News

Thursday, February 27, 2025 – 16th Day of Session

The Senate will convene at 11 a.m.

UNFINISHED BUSINESS

• SCR 12: US Army Staff Sergeant Barney Warren Frazier Memorial Bridge
• SCR 13: Purple Heart Trail
• SCR 14: Requesting Joint Committee on Government and Finance study substance use disorder in WV
• SR 15: Designating February 27, 2025, Sexual Violence Awareness Day

THIRD READING

• Eng. SB 103: Exempting certain records from public release

SECOND READING

• Com. Sub. for SB 5: Establishing Adopt-A-Road program
• Com. Sub. for SB 50: Requiring municipal elections to be held on same day as statewide elections (original similar to HB 2422)
• SB 234: Increasing value at which municipal property must be sold through public auction
• Com. Sub. for SB 369: Authorizing miscellaneous boards and agencies to promulgate legislative rules (original similar to HB 2289)
• Com. Sub. for SB 427: Permitting certain teenagers to work without obtaining work permit
• Com. Sub. for SB 459: Requiring county economic development committee members be state residents (original similar to HB 2818)
• Com. Sub. for SB 534: Clarifying qualifications to be licensed to administer polygraphs

FIRST READING

• Com. Sub. for SB 29: Allowing physicians assistants to own practice
• 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”
• SB 537: Establishing WV Mothers and Babies Pregnancy Support Program
• Com. Sub. for SB 552: Relating to Certified Business Expansion Development Program

Scheduled Committee Meetings

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

• SB 569: Relating to homeowners’ bill of rights
• SB 487: Removing ineligible voters from active voter rolls

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

• SB 284: Relating to county board of education member orientation and compensation
• SB 558: Requiring computer science course prior to graduation
• SB 581: Relating to school attendance and student participation in 4-H activities

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

• SB 253: Creating Chronic Weight Management Task Force
• SB 545: Relating to school nutritional programs

3 p.m.: Judiciary (208W)

• Com. Sub. for SB 154: Prohibiting instruction related to sexual orientation or gender identity
• SB 131: Modifying prohibitions on illegal immigrants entering or residing in WV
• SB 299: Modifying WV regulations on pubertal modulation, hormonal therapy, and gender reassignment

3 p.m.: Finance (451M)

• Budget Presentation: West Virginia Parkways Authority
• Budget Presentation: West Virginia Department of Transportation

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

Senate Bills to be Introduced Thursday, February 27, 2025

• SB 614: Authorizing over-the-counter sale of ivermectin (Rucker, Azinger, Barrett, Fuller, Grady, Hart, Helton, Maynard, Roberts, Rose, Thorne, Willis; Health and Human Resources then Judiciary)
• SB 615: Eliminating accelerated tax payment requirements [By Request of the Executive] (Smith, Woelfel; Finance)
• SB 616: Supplementary appropriation of public moneys to DHS, Medical State Share Fund [By Request of the Executive] (Smith, Woelfel; Finance)
• SB 617: Discouraging gang activity (Roberts, Azinger, Barrett, Deeds, Fuller, Hart, Helton, Jeffries, Maynard, Morris, Rose, Stuart, Tarr, Thorne; Judiciary)
• SB 618: Relating generally to certain farmland tax exemptions and appraisals (Thorne, Willis; Agriculture then Finance)
• SB 619: Authorizing judge or chief judge to fill prospective vacancy in office of magistrate (Willis; Judiciary)
• SB 620: Relating to time for appeal in Intermediate Court of Appeals (Willis; Judiciary)
• SB 621: Authorizing digital court records (Willis; Judiciary)
• SB 622: Authorizing compensation for certain lower court staff (FN) (Willis; Judiciary then Finance)
• SB 623: Specifying circumstances in which senior judges and justices may be recalled to service (Willis; Judiciary)
• SB 624: Relating to vacancies in offices of state officials (Willis; Judiciary)
• SB 625: Relating to judges disqualifying themselves in certain instances (Tarr; Judiciary)
• SB 626: Allowing members of regional airport boards to be residents of area in which airport is located (Garcia; Economic Development then Government Organization)
• SR 16: Designating first full week in May as Tardive Dyskinesia Awareness Week (Rucker)
• SR 17: Designating February 28, 2025, as Dental Hygienists’ Day (Taylor)

* (FN) indicates the bill has a Fiscal Note

* (IB) indicates the bill is an Interim Bill

Committee Action on Bills from Wednesday, February 26, 2025

9:30 a.m.: Natural Resources

• HCR 49: Resolution relating to use of industrial sites and the potential impacts on downstream facilities
• Resolution reported to the full Senate with the recommendation it be adopted

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

• SB 163: Including certain mental health disorders in existing public health programs
• Bill reported to the full Senate with the recommendation it do pass

• Com. Sub. for SB 515: Allowing parent to have adult dependent child involuntarily admitted for treatment and/or related procedures
• Committee substitute discussed; no action taken

2:30 p.m.: Judiciary Subcommittee on Senate Bill 246

• Com. Sub. for SB 246: Violent Crime Prevention Act
• Subcommittee laid bill over to future meeting

3 p.m.: Judiciary

• SB 484: Relating to disclosures and penalties associated with use of synthetic media and artificial intelligence
• Bill, as amended, reported to full Senate with the recommendation it do pass

• Com. Sub. for SB 486: Clarifying eligibility requirements to vote in WV elections
• Committee substitute reported to the full Senate with the recommendation it do pass

• Com. Sub. for SB 488: Clarifying definition of electioneering
• Committee substitute, as amended, reported to the full Senate with the recommendation it do pass

• Com. Sub. for SB 489: Relating to election law violation complaints and procedures
• Committee substitute, as amended, reported to the full Senate with the recommendation it do pass

• SB 490: Prohibiting ranked-choice voting in elections in West Virginia
• Bill reported to the full Senate with the recommendation it do pass

Bills that Have Passed the Senate as of Wednesday, February 26, 2025 (20 – 18 Senate; 2 House)

• SB 8: Providing additional sites and devices for newborn safe surrender (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 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 (Pending House introduction)
• 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 (Pending House introduction)
• SB 336: Authorizing Department of Homeland Security to promulgate legislative rules (House Judiciary)
• SB 358: Authorizing Department of Transportation to promulgate legislative rules (Pending House introduction)
• SB 443: Authorizing Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology Board of Examiners to conduct criminal background checks for licensing (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 (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)

Resolutions that Have Been Adopted by the Senate as of Wednesday, February 26, 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 Wednesday, February 26, 2025 (6)

• 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 (Pending Senate introduction)
• HB 2053: Relating to including the United States Space Force in the definition armed forces (Pending Senate introduction)
• HB 2066: Creating a crime for the destruction of first responder equipment (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 (Pending Senate introduction)

Action on House Resolutions in the Senate as of Wednesday, February 26, 2025 (1)

• HCR 49: Resolution relating to use of industrial sites and the potential impacts on downstream facilities (Natural Resources)

Bills that Have Completed Legislation as of Wednesday, February 26, 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, February 26, 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 Wednesday, February 26, 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

Wednesday, February 26, 2025 – 15th Day of Session

The Senate will convene at 11 a.m.

