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Member Press Release

Member Press Release

Senate Calendar and Committee Schedule for Monday, March 10, 2025

Monday, March 10, 2025 – 27th Day of Session

The Senate will convene at 11 a.m.

THIRD READING

  • Eng. Com. Sub. for SB 121: Updating language and increasing penalties for indecent exposure
  • Eng. Com. Sub. for SB 155: Establishing Summer Feeding for All Program (original similar to HB 3254)
  • Eng. Com. Sub. for SB 199: Relating to elementary behavior intervention and safety
  • Eng. Com. Sub. for SB 325: Department of Health rule relating to general provisions of Medical Cannabis Program (original similar to HB 2245)
  • Eng. Com. Sub. for SB 458: Universal Professional and Occupational Licensing Act of 2025 (original similar to HB 2001)
  • Eng. Com. Sub. for SB 485: Exempting West Virginia Secretary of State from competitive bidding process
  • Eng. SB 492: Removing outdated provisions governing political committees
  • Eng. Com. Sub. for SB 565: Relating generally to practice of optometry (original similar to HB 2975)
  • Eng. SB 612: Making rules and regulations of PSC subject to legislative rule-making review procedures
  • Eng. Com. Sub. for SB 627: Removing prohibition against leasing state-owned pore spaces underlying lands designated as state parks

SECOND READING

  • Com. Sub. for SB 196: Increasing penalties for drug possession and updating list of offenses (original similar to HB 2613)
  • SB 257: Providing protection for property owner when someone visiting private cemetery causes damage to property
  • SB 501: Relating to loan form
  • Com. Sub. for SB 521: Requiring party affiliations be listed for all candidates
  • Com. Sub. for SB 522: Clarifying procedure for administrative dissolution of limited liability companies by Secretary of State
  • Com. Sub. for SB 525: Clarifying procedure for administrative dissolution of nonprofit corporations by Secretary of State
  • SB 561: Relating to Uniform Special Deposits Act (original similar to HB 2745)

FIRST READING

  • SB 280: Displaying official US motto in public schools
  • Com. Sub. for SB 500: Transferring audits of volunteer fire departments to Legislative Auditor
  • Com. Sub. for SB 532: Making ad valorem taxes on property payable only to county in which property is located
  • Com. Sub. for SB 606: Relating to notification of breast density
  • SB 649: Supplementing and amending appropriations to Department of Health, Office of Inspector General
  • SB 650: Relating to full-time interventionists

Scheduled Committee Meetings

9:30 a.m.: Government Organization (208W)

  • Com. Sub. for SB 526: Creating the Pharmacist Prescribing Authority Act
  • SB 513: Relating generally to video lottery
  • SB 694: Protecting state and local government systems and data from foreign entities
  • SB 673: Defining third-party challenges to development permits

1 p.m.: Workforce (208W)

  • Com. Sub. for SB 263: Relating to use of criminal records as disqualification from authorization to practice particular profession
  • SB 610: Abolishing tax on overtime pay

1 p.m.: Transportation and Infrastructure (451M)

  • Com. Sub. for SB 67: Allowing motor vehicle racing on county or municipal roads under certain circumstances
  • Com. Sub. for SB 1: Requiring PSC to be clearinghouse for state road paving projects
  • Com. Sub. for SB 464: Creating license plate for recipients of Medal of Valor and their immediate family members

2 p.m.: Energy, Industry and Mining (208W)

  • Com. Sub. for SB 592: Relating generally to above ground storage tanks
  • SB 271: Natural Resources Anti-Commandeering Act
  • SB 505: Ensuring Reliable and Affordable Electricity Act

2 p.m.: Pensions (451M)

  • SB 712: Relating to retirement provisions of systems managed by CPRB
  • SB 715: Relating to personality identifiable information of member, retirant, beneficiary, or alternate payee of retirement system
  • SB 716: Relating to failure to pay required contributions and interest payments for certain retirees who transfer between retirement systems

3 p.m.: Judiciary (208W)

  • SB 727: Directing study of child welfare system be conducted by independent third party
  • HB 2042: Relating to allowing a guardian ad litem to request the appointment of a court appointed special advocate
  • SB 604: Requiring Department of Human Services to notify PSC that person is eligible for discount on utility bills

3 p.m.: Finance (451M)

  • Budget Presentation: Supreme Court of Appeals of West Virginia

** Committee times and agendas are subject to change **

Senate Bills to be Introduced Monday, March 10, 2025

  • SB 728: Relating generally to transfer on death deed (Weld; Judiciary)
  • SB 729: Setting maximum interest rate which licensed regulated consumer lenders may charge on installment loans (FN) (Azinger; Banking and Insurance then Finance)
  • SB 730: Establishing Forest Carbon Registry (Tarr, Woodrum; Energy, Industry and Mining then Finance)

* (FN) indicates the bill has a Fiscal Note

* (IB) indicates the bill is an Interim Bill

Committee Action on Bills from Friday, March 7, 2025

9 a.m.: Military

  • Eng. Com. Sub. for HB 2053: Relating to including the United States Space Force in the definition armed forces
  • Bill reported to the full Senate with the recommendation it do pass; second reference to Finance
  • Com. Sub. for SB 658: Prohibiting certain persons from receiving compensation for advising or assisting with veterans’ benefits
  • Committee substitute reported to the full Senate with the recommendation it do pass
  • SB 666: Updating definition of disabled veteran taxpayer
  • Bill reported to the full Senate with the recommendation it do pass; second reference to Finance

Bills passed the Senate as of Friday, March 7, 2025 (51 – 48 Senate; 3 House)

Senate Resolutions that Have Been Adopted by the Senate as of Friday, March 7, 2025 (3)

  • SCR 1: Adopting Joint Rules of Senate and House of Delegates (Adopted, 01-08)
  • SCR 2: Authorizing payment of joint expenses (Adopted, 01-08)
  • SCR 4: Amending Joint Rules of Senate and House of Delegates (Adopted, 02-12)

Bills that Have Completed Legislation as of Friday, March 7, 2025 (3 – 1 Senate; 2 House)

  • SB 490: Prohibiting ranked-choice voting in elections in West Virginia (Completed legislation; awaiting action by the Governor)
  • HB 2024: Updating the meaning certain terms used in West Virginia Personal Income Tax Act (Signed, 02-24)
  • HB 2025: Updating terms in the Corporation Net Income Tax Act (Signed, 02-24)

Resolutions that Have Completed Legislation as of Friday, March 7, 2025 (8 – 3 Senate; 5 House)

  • SCR 1: Adopting Joint Rules of Senate and House of Delegates (Adopted, 01-08)
  • SCR 2: Authorizing payment of joint expenses (Adopted, 01-08)
  • SCR 4: Amending Joint Rules of Senate and House of Delegates (Adopted, 02-12)
  • HCR 1: Raising a Joint Assembly to open and publish election returns (Adopted, 01-08)
  • HCR 2: Extending an invitation to His Excellency, the Governor, to deliver an address to the Legislature and raising a Joint Assembly therefor (Adopted, 01-08)
  • HCR 3: Providing for an adjournment of the Legislature until February 12, 2025 (Adopted, 01-08)
  • HCR 4: Raising a Joint Assembly to hear remarks of the Governor (Adopted, 01-12)
  • HCR 49: Resolution relating to use of industrial sites and the potential impacts on downstream facilities (Adopted, 03-03)

Bills Signed by the Governor as of Friday, March 7, 2025 (2 – 2 House)

  • HB 2024: Updating the meaning certain terms used in West Virginia Personal Income Tax Act (Signed, 02-24)
  • HB 2025: Updating terms in the Corporation Net Income Tax Act (Signed, 02-24)

Committee times and agendas are subject to change. Follow @WVSenClerk on X for updates.

All Senate Committee meetings and floor sessions are available for both live streaming and to watch again in our archives. The link to the Senate’s archived video page can be found here:https://sg001-harmony.sliq.net/00289/Harmony/en/View/UpcomingEvents.

Contact: Jacque Bland at (304) 357-7999

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Member Press Release

This Week in the House of Delegates

For the week ending March 7, 2025.

CHARLESTON, W.Va. — As the 60-day, regular legislative session nears the halfway point, members of the House of Delegates continue to use their new two-step committee process to discuss potential new laws as well as solutions to issues throughout the state that may not require a change to the law.

“This process requires us to take a long, hard look at an issue, and the byproduct is that everyone in the room ends up being educated in some way,” said Deputy House Speaker Delegate David Kelly, R-Tyler. “You wouldn’t have a lot of these discussions without having the specific bills introduced, but if we can walk away from a committee meeting with some area of agreement, that’s a success to me.”

Kelly spent time this week in the House Standing Committee on Health and Human Resources discussing a bill he sponsored, House Bill 2358. The measure would impose deadlines in certain circumstances for the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner to perform an autopsy and provide the autopsy report.

Kelly said during his presentation of the bill that he understands the state’s Office of the Chief Medical Examiner would say they need more money, and there is a national shortage of coroners, but West Virginia’s county prosecutors also need to be able to conduct timely investigations when necessary. Kelly said right now it takes about eight months on average for an autopsy report to be completed and shared with prosecutors.

“It’s hard to bring up shortcomings when you’ve learned just how short-staffed they are,” Kelly said after the meeting. “I am hopeful that another bill on the move to help entice more graduates to stay will help alleviate that issue.”

Members of the House Education Committee advanced two bills this week, House Bill 2572 and House Bill 2595, which would establish some guardrails for the state’s colleges and universities to best leverage Name, Image, Likeness opportunities for their student athletes. Members of the House overwhelmingly voted in favor of passing a bill to address elementary student behavior and teacher safety. House Bill 2515 passed the House by a vote of 92-4 this week, and it would establish the steps a teacher may take in an elementary school setting when it is determined a student’s behavior is what has been carefully defined in the bill as violent, threatening, creates an unsafe learning environment or impedes other students’ abilities to learn.

A total of 1,255 bills have been introduced in the House, and the last day to introduce bills is March 18. The House has passed 33 bills to the Senate for debate. The 60-day, regular legislative session ends at midnight April 12.

Contact: Ann Ali at (304) 340-3323

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Member Press Release

Senate Calendar and Committee Schedule for Friday, March 7, 2025

Friday, March 7, 2025 – 24th Day of Session

The Senate will convene at 10 a.m.

