members to the list of the Freedom of Information Act exemptions. This bill defines that it would provide exemptions for law-information voluntarily disclosed on campaign documentation and law-enforcement officer’s government issued email addressed and telephone numbers.
House Bill 4038 (Relating to insurance requirements for the refilling of topical eye medication) would allow patients with certain insurance companies to obtain 30 day refills of topical eye medicine as early as 21 days.
House Bill 2130 (Including law-enforcement officers among these professionals the assault or battery of which leads to enhanced criminal penalties) would work to include law-enforcement officers among those professionals the assault or battery of which leads to criminal penalties. This bill would add law-enforcement officers among the list of professionals the malicious assault, unlawful assault, battery which would lead to enhanced criminal penalties. This bill is now being sent to the Senate for further discussion.
House Bill 4005 (Repealing prevailing hourly rate of wages requirements) would repeal the prevailing hourly wages requirements. These wage requirements applied specifically to contractors hired to work on public projects.
Other House Bills
House Bill 4322 (Expanding the Learn and Earn Program) House Bill 4322 would work to change the Learn and Earn Program to allow more students to participate in the program. This is done by eliminating the authorization to use program funding for equipment purchases. This bill is now up for discussion in the House Education Committee.
House Bill 4315 (Relating to air-ambulance fees for emergency treatment or air transportation) House Bill 4315 would work to set the maximum amount for air-ambulance services which may be collected pursuant to the plans of the West Virginia Public Employees Insurance Agency. This bill is currently being discussed in the House Banking and Insurance Committee.
House Bill 4303 (Providing a salary increase for special education teachers) House Bill would work to provide a salary increase for special education teachers. This bill calls for an additional $500 to be paid annually to certified full time special education teachers for each area of special education he or she is certified, up to a maximum of three areas of $1,500. This bill is being discussed in the House Education Committee.
House Bill 4305 (Authorizing transportation network companies to operate in the state) House Bill 4305 would work to allow transportation network companies to operate in the state and to specify requirements and limitations with relation to such operations. These transportation network company drivers require a permit from the Division of Motor Vehicles to operate this company. This bill is being discussed in the House Roads and Transportation Committee.