UNFINISHED BUSINESS

• SR 12: Designating February 26, 2025, as Corrections Day
• SR 13: Memorializing life of Wanda Porterfield Casto
• SR 14: Recognizing Leadership Berkeley

THIRD READING

• Eng. SB 92: Glucagon for Schools Act
• Eng. Com. Sub. for SB 270: Declaring sale and manufacture of firearms essential business during declared emergency
• Eng. SB 291: Extending time frame for pharmacies to register from annually to biennially
• Eng. Com. Sub. for SB 358: Authorizing Department of Transportation to promulgate legislative rules (original similar to HB 2278)
• Eng. Com. Sub. for SB 443: Authorizing Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology Board of Examiners to conduct criminal background checks for licensing
• Eng. Com. Sub. for SB 462: Permitting Board of Occupational Therapy to require criminal history record checks

SECOND READING

• SB 103: Exempting certain records from public release

FIRST READING

• Com. Sub. for SB 5: Establishing Adopt-A-Road program
• Com. Sub. for SB 50: Requiring municipal elections to be held on same day as statewide elections (original similar to HB 2422)
• SB 234: Increasing value at which municipal property must be sold through public auction
• Com. Sub. for SB 369: Authorizing miscellaneous boards and agencies to promulgate legislative rules (original similar to HB 2289)
• Com. Sub. for SB 427: Permitting certain teenagers to work without obtaining work permit
• Com. Sub. for SB 459: Requiring county economic development committee members be state residents (original similar to HB 2818)
• Com. Sub. for SB 534: Clarifying qualifications to be licensed to administer polygraphs

Scheduled Committee Meetings

9:30 a.m.: Natural Resources (208W)

• HCR 49: Resolution relating to use of industrial sites and the potential impacts on downstream facilities

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

• Presentation: Deb Harris, Manager, Jobs and Hope West Virginia
• SB 163: Including certain mental health disorders in existing public health programs
• SB 515: Allowing parent to have adult dependent child involuntarily admitted for treatment and/or related procedures

1:30 p.m.: Judiciary Subcommittee on Senate Bill 246

• SB 246: Violent Crime Prevention Act

2 p.m.: Agriculture (208W)

• Staff Introductions
• Organizational Motions

3 p.m.: Judiciary (208W)

• SB 484: Relating to disclosures and penalties associated with use of synthetic media and artificial intelligence
• SB 486: Clarifying eligibility requirements to vote in WV elections
• 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
• SB 147: Establishing aggravated felony offense of reckless driving resulting in death

3 p.m.: Finance (451M)

• Budget Presentation: West Virginia Bureau of Senior Services
• Budget Presentation: West Virginia Department of Veteran’s Assistance

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

Senate Bills to be Introduced Wednesday, February 26, 2025

• SB 599: Creating Sound Science in Regulations Act (Rucker, Woodrum, Phillips, Morris, Charnock; Government Organization)
• SB 600: Creating Securing Worker Privacy and Right to Know Act (Martin; Workforce)
• SB 601: Relating to fees and charges for municipality-provided fire services (Deeds; Government Organization)
• SB 602: Relating to Closed Captioning Act (Deeds; Government Organization then Judiciary)
• SB 603: Exempting WV campus police officer retirement income from personal income tax after specified date (Oliverio, Deeds, Fuller, Garcia, Woelfel; Pensions then Finance)
• SB 604: Requiring Department of Human Services to notify PSC that person is eligible for discount on utility bills (Stuart; Judiciary then Finance)
• SB 605: Requiring certain public or private entities that own, lease, or oversee water or electric supply utility to implement utility continuity rate credit program (Stuart; Judiciary then Finance)
• SB 606: Relating to notification of breast density (Grady; Health and Human Resources then Judiciary)
• SB 607: Expiring funds to unappropriated surplus balance in State Fund from Economic Development Fund (Barrett; Finance)
• SB 608: Removing rape and incest exception to obtain abortion in WV (Rucker; Health and Human Resources then Judiciary)
• SB 609: Relating to trespassing on premises of higher education institution (Taylor; Judiciary)
• SB 610: Abolishing tax on overtime pay (FN) (Maynard; Workforce then Finance)
• SB 611: Excluding workers of ski area operators from maximum hour requirements (Morris, Roberts; Workforce)
• SB 612: Making rules and regulations of PSC subject to legislative rule-making review procedures (Stuart; Judiciary)
• SB 613: Increasing cap on audits of municipalities (Smith; Government Organization)
• SCR 12: US Army Staff Sergeant Barney Warren Frazier Memorial Bridge (Phillips)
• SCR 13: Purple Heart Trail (Phillips)
• SCR 14: Requesting Joint Committee on Government and Finance study substance use disorder in WV (Helton)
• SR 15: Designating February 27, 2025, Sexual Violence Awareness Day (Stuart)

* (FN) indicates the bill has a Fiscal Note

* (IB) indicates the bill is an Interim Bill

Committee Action on Bills from Tuesday, February 25, 2025

9:30 a.m.: Government Organization

• Com. Sub. for SB 482: Certified Professional Midwife Licensing and Regulation
• Committee substitute reported to the full Senate with the recommendation it do pass

• SB 496: Removing reflexology and other energy-based work from definition of “massage therapy”
• Bill reported to the full Senate with the recommendation it do pass

• Com. Sub. for SB 586: Relating to requirements for filling vacancies in certain elected federal, state, and county offices
• Committee substitute reported to the full Senate with the recommendation it do pass; second reference to Judiciary

• SB 483: Increasing civil penalties for failure to file required campaign finance reports
• Bill reported to the full Senate with the recommendation it do pass

9:30 a.m.: Education

• Com. Sub. forSB 450: Establishing WV Guardian Program
• Committee substitute reported to the full Senate with the recommendation it do pass; second reference to Finance

• Com. Sub. forSB 434: Requiring each public school building be equipped with at least one panic alarm for use in school security emergency
• Committee substitute, as amended reported to the full Senate with the recommendation it do pass; second reference to Finance

1 p.m.: Economic Development

• Com. Sub. for SB 552: Relating to Certified Business Industrial Expansion Development Program
• Committee substitute reported to the full Senate with the recommendation it do pass

1 p.m.: Health and Human Resources

• Com. Sub. forSB 30: Requiring medically necessary care and treatment to address congenital anomalies associated with cleft lip and cleft palate
• Bill not taken up

• Com. Sub. forSB 169: Correlating Medicaid personal needs allowance with state poverty index
• Committee substitute reported to the full Senate with the recommendation it do pass; second reference to Finance

• SB 537: Establishing WV Mothers and Babies Pregnancy Support Program
• Bill reported to the full Senate with the recommendation it do pass

3 p.m.: Judiciary

• Com. Sub. forSB 198: Prohibiting creation, production, distribution, or possession of artificially generated child pornography
• Committee substitute reported to the full Senate with the recommendation it do pass