THIRD READING

  • Eng. Com. Sub. for SB 22: Applying penalties for nonpayment of royalties under terms of oil and natural gas leases
  • Eng. Com. Sub. for SB 117: Exempting certain physicians from specified traffic laws when responding to emergencies
  • Eng. Com. Sub. for SB 267: Extending time for renewal and restoration of commercial driver’s licenses
  • Eng. Com. Sub. for SB 503: Allowing sheriffs to appoint more than one chief deputy with consent of county commission
  • Eng. Com. Sub. for SB 573: Relating to restrictions on use or sale of motor vehicles based on power source

SECOND READING

  • Com. Sub. for SB 121: Updating language and increasing penalties for indecent exposure
  • Com. Sub. for SB 155: Establishing Summer Feeding for All Program
  • Com. Sub. for SB 196: Increasing penalties for drug possession and updating list of offenses (original similar to HB 2613)
  • Com. Sub. for SB 199: Relating to elementary behavior intervention and safety
  • Com. Sub. for SB 325: Department of Health rule relating to general provisions of Medical Cannabis Program (original similar to HB 2245)
  • Com. Sub. for SB 458: Universal Professional and Occupational Licensing Act of 2025 (original similar to HB 2001)
  • Com. Sub. for SB 485: Exempting West Virginia Secretary of State from competitive bidding process
  • SB 492: Removing outdated provisions governing political committees
  • Com. Sub. for SB 522: Clarifying procedure for administrative dissolution of limited liability companies by Secretary of State
  • Com. Sub. for SB 525: Clarifying procedure for administrative dissolution of nonprofit corporations by Secretary of State
  • Com. Sub. for SB 565: Relating generally to practice of optometry (original similar to HB 2975)
  • SB 611: Excluding workers of ski area operators from maximum hour requirements
  • SB 612: Making rules and regulations of PSC subject to legislative rule-making review procedures
  • Com. Sub. for SB 627: Removing prohibition against leasing state-owned pore spaces underlying lands designated as state parks

FIRST READING

  • SB 257: Providing protection for property owner when someone visiting private cemetery causes damage to property
  • SB 501: Relating to loan form
  • Com. Sub. for SB 521: Requiring party affiliations be listed for all candidates
  • SB 561: Relating to Uniform Special Deposits Act (original similar to HB 2745)

Scheduled Committee Meetings

9 a.m.: Military (208W)

  • Eng. Com. Sub. for HB 2053: Relating to including the United States Space Force in the definition armed forces
  • Com. Sub. for SB 658: Prohibiting certain persons from receiving compensation for advising or assisting with veterans’ benefits
  • SB 666: Updating definition of disabled veteran taxpayer

** Committee times and agendas are subject to change **

Senate Bills to be Introduced Friday, March 7, 2025

  • SB 723: Relating to clinical inpatient medical treatment centers for substance use disorder (Helton; Health and Human Resources then Finance)
  • SB 724: Relating to taxation (FN) (Barrett; Finance)
  • SB 725: Relating to unlawful expenditures by local fiscal bodies (Grady; Finance)
  • SB 726: Relating to office-based, medication-assisted treatment programs and opioid treatment programs (Helton; Health and Human Resources then Finance)
  • SB 727: Directing study of child welfare system be conducted by independent third party (FN) (Stuart; Judiciary then Finance)
  • SJR 14: Homestead Exemption Increase Amendment (Barrett; Judiciary then Finance)

* (FN) indicates the bill has a Fiscal Note

* (IB) indicates the bill is an Interim Bill

Committee Action on Bills from Thursday, March 6, 2025

9:30 a.m.: Government Organization

  • Com. Sub. for SB 500: Transferring audits of volunteer fire departments to Legislative Auditor
  • Committee substitute reported to the full Senate with the recommendation it do pass
  • Com. Sub. for SB 20: Requiring funding for increased costs to volunteer fire departments and EMS units
  • Committee substitute reported to the full Senate with the recommendation it do pass
  • SB 526: Creating the Pharmacist Prescribing Authority Act
  • Bill laid over to a future meeting

9:30 a.m.: Education

  • SB 280: Displaying official US motto in public schools
  • Bill reported to the full Senate with the recommendation it do pass
  • Com. Sub. for SB 646: Extending non-traditional instruction days for WV teachers from five to 10
  • Committee substitute, as amended, reported to the full Senate with the recommendation it do pass; second reference to Finance
  • SB 650: Relating to full-time interventionists
  • Bill reported to the full Senate with the recommendation it do pass
  • Com. Sub. for SB 652: Expanding cardiac arrest provisions to be applicable to elementary schools
  • Committee substitute reported to the full Senate with the recommendation it do pass; second reference to Finance

1 p.m.: Health and Human Resources

  • Com. Sub. for SB 606: Relating to notification of breast density
  • Committee substitute reported to the full Senate with the recommendation it do pass; second reference to Judiciary
  • Com. Sub. for SB 710: Relating to the practice of teledentistry
  • Committee substitute reported to the full Senate with the recommendation it do pass; second reference to Finance

3 p.m.: Judiciary

  • Com. Sub. for SB 474: Ending diversity, equity, and inclusion programs
  • Committee substitute, as amended, reported to the full Senate with the recommendation it do pass; second reference to Finance
  • Com. Sub. for SB 264: Allowing death penalty for intentionally killing law-enforcement officer or first responder in line of duty
  • Committee substitute, as amended, reported to the full Senate with the recommendation it do pass; second reference to Finance

3 p.m.: Finance

  • Com. Sub. for SB 532: Making ad valorum taxes on property payable only to county in which property is located
  • Committee substitute reported to the full Senate with the recommendation it do pass
  • SB 649: Supplementing and amending appropriations to Department of Health, Office of Inspector General
  • Bill reported to the full Senate with the recommendation it do pass

Bills passed the Senate

Senate Resolutions that Have Been Adopted by the Senate as of Thursday, March 6, 2025 (3)

  • SCR 1: Adopting Joint Rules of Senate and House of Delegates (Adopted, 01-08)
  • SCR 2: Authorizing payment of joint expenses (Adopted, 01-08)
  • SCR 4: Amending Joint Rules of Senate and House of Delegates (Adopted, 02-12)

Action on House Resolutions in the Senate as of Thursday, March 6, 2025 (1)

  • HCR 49: Resolution relating to use of industrial sites and the potential impacts on downstream facilities (Adopted, 03-03)

Bills that Have Completed Legislation as of Thursday, March 6, 2025 (2 – 2 House)

  • HB 2024: Updating the meaning certain terms used in West Virginia Personal Income Tax Act (Signed, 02-24)
  • HB 2025: Updating terms in the Corporation Net Income Tax Act (Signed, 02-24)

Resolutions that Have Completed Legislation as of Thursday, March 6, 2025 (8 – 3 Senate; 5 House)

  • SCR 1: Adopting Joint Rules of Senate and House of Delegates (Adopted, 01-08)
  • SCR 2: Authorizing payment of joint expenses (Adopted, 01-08)
  • SCR 4: Amending Joint Rules of Senate and House of Delegates (Adopted, 02-12)
  • HCR 1: Raising a Joint Assembly to open and publish election returns (Adopted, 01-08)
  • HCR 2: Extending an invitation to His Excellency, the Governor, to deliver an address to the Legislature and raising a Joint Assembly therefor (Adopted, 01-08)
  • HCR 3: Providing for an adjournment of the Legislature until February 12, 2025 (Adopted, 01-08)
  • HCR 4: Raising a Joint Assembly to hear remarks of the Governor (Adopted, 01-12)
  • HCR 49: Resolution relating to use of industrial sites and the potential impacts on downstream facilities (Adopted, 03-03)

Bills Signed by the Governor as of Thursday, March 6, 2025 (2 – 2 House)

  • HB 2024: Updating the meaning certain terms used in West Virginia Personal Income Tax Act (Signed, 02-24)
  • HB 2025: Updating terms in the Corporation Net Income Tax Act (Signed, 02-24)

Committee times and agendas are subject to change. Follow @WVSenClerk on X for updates.

All Senate Committee meetings and floor sessions are available for both live streaming and to watch again in our archives. The link to the Senate’s archived video page can be found here:https://sg001-harmony.sliq.net/00289/Harmony/en/View/UpcomingEvents.

Contact: Jacque Bland at (304) 357-7999

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Member Press Release

Senate Calendar and Committee Schedule for Thursday, March 6, 2025

Thursday, March 6, 2025 – 23rd Day of Session

The Senate will convene at 11 a.m.

UNFINISHED BUSINESS

  • SCR 16: US Army SPC Johnny Long Memorial Bridge
  • SCR 17: US Marine Corps PVT Arlie Haught Memorial Bridge

THIRD READING

  • Eng. Com. Sub. for Com. Sub. for SB 154: Prohibiting sexual orientation instruction in public schools
  • Eng. Com. Sub. for SB 299: Modifying WV regulations on pubertal modulation, hormonal therapy, and gender reassignment
  • Eng. SB 483: Increasing civil penalties for failure to file required campaign finance reports

SECOND READING

  • Com. Sub. for SB 22: Applying penalties for nonpayment of royalties under terms of oil and natural gas leases
  • Com. Sub. for SB 117: Exempting certain physicians from specified traffic laws when responding to emergencies
  • Com. Sub. for SB 267: Extending time for renewal and restoration of commercial driver’s licenses
  • Com. Sub. for SB 503: Allowing sheriffs to appoint more than one chief deputy with consent of county commission
  • Com. Sub. for SB 552: Relating to Certified Business Expansion Development Program
  • Com. Sub. for SB 573: Relating to restrictions on use or sale of motor vehicles based on power source
  • SB 611: Excluding workers of ski area operators from maximum hour requirements

FIRST READING

  • Com. Sub. for SB 121: Updating language and increasing penalties for indecent exposure
  • Com. Sub. for SB 155: Establishing Summer Feeding for All Program
  • Com. Sub. for SB 196: Increasing penalties for drug possession and updating list of offenses (original similar to HB 2613)
  • Com. Sub. for SB 199: Relating to elementary behavior intervention and safety
  • Com. Sub. for SB 325: Department of Health rule relating to general provisions of Medical Cannabis Program (original similar to HB 2245)
  • Com. Sub. for SB 458: Universal Professional and Occupational Licensing Act of 2025 (original similar to HB 2001)
  • Com. Sub. for SB 485: Exempting West Virginia Secretary of State from competitive bidding process
  • SB 492: Removing outdated provisions governing political committees
  • Com. Sub. for SB 522: Clarifying procedure for administrative dissolution of limited liability companies by Secretary of State
  • Com. Sub. for SB 525: Clarifying procedure for administrative dissolution of nonprofit corporations by Secretary of State
  • Com. Sub. for SB 565: Relating generally to practice of optometry (original similar to HB 2975)
  • SB 612: Making rules and regulations of PSC subject to legislative rule-making review procedures
  • Com. Sub. for SB 627: Removing prohibition against leasing state-owned pore spaces underlying lands designated as state parks

Scheduled Committee Meetings

9:30 a.m.: Government Organization (208W)

  • Com. Sub. for SB 500: Transferring audits of volunteer fire departments to Legislative Auditor
  • Com. Sub. for SB 20: Requiring funding for increased costs to volunteer fire departments and EMS units
  • SB 526: Creating the Pharmacist Prescribing Authority Act
  • SB 577: Clarifying prohibited practices by manufacturer, factory branch, distributor, or distributor branch when providing new motor vehicle to dealer

9:30 a.m.: Education (451M)

  • SB 280: Displaying official US motto in public schools
  • SB 559: Requiring legal actions concerning WVSSAC to be filed in Wood or Kanawha County
  • SB 646: Extending non-traditional instruction days for WV teachers from five to 10
  • SB 650: Relating to full-time interventionists
  • SB 652: Expanding cardiac arrest provisions to be applicable to elementary schools

1 p.m.: Health and Human Resources (451M)

  • SB 606: Relating to notification of breast density
  • SB 710: Relating to the practice of teledentistry

3 p.m.: Judiciary (208W)

  • Com. Sub. for SB 474: Ending diversity, equity, and inclusion programs
  • Com. Sub. for SB 264: Allowing death penalty for intentionally killing law-enforcement officer or first responder in line of duty

3 p.m.: Finance (451M)

  • SB 532: Making ad valorum taxes on property payable only to county in which property is located
  • Budget Presentation: West Virginia Office of the Inspector General
  • SB 649: Supplementing and amending appropriations to Department of Health, Office of Inspector General

** Committee times and agendas are subject to change **

Senate Bills to be Introduced Thursday, March 6, 2025

  • SB 711: Removing prohibition against establishing additional trail systems within state parks and state forests (Maynard; Transportation and Infrastructure then Natural Resources)
  • SB 712: Relating to retirement provisions of systems managed by CPRB (Oliverio; Pensions then Finance)
  • SB 713: Creating WV Workplace Security Act (FN) (Charnock; Judiciary then Finance)
  • SB 714: Creating Voluntary Portable Benefit Account Act (Rucker; Banking and Insurance)
  • SB 715: Relating to personally identifiable information of member, retirant, beneficiary, or alternate payee of retirement system (Oliverio; Pensions then Finance)
  • SB 716: Relating to failure to pay required contributions and interest payments for certain retirees who transfer between retirement systems (Oliverio; Pensions then Finance)
  • SB 717: Prohibiting surprise billing of ground emergency medical services by nonparticipating providers (Helton; Banking and Insurance then Finance)
  • SB 718: Relating to hospital transparency (Rucker; Health and Human Resources)
  • SB 719: Relating to age at which minor can consent to certain medical decisions and services (Chapman; Health and Human Resources)
  • SB 720: Requiring declaration of pooled units be filed with drilling permits (Clements, Rose; Energy, Industry, and Mining then Finance)
  • SB 721: Providing penalties for damages resulting to farm property and critical infrastructure from use of drones (Hamilton; Natural Resources then Judiciary)
  • SB 722: Creating WV Short Line Railroad Modernization Act (Jeffries, Phillips, Bartlett, Clements, Deeds, Grady, Helton, Morris, Queen, Rose, Taylor, Thorne, Weld, Woodrum; Transportation and Infrastructure then Finance)

