Tag: house

For the week ending Jan. 12, 2024

CHARLESTON, W.Va. — When members of the West Virginia House of Delegates gaveled in for the second regular session of the 86th Legislature Wednesday, Jan. 10, they did so in a freshly renovated chamber, enjoying several improvements both to safety and accessibility.

Several new faces among the membership resulted in House Speaker Roger Hanshaw, R-Clay, adjusting a few leadership roles, including a new Judiciary Committee Chairman.

Tom Fast, R-Fayette, who served as vice chairman of the House Judiciary Committee since 2020, has been named its chairman. Delegate David Kelly, R-Pleasants, will serve as vice chair while continuing as chairman of the Committee on Jails and Prisons.

“Tom is not only a well-respected attorney in his private life, but he also has a reputation for asking the kinds of detailed questions that help us create effective laws,” Hanshaw said. “And with Delegate Kelly’s perspective from his background in law enforcement, I know that committee will continue to do the deliberative, heavy lifting it’s become known for.”

The House unanimously passed an organizational resolution on the first day of session to establish the Select Committee on Artificial Intelligence (AI). Delegate Jarred Cannon, R-Putnam, was appointed as chairman of the select committee, and Delegate Jordan Maynor, R-Raleigh, will serve as its vice chairman.

“I am honored to serve as the inaugural chairman for this committee,” Cannon said. “In the face of the rapid evolution of AI technology, it is critically important that West Virginia positions itself at the forefront to ensure it is integrated responsibly.

“This committee will dedicate itself to a thorough examination of potential legislative actions that align with the best interests of all West Virginians.”

Deputy Speaker Matthew Rohrbach, R-Cabell, started the session with a new role in the National Conference of State Legislatures, having been selected to serve a two-year term as vice chair of the organization’s Standing Committee on Health and Human Services. The committee works on the national level to protect states’ interests in federal decisions across a variety of matters, including behavioral health, Medicaid, maternal and child health, health workforce and prescription drugs.

“As we continue to work closely on health matters here in West Virginia, it’s an honor and a privilege to collaborate with states throughout the country while we work together to protect our individual independence on the federal level,” Rohrbach said.

The Committee on Workforce Development has a new vice chairman in Delegate Kathie Hess-Crouse, R-Putnam, who will work alongside its continuing chairman Evan Worrell, R-Cabell.

Less than 24 hours before the first gavel of the 2024 regular session, a new member took the oath of office. Republican James Robert “JB” Akers II, who was appointed by the governor to fill the unexpired term for the 55th House District, will represent the southwestern portion of Kanawha County.

“Growing up in a rural area and my years in Charleston have instilled in me a deep understanding of this diverse district: its urban pulse and rural heartbeat,” Akers said. He will serve on both the Judiciary Committee and the Banking and Insurance Committee.

Both the Judiciary and the Health and Human Resources committees advanced legislation this week. A total of 682 bills have been introduced in the House, and the 60-day, regular legislative session ends at midnight March 10.

Contact: Ann Ali at (304) 340-3323

CHARLESTON, W.Va. — The West Virginia House of Delegates is completely renovated for only the second time since the Capitol was dedicated in 1932, bringing fresh color and polish to original fixtures, marrying them with brand-new technology and accents, but more importantly eliminating the fire hazards of the previous electrical system. These updates and upgrades, many performed by the same vendors who did the first renovation project in 1995, were completed at a total cost of about $2.36 million.

The carpet is new, adding a navy-blue studded gold starburst pattern to the familiar shade of red. The 100 member desks are the same black walnut desks, more than 90 years old, each with a fresh sand and stain. Their dings and scratches all varied, but nearly every desk was heavily pocked with marks left by a continual banging of the wooden armrests on distinguished, but oversized, red leather chairs with nail head trim that never quite fit underneath. The new, smaller chairs selected from among five options by a majority of House members who were present during the August 2023 extraordinary session, are a deep shade of blue similar to the carpet accents. Each chair option was presented after careful measurement to allow more comfortable movement throughout the Chamber aisles. Tall chairs at the front of the Chamber received reupholstery work. A full duct cleaning has been set off by new brass vent covers accented by a small outline of the state of West Virginia in the center, adding a point of pride to an often-unnoticed utilitarian piece. Any damaged pieces of rock crystal discovered among the 10,000 that make up the chandelier are being replaced.

The previous electrical system which had been shorting out, leaving the voting system unstable, has been upgraded. Microphones and microphone reels were replaced at each of the 100 members’ desks, and upgrades to the sound system better integrate technology that had been piecemeal added and always adjusted throughout the years. Additional high-speed internet cable connections and updated connections were added to the House Clerk’s desk and member desks. Nearly 90 miles of cable were installed throughout the entire Chamber as part of this project. The burgundy corner curtains were removed following extensive sound testing, revealing even more white polished marble. Additional acoustic panels were added to the galleries in addition to replacing the old and worn panels throughout the Chamber.

The 1995 House renovation project improved the two press tables situated in the front of the Chamber with “modesty panels” and telephone installation. The most recent renovation removed the need for media with floor privileges who use the tables to climb under them for electrical outlets. Panels with USB and electrical outlets that rise and recede from the tops of the tables have been installed, and additional outlets with hookups have been added to the rear corner of the Chamber where television cameras can plug into the House audio feed for clear recording.

The 1995 renovation required scaffolding to fill every inch of the Chamber as walls were repaired and repainted. That process was repeated this fall by the same vendor, but this time three new House members took the oath of office amid construction. When former House Speaker Chuck Chambers announced the previous restoration project, he told the public it was “being done to ensure the preservation of the magnificent and historic building of the people of West Virginia,” and current House Speaker Roger Hanshaw, R-Clay, has said this renovation will again serve the same purpose.

“I often talk about how everything we do in this building has the potential to affect all 1.8 million West Virginians, and I hope all West Virginians are able to take the time to come visit the people’s building and feel the pride I’m honored to experience every day when I come here to work,” Hanshaw said. “We have the most beautiful state capitol in the entire United States, and with this project we’ve been able keep our House Chamber looking its best while also improving safety, accessibility and modern-day functions.”

(high-resolution photos available here: https://westvirginialegislature.zenfolio.com/f847330676) (time-lapse video available here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hNhx2I2iRYY)

Contact: Ann Ali at (304) 340-3323

CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Members of the West Virginia House of Delegates met for another Saturday session and in one day, secured the long-term stability and viability of the Public Employees Insurance Agency, passed a balanced budget, approved pay raises for state employees and finalized the largest tax cut in 37 years.

CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Members of the West Virginia House of Delegates met and passed 16 bills during a Saturday session this week as legislative deadlines approach.

CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Members of the West Virginia House of Delegates passed a total of 45 House Bills to the Senate this week, including one that would reorganize the current Department of Health and Human Resources (DHHR).

CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Members of the West Virginia House of Delegates voted overwhelmingly this week to increase the support given to adoptive families.

CHARLESTON, W.Va. — A total of 13 bills have completed the legislative process, one of which would create a program to allow volunteers to help clean West Virginia streams and rivers.

CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Members of the West Virginia House of Delegates took steps this week to improve the state’s foster care system and to help high school students advance with career pathways.

CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Members of the West Virginia House of Delegates have passed five of its bills to the Senate for consideration, the first being House Bill 2526, which would gradually reduce the personal income tax by 50 percent over three consecutive years.