• SB 124: Reducing statute of limitations on actions to recover on oral and written contracts
• Bill, as amended, reported to the full Senate with the recommendation it do pass

• Com. Sub. forSB 31: Relating to DNA maintained for law-enforcement purposes
• Committee substitute reported to the full Senate with the recommendation it do pass; second reference to Finance

• Com. Sub. forSB 456: Defining “men” and “women”
• Committee substitute reported to the full Senate with the recommendation it do pass

Bills that Have Passed the Senate as of Tuesday, February 25, 2025 (14 – 12 Senate; 2 House)

• SB 8: Providing additional sites and devices for newborn safe surrender (House Judiciary)
• SB 136: Increasing penalties and parole eligibility requirements for homicide (Pending House introduction)
• 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 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 336: Authorizing Department of Homeland Security to promulgate legislative rules (Pending House introduction)
• SB 460: Relating to vaccine requirements (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)

Resolutions that Have Been Adopted by the Senate as of Tuesday, February 25, 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 Tuesday, February 25, 2025 (6)

• 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 (Pending Senate introduction)
• HB 2053: Relating to including the United States Space Force in the definition armed forces (Pending Senate introduction)
• HB 2066: Creating a crime for the destruction of first responder equipment (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 (Pending Senate introduction)

Action on House Resolutions in the Senate as of Tuesday, February 25, 2025 (1)

• HCR 49: Resolution relating to use of industrial sites and the potential impacts on downstream facilities (Natural Resources)

Bills that Have Completed Legislation as of Tuesday, February 25, 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, February 25, 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 Tuesday, February 25, 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

Tuesday, February 25, 2025 – 14th Day of Session

The Senate will convene at 11 a.m.

THIRD READING

• Eng. Com. Sub. for SB 136: Increasing penalties and parole eligibility requirements for homicide (original similar to HB 2359)
• Eng. Com. Sub. for SB 270: Declaring sale and manufacture of firearms essential business during declared emergency
• Eng. Com. Sub. for SB 336: Authorizing Department of Homeland Security to promulgate legislative rules (original similar to HB 2256)

SECOND READING

• SB 92: Glucagon for Schools Act
• SB 291: Extending time frame for pharmacies to register from annually to biennially
• Com. Sub. for SB 358: Authorizing Department of Transportation to promulgate legislative rules (original similar to HB 2278)
• Com. Sub. for SB 443: Authorizing Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology Board of Examiners to conduct criminal background checks for licensing
• Com. Sub. for SB 462: Permitting Board of Occupational Therapy to require criminal history record checks

FIRST READING

• SB 103: Exempting certain records from public release

Scheduled Committee Meetings

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

• Com. Sub. for SB 482: Certified Professional Midwife Licensing and Regulation
• SB 496: Removing reflexology and other energy-based work from definition of “massage therapy”
• Com. Sub. for SB 586: Relating to requirements for filling vacancies in certain elected federal, state, and county offices
• SB 483: Increasing civil penalties for failure to file required campaign finance reports

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

• Presentation: School Safety
• SB 450: Establishing WV Guardian Program
• SB 434: Requiring each public school building be equipped with at least one panic alarm for use in school security emergency

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

• Com. Sub. for SB 552: Relating to Certified Business Industrial Expansion Development Program

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

• SB 30: Requiring medically necessary care and treatment to address congenital anomalies associated with cleft lip and cleft palate
• SB 169: Correlating Medicaid personal needs allowance with state poverty index
• SB 537: Establishing WV Mothers and Babies Pregnancy Support Program

3 p.m.: Judiciary (208W)

• SB 198: Prohibiting creation, production, distribution, or possession of artificially generated child pornography
• SB 124: Reducing statute of limitations on actions to recover on oral and written contracts
• SB 31: Relating to DNA maintained for law-enforcement purposes
• SB 456: Defining “men” and “women”

3 p.m.: Finance (451M)

• Budget Presentation: West Virginia School Building Authority
• Budget Presentation: West Virginia Department of Arts, Culture and History
• Budget Presentation: West Virginia Department of Tourism

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

Senate Bills to be Introduced Tuesday, February 25, 2025

• SB 589: Providing pay increases to members of judiciary (FN) (Woodrum; Judiciary then Finance)
• SB 590: Clarifying conditions for pretrial release and maximum bail amount for certain defendants (Deeds; Substance Use Disorder and Mental Health then Judiciary)
• SB 591: Creating Criminal Forfeiture Process Act to replace West Virginia Contraband Forfeiture Act (Deeds; Judiciary then Finance)
• SB 592: Relating generally to above ground storage tanks (Martin, Helton, Tarr; Energy, Industry, and Mining)
• SB 593: Relating to electronic voting and preserving voting data (Rucker, Boley; Government Organization)
• SB 594: Relating to right to try individualized treatments (Rucker; Health and Human Resources then Judiciary)
• SB 595: Creating Mountain Bike Responsibility Act (Woodrum, Jeffries, Maynard, Helton; Judiciary)
• SB 596: Relating to parents’ Bill of Rights (Maynard; Judiciary)
• SB 597: Eliminating restriction to carry firearm on State Capitol Complex grounds (Maynard; Government Organization then Judiciary)
• SB 598: Permitting judges to refer parents to prosecuting attorney for making certain false allegations in child custody proceedings (Stuart; Judiciary)
• SR 12: Designating February 26, 2025, as Corrections Day (Clements)
• SR 13: Memorializing life of Wanda Porterfield Casto (Clements, Oliverio, Smith, Azinger, Barrett, Bartlett, Boley, Chapman, Charnock, Deeds, Fuller, Garcia, Grady, Hamilton, Hart, Helton, Jeffries, Martin, Maynard, Morris, Phillips, Queen, Roberts, Rose, Rucker, Stuart, Takubo, Tarr, Taylor, Thorne, Weld, Willis, Woelfel, Woodrum)
• SR 14: Recognizing Leadership Berkeley (Barrett, Rucker)

* (FN) indicates the bill has a Fiscal Note

* (IB) indicates the bill is an Interim Bill

Committee Action on Bills from Monday, February 24, 2025

9:30 a.m.: Government Organization

• SB 234: Increasing value at which municipal property must be sold through public auction
• Bill reported to the full Senate with the recommendation it do pass

• Com. Sub. for SB 459: Requiring county economic development committee members be state residents
• Committee substitute reported to the full Senate with the recommendation it do pass

1 p.m.: Workforce

• Com. Sub. for SB 427: Permitting certain teenagers to work without obtaining work permit
• Committee substitute reported to the full Senate with the recommendation it do pass

• Com. Sub. for SB 534: Relating to requirements to administer polygraphs
• Committee substitute reported to the full Senate with the recommendation it do pass

1 p.m.: Transportation and Infrastructure

• Com. Sub. for SB 5: Authorizing Adopt-A-Road volunteer programs under jurisdiction of DOT
• Committee substitute, as amended, reported to the full Senate with the recommendation it do pass