* (FN) indicates the bill has a Fiscal Note

* (IB) indicates the bill is an Interim Bill

Committee Action on Bills from Wednesday, March 5, 2025

11:30 a.m.: Rules

  • Com. Sub. for SB 522: Relating to the Certified Business Industrial Expansion Development Program
  • Committee substitute reported to the full Senate with the recommendation it do pass

1 p.m.: Select Committee on Substance Use Disorder and Mental Health

  • Com. Sub. for SB 109: Neighborhood Assistance and Rejuvenation Compact Act
  • Committee substitute reported to the full Senate with the recommendation it do pass; second reference to Finance
  • Com. Sub. for SB 204: Making opioid treatment programs unlawful
  • Committee substitute reported to the full Senate with the recommendation it do pass; second reference to Health and Human Resources
  • SCR 14: Requesting Joint Committee on Government and Finance study substance use disorder in WV
  • Resolution reported to the full Senate with the recommendation it be adopted

2 p.m.: Agriculture

  • Com. Sub. for SB 10: Exempting certain meat processes from consumers sales and service tax
  • Committee substitute reported to the full Senate with the recommendation it do pass; second reference to Finance
  • Com. Sub. for SB 241: Exempting high tunnels and greenhouses from personal property taxes
  • Committee substitute, as amended, reported to the full Senate with the recommendation it do pass
  • Com. Sub. for SB 242: Equipment Right to Repair Act
  • Committee substitute reported to the full Senate with the recommendation it do pass; second reference to Judiciary
  • SB 578: Relating to pet food packages
  • Bill reported to the full Senate with the recommendation it do pass; second reference to Finance

2 p.m.: Banking and Insurance

  • SB 501: Relating to loan forms
  • Bill reported to the full Senate with the recommendation it do pass
  • SB 561: Relating to Uniform Special Deposits Act
  • Bill reported to the full Senate with the recommendation it do pass

3 p.m.: Judiciary

  • Com. Sub. for SB 521: Requiring party affiliations be listed for all candidates
  • Committee substitute reported to the full Senate with the recommendation it do pass
  • SB 257: Providing protection for property owner when someone visiting private cemetery causes damage to property
  • Bill reported to the full Senate with the recommendation it do pass
  • Com. Sub. for SB 585: Relating to Craddock Student Athlete Safety Act
  • Committee substitute reported to the full Senate with the recommendation it do pass; second reference to Finance

Bills that Have Passed the Senate as of Wednesday, March 5, 2025 (42 – 39 Senate; 3 House)

  • SB 5: Establishing Adopt-A-Road program (House Energy and Public Works)
  • SB 8: Providing additional sites and devices for newborn safe surrender (House Judiciary)
  • SB 29: Allowing physicians assistants to own practice (House Health and Human Resources)
  • SB 50: Requiring municipal elections to be held on same day as statewide elections (House Judiciary)
  • SB 92: Glucagon for Schools Act (House Education)
  • SB 103: Exempting certain records from public release (House Judiciary)
  • SB 124: Reducing statute of limitations on actions to recover on oral and written contracts (House Judiciary)
  • SB 136: Increasing penalties and parole eligibility requirements for homicide (House Judiciary)
  • SB 138: Enhancing penalties for fleeing officer (House Judiciary)
  • SB 139: Relating to filling of vacancies in Legislature (House Judiciary)
  • SB 151: Creating crime of assault on police dogs and other public safety animals (House Judiciary)
  • SB 198: Prohibiting creation, production, distribution, or possession of artificially generated child pornography (House Judiciary)
  • SB 234: Increasing value at which municipal property must be sold through public auction (House Government Organization)
  • SB 240: Updating crime of sexual extortion (H First Reading, 03-06)
  • SB 269: Modifying requirements for public water systems or businesses having backflow preventers (House Energy and Public Works)
  • SB 270: Declaring sale and manufacture of firearms essential business during declared emergency (House Judiciary)
  • SB 275: Removing requirement school cooks or custodians have high school diploma or equivalent (House Education)
  • SB 282: Modifying provisions for employment of retired teachers as substitutes in areas of critical need and shortage (House Education)
  • SB 283: Expanding grade levels of personal finance course requirements needed for graduation (House Education)
  • SB 284: Relating to county board of education member orientation and compensation (Pending House introduction)
  • SB 291: Extending time frame for pharmacies to register from annually to biennially (House Government Organization)
  • SB 336: Authorizing Department of Homeland Security to promulgate legislative rules (House Judiciary)
  • SB 358: Authorizing Department of Transportation to promulgate legislative rules (House Energy and Public Works)
  • SB 369: Authorizing miscellaneous boards and agencies to promulgate legislative rules (House Government Organization)
  • SB 427: Permitting certain teenagers to work without obtaining work permit (House Government Organization)
  • SB 443: Authorizing Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology Board of Examiners to conduct criminal background checks for licensing (House Government Organization)
  • SB 456: Defining “men” and “women” (H Second Reading, 03-06)
  • SB 459: Requiring county planning commission members be state residents (House Government Organization)
  • SB 460: Relating to vaccine requirements (House Health and Human Resources)
  • SB 462: Permitting Board of Occupational Therapy to require criminal history record checks (House Government Organization)
  • SB 482: Certified Professional Midwife Licensing and Regulation (House Government Organization)
  • SB 486: Clarifying eligibility requirements to vote in WV elections (House Judiciary)
  • SB 487: Removing ineligible voters from active voter rolls (Pending House introduction)
  • SB 488: Clarifying definition of electioneering (House Judiciary)
  • SB 490: Prohibiting ranked-choice voting in elections in West Virginia (H Second Reading, 03-06)
  • SB 496: Removing reflexology and other energy-based work from definition of “massage therapy” (House Government Organization)
  • SB 534: Clarifying qualifications to be licensed to administer polygraphs (House Government Organization)
  • SB 537: Establishing WV Mothers and Babies Pregnancy Support Program (House Health and Human Resources)
  • SB 581: Relating to school attendance and student participation in 4-H activities (Pending House introduction)
  • HB 2024: Updating the meaning certain terms used in West Virginia Personal Income Tax Act (Signed, 02-24)
  • HB 2025: Updating terms in the Corporation Net Income Tax Act (Signed, 02-24)
  • HB 2354: Banning certain products from food in West Virginia (Passed Senate; pending House concurrence to Senate amendment)

Senate Resolutions that Have Been Adopted by the Senate as of Wednesday, March 5, 2025 (3)

  • SCR 1: Adopting Joint Rules of Senate and House of Delegates (Adopted, 01-08)
  • SCR 2: Authorizing payment of joint expenses (Adopted, 01-08)
  • SCR 4: Amending Joint Rules of Senate and House of Delegates (Adopted, 02-12)

Action on House Resolutions in the Senate as of Wednesday, March 5, 2025 (1)

  • HCR 49: Resolution relating to use of industrial sites and the potential impacts on downstream facilities (Adopted, 03-03)

Bills that Have Completed Legislation as of Wednesday, March 5, 2025 (2 – 2 House)

  • HB 2024: Updating the meaning certain terms used in West Virginia Personal Income Tax Act (Signed, 02-24)
  • HB 2025: Updating terms in the Corporation Net Income Tax Act (Signed, 02-24)

Resolutions that Have Completed Legislation as of Wednesday, March 5, 2025 (8 – 3 Senate; 5 House)

  • SCR 1: Adopting Joint Rules of Senate and House of Delegates (Adopted, 01-08)
  • SCR 2: Authorizing payment of joint expenses (Adopted, 01-08)
  • SCR 4: Amending Joint Rules of Senate and House of Delegates (Adopted, 02-12)
  • HCR 1: Raising a Joint Assembly to open and publish election returns (Adopted, 01-08)
  • HCR 2: Extending an invitation to His Excellency, the Governor, to deliver an address to the Legislature and raising a Joint Assembly therefor (Adopted, 01-08)
  • HCR 3: Providing for an adjournment of the Legislature until February 12, 2025 (Adopted, 01-08)
  • HCR 4: Raising a Joint Assembly to hear remarks of the Governor (Adopted, 01-12)
  • HCR 49: Resolution relating to use of industrial sites and the potential impacts on downstream facilities (Adopted, 03-03)

Bills Signed by the Governor as of Wednesday, March 5, 2025 (2 – 2 House)

  • HB 2024: Updating the meaning certain terms used in West Virginia Personal Income Tax Act (Signed, 02-24)
  • HB 2025: Updating terms in the Corporation Net Income Tax Act (Signed, 02-24)

Committee times and agendas are subject to change. Follow @WVSenClerk on X for updates.

All Senate Committee meetings and floor sessions are available for both live streaming and to watch again in our archives. The link to the Senate’s archived video page can be found here:https://sg001-harmony.sliq.net/00289/Harmony/en/View/UpcomingEvents.

Contact: Jacque Bland at (304) 357-7999

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Member Press Release

Statement from Minority Leader Woelfel

In light of the Senate’s calendar and committee agendas this week, I would like to address the manner in which bills are introduced to the Senate and my responsibility as Minority Leader to co-sponsor such legislation.

The separation of powers in Article V of our state constitution establishes that none of the three co-equal branches of government “shall exercise the powers properly belonging to either of the others.” The power of the Legislature is that of passing bills to make laws.

Since only a member of the Legislature may introduce a bill to the Legislature, the custom in our state is for the leaders of each party (the Senate President or Speaker of the House and the Minority Leader from each respective chamber) to co-sponsor bills that are then introduced “By Request of the Executive. ” This professional courtesy is offered to the Governor as a token of goodwill and is a long-standing tradition.

I do not regret performing this professional duty of introducing legislation by request. I believe in statesmanship and collegiality, a sentiment which seems to be in short supply in politics these days.

However, like many Presidents, Speakers, and Minority Leaders who have come before me, I do not always personally agree with the Governor’s legislation. The current Governor has thirteen Senate bills that President Smith and I have introduced as co-sponsors, “By Request of the Executive.” I do not agree with all of these pieces of legislation, and my votes against their passage prove that. I want to speak directly to those who are hurt and affected by the legislation that is being passed with my name but not my vote. I hope you understand that these bills do not reflect my stance on the harmful policies they represent.

I believe the most effective way to change policy is through advocacy, organizing, and electing more members to the Legislature who are devoted to solving the serious issues facing our state, not to wasting time on hurtful bills that only drive us further apart.

Contact: Brittany Carowick at 304-357-7924

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Member Press Release

Senate Calendar and Committee Schedule for Wednesday, March 5, 2025

Wednesday, March 5, 2025 – 22nd Day of Session

The Senate will convene at 11 a.m.

