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  • SB 492: Removing outdated provisions governing political committees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 that Have Passed the Senate as of Thursday, March 6, 2025 (46 – 43 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 (H First Reading, 03-07)
  • 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 154: Prohibiting sexual orientation instruction in public schools (Pending House introduction)
  • 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 Second Reading, 03-07)
  • 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 (House Education)
  • SB 291: Extending time frame for pharmacies to register from annually to biennially (House Government Organization)
  • SB 299: Modifying WV regulations on pubertal modulation, hormonal therapy, and gender reassignment (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 (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 Third Reading, 03-07)
  • 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 483: Increasing civil penalties for failure to file required campaign finance reports (Pending House introduction)
  • SB 486: Clarifying eligibility requirements to vote in WV elections (House Judiciary)
  • SB 487: Removing ineligible voters from active voter rolls (House Judiciary)
  • SB 488: Clarifying definition of electioneering (House Judiciary)
  • SB 490: Prohibiting ranked-choice voting in elections in West Virginia (H Third Reading, 03-07)
  • 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 552: Relating to Certified Business Expansion Development Program (Pending House introduction)
  • SB 581: Relating to school attendance and student participation in 4-H activities (House Education)
  • 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 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 Bills in the Senate as of Thursday