• SB 67: Allowing motor vehicle racing on county or municipal roads under certain circumstances
• Bill not taken up

2 p.m.: Energy, Industry, and Mining

• Com. Sub. for SB 448: Creating credit against severance tax for certain infrastructure improvements
• Committee substitute reported to the full Senate with the recommendation it do pass; second reference to Finance

2 p.m.: Pensions

• SB 100: Allowing members of State Police retirement system to use accrued leave as credit toward retirement
• Bill reported to the full Senate with the recommendation it do pass; second reference to Finance

• SB 105: Updating retirement eligibility for certain sheriffs
• Bill reported to the full Senate with the recommendation it do pass; second reference to Finance

3 p.m.: Judiciary

• Com. Sub. for SB 50: Requiring municipal elections to be held on same day as statewide election
• Committee substitute, as amended, reported to the full Senate with the recommendation it do pass

• SJR 2: Incorporating of Churches or Religious Denominations Amendment
• Resolution reported to the full Senate with the recommendation it be adopted; second reference to Finance

• Com. Sub. for SB 369: Miscellaneous Bundle – Includes: SB 363, Department of Agriculture rule relating to state aid for fairs and festivals; SB 364, Department of Agriculture rule relating to inspection of meat and poultry; SB 365, Department of Agriculture rule relating to licensing and other fees; SB 366, Department of Agriculture rule relating to WV manufacture-grade milk; SB 367, Department of Agriculture rule relating to employment references, employment inquiries, and background checks; SB 368, Department of Agriculture rule relating to WV fish processing; SB 369, Department of Agriculture rule relating to select plant-based derivatives and select plant-based derivative products; SB 370, Department of Agriculture rule relating to Rural Rehabilitation Program; SB 371, Department of Agriculture rule relating to raw milk; SB 372, Board of Architects rule relating to registration of architects; SB 373, Board of Architects rule relating to fees for registration of architects; SB 374, State Auditor rule relating to Local Government Purchasing Card Program; SB 375, State Auditor rule relating to private trust companies; SB 376, Board of Barbers and Cosmetologists rule relating to operation of certain salons and schools; SB 377, Board of Barbers and Cosmetologists rule relating to schedule of fees; SB 378, Board of Barbers and Cosmetologists rule relating to schedule of fines; SB 379, Board of Chiropractic Examiners rule relating to consideration of prior criminal convictions in initial licensure determinations; SB 380, Board of Dentistry rule relating to continuing education requirements; SB 381, Board of Dentistry rule relating to mobile dental facilities and portable dental units; SB 382, Election Commission rule relating to regulation of campaign finance; SB 383, Board of Funeral Service Examiners rule relating to funeral director, embalmer, apprentice, courtesy card holders, and funeral establishment requirements; SB 384, Massage Therapy Licensure Board rule relating to general provisions; SB 385, Board of Medicine rule relating to waiver of initial licensing fees for certain applicants; SB 386, Board of Occupational Therapy rule relating to fees for services rendered by board; SB 387, Board of Occupational Therapy rule relating to competency standards for advanced practice by occupational therapists and occupational therapy assistants; SB 388, Board of Occupational Therapy rule relating to request for waiver of licensing fees for certain individuals; SB 389, Board of Occupational Therapy rule relating to consideration of prior criminal convictions in initial licensure determinations; SB 390, Board of Occupational Therapy rule relating to telehealth practice requirements and definitions; SB 391, Board of Osteopathic Medicine rule relating to waiver of initial licensing fees for certain applicants; SB 392, Board of Pharmacy rule relating to licensure and practice of pharmacy; SB 393, Board of Pharmacy rule relating to Uniform Controlled Substances Act; SB 394, Board of Pharmacy rule relating to regulations governing pharmacy permits; SB 395, Board of Pharmacy rule relating to application of waiver of initial licensing fees for certain individuals; SB 396, Board of Examiners of Psychologists rule relating to consideration of prior criminal convictions in initial licensures and fee waivers; SB 397, Real Estate Appraiser Licensing and Certification Board rule relating to requirements for licensure and certification; SB 398, Real Estate Appraiser Licensing and Certification Board rule relating to renewal of licensure or certification; SB 399, Real Estate Appraiser Licensing and Certification Board rule relating to requirements for registration and renewal of appraisal management companies; SB 400, Real Estate Commission rule relating to licensing real estate brokers, associate brokers, and salespersons and conduct of brokerage business; SB 401, Real Estate Commission rule relating to application of waiver of initial licensing fees for certain individuals; SB 402, Real Estate Commission rule relating to consideration of prior criminal convictions in initial license eligibility determination; SB 403, Board of Registered Nurses rule relating to requirements for registration, licensure, and professional misconduct; SB 404, Board of Respiratory Care rule relating to criteria for licensure; SB 405, Board of Respiratory Care rule relating to consideration of prior criminal convictions in initial licensure determinations; SB 406, Board of Respiratory Care rule relating to telehealth practice requirements and definitions; SB 407, Board of Sanitarians rule relating to practice of public health sanitation; SB 408, Board of Examiners for Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology rule relating to speech-language pathology and audiology assistants; SB 409, Hope Scholarship Board rule relating to Hope Scholarship Program; SB 410, State Conservation Committee rule relating to State Conservation Committee grant program.
• Committee substitute reported to the full Senate with the recommendation it do pass

Resolutions that Have Been Adopted by the Senate as of Monday, February 24, 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 Monday, February 24, 2025 (3)

• 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 2053: Relating to including the United States Space Force in the definition armed forces (Pending Senate introduction)

Action on House Resolutions in the Senate as of Monday, February 24, 2025 (1)

• HCR 49: Resolution relating to use of industrial sites and the potential impacts on downstream facilities (Natural Resources)

Bills that Have Completed Legislation as of Monday, February 24, 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, February 24, 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 Monday, February 24, 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

Friday, February 21, 2025 – 10th Day of Session

The Senate will convene at 10 a.m.

THIRD READING

• Eng. Com. Sub. for SB 138: Enhancing penalties for fleeing officer
• Eng. Com. Sub. for SB 139: Relating to filling of vacancies in Legislature
• Eng. Com. Sub. for SB 269: Modifying requirements for public water systems or businesses having backflow preventers
• Eng. Com. Sub. for SB 460: Relating to vaccine requirements (original similar to HB 2004)

SECOND READING

• Com. Sub. for SB 8: Providing additional sites and devices for newborn safe surrender
• Com. Sub. for SB 151: Creating crime of assault on police dogs and other public safety animals
• Com. Sub. for SB 240: Updating crime of sexual extortion
• Com. Sub. for SB 270: Declaring sale and manufacture of firearms essential business during declared emergency
• Com. Sub. for SB 275: Removing requirement school cooks or custodians have high school diploma or equivalent
• Com. Sub. for SB 282: Modifying provisions for employment of retired teachers as substitutes in areas of critical need and shortage
• Com. Sub. for SB 283: Expanding grade levels of personal finance course requirements needed for graduation