UNFINISHED BUSINESS

  • SR 20: Designating March 5, 2025, as West Virginia University Day

THIRD READING

  • Eng. Com. Sub. for Com. Sub. for SB 154: Prohibiting sexual orientation instruction in public schools
  • Eng. Com. Sub. for SB 284: Relating to county board of education member orientation and compensation
  • Eng. Com. Sub. for SB 487: Removing ineligible voters from active voter rolls
  • Eng. Com. Sub. for SB 581: Relating to school attendance and student participation in 4-H activities – (With right to amend)
  • Eng. Com. Sub. for HB 2354: Banning certain products from food in West Virginia

SECOND READING

  • Com. Sub. for SB 299: Modifying WV regulations on pubertal modulation, hormonal therapy, and gender reassignment
  • SB 483: Increasing civil penalties for failure to file required campaign finance reports

FIRST READING

  • Com. Sub. for SB 22: Applying penalties for nonpayment of royalties under terms of oil and natural gas leases
  • Com. Sub. for SB 117: Exempting certain physicians from specified traffic laws when responding to emergencies
  • Com. Sub. for SB 267: Extending time for renewal and restoration of commercial driver’s licenses
  • Com. Sub. for SB 503: Allowing sheriffs to appoint more than one chief deputy with consent of county commission
  • Com. Sub. for SB 573: Relating to restrictions on use or sale of motor vehicles based on power source
  • SB 611: Excluding workers of ski area operators from maximum hour requirements

Scheduled Committee Meetings

1 p.m.: Select Committee on Substance Use Disorder and Mental Health (451M)

  • SB 109: Neighborhood Assistance and Rejuvenation Compact Act
  • SB 204: Making opioid treatment programs unlawful
  • SCR 14: Requesting Joint Committee on Government and Finance study substance use disorder in WV

2 p.m.: Agriculture (208W)

  • Com. Sub. for SB 10: Exempting certain meat processes from consumers sales and service tax
  • Com. Sub. for SB 241: Exempting high tunnels and greenhouses from personal property taxes
  • Com. Sub. for SB 242: Equipment Right to Repair Act
  • SB 578: Relating to pet food packages

2 p.m.: Banking and Insurance (451M)

  • Presentation: Jason Haught, Acting Director, Public Employees Insurance Agency
  • SB 501: Relating to loan forms
  • SB 561: Relating to Uniform Special Deposits Act

3 p.m.: Judiciary (208W)

  • Com. Sub. for SB 521: Requiring party affiliations be listed for all candidates
  • SB 257: Providing protection for property owner when someone visiting private cemetery causes damage to property
  • Com. Sub. for SB 585: Relating to Craddock Student Athlete Safety Act

3 p.m.: Finance (451M)

  • Budget Presentation: Higher Education Policy Commission and Community and Technical College System
  • Budget Presentation: Department of Health Facilities
  • Budget Presentation: West Virginia National Guard

** Committee times and agendas are subject to change **

Senate Bills to be Introduced Wednesday, March 5, 2025

  • SB 696: Establishing program for camera-assisted speed enforcement in active work zones on public highways (FN) (Clements; Transportation and Infrastructure then Finance)
  • SB 697: Creating Caregiver Tax Credit Act (Chapman; Health and Human Resources then Finance)
  • SB 698: Relating to open captioning for motion pictures (Deeds, Fuller, Woodrum; Government Organization then Judiciary)
  • SB 699: Protecting environment and humans from geo-engineering experiments (Woodrum; Energy, Industry, and Mining then Judiciary)
  • SB 700: Relating to effects on regular levy rates when appraisal results in tax increase and public hearings (Woodrum; Finance)
  • SB 701: Classifying forestry equipment for levy purposes (Woodrum; Natural Resources then Finance)
  • SB 702: Relating to payment rates for child care services (FN) (Chapman; Health and Human Resources then Finance)
  • SB 703: Allowing Supreme Court of Appeals discretion to create uniform pay scales for all levels of judicial support staff (Oliverio, Charnock, Garcia, Woelfel; Finance)
  • SB 704: Relating to reports of circuit court proceedings (Willis; Judiciary)
  • SB 705: Allowing Board of Education to promulgate rules for submission to Legislature (Willis; Judiciary)
  • SB 706: Bringing Department of Education under rule-making review of Legislature (Willis; Judiciary)
  • SB 707: Providing increase in salary to WV Birth-to-Three contracted therapists and employees (Helton; Health and Human Resources then Finance)
  • SB 708: Providing state mine inspectors with raise (Garcia; Energy, Industry, and Mining then Finance)
  • SB 709: Repealing provisions of code that exempt Department of Transportation, Tax Division, and Bureau of Social Services from Division of Personnel (Rucker; Government Organization then Finance)
  • SB 710: Relating to the practice of teledentistry (FN) (Chapman; Health and Human Resources then Finance)
  • SCR 16: US Army SPC Johnny Long Memorial Bridge (Phillips, Stuart)
  • SCR 17: US Marine Corps PVT Arlie Haught Memorial (Garcia, Clements, Oliverio, Rose)

* (FN) indicates the bill has a Fiscal Note

* (IB) indicates the bill is an Interim Bill

Committee Action on Bills from Tuesday, March 4, 2025

9:30 a.m.: Government Organization

  • Com. Sub. for SB 458: Universal Professional and Occupational Licensing Act of 2025
  • Committee substitute reported to the full Senate with the recommendation it do pass
  • SB 492: Removing outdated provisions governing political committees
  • Bill reported to the full Senate with the recommendation it do pass
  • Com. Sub. for SB 522: Clarifying procedure for administrative dissolution of limited liability companies by Secretary of State
  • Committee substitute, as amended, reported to the full Senate with the recommendation it do pass
  • Com. Sub. for SB 525: Clarifying procedure for administrative dissolution of nonprofit corporations by the Secretary of State
  • Committee substitute, as amended, reported to the full Senate with the recommendation it do pass
  • Com. Sub. for SB 485: Exempting the West Virginia Secretary of State from competitive bidding process
  • Committee substitute reported to the full Senate with the recommendation it do pass
  • Com. Sub. for SB 564: Prohibiting voters not affiliated with major political party from voting ballot of political party in primary election
  • Committee substitute reported to the full Senate with the recommendation it do pass; second reference to Judiciary

9:30 a.m.: Education

  • Com. Sub. for SB 199: Relating to elementary behavior intervention and safety
  • Committee substitute reported to the full Senate with the recommendation it do pass
  • Com. Sub. for SB 155: Establishing Summer Feeding for All Program
  • Committee substitute reported to the full Senate with the recommendation it do pass; second reference to Finance
  • Com. Sub. for SB 566: Providing certified law-enforcement officers tuition-free education up to highest tuition rate for public higher education in WV
  • Committee substitute reported to the full Senate with the recommendation it do pass; second reference to Finance

1 p.m.: Economic Development

  • Com. Sub. for SB 208: Mountain Homes Act
  • Committee substitute reported to the full Senate with the recommendation it do pass; second reference to Finance
  • Com. Sub. for SB 627: Removing prohibition against leasing state-owned pore spaces underlying lands designated as state parks
  • Committee substitute reported to the full Senate with the recommendation it do pass

1 p.m.: Health and Human Resources

  • Com. Sub. for SB 565: Relating generally to practice of optometry
  • Committee substitute, as amended, reported to the full Senate with the recommendation it do pass
  • Com. Sub. for SB 86: Creating Unmatched Medical Graduate Advisory Council
  • Committee substitute, as amended, reported to the full Senate with the recommendation it do pass; second reference to Finance
  • Com. Sub. for SB 101: Imposing deadlines for autopsies and autopsy reports
  • Bill laid over to a future meeting

3 p.m.: Judiciary

  • Com. Sub. for SB 325: Department of Health, Department of Human Services, and Office of Inspector General Rules Bundle – Includes SB 319, Department of Health rule relating to public water systems; SB 320, Department of Health rule relating to statewide trauma and emergency care system; SB 321, Department of Health rule relating to fatality and mortality review team; SB 322, Department of Health rule relating to vital statistics; SB 323, Department of Health rule relating to emergency medical services; SB 324, Department of Health rule relating to Primary Care Support Program; SB 325, Department of Health rule relating to general provisions of Medical Cannabis Program; SB 326, Department of Health rule relating to growers and processors of Medical Cannabis Program; SB 327, Department of Health rule relating to laboratories of Medical Cannabis Program; SB 328, Department of Health rule relating to dispensaries of Medical Cannabis Program; SB 329, Department of Health rule relating to Safe Harbor Letter for Medical Cannabis Program; SB 330, Department of Health rule relating to critical access hospitals; SB 331, Department of Human Services rule relating to Recovery Residence Certification and Accreditation Program; SB 332, Department of Human Services rule relating to pilot program for drug screening of applicants for cash assistance; SB 333, Office of Inspector General rule relating to hospital licensure; SB 334, Office of Inspector General rule relating to behavioral health centers licensure
  • Committee substitute reported to the full Senate with the recommendation it do pass
  • Com. Sub. for SB 521: Requiring party affiliations be listed for all candidates
  • Bill laid over to a future meeting
  • SB 612: Making rules and regulations of PSC subject to legislative rule-making review procedures
  • Bill reported to the full Senate with the recommendation it do pass
  • Com. Sub. for SB 121: Updating language and increasing penalties for indecent exposure
  • Committee substitute, as amended, reported to the full Senate with the recommendation it do pass
  • Com. Sub. for SB 196: Increasing penalties for drug possession and updating list of offenses
  • Committee substitute, as amended, reported to the full Senate with the recommendation it do pass

Bills that Have Passed the Senate as of Tuesday, March 4, 2025 (35 – 33 Senate; 2 House)

  • SB 5: Establishing Adopt-A-Road program (House Energy and Public Works)
  • SB 8: Providing additional sites and devices for newborn safe surrender (House Judiciary)
  • SB 29: Allowing physicians assistants to own practice (House Health and Human Resources)
  • SB 50: Requiring municipal elections to be held on same day as statewide elections (House Judiciary)
  • SB 92: Glucagon for Schools Act (House Education)
  • SB 103: Exempting certain records from public release (House Judiciary)
  • SB 124: Reducing statute of limitations on actions to recover on oral and written contracts (House Judiciary)
  • SB 136: Increasing penalties and parole eligibility requirements for homicide (House Judiciary)
  • SB 138: Enhancing penalties for fleeing officer (House Judiciary)
  • SB 139: Relating to filling of vacancies in Legislature (House Judiciary)
  • SB 151: Creating crime of assault on police dogs and other public safety animals (House Judiciary)
  • SB 198: Prohibiting creation, production, distribution, or possession of artificially generated child pornography (House Judiciary)
  • SB 234: Increasing value at which municipal property must be sold through public auction (House Government Organization)
  • SB 240: Updating crime of sexual extortion (House Judiciary)
  • SB 269: Modifying requirements for public water systems or businesses having backflow preventers (House Energy and Public Works)
  • SB 270: Declaring sale and manufacture of firearms essential business during declared emergency (House Judiciary)
  • SB 275: Removing requirement school cooks or custodians have high school diploma or equivalent (House Education)
  • SB 282: Modifying provisions for employment of retired teachers as substitutes in areas of critical need and shortage (House Education)
  • SB 283: Expanding grade levels of personal finance course requirements needed for graduation (House Education)
  • SB 291: Extending time frame for pharmacies to register from annually to biennially (House Government Organization)
  • SB 336: Authorizing Department of Homeland Security to promulgate legislative rules (House Judiciary)
  • SB 358: Authorizing Department of Transportation to promulgate legislative rules (House Energy and Public Works)
  • SB 369: Authorizing miscellaneous boards and agencies to promulgate legislative rules (House Government Organization)
  • SB 427: Permitting certain teenagers to work without obtaining work permit (House Government Organization)
  • SB 443: Authorizing Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology Board of Examiners to conduct criminal background checks for licensing (House Government Organization)
  • SB 456: Defining “men” and “women” (H Second Reading, 03-05)
  • SB 459: Requiring county planning commission members be state residents (House Government Organization)
  • SB 460: Relating to vaccine requirements (House Health and Human Resources)
  • SB 462: Permitting Board of Occupational Therapy to require criminal history record checks (House Government Organization)
  • SB 482: Certified Professional Midwife Licensing and Regulation (House Government Organization)
  • SB 486: Clarifying eligibility requirements to vote in WV elections (Pending House introduction)
  • SB 488: Clarifying definition of electioneering (Pending House introduction)
  • SB 490: Prohibiting ranked-choice voting in elections in West Virginia (Pending House introduction)
  • SB 496: Removing reflexology and other energy-based work from definition of “massage therapy” (House Government Organization)
  • SB 534: Clarifying qualifications to be licensed to administer polygraphs (House Government Organization)
  • SB 537: Establishing WV Mothers and Babies Pregnancy Support Program (House Health and Human Resources)
  • HB 2024: Updating the meaning certain terms used in West Virginia Personal Income Tax Act (Signed, 02-24)
  • HB 2025: Updating terms in the Corporation Net Income Tax Act (Signed, 02-24)

Senate Resolutions that Have Been Adopted by the Senate as of Tuesday, March 4, 2025 (3)

  • SCR 1: Adopting Joint Rules of Senate and House of Delegates (Adopted, 01-08)
  • SCR 2: Authorizing payment of joint expenses (Adopted, 01-08)
  • SCR 4: Amending Joint Rules of Senate and House of Delegates (Adopted, 02-12)

Action on House Resolutions in the Senate as of Tuesday, March 4, 2025 (1)

  • HCR 49: Resolution relating to use of industrial sites and the potential impacts on downstream facilities (Adopted, 03-03)

Bills that Have Completed Legislation as of Tuesday, March 4, 2025 (2 – 2 House)

  • HB 2024: Updating the meaning certain terms used in West Virginia Personal Income Tax Act (Signed, 02-24)
  • HB 2025: Updating terms in the Corporation Net Income Tax Act (Signed, 02-24)

Resolutions that Have Completed Legislation as of Tuesday, March 4, 2025 (8 – 3 Senate; 5 House)

  • SCR 1: Adopting Joint Rules of Senate and House of Delegates (Adopted, 01-08)
  • SCR 2: Authorizing payment of joint expenses (Adopted, 01-08)
  • SCR 4: Amending Joint Rules of Senate and House of Delegates (Adopted, 02-12)
  • HCR 1: Raising a Joint Assembly to open and publish election returns (Adopted, 01-08)
  • HCR 2: Extending an invitation to His Excellency, the Governor, to deliver an address to the Legislature and raising a Joint Assembly therefor (Adopted, 01-08)
  • HCR 3: Providing for an adjournment of the Legislature until February 12, 2025 (Adopted, 01-08)
  • HCR 4: Raising a Joint Assembly to hear remarks of the Governor (Adopted, 01-12)
  • HCR 49: Resolution relating to use of industrial sites and the potential impacts on downstream facilities (Adopted, 03-03)

Bills Signed by the Governor as of Tuesday, March 4, 2025 (2 – 2 House)

  • HB 2024: Updating the meaning certain terms used in West Virginia Personal Income Tax Act (Signed, 02-24)
  • HB 2025: Updating terms in the Corporation Net Income Tax Act (Signed, 02-24)

Committee times and agendas are subject to change. Follow @WVSenClerk on X for updates.

All Senate Committee meetings and floor sessions are available for both live streaming and to watch again in our archives. The link to the Senate’s archived video page can be found here:http://sg001-armony.sliq.net/00289/Harmony/en/View/UpcomingEvents.

Contact: Jacque Bland at (304) 357-7999

Continue reading

Member Press Release

Senate Calendar and Committee Schedule for Tuesday, March 4, 2025

Tuesday, March 4, 2025 – 21st Day of Session

The Senate will convene at 11 a.m.

UNFINISHED BUSINESS

  • SR 19: Designating March 4, 2025, as Marshall University Day

THIRD READING

  • Eng. Com. Sub. for SB 486: Clarifying eligibility requirements to vote in WV elections
  • Eng. Com. Sub. for SB 488: Clarifying definition of electioneering
  • Eng. SB 490: Prohibiting ranked-choice voting in elections in West Virginia (original similar to HB 2408HB 2683SB 133SB 226)

SECOND READING

  • Com. Sub. for Com. Sub. for SB 154: Prohibiting sexual orientation instruction in public schools
  • Com. Sub. for SB 284: Relating to county board of education member orientation and compensation
  • SB 483: Increasing civil penalties for failure to file required campaign finance reports
  • Com. Sub. for SB 487: Removing ineligible voters from active voter rolls
  • Com. Sub. for SB 581: Relating to school attendance and student participation in 4-H activities
  • Eng. Com. Sub. for HB 2354: Banning certain products from food in West Virginia

FIRST READING

  • Com. Sub. for SB 299: Modifying WV regulations on pubertal modulation, hormonal therapy, and gender reassignment
  • Com. Sub. for SB 484: Relating to disclosures and penalties associated with use of synthetic media and artificial intelligence
  • Com. Sub. for SB 489: Relating to election law violation complaints and procedures

Scheduled Committee Meetings

9:30 a.m.: Government Organization (208W)

  • Com. Sub. for SB 458: Universal Professional and Occupational Licensing Act of 2025
  • SB 492: Removing outdated provisions governing political committees
  • SB 522: Clarifying procedure for administrative dissolution of limited liability companies by Secretary of State
  • SB 525: Clarifying procedure for administrative dissolution of nonprofit corporations by the Secretary of State
  • Com. Sub. for SB 485: Exempting the West Virginia Secretary of State from competitive bidding process
  • SB 564: Prohibiting voters not affiliated with major political party from voting ballot of political party in primary election

9:30 a.m.: Education (451M)

  • SB 199: Relating to elementary behavior intervention and safety
  • SB 155: Establishing Summer Feeding for All Program
  • SB 566: Providing certified law-enforcement officers tuition-free education up to highest tuition rate for public higher education in WV

1 p.m.: Economic Development (208W)

  • SB 208: Mountain Homes Act
  • SB 627: Removing prohibition against leasing state-owned pore spaces underlying lands designated as state parks

1 p.m.: Health and Human Resources (451M)

  • SB 565: Relating generally to practice of optometry
  • SB 86: Creating Unmatched Medical Graduate Advisory Council
  • SB 101: Imposing deadlines for autopsies and autopsy reports

3 p.m.: Judiciary (208W)

  • Com. Sub. for SB 325: Department of Health, Department of Human Services, and Office of Inspector General Rules Bundle
  • Includes SB 319, Department of Health rule relating to public water systems; SB 320, Department of Health rule relating to statewide trauma and emergency care system; SB 321, Department of Health rule relating to fatality and mortality review team; SB 322, Department of Health rule relating to vital statistics; SB 323, Department of Health rule relating to emergency medical services; SB 324, Department of Health rule relating to Primary Care Support Program; SB 325, Department of Health rule relating to general provisions of Medical Cannabis Program; SB 326, Department of Health rule relating to growers and processors of Medical Cannabis Program; SB 327, Department of Health rule relating to laboratories of Medical Cannabis Program; SB 328, Department of Health rule relating to dispensaries of Medical Cannabis Program; SB 329, Department of Health rule relating to Safe Harbor Letter for Medical Cannabis Program; SB 330, Department of Health rule relating to critical access hospitals; SB 331, Department of Human Services rule relating to Recovery Residence Certification and Accreditation Program; SB 332, Department of Human Services rule relating to pilot program for drug screening of applicants for cash assistance; SB 333, Office of Inspector General rule relating to hospital licensure; SB 334, Office of Inspector General rule relating to behavioral health centers licensure
  • SB 521: Requiring party affiliations be listed for all candidates
  • SB 612: Making rules and regulations of PSC subject to legislative rule-making review procedures
  • Com. Sub. for SB 121: Updating language and increasing penalties for indecent exposure
  • Com. Sub. for SB 196: Increasing penalties for drug possession and updating list of offenses

3 p.m.: Finance (451M)

  • Budget Presentation: West Virginia Department of Homeland Security
  • Budget Presentation: West Virginia Department of Education

** Committee times and agendas are subject to change **

Senate Bills to be Introduced Tuesday, March 4, 2025

  • SB 662: Clarifying racial discrimination includes discrimination based on certain hair textures and hairstyles (Garcia; Government Organization then Judiciary)
  • SB 663: Creating Transparency in Financial Services Act (Azinger; Banking and Insurance then Judiciary)
  • SB 664: Establishing First Amendment Preservation Act (Azinger, Martin, Phillips, Charnock, Helton; Judiciary)
  • SB 665: Ensuring that survivor of merger, reorganization, purchase, or assumption of liabilities of bank chartered by WV is insured by FDIC (Azinger; Banking and Insurance)
  • SB 666: Updating definition of disabled veteran taxpayer (Weld; Military then Finance)
  • SB 667: Providing for display of Ten Commandments in each classroom (Azinger; Education then Finance)
  • SB 668: Relating to volunteer firefighter tax credit (FN) (Roberts; Finance)
  • SB 669: Requiring medical insurance providers to include infertility services in policies (FN) (Garcia; Health and Human Resources then Finance)
  • SB 670: Relating to locality pay to certain Division of Highways employees (Garcia; Transportation and Infrastructure then Finance)
  • SB 671: Creating By-Right Housing Development Act (Rucker; Economic Development then Government Organization)
  • SB 672: Limiting student use of cell phones in K-12 classrooms (Rucker; Education)
  • SB 673: Defining third-party challenges to development permits (Rucker; Government Organization)
  • SB 674: Creating Standardized Testing Choice Act (Rucker, Grady; Education then Finance)
  • SB 675: Requiring participant in federal 340B Drug Pricing Program to report certain data (Rucker, Azinger, Roberts, Rose, Thorne, Woelfel; Government Organization)
  • SB 676: Providing veterinarian and veterinary technician reciprocity (Rucker, Thorne; Government Organization)
  • SB 677: Increasing fees charged by Commissioner of Securities for each offering (Smith, Finance)
  • SB 678: Establishing Coal Based Affordable Electricity and Economic Growth Act (Hart, Helton, Phillips, Rose, Rucker, Willis; Energy, Industry, and Mining then Finance)
  • SB 679: Repealing vehicle inspection sticker requirements in WV (FN) (Hart, Rose; Transportation and Infrastructure then Finance)
  • SB 680: Establishing Comprehensive Highway Paving Plan (Hart, Rose; Transportation and Infrastructure then Finance)
  • SB 681: Providing internet service providers be considered telecommunications utility by PSC (Hart; Transportation and Infrastructure then Finance)
  • SB 682: Requiring electric utility meter choice (Hart, Phillips, Rose; Energy, Industry, and Mining)
  • SB 683: Relating to land sales by Auditor (Smith; Government Organization)
  • SB 684: Creating Community School Funding Formula Revision Act (Hart, Rose; Education then Finance)
  • SB 685: Creating Non-Profit Transparency and Accountability Act (Hart, Rose; Government Organization)
  • SB 686: Relating to WV commercial feed law (Hart, Rose; Agriculture then Finance)
  • SB 687: Relating to authority of PSC (Hart, Rose; Government Organization then Finance)
  • SB 688: Providing for 4th Amendment Restoration Act (Rose, Thorne, Rucker, Willis; Government Organization then Judiciary)
  • SB 689: State Sovereignty Act of 2025 (Rose; Health and Human Resources then Judiciary)
  • SB 690: Authorizing county commissions to increase compensation of elected county officials (Woodrum, Oliverio; Government Organization)
  • SB 691: Restricting access to crime records (Garcia; Judiciary)
  • SB 692: Relating to requirements to receive PROMISE Scholarship (Rucker; Education then Finance)
  • SB 693: Modifying notification of brewery or dock price of nonintoxicating beer, ale, or other malt beverage or malt cooler (Rucker; Government Organization then Finance)
  • SB 694: Protecting state and local government systems and data from foreign entities (Rucker; Government Organization then Judiciary)
  • SB 695: Requiring higher education institutions to accept Classic Learning Test (Rucker; Education)
  • SR 20: Designating March 5, 2025, as West Virginia University Day (Oliverio, Garcia, Smith, Taylor, Clements, Rose)

* (FN) indicates the bill has a Fiscal Note

* (IB) indicates the bill is an Interim Bill

Committee Action on Bills from Monday, March 3, 2025

9:30 a.m.: Government Organization

  • Com. Sub. For SB 458: Universal Professional and Occupational Licensing Act of 2025
  • Bill laid over to future meeting