FIRST READING

• Com. Sub. for SB 136: Increasing penalties and parole eligibility requirements for homicide (original similar to HB 2359)
• Com. Sub. for SB 336: Authorizing Department of Homeland Security to promulgate legislative rules (original similar to HB 2256)

Scheduled Committee Meetings

9:30 a.m.: Military (208W)

• SB 103: Exempting certain records from public release
• SB 144: Relating to Military Incentive Program
• SB 149: Exempting certain military veterans and their dependents from tuition
• Com. Sub. for SB 429: Providing tax credit to certain disabled veterans for lifetime hunting, trapping, and fishing license

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

Senate Bills to be Introduced Friday, February 21, 2025

• SB 563: Providing members of State Teachers Retirement System are absent from service while serving as officer with statewide professional teaching association (Tarr; Pensions)
• SB 564: Prohibiting voters not affiliated with major political party from voting ballot of political party in primary election (Tarr; Government Organization then Judiciary)
• SB 565: Relating generally to practice of optometry (Taylor, Clements, Garcia, Hamilton, Morris, Roberts, Rose, Rucker; Health and Human Resources)
• SB 566: Providing certified law-enforcement officers tuition-free education up to highest tuition rate for public higher education in WV (Fuller, Jeffries, Maynard, Oliverio, Rose, Weld; Education then Finance)
• SB 567: Prohibiting employment termination of employee who defends themselves from attack inside workplace (Rose; Judiciary)
• SB 568: Preserving privilege and confidentiality of information required as part of market conduct examination by Insurance Commissioner (Azinger; Banking and Insurance)
• SB 569: Relating to homeowners’ bill of rights (Rucker; Government Organization then Judiciary)
• SB 570: Requiring economic impact statements for certain legislative rules (Rucker; Economic Development then Government Organization)
• SJR 11: Sheriff’s Succession Amendment (Morris, Barrett, Deeds, Fuller, Hamilton, Martin, Rucker, Thorne, Willis; 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, February 20, 2025

9:30 a.m.: Government Organization

• Com. Sub. For SB 71: WV Monument and Memorial Protection Act of 2025
• Bill referred to subcommittee; Barrett (R-Berkeley), Maynard (R-Wayne), and Woelfel (D-Cabell) appointed

• Com. Sub. For SB 443: Criminal background checks for licensing
• Committee substitute reported to the full Senate with the recommendation it do pass

• Com. Sub. For SB 462: Permitting Board of Occupational Therapy to require criminal history record checks
• Committee substitute reported to the full Senate with the recommendation it do pass

9:30 a.m.: Education

• Com. Sub. for SB 37: Allowing Teachers Retirement System members to exchange unused leave for monetary compensation
• Committee substitute reported to the full Senate with the recommendation it do pass; second reference to Finance

• Com. Sub. for SB 154: Prohibiting public schools from requiring students to participate in sexual orientation instruction
• Committee substitute, as amended, reported to the full Senate with the recommendation it do pass; second reference to Judiciary

• Com. Sub. for SB 158: Modifying eligibility requirements for serving as member of State Board of Education
• Committee substitute, as amended, reported to the full Senate with the recommendation it do pass; second reference to Judiciary

1 p.m.: Health and Human Resources

• SB 92: Glucagon for Schools Act
• Bill reported to the full Senate with the recommendation it do pass

• SB 291: Extending time frame for pharmacies to register from annually to biennially
• Bill reported to the full Senate with the recommendation it do pass

• SB 292: Allowing doula services be covered by Medicaid and PEIA
• Bill reported to the full Senate with the recommendation it do pass; second reference to Finance

• Com. Sub. for SB 430: Relating to cost-sharing requirements for breast examinations
• Committee substitute reported to the full Senate with the recommendation it do pass; second reference to Finance

• SB 526: Creating the Pharmacist Prescribing Authority Act
• Bill reported to the full Senate with the recommendation it do pass; second reference to Government Organization

3 p.m.: Judiciary

• Com. Sub. for SB 358: Department of Transportation Bundle – Includes: SB 353, DOH rule relating to construction and reconstruction of state roads; SB 354, DOH rule relating to use of state rights-of-way and adjacent areas; SB 355, DOH rule relating to transportation of hazardous wastes on roads and highways; SB 356, DOH rule relating to small wireless facilities on state rights-of-way; SB 357, DMV rule relating to actions affecting driving privileges; SB 358, DMV rule relating to disclosure of information from division files; SB 359; DMV rule relating to handicapped placards; SB 360, DMV rule relating to Safety and Treatment Program; SB 361, DMV rule relating to State Vehicle Title, Registration, and Relicensing Project of 2018; SB 362, Parkways Authority rule relating to supporting electronic toll collection and enforcement
• Committee substitute reported to the full Senate with the recommendation it do pass

• SJR 8: Citizenship Requirement to Vote in WV Elections Amendment
• Committee substitute reported to the full Senate with the recommendation it do pass; second reference to Finance

Resolutions that Have Been Adopted by the Senate as of Thursday, February 20, 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 20, 2025 (2)

• HB 2024: Updating the meaning certain terms used in West Virginia Personal Income Tax Act (Completed legislation; awaiting action by the Governor)
• HB 2025: Updating terms in the Corporation Net Income Tax Act (Completed legislation; awaiting action by the Governor)

Action on House Resolutions in the Senate as of Thursday, February 20, 2025 (1)

• HCR 49: Resolution relating to use of industrial sites and the potential impacts on downstream facilities (Natural Resources)

Bills that Have Completed Legislation as of Thursday, February 20, 2025 (2 – 2 House)

• HB 2024: Updating the meaning certain terms used in West Virginia Personal Income Tax Act (Completed legislation; awaiting action by the Governor)
• HB 2025: Updating terms in the Corporation Net Income Tax Act (Completed legislation; awaiting action by the Governor)

Resolutions that Have Completed Legislation as of Thursday, February 20, 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)

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

Thursday, February 20, 2025 – 9th Day of Session

The Senate will convene at 11 a.m.

UNFINISHED BUSINESS

• SR 9: Recognizing Court Appointed Special Advocates
• SR 10: Designating February 20, 2025, as Human Resources Day at Legislature
• SR 11: Recognizing Cottage Hill Farm as WV outstanding family-owned Hereford cattle farm for 2024

THIRD READING

• Eng. Com. Sub. for SB 460: Relating to vaccine requirements

SECOND READING

• Com. Sub. for SB 138: Enhancing penalties for fleeing officer
• Com. Sub. for SB 139: Relating to filling of vacancies in Legislature
• Com. Sub. for SB 269: Modifying requirements for public water systems or businesses having backflow preventers

FIRST READING

• Com. Sub. for SB 8: Providing additional sites and devices for newborn safe surrender
• Com. Sub. for SB 151: Creating crime of assault on police dogs and other public safety animals
• Com. Sub. for SB 240: Updating crime of sexual extortion
• Com. Sub. for SB 270: Declaring sale and manufacture of firearms essential business during declared emergency
• Com. Sub. for SB 275: Removing requirement school cooks or custodians have high school diploma or equivalent
• Com. Sub. for SB 282: Modifying provisions for employment of retired teachers as substitutes in areas of critical need and shortage
• Com. Sub. for SB 283: Expanding grade levels of personal finance course requirements needed for graduation

Scheduled Committee Meetings

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

• Com. Sub. For SB 71: WV Monument and Memorial Protection Act of 2025
• Com. Sub. For SB 443: Criminal background checks for licensing
• Com. Sub. For SB 462: Permitting Board of Occupational Therapy to require criminal history record checks

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

• SB 37: Allowing Teachers Retirement System members to exchange unused leave for monetary compensation
• SB 154: Prohibiting public schools from requiring students to participate in sexual orientation instruction
• SB 158: Modifying eligibility requirements for serving as member of State Board of Education
• SB 480: Allowing licensed substitute and full-time teachers to serve as parent volunteers without additional background check

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

• SB 552: Relating to the Certified Business Industrial Expansion Development Program *

* pending introduction of bill during Thursday’s floor session

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

• SB 92: Glucagon for Schools Act
• SB 291: Extending time frame for pharmacies to register from annually to biennially
• SB 292: Allowing doula services be covered by Medicaid and PEIA
• SB 430: Relating to cost-sharing requirements for breast examinations
• SB 526: Creating the Pharmacist Prescribing Authority Act

3 p.m.: Judiciary (208W)

• Com. Sub. for SB 358: Department of Transportation Bundle
• Includes: SB 353, DOH rule relating to construction and reconstruction of state roads; SB 354, DOH rule relating to use of state rights-of-way and adjacent areas; SB 355, DOH rule relating to transportation of hazardous wastes on roads and highways; SB 356, DOH rule relating to small wireless facilities on state rights-of-way; SB 357, DMV rule relating to actions affecting driving privileges; SB 358, DMV rule relating to disclosure of information from division files; SB 359; DMV rule relating to handicapped placards; SB 360, DMV rule relating to Safety and Treatment Program; SB 361, DMV rule relating to State Vehicle Title, Registration, and Relicensing Project of 2018; SB 362, Parkways Authority rule relating to supporting electronic toll collection and enforcement

• Com. Sub. for SB 31: Relating to DNA data maintained for law-enforcement purposes
• SJR 8: Citizenship Requirement to Vote in WV Elections Amendment

3 p.m.: Finance (451M)

• Budget Presentation: West Virginia Department of Administration – Eric Householder, Cabinet Secretary
• Budget Presentation: West Virginia Department of Agriculture – Kent Leonhardt, Commissioner
• Budget Presentation: West Virginia Conservation Agency – Judith Lyons, Executive Director

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

Senate Bills to be Introduced Thursday, February 20, 2025

• SB 545: Relating to school nutritional programs (Barrett; Health and Human Resources)
• SB 546: Authorizing county commissions to levy additional excise tax on transferring real property to fund local economic development (Jeffries; Government Organization then Finance)
• SB 547: Creating Charter Schools Startup Fund (FN) (Rucker; Finance)
• SB 548: Creating Safety and Violence Education for Students Act (Grady; Education then Finance)
• SB 549: Eliminating income tax on qualified tipped wages (Woelfel; Finance)
• SB 550: Relating generally to Office of State Fire Marshal (Deeds; Judiciary then Finance)
• SB 551: Increasing penalty for murder in second degree (Weld; Judiciary)
• SB 552: Relating to Certified Business Industrial Expansion Development Program (Jeffries; Economic Development)
• SB 553: Relating to offense of driving above speed limit on controlled access highway or interstate highway (Garcia; Transportation and Infrastructure then Banking and Insurance)
• SB 554: Establishing Raylee’s Law (Garcia; Education then Judiciary)
• SB 555: Relating to public sector unions (Tarr; Government Organization)
• SB 556: Prohibiting requirement of certain immunizations as condition of being foster parent (Tarr, Chapman; Health and Human Resources)
• SB 557: Relating to licensing by WV Board of Medicine (Takubo; Health and Human Resources)
• SB 558: Requiring computer science course prior to graduation (Oliverio, Boley; Education then Finance)
• SB 559: Requiring legal actions concerning WVSSAC to be filed in Wood or Kanawha County (Oliverio, Boley, Charnock; Education)
• SB 560: Allowing counties and municipalities to limit utility scale renewable energy facilities (Thorne; Economic Development then Finance)
• SB 561: Relating to Uniform Special Deposits Act (IB) (Oliverio, Queen, Taylor, Woelfel, Charnock; Banking and Insurance)
• SB 562: Relating to Uniform Child Abduction Prevention Act (IB) (Oliverio, Queen, Taylor, Woelfel, Charnock; Health and Human Resources then Judiciary)
• SJR 10: State Senate and House of Delegates Term Limits Amendment (Woelfel, Garcia; Judiciary then Finance)

* (FN) indicates the bill has a Fiscal Note

* (IB) indicates the bill is an Interim Bill

Committee Action on Bills from Wednesday, February 19, 2025

3 p.m.: Judiciary

• Com. Sub. for SB 246: Violent Crime Prevention Act
• Bill referred to subcommittee; Tarr (R-Putnam), Fuller (R-Wayne), Taylor (R-Taylor), Garcia (D-Marion), and Hart (R-Mingo) appointed

• Com. Sub. for SB 136: Modifying parole eligibility for person serving sentence for first degree murder
• Committee substitute reported to the full Senate with the recommendation it do pass
• Com. Sub. for SB 336: Department of Homeland Security Bundle
• Includes: SB 335, Governor’s Committee on Crime, Delinquency, and Correction rule relating to protocol for law-enforcement response to child abuse and neglect; SB 336, Governor’s Committee on Crime, Delinquency, and Correction rule relating to sexual assault forensic examinations; SB 337, Division of Protective Services rule relating to ranks and duties of officers within membership of division; SB 338, State Emergency Response Commission rule relating to Emergency Planning Grant Program; SB 339, State Police rule relating to cadet selection; SB 340, State Police rule relating to WV State Police Career Progression System
• Committee substitute reported to the full Senate with the recommendation it do pass

Resolutions that Have Been Adopted by the Senate as of Wednesday, February 19, 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 Wednesday, February 19, 2025 (2)

• HB 2024: Updating the meaning certain terms used in West Virginia Personal Income Tax Act (Completed legislation; awaiting action by the Governor)
• HB 2025: Updating terms in the Corporation Net Income Tax Act (Completed legislation; awaiting action by the Governor)

Action on House Resolutions in the Senate as of Wednesday, February 19, 2025 (1)

• HCR 49: Resolution relating to use of industrial sites and the potential impacts on downstream facilities (Natural Resources)

Bills that Have Completed Legislation as of Wednesday, February 19, 2025 (2 – 2 House)

• HB 2024: Updating the meaning certain terms used in West Virginia Personal Income Tax Act (Completed legislation; awaiting action by the Governor)
• HB 2025: Updating terms in the Corporation Net Income Tax Act (Completed legislation; awaiting action by the Governor)

Resolutions that Have Completed Legislation as of Wednesday, February 19, 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)

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

Wednesday, February 19, 2025 – 8th Day of Session

The Senate will convene at 11 a.m.