1 p.m.: Workforce

  • SB 263: Relating to use of criminal records as disqualification from authorization to practice particular profession
  • Bill not taken up; will be considered at a future meeting
  • Com. Sub. for SB 587: Relating generally to government contracting
  • Committee substitute reported to the full Senate with the recommendation it do pass; second reference to Government Organization
  • SB 611: Excluding workers of ski area operators from maximum hour requirements
  • Bill reported to the full Senate with the recommendation it do pass

1 p.m.: Transportation and Infrastructure

  • Com. Sub. for SB 67: Allowing motor vehicle racing on county and municipal roads under certain circumstances
  • Bill laid over to a future meeting
  • Com. Sub. for SB 117: Exempting certain physicians from specified traffic laws when responding to emergencies
  • Committee substitute reported to the full Senate with the recommendation it do pass
  • Com. Sub. for SB 267: Providing for inactive status for CDL holders when not driving commercially
  • Committee substitute reported to the full Senate with the recommendation it do pass
  • Com. Sub. for SB 573: Relating to restrictions on use or sale of motor vehicles based on power source
  • Committee substitute reported to the full Senate with the recommendation it do pass

2 p.m.: Energy, Industry and Mining

  • Com. Sub. for SB 22: Applying penalties for nonpayment of royalties under terms of oil and natural gas leases
  • Committee substitute reported to the full Senate with the recommendation it do pass

2 p.m.: Pensions

  • Com. Sub. for SB 35: Permitting campus police officers to participate in Deputy Sheriffs Retirement System
  • Committee substitute reported to the full Senate with the recommendation it do pass; second reference to Finance
  • Com. Sub. for SB 76: Increasing WV Natural Resources Police Officer Retirement System accrued benefit for certain members
  • Committee substitute reported to the full Senate with the recommendation it do pass; second reference to Finance

3 p.m.: Judiciary

  • Com. Sub. for SB 589: Providing pay increases to members of judiciary
  • Committee substitute reported to the full Senate with the recommendation it do pass; second reference to Finance
  • Com. Sub. for SB 622: Authorizing compensation for certain lower court staff
  • Committee substitute reported to the full Senate with the recommendation it do pass; second reference to Finance
  • Com. Sub. for SB 503: Allowing sheriffs to appoint more than one chief deputy with consent of county commission
  • Committee substitute reported to the full Senate with the recommendation it do pass

Bills that Have Passed the Senate as of Monday, March 3, 2025 (35 – 33 Senate; 2 House)

  • SB 5: Establishing Adopt-A-Road program (House Energy and Public Works)
  • SB 8: Providing additional sites and devices for newborn safe surrender (House Judiciary)
  • SB 29: Allowing physicians assistants to own practice (Pending House introduction)
  • SB 50: Requiring municipal elections to be held on same day as statewide elections (Pending House introduction)
  • SB 92: Glucagon for Schools Act (House Education)
  • SB 103: Exempting certain records from public release (House Judiciary)
  • SB 124: Reducing statute of limitations on actions to recover on oral and written contracts (Pending House introduction)
  • SB 136: Increasing penalties and parole eligibility requirements for homicide (House Judiciary)
  • SB 138: Enhancing penalties for fleeing officer (House Judiciary)
  • SB 139: Relating to filling of vacancies in Legislature (House Judiciary)
  • SB 151: Creating crime of assault on police dogs and other public safety animals (House Judiciary)
  • SB 198: Prohibiting creation, production, distribution, or possession of artificially generated child pornography (Pending House introduction)
  • SB 234: Increasing value at which municipal property must be sold through public auction (House Government Organization)
  • SB 240: Updating crime of sexual extortion (House Judiciary)
  • SB 269: Modifying requirements for public water systems or businesses having backflow preventers (House Energy and Public Works)
  • SB 270: Declaring sale and manufacture of firearms essential business during declared emergency (House Judiciary)
  • SB 275: Removing requirement school cooks or custodians have high school diploma or equivalent (House Education)
  • SB 282: Modifying provisions for employment of retired teachers as substitutes in areas of critical need and shortage (House Education)
  • SB 283: Expanding grade levels of personal finance course requirements needed for graduation (House Education)
  • SB 291: Extending time frame for pharmacies to register from annually to biennially (House Government Organization)
  • SB 336: Authorizing Department of Homeland Security to promulgate legislative rules (House Judiciary)
  • SB 358: Authorizing Department of Transportation to promulgate legislative rules (House Energy and Public Works)
  • SB 369: Authorizing miscellaneous boards and agencies to promulgate legislative rules (House Government Organization)
  • SB 427: Permitting certain teenagers to work without obtaining work permit (House Government Organization)
  • SB 443: Authorizing Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology Board of Examiners to conduct criminal background checks for licensing (House Government Organization)
  • SB 456: Defining “men” and “women” (Pending House introduction)
  • SB 459: Requiring county planning commission members be state residents (House Government Organization)
  • SB 460: Relating to vaccine requirements (House Health and Human Resources)
  • SB 462: Permitting Board of Occupational Therapy to require criminal history record checks (House Government Organization)
  • SB 482: Certified Professional Midwife Licensing and Regulation (Pending House introduction)
  • SB 496: Removing reflexology and other energy-based work from definition of “massage therapy” (Pending House introduction)
  • SB 534: Clarifying qualifications to be licensed to administer polygraphs (Pending House introduction)
  • SB 537: Establishing WV Mothers and Babies Pregnancy Support Program (Pending House introduction)
  • HB 2024: Updating the meaning certain terms used in West Virginia Personal Income Tax Act (Signed, 02-24)
  • HB 2025: Updating terms in the Corporation Net Income Tax Act (Signed, 02-24)

Senate Resolutions that Have Been Adopted by the Senate as of Monday, March 3, 2025 (3)

  • SCR 1: Adopting Joint Rules of Senate and House of Delegates (Adopted, 01-08)
  • SCR 2: Authorizing payment of joint expenses (Adopted, 01-08)
  • SCR 4: Amending Joint Rules of Senate and House of Delegates (Adopted, 02-12)

Bills that Have Completed Legislation as of Monday, March 3, 2025 (2 – 2 House)

  • HB 2024: Updating the meaning certain terms used in West Virginia Personal Income Tax Act (Signed, 02-24)
  • HB 2025: Updating terms in the Corporation Net Income Tax Act (Signed, 02-24)

Resolutions that Have Completed Legislation as of Monday, March 3, 2025 (8 – 3 Senate; 5 House)

  • SCR 1: Adopting Joint Rules of Senate and House of Delegates (Adopted, 01-08)
  • SCR 2: Authorizing payment of joint expenses (Adopted, 01-08)
  • SCR 4: Amending Joint Rules of Senate and House of Delegates (Adopted, 02-12)
  • HCR 1: Raising a Joint Assembly to open and publish election returns (Adopted, 01-08)
  • HCR 2: Extending an invitation to His Excellency, the Governor, to deliver an address to the Legislature and raising a Joint Assembly therefor (Adopted, 01-08)
  • HCR 3: Providing for an adjournment of the Legislature until February 12, 2025 (Adopted, 01-08)
  • HCR 4: Raising a Joint Assembly to hear remarks of the Governor (Adopted, 01-12)
  • HCR 49: Resolution relating to use of industrial sites and the potential impacts on downstream facilities (Adopted, 03-03)

Bills Signed by the Governor as of Monday, March 3, 2025 (2 – 2 House)

  • HB 2024: Updating the meaning certain terms used in West Virginia Personal Income Tax Act (Signed, 02-24)
  • HB 2025: Updating terms in the Corporation Net Income Tax Act (Signed, 02-24)

Committee times and agendas are subject to change. Follow @WVSenClerk on X for updates.

All Senate Committee meetings and floor sessions are available for both live streaming and to watch again in our archives. The link to the Senate’s archived video page can be found here:http://sg001-armony.sliq.net/00289/Harmony/en/View/UpcomingEvents.

Contact: Jacque Bland at (304) 357-7999

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Member Press Release

Senate Calendar and Committee Schedule for Monday, March 3, 2025

Monday, March 3, 2025 – 20th Day of Session

The Senate will convene at 11 a.m.

UNFINISHED BUSINESS

  • SCR 15: Opposing China’s use of UN Resolution 2758 against Taiwan
  • SR 18: Designating March 3, 2025, as Future Farmers Day
  • HCR 49: Resolution relating to use of industrial sites and the potential impacts on downstream facilities

THIRD READING

  • Eng. Com. Sub. for SB 29: Allowing physicians assistants to own practice
  • Eng. Com. Sub. for SB 50: Requiring municipal elections to be held on same day as statewide elections (original similar to HB 2422)
  • Eng. Com. Sub. for SB 124: Reducing statute of limitations on actions to recover on oral and written contracts (original similar to HB 3033)
  • Eng. Com. Sub. for SB 198: Prohibiting creation, production, distribution, or possession of artificially generated child pornography
  • Eng. Com. Sub. for SB 456: Defining “men” and “women” (original similar to HB 2006)
  • Eng. Com. Sub. for SB 482: Certified Professional Midwife Licensing and Regulation
  • Eng. SB 496: Removing reflexology and other energy-based work from definition of “massage therapy”
  • Eng. Com. Sub. for SB 534: Clarifying qualifications to be licensed to administer polygraphs
  • Eng. SB 537: Establishing WV Mothers and Babies Pregnancy Support Program

SECOND READING

  • SB 483: Increasing civil penalties for failure to file required campaign finance reports
  • Com. Sub. for SB 486: Clarifying eligibility requirements to vote in WV elections
  • Com. Sub. for SB 488: Clarifying definition of electioneering
  • SB 490: Prohibiting ranked-choice voting in elections in West Virginia (original similar to HB 2408HB 2683SB 133SB 226)

FIRST READING

  • Com. Sub. for Com. Sub. for SB 154: Prohibiting sexual orientation instruction in public schools
  • Com. Sub. for SB 284: Relating to county board of education member orientation and compensation
  • Com. Sub. for SB 484: Relating to disclosures and penalties associated with use of synthetic media and artificial intelligence
  • Com. Sub. for SB 487: Removing ineligible voters from active voter rolls
  • Com. Sub. for SB 489: Relating to election law violation complaints and procedures
  • Com. Sub. for SB 545: Banning certain products from food in WV
  • Com. Sub. for SB 581: Relating to school attendance and student participation in 4-H activities

Scheduled Committee Meetings

9:30 a.m.: Government Organization (208W)

  • Com. Sub. For SB 458: Universal Professional and Occupational Licensing Act of 2025

1 p.m.: Workforce (208W)

  • SB 263: Relating to use of criminal records as disqualification from authorization to practice particular profession
  • SB 587: Relating generally to government contracting
  • SB 611: Excluding workers of ski area operators from maximum hour requirements

1 p.m.: Transportation and Infrastructure (451M)

  • Com. Sub. for SB 67: Allowing motor vehicle racing on county and municipal roads under certain circumstances
  • Com. Sub. for SB 117: Exempting certain physicians from specified traffic laws when responding to emergencies
  • Com. Sub. for SB 267: Providing for inactive status for CDL holders when not driving commercially
  • Com. Sub. for SB 573: Relating to restrictions on use or sale of motor vehicles based on power source

2 p.m.: Energy, Industry and Mining (208W)

  • Com. Sub. for SB 22: Applying penalties for nonpayment of royalties under terms of oil and natural gas leases
  • Presentation: Randall Short, Director of Regulatory Services, Appalachian Power

2 p.m.: Pensions (451M)

  • Com. Sub. for SB 35: Permitting campus police officers to participate in Deputy Sheriffs Retirement System
  • SB 76: Increasing WV Natural Resources Police Officer Retirement System accrued benefit for certain members

3 p.m.: Judiciary (208W)

  • SB 121: Updating language and increasing penalties for indecent exposure
  • SB 589: Providing pay increases to members of judiciary
  • SB 622: Authorizing compensation for certain lower court staff
  • SB 147: Establishing aggravated felony offense of reckless driving resulting in death
  • SB 503: Allowing sheriffs to appoint more than one chief deputy with consent of county commission