THIRD READING

• Eng. Com. Sub. for SB 460: Relating to vaccine requirements

SECOND READING

There are no bills on Second Reading for Wednesday, February 19, 2025.

FIRST READING

• Com. Sub. for SB 138: Enhancing penalties for fleeing officer
• Com. Sub. for SB 139: Relating to filling of vacancies in Legislature
• Com. Sub. for SB 269: Modifying requirements for public water systems or businesses having backflow preventers

Scheduled Committee Meetings

9:30 a.m.: Natural Resources (208W)

• Organizational Motions
• New Member and Staff Introductions
• Presentation: Brett McMillion, Director WVDNR – Update on the Division of Natural Resources (law, parks, and wildlife resources)

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

• SB 515: Allowing parent to have adult dependent child involuntarily admitted for treatment and/or related procedures

3 p.m.: Judiciary (208W)

• Com. Sub. for SB 246: Violent Crime Prevention Act
• Com. Sub. for SB 136: Modifying parole eligibility for person serving sentence for first degree murder
• Com. Sub. for SB 336: Department of Homeland Security Bundle
• Includes: SB 335, Governor’s Committee on Crime, Delinquency, and Correction rule relating to protocol for law-enforcement response to child abuse and neglect; SB 336, Governor’s Committee on Crime, Delinquency, and Correction rule relating to sexual assault forensic examinations; SB 337, Division of Protective Services rule relating to ranks and duties of officers within membership of division; SB 338, State Emergency Response Commission rule relating to Emergency Planning Grant Program; SB 339, State Police rule relating to cadet selection; SB 340, State Police rule relating to WV State Police Career Progression System

3 p.m.: Finance (451M)

• Budget Presentation: Public Service Commission of West Virginia
• Budget Presentation: West Virginia Consumer Advocate Division
• Budget Presentation: West Virginia Lottery Commission

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

Senate Bills to be Introduced Wednesday, February 19, 2025

• SB 522: Clarifying procedure for administrative dissolution of limited liability companies by Secretary of State (Woodrum; Government Organization)
• SB 523: Requiring candidates for municipal offices to file campaign financial statements and financial reports (FN) (Woodrum; Government Organization then Finance)
• SB 524: Clarifying persons permitted to be present in polling place during election period for non-voting activities (Woodrum; Judiciary)
• SB 525: Clarifying procedure for administrative dissolution of nonprofit corporations by the Secretary of State (Woodrum; Government Organization)
• SB 526: Creating the Pharmacist Prescribing Authority Act (Chapman; Health and Human Resources then Government Organization)
• SB 527: Relating to assault and battery on emergency service personnel, law-enforcement officers, and correctional employees (Weld; Judiciary)
• SB 528: Relating to crime of sexual abuse by parent, guardian, custodian, or person in position of trust to child (Weld; Judiciary)
• SB 529: Relating generally to liability insurance coverage for Board of Education (Weld; Education then Finance)
• SB 530: Creating the West Virginia Land Sovereignty Act (Rose, Thorne, Martin; Judiciary)
• SB 531: Defining assault and battery on sports officials (Woelfel; Education then Judiciary)
• SB 532: Making ad valorum taxes on property payable only to county in which property is located (FN) (Clements, Garcia, Oliverio, Rose; Finance)
• SB 533: Clarifying where the West Virginia Secondary Schools Activity Commission (WVSSAC) may be involved in legal action (Clements, Grady; Education)
• SB 534: Relating to requirements to administer polygraphs (Fuller, Deeds, Hart, Helton, Willis; Workforce)
• SB 535: Raleigh County Economic Opportunity Development District (Helton, Deeds, Fuller, Jeffries, Tarr; Economic Development then Finance)
• SB 536: Relating to county economic opportunity development districts (Tarr, Grady; Economic Development then Finance)
• SB 537: Establishing WV Mothers and Babies Pregnancy Support Program (Helton, Fuller; Health and Human Resources)
• SB 538: Allowing certain entities to purchase qualifying tax-delinquent properties before they are offered at public auction (Helton, Fuller; Government Organization)
• SB 539: Removing certain entities from list of exemptions from criminal liability relating to distribution and display of obscene matter to minor (Helton, Fuller; Judiciary)
• SB 540: Relating to annexation by minor boundary adjustment (Helton, Fuller; Judiciary)
• SB 541: Sentencing guidelines for fentanyl (Helton, Fuller; Judiciary)
• SB 542: Relating to violations and penalty for standalone methadone treatment programs or clinics (Tarr; Substance Use Disorder and Mental Health then Judiciary)
• SB 543: Clarifying oversight by Attorney General of political subdivision’s hiring of private attorney under contingency fee or contract to sue (Tarr; Judiciary)
• SB 544: Clarifying process of ventilation and fire suppression for limited use food preparation facilities (Grady; Government Organization)
• SR 9: Recognizing Court Appointed Special Advocates (Rucker)
• SR 10: Designating February 20, 2025, as Human Resources Day at Legislature (Oliverio)
• SR 11: Recognizing Cottage Hill Farm as WV outstanding family-owned Hereford cattle farm for 2024 (Willis, Thorne, Taylor)

* (FN) indicates the bill has a Fiscal Note

* (IB) indicates the bill is an Interim Bill

Committee Action on Bills from Tuesday, February 18, 2025

9:30 a.m.: Government Organization

• Com. Sub. for SB 211: Relating to procedure for citations issued by county litter control officer
• Bill laid over to a future meeting

• Com. Sub. for SB 459: Requiring county economic development committee members be state residents
• Bill not taken up by committee

9:30 a.m.: Education

• Com Sub forSB 275: Removing requirement school cooks or custodians have high school diploma or equivalent
• Committee substitute reported to the full Senate with the recommendation it do pass

• Com Sub forSB 282: Modifying provisions for employment of retired teachers as substitutes in areas of critical need and shortage
• Committee substitute reported to the full Senate with the recommendation it do pass

• SB 283: Expanding grade levels of personal finance course requirements needed for graduation
• Committee substitute, as amended, reported to the full Senate with the recommendation it do pass

• Com Sub forSB 284: Relating to county board of education member orientation and compensation
• Bill not taken up by committee

• SB 122: Establishing minimum student enrollment for school aid formula
• Bill reported to the full Senate with the recommendation it do pass; second reference to Finance

1 p.m.: Health and Human Resources

• SB 299: Modifying WV regulations on pubertal modulation, hormonal therapy, and gender reassignment
• Bill reported to the full Senate with the recommendation it do pass; second reference to Judiciary

• Com Sub forSB 286: Granting parents access to health records of minor child
• Committee substitute reported to the full Senate with the recommendation it do pass; second reference to Judiciary

• Com Sub forSB 173: Requiring hotels and public lodging establishments to provide human trafficking awareness training for employees
• Committee substitute reported to the full Senate with the recommendation it do pass; second reference to Judiciary