** Committee times and agendas are subject to change **

Senate Bills to be Introduced Monday, March 3, 2025

  • SB 639: Creating WV Small Business Appreciation and Acknowledgement Act (FN) (Willis; Economic Development then Finance)
  • SB 640: Relating to number of children who may be in family child care home (FN) (Willis; Health and Human Resources then Finance)
  • SB 641: Updating time frame for scheduling of hearing on petition for eviction (Willis; Judiciary)
  • SB 642: Relating to vacancies in office of magistrate (Willis; Judiciary)
  • SB 643: Restoring voting rights for person incarcerated for felony upon release (Garcia; Judiciary)
  • SB 644: Reinstating prevailing wage (Garcia; Workforce then Judiciary)
  • SB 645: Requiring petition of qualified voters for defeated amendment to be reconsidered regarding city charters (Weld; Judiciary)
  • SB 646: Extending non-traditional instruction days for WV teachers from five to 10 (Fuller, Rose; Education then Finance)
  • SB 647: Authorizing higher education institutions to enter into agreements relating to student-athlete’s name, image, or likeness (Grady; Education)
  • SB 648: Requiring courts to interpret statutes and regulations (Chapman; Government Organization then Judiciary)
  • SB 649: Supplementing and amending appropriations to Department of Health, Office of Inspector General (Barrett; Finance)
  • SB 650: Relating to full-time interventionists (Grady; Education)
  • SB 651: Creating WV Black Lung Program (FN) (Garcia; Judiciary then Finance)
  • SB 652: Expanding cardiac arrest provisions to be applicable to elementary schools (Grady; Education then Finance)
  • SB 653: Relating generally to EMS retirement (Takubo, Azinger, Rose; Pensions then Finance)
  • SB 654: Creating WV ALS Care Services Act (Takubo; Health and Human Resources then Finance)
  • SB 655: Providing for immunity for mental health providers who are involved in mental hygiene checks (Takubo; Judiciary)
  • SB 656: Relating to impeding, threatening, or harassing first responders (Oliverio, Deeds, Fuller, Hamilton, Morris; Judiciary)
  • SB 657: Exempting WV campus police officer retirement income from personal income tax (Oliverio, Fuller, Garcia, Woelfel; Pensions then Finance)
  • SB 658: Prohibiting certain persons from receiving compensation for advising or assisting with veterans’ benefits (Oliverio; Military)
  • SB 659: Creating Parents’ Bill of Rights (Willis; Judiciary)
  • SB 660: Removing restrictions for supervising physicians for nurse practitioners or physician assistants in WV (Willis; Health and Human Resources)
  • SB 661: Revising reimbursement and transportation process for post-mental health involuntary commitment (Willis; Substance Use Disorder and Mental Health then Finance)
  • SJR 13: Constitutional Officer Term Limit Amendment (Bartlett, Azinger; Judiciary then Finance)
  • SR 19: Designating March 4, 2025, as Marshall University Day (Fuller)

* (FN) indicates the bill has a Fiscal Note

* (IB) indicates the bill is an Interim Bill

Bills that Have Passed the Senate as of Friday, February 28, 2025 (26 – 24 Senate; 2 House)

  • SB 5: Establishing Adopt-A-Road program (Pending House introduction)
  • SB 8: Providing additional sites and devices for newborn safe surrender (House Judiciary)
  • SB 92: Glucagon for Schools Act (House Education)
  • SB 103: Exempting certain records from public release (House Judiciary)
  • SB 136: Increasing penalties and parole eligibility requirements for homicide (House Judiciary)
  • SB 138: Enhancing penalties for fleeing officer (House Judiciary)
  • SB 139: Relating to filling of vacancies in Legislature (House Judiciary)
  • SB 151: Creating crime of assault on police dogs and other public safety animals (House Judiciary)
  • SB 234: Increasing value at which municipal property must be sold through public auction (Pending House introduction)
  • SB 240: Updating crime of sexual extortion (House Judiciary)
  • SB 269: Modifying requirements for public water systems or businesses having backflow preventers (House Energy and Public Works)
  • SB 270: Declaring sale and manufacture of firearms essential business during declared emergency (House Judiciary)
  • SB 275: Removing requirement school cooks or custodians have high school diploma or equivalent (House Education)
  • SB 282: Modifying provisions for employment of retired teachers as substitutes in areas of critical need and shortage (House Education)
  • SB 283: Expanding grade levels of personal finance course requirements needed for graduation (House Education)
  • SB 291: Extending time frame for pharmacies to register from annually to biennially (House Government Organization)
  • SB 336: Authorizing Department of Homeland Security to promulgate legislative rules (House Judiciary)
  • SB 358: Authorizing Department of Transportation to promulgate legislative rules (House Energy and Public Works)
  • SB 369: Authorizing miscellaneous boards and agencies to promulgate legislative rules (Pending House introduction)
  • SB 427: Permitting certain teenagers to work without obtaining work permit (Pending House introduction)
  • SB 443: Authorizing Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology Board of Examiners to conduct criminal background checks for licensing (House Government Organization)
  • SB 459: Requiring county planning commission members be state residents (Pending House introduction)
  • SB 460: Relating to vaccine requirements (House Health and Human Resources)
  • SB 462: Permitting Board of Occupational Therapy to require criminal history record checks (House Government Organization)
  • HB 2024: Updating the meaning certain terms used in West Virginia Personal Income Tax Act (Signed, 02-24)
  • HB 2025: Updating terms in the Corporation Net Income Tax Act (Signed, 02-24)

Resolutions that Have Been Adopted by the Senate as of Friday, February 28, 2025 (3)

  • SCR 1: Adopting Joint Rules of Senate and House of Delegates (Adopted, 01-08)
  • SCR 2: Authorizing payment of joint expenses (Adopted, 01-08)
  • SCR 4: Amending Joint Rules of Senate and House of Delegates (Adopted, 02-12)

Action on House Bills in the Senate as of Friday, February 28, 2025 (13)

  • HB 2024: Updating the meaning certain terms used in West Virginia Personal Income Tax Act (Signed, 02-24)
  • HB 2025: Updating terms in the Corporation Net Income Tax Act (Signed, 02-24)
  • HB 2042: Relating to allowing a guardian ad litem to request the appointment of a court appointed special advocate (Judiciary)
  • HB 2047: Prohibiting cameras and recording devices in bedrooms and bathrooms of foster children (Health and Human Resources)
  • HB 2053: Relating to including the United States Space Force in the definition armed forces (Military then Finance)
  • HB 2065: To allow Gold Star parents to receive one free Gold Star vehicle registration for personal use (Pending Senate introduction)
  • HB 2066: Creating a crime for the destruction of first responder equipment (Judiciary)
  • HB 2123: Modifying the criminal penalties imposed on a parent, guardian or custodian for child abuse (Judiciary)
  • HB 2157: Provide one trip temporary vehicle permits to be purchased and printed online (Pending Senate introduction)
  • HB 2170: Allowing volunteer fire departments to use fire protection funding for certain purchases (Pending Senate introduction)
  • HB 2344: Relating generally to traffic safety (Pending Senate introduction)
  • HB 2354: Banning certain products from food in West Virginia (Pending Senate introduction)
  • HB 2363: Clarifying the groups of persons to whom the criminal prohibitions related to child pornography are inapplicable when such persons are performing their official or employment duties (Judiciary)

Action on House Resolutions in the Senate as of Friday, February 28, 2025 (1)

  • HCR 49: Resolution relating to use of industrial sites and the potential impacts on downstream facilities (S Unfinished Business, 03-03)

Bills that Have Completed Legislation as of Friday, February 28, 2025 (2 – 2 House)

  • HB 2024: Updating the meaning certain terms used in West Virginia Personal Income Tax Act (Signed, 02-24)
  • HB 2025: Updating terms in the Corporation Net Income Tax Act (Signed, 02-24)

Resolutions that Have Completed Legislation as of Friday, February 28, 2025 (7 – 3 Senate; 4 House)

  • SCR 1: Adopting Joint Rules of Senate and House of Delegates (Adopted, 01-08)
  • SCR 2: Authorizing payment of joint expenses (Adopted, 01-08)
  • SCR 4: Amending Joint Rules of Senate and House of Delegates (Adopted, 02-12)
  • HCR 1: Raising a Joint Assembly to open and publish election returns (Adopted, 01-08)
  • HCR 2: Extending an invitation to His Excellency, the Governor, to deliver an address to the Legislature and raising a Joint Assembly therefor (Adopted, 01-08)
  • HCR 3: Providing for an adjournment of the Legislature until February 12, 2025 (Adopted, 01-08)
  • HCR 4: Raising a Joint Assembly to hear remarks of the Governor (Adopted, 01-12)

Bills Signed by the Governor as of Friday, February 28, 2025 (2 – 2 House)

  • HB 2024: Updating the meaning certain terms used in West Virginia Personal Income Tax Act (Signed, 02-24)
  • HB 2025: Updating terms in the Corporation Net Income Tax Act (Signed, 02-24)

Committee times and agendas are subject to change. Follow @WVSenClerk on X for updates.

All Senate Committee meetings and floor sessions are available for both live streaming and to watch again in our archives. The link to the Senate’s archived video page can be found here:http://sg001-armony.sliq.net/00289/Harmony/en/View/UpcomingEvents.

Contact: Jacque Bland at (304) 357-7999

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Member Press Release

This Week in the House of Delegates

For the week ending Feb. 28, 2025

CHARLESTON, W.Va. — As members of the West Virginia House of Delegates continue to implement their new, two-day committee process for deliberating potential bills, many passed the full body with nearly universal, unanimous support.

A total of 11 bills passed the full House this week, with fewer than half a dozen “nay” votes against any of them.

Members of the House voted to move some food additives out of reach with their approval of House Bill 2354. The measure would eliminate certain food additives from school nutrition programs starting Aug. 1 and would prohibit the sale of food products containing seven specific color additives or food dyes within the state after Jan. 1, 2027.

“We live in a state where many of our elementary school kids are medicated dealing with ADHD or some type of autism symptoms and what the studies have begun to show is that these additives that add no value to the nutritional value, only appearance to it, are actually feeding into hyperactivity and ADHD,” said Adam Burkhammer, R-Lewis, and lead sponsor of HB2354. “So as we consider bills on down our list, and one of them has been a really hot topic when we talk about elementary school behavior and how we’re going to tackle this, we’re tackling it right now: Better foods, better ingredients, better behavior, better for everybody.”

Delegates this week also voted to increase the criminal penalties on parents or guardians convicted of child abuse or neglect resulting in injury with House Bill 2123, and House Bill 2047, to largely prohibit cameras or recording devices in the bedrooms and bathrooms of foster children.

“We have to do everything we can to protect our kids,” said Delegate Doug Smith, R-Mercer, and lead sponsor of HB2123, which has unanimously passed the full House five out of the past six years.

Members of the Energy and Public Works Committee dug deep this week for an intense discussion on utility services and the establishment of microgrids in West Virginia. Their work across two meetings lasted nearly five hours with no legislation on the table.

Various representatives from the energy industry spoke to the economics and other aspects of microgrids in the state during the meeting, allowing the committee to go in-depth on the key question of how West Virginia can continue to lead in energy generation and economic development.

“When we’re able to talk through a problem, a concept or an opportunity without anyone in the room trying to defend or fight any specifics of a bill, we have the latitude to learn,” said Delegate Clay Riley, R-Harrison. “We got a wholistic view of microgrids in just one meeting, hearing from fuel sources, coal, natural gas, renewables, from the regulated utilities, the merchant utilities and the end users.”

Riley said the format lends itself to gaining perspective rather than being pigeonholed.

“It helps us all to understand the ‘why’ behind what someone believes without feeling like we must line up behind one bill or another,” he said.