• Com Sub forSB 8: Providing additional sites and devices for newborn safe surrender
• Committee substitute reported to the full Senate with the recommendation it do pass

• Com Sub forSB 28: Requiring insurance coverage of certain genetic testing without cost sharing
• 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 151: Creating crime of assault on police dogs and other public safety animals
• Committee substitute reported to the full Senate with the recommendation it do pass

• Com. Sub. for SB 270: Declaring sale and manufacture of firearms essential business during declared emergency
• Committee substitute reported to the full Senate with the recommendation it do pass

• Com. Sub. for SB 240: Updating crime of sexual extortion
• Committee substitute reported to the full Senate with the recommendation it do pass

Resolutions that Have Been Adopted by the Senate as of Tuesday, February 18, 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 Tuesday, February 18, 2025 (2)

• HB 2024: Updating the meaning certain terms used in West Virginia Personal Income Tax Act (Completed legislation; awaiting action by the Governor)
• HB 2025: Updating terms in the Corporation Net Income Tax Act (Completed legislation; awaiting action by the Governor)

Action on House Resolutions in the Senate as of Tuesday, February 18, 2025 (1)

• HCR 49: Resolution relating to use of industrial sites and the potential impacts on downstream facilities (Pending Senate introduction)

Bills that Have Completed Legislation as of Tuesday, February 18, 2025 (2 – 2 House)

• HB 2024: Updating the meaning certain terms used in West Virginia Personal Income Tax Act (Completed legislation; awaiting action by the Governor)
• HB 2025: Updating terms in the Corporation Net Income Tax Act (Completed legislation; awaiting action by the Governor)

Resolutions that Have Completed Legislation as of Tuesday, February 18, 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)

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

Tuesday, February 18, 2025 – 7th Day of Session

The Senate will convene at 11 a.m.

UNFINISHED BUSINESS

• SR 7: Recognizing 153rd anniversary of Glenville State University
• SR 8: Designating February 18, 2025, as WV Banker’s Day at Legislature

THIRD READING

There are no bills on Third Reading for Tuesday, February 18, 2025.

SECOND READING

• Com. Sub. for SB 460: Relating to vaccine requirements

FIRST READING

There are no bills on First Reading for Tuesday, February 18, 2025.

Scheduled Committee Meetings

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

• Com. Sub. for SB 211: Relating to procedure for citations issued by county litter control officer
• Com. Sub. for SB 459: Requiring county economic development committee members be state residents

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

• SB 275: Removing requirement school cooks or custodians have high school diploma or equivalent
• SB 282: Modifying provisions for employment of retired teachers as substitutes in areas of critical need and shortage
• SB 283: Expanding grade levels of personal finance course requirements needed for graduation
• SB 284: Relating to county board of education member orientation and compensation
• SB 122: Establishing minimum student enrollment for school aid formula

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

• SB 299: Modifying WV regulations on pubertal modulation, hormonal therapy, and gender reassignment
• SB 286: Granting parents access to health records of minor child
• SB 173: Requiring hotels and public lodging establishments to provide human trafficking awareness training for employees
• SB 8: Providing additional sites and devices for newborn safe surrender
• SB 28: Requiring insurance coverage of certain genetic testing without cost sharing

3 p.m.: Judiciary (208W)

• Com. Sub. for SB 151: Creating crime of assault on police dogs and other public safety animals
• Com. Sub. for SB 50: Requiring municipal elections to be held on same day as statewide elections
• Com. Sub. for SB 270: Declaring sale and manufacture of firearms essential business during declared emergency
• Com. Sub. for SB 240: Updating crime of sexual extortion

3 p.m.: Finance (451M)

Budget Presentation: WV State Treasurer

Budget Presentation: WV Department of Environmental Protection

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

Senate Bills to be Introduced Tuesday, February 18, 2025

• SB 511: Increasing certain fees under Uniform Securities provisions (FN) (Smith; Banking and Insurance then Finance)
• SB 512: Raising fee for registration of agent of issuer (FN) (Smith; Banking and Insurance then Finance)
• SB 513: Relating generally to video lottery (Weld; Government Organization then Finance)
• SB 514: Requiring full text of proposed Constitutional amendments be included on official ballots (Woelfel, Garcia; Judiciary)
• SB 515: Allowing parent to have adult dependent child involuntarily admitted for treatment and/or related procedures (Helton; Substance Use Disorder and Mental Health then Judiciary)
• SB 516: Providing extra state aid to school districts for students enrolled in extremely remote schools (Morris; Education then Finance)
• SB 517: Requiring medical professionals to report injuries and side effects from vaccines to Bureau for Public Health (Rucker; Health and Human Resources)
• SB 518: Exempting non-grantor trusts administered in state from personal income taxation (FN) (Weld; Finance)
• SB 519: Adopting statewide public camping ban (Taylor; Judiciary)
• SB 520: Relating to locality pay (FN) (Willis; Judiciary then Finance)
• SB 521: Requiring party affiliations be listed for all candidates (FN) (Willis; Judiciary)
• SJR 9: Constitutional Officer Term Limit Amendment (Woelfel, Garcia; Judiciary then Finance)

* (FN) indicates the bill has a Fiscal Note

* (IB) indicates the bill is an Interim Bill

Committee Action on Bills from Monday, February 17, 2025

9:30 a.m.: Government Organization

• SB 38: Uniform Unlawful Restriction in Land Records Act
• Bill reported to the full Senate with the recommendation it do pass; second reference to Judiciary

• Com. Sub. for SB 269: Modifying requirements for public water systems or businesses having backflow preventers
• Committee substitute reported to the full Senate with the recommendation it do pass

1 p.m.: Workforce

• SB 249: Expanding employment and training requirements necessary for SNAP benefits
• Bill reported to the full Senate with the recommendation it do pass; second reference to Finance

2 p.m.: Energy, Industry and Mining

• Com. Sub. for SB 439: Creating Wind Power Taxation Clarification Act
• 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 138: Enhancing penalties for fleeing officer
• Committee substitute reported to the full Senate with the recommendation it do pass

• SB 139: Requiring one-year residency within district or county to fill vacancy in Legislature
• Bill, as amended, reported to the full Senate with the recommendation it do pass; second reference to Finance

Resolutions that Have Been Adopted by the Senate as of Monday, February 17, 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 Monday, February 17, 2025 (2)

• HB 2024: Updating the meaning certain terms used in West Virginia Personal Income Tax Act (Completed legislation; awaiting action by the Governor)
• HB 2025: Updating terms in the Corporation Net Income Tax Act (Completed legislation; awaiting action by the Governor)

Bills that Have Completed Legislation as of Monday, February 17, 2025 (2 – 2 House)

• HB 2024: Updating the meaning certain terms used in West Virginia Personal Income Tax Act (Completed legislation; awaiting action by the Governor)
• HB 2025: Updating terms in the Corporation Net Income Tax Act (Completed legislation; awaiting action by the Governor)

Resolutions that Have Completed Legislation as of Monday, February 17, 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)

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