A total of 1,051 bills have been introduced in the House; the last day to introduce bills is March 18. The 60-day, regular legislative session ends at midnight April 12.

Contact: Ann Ali at (304) 340-3323

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Member Press Release

Senate Calendar and Committee Schedule for Friday, February 28, 2025

Friday, February 28, 2025 – 17th Day of Session

The Senate will convene at 10 a.m.

UNFINISHED BUSINESS

  • SR 16: Designating first full week in May as Tardive Dyskinesia Awareness Week
  • SR 17: Designating February 28, 2025, as Dental Hygienists’ Day
  • HCR 49: Resolution relating to use of industrial sites and the potential impacts on downstream facilities

THIRD READING

  • Eng. Com. Sub. for SB 5: Establishing Adopt-A-Road program
  • Eng. SB 234: Increasing value at which municipal property must be sold through public auction
  • Eng. Com. Sub. for SB 369: Authorizing miscellaneous boards and agencies to promulgate legislative rules (original similar to HB 2289)
  • Eng. Com. Sub. for SB 427: Permitting certain teenagers to work without obtaining work permit
  • Eng. Com. Sub. for SB 459: Requiring county planning commission members be state residents (original similar to HB 2818)

SECOND READING

  • Com. Sub. for SB 29: Allowing physicians assistants to own practice
  • Com. Sub. for SB 50: Requiring municipal elections to be held on same day as statewide elections (original similar to HB 2422)
  • Com. Sub. for SB 124: Reducing statute of limitations on actions to recover on oral and written contracts
  • Com. Sub. for SB 198: Prohibiting creation, production, distribution, or possession of artificially generated child pornography
  • Com. Sub. for SB 456: Defining “men” and “women” (original similar to HB 2006)
  • Com. Sub. for SB 482: Certified Professional Midwife Licensing and Regulation
  • SB 483: Increasing civil penalties for failure to file required campaign finance reports
  • SB 496: Removing reflexology and other energy-based work from definition of “massage therapy”
  • Com. Sub. for SB 534: Clarifying qualifications to be licensed to administer polygraphs
  • SB 537: Establishing WV Mothers and Babies Pregnancy Support Program

FIRST READING

  • Com. Sub. for SB 484: Relating to disclosures and penalties associated with use of synthetic media and artificial intelligence
  • Com. Sub. for SB 486: Clarifying eligibility requirements to vote in WV elections
  • Com. Sub. for SB 488: Clarifying definition of electioneering
  • Com. Sub. for SB 489: Relating to election law violation complaints and procedures
  • SB 490: Prohibiting ranked-choice voting in elections in West Virginia. (original similar to HB 2408HB 2683SB133SB 226)
  • Com. Sub. for SB 552: Relating to Certified Business Expansion Development Program

Scheduled Committee Meetings

There are no committee meetings scheduled for Friday, February 28, 2025.

** Committee times and agendas are subject to change **

Senate Bills to be Introduced Friday, February 28, 2025

  • SB 627: Removing prohibition against leasing state-owned pore spaces underlying lands designated as state parks (Jeffries, Clements, Helton, Rose, Tarr, Willis; Economic Development)
  • SB 628: Relating to non-opioid medication (Helton; Substance Use Disorder and Mental Health then Finance)
  • SB 629: Providing increase in salary to WV Birth to Three contracted therapists and employees (FN) (Helton, Clements, Fuller, Garcia, Jeffries, Maynard, Tarr, Thorne, Willis; Health and Human Resources then Finance)
  • SB 630: Relating to reporting duties of county commission regarding ambulance services (Deeds; Government Organization then Finance)
  • SB 631: Relating to eligibility for WV Invests Grant Program (Deeds; Education then Finance)
  • SB 632: Prohibiting surprise billing of ground emergency medical services by nonparticipating providers (Deeds; Health and Human Resources then Finance)
  • SB 633: Protecting Kids from Porn Act (Rucker, Azinger, Bartlett, Deeds, Fuller, Grady, Helton, Maynard, Roberts, Rose, Tarr, Taylor, Thorne, Willis; Judiciary)
  • SB 634: Relating to distressed land net metering (FN) (Rucker; Energy, Industry, and Mining then Finance)
  • SB 635: Limiting use of state funding under Hope Scholarship program for out-of-state private schools and providers (Garcia; Education then Finance)
  • SB 636: Repealing Workplace Freedom Act (Garcia; Workforce then Judiciary)
  • SB 637: Creating Paid Parental Leave Pilot Program (FN) (Garcia; Health and Human Resources then Finance)
  • SB 638: Providing cost-of-living provision for certain retirees under PERS and TRS (FN) (Garcia; Pensions then Finance)
  • SJR 12: Right of Reproductive Freedom with Protections for Health and Safety Amendment (Garcia; Judiciary then Finance)
  • SCR 15: Opposing China’s use of UN Resolution 2758 against Taiwan (Rucker)
  • SR 18: Designating March 3, 2025, as Future Farmers Day (Smith, Hart)

* (FN) indicates the bill has a Fiscal Note

* (IB) indicates the bill is an Interim Bill

Committee Action on Bills from Thursday, February 27, 2025

9:30 a.m.: Government Organization

  • SB 569: Relating to homeowners’ bill of rights
  • Bill laid over to a future meeting
  • Com. Sub. for SB 487: Removing ineligible voters from active voter rolls
  • Committee substitute reported to the full Senate with the recommendation it do pass

9:30 a.m.: Education

  • Com. Sub. for SB 284: Relating to county board of education member orientation and compensation
  • Committee substitute reported to the full Senate with the recommendation it do pass
  • Com. Sub. for SB 558: Requiring computer science course prior to graduation
  • Committee substitute reported to the full Senate with the recommendation it do pass; second reference to Finance
  • Com. Sub. for SB 581: Relating to school attendance and student participation in 4-H activities
  • Committee substitute reported to the full Senate with the recommendation it do pass

1 p.m.: Health and Human Resources

  • Com. Sub. for SB 253: Creating Chronic Weight Management Task Force
  • Committee substitute reported to the full Senate with the recommendation it do pass; second reference to Finance
  • Com. Sub. for SB 545: Relating to school nutritional programs
  • Committee substitute reported to the full Senate with the recommendation it do pass

3 p.m.: Judiciary

  • Com. Sub. for Com. Sub. for SB 154: Prohibiting instruction related to sexual orientation or gender identity
  • Committee substitute for the committee substitute reported to the full Senate with the recommendation it do pass
  • Com. Sub. for SB 299: Modifying WV regulations on pubertal modulation, hormonal therapy, and gender reassignment
  • Committee substitute, as amended, reported to the full Senate with the recommendation it do pass

Bills that Have Passed the Senate as of Thursday, February 27, 2025 (21 – 19 Senate; 2 House)

  • SB 8: Providing additional sites and devices for newborn safe surrender (House Judiciary)
  • SB 92: Glucagon for Schools Act (House Education)
  • SB 103: Exempting certain records from public release (Pending House introduction)
  • SB 136: Increasing penalties and parole eligibility requirements for homicide (House Judiciary)
  • SB 138: Enhancing penalties for fleeing officer (House Judiciary)
  • SB 139: Relating to filling of vacancies in Legislature (House Judiciary)
  • SB 151: Creating crime of assault on police dogs and other public safety animals (House Judiciary)
  • SB 240: Updating crime of sexual extortion (House Judiciary)
  • SB 269: Modifying requirements for public water systems or businesses having backflow preventers (House Energy and Public Works)
  • SB 270: Declaring sale and manufacture of firearms essential business during declared emergency (House Judiciary)
  • SB 275: Removing requirement school cooks or custodians have high school diploma or equivalent (House Education)
  • SB 282: Modifying provisions for employment of retired teachers as substitutes in areas of critical need and shortage (House Education)
  • SB 283: Expanding grade levels of personal finance course requirements needed for graduation (House Education)
  • SB 291: Extending time frame for pharmacies to register from annually to biennially (House Government Organization)
  • SB 336: Authorizing Department of Homeland Security to promulgate legislative rules (House Judiciary)
  • SB 358: Authorizing Department of Transportation to promulgate legislative rules (House Energy and Public Works)
  • SB 443: Authorizing Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology Board of Examiners to conduct criminal background checks for licensing (House Government Organization)
  • SB 460: Relating to vaccine requirements (House Health and Human Resources)
  • SB 462: Permitting Board of Occupational Therapy to require criminal history record checks (House Government Organization)
  • HB 2024: Updating the meaning certain terms used in West Virginia Personal Income Tax Act (Signed, 02-24)
  • HB 2025: Updating terms in the Corporation Net Income Tax Act (Signed, 02-24)

Resolutions that Have Been Adopted by the Senate as of Thursday, February 27, 2025 (3)

  • SCR 1: Adopting Joint Rules of Senate and House of Delegates (Adopted, 01-08)
  • SCR 2: Authorizing payment of joint expenses (Adopted, 01-08)
  • SCR 4: Amending Joint Rules of Senate and House of Delegates (Adopted, 02-12)

Action on House Bills in the Senate as of Thursday, February 27, 2025 (8)

  • HB 2024: Updating the meaning certain terms used in West Virginia Personal Income Tax Act (Signed, 02-24)
  • HB 2025: Updating terms in the Corporation Net Income Tax Act (Signed, 02-24)
  • HB 2042: Relating to allowing a guardian ad litem to request the appointment of a court appointed special advocate (Judiciary)
  • HB 2047: Prohibiting cameras and recording devices in bedrooms and bathrooms of foster children (Pending Senate introduction)
  • HB 2053: Relating to including the United States Space Force in the definition armed forces (Military then Finance)
  • HB 2066: Creating a crime for the destruction of first responder equipment (Judiciary)
  • HB 2123: Modifying the criminal penalties imposed on a parent, guardian or custodian for child abuse (Pending Senate introduction)
  • HB 2363: Clarifying the groups of persons to whom the criminal prohibitions related to child pornography are inapplicable when such persons are performing their official or employment duties (Judiciary)

Action on House Resolutions in the Senate as of Thursday, February 27, 2025 (1)

  • HCR 49: Resolution relating to use of industrial sites and the potential impacts on downstream facilities (S Unfinished Business, 02-28)

Bills that Have Completed Legislation as of Thursday, February 27, 2025 (2 – 2 House)

  • HB 2024: Updating the meaning certain terms used in West Virginia Personal Income Tax Act (Signed, 02-24)
  • HB 2025: Updating terms in the Corporation Net Income Tax Act (Signed, 02-24)

Resolutions that Have Completed Legislation as of Thursday, February 27, 2025 (7 – 3 Senate; 4 House)

  • SCR 1: Adopting Joint Rules of Senate and House of Delegates (Adopted, 01-08)
  • SCR 2: Authorizing payment of joint expenses (Adopted, 01-08)
  • SCR 4: Amending Joint Rules of Senate and House of Delegates (Adopted, 02-12)
  • HCR 1: Raising a Joint Assembly to open and publish election returns (Adopted, 01-08)
  • HCR 2: Extending an invitation to His Excellency, the Governor, to deliver an address to the Legislature and raising a Joint Assembly therefor (Adopted, 01-08)
  • HCR 3: Providing for an adjournment of the Legislature until February 12, 2025 (Adopted, 01-08)
  • HCR 4: Raising a Joint Assembly to hear remarks of the Governor (Adopted, 01-12)

Bills Signed by the Governor as of Thursday, February 27, 2025 (2 – 2 House)

  • HB 2024: Updating the meaning certain terms used in West Virginia Personal Income Tax Act (Signed, 02-24)
  • HB 2025: Updating terms in the Corporation Net Income Tax Act (Signed, 02-24)

Committee times and agendas are subject to change. Follow @WVSenClerk on X for updates.

All Senate Committee meetings and floor sessions are available for both live streaming and to watch again in our archives. The link to the Senate’s archived video page can be found here:http://sg001-armony.sliq.net/00289/Harmony/en/View/UpcomingEvents.

Contact: Jacque Bland at (304) 357-7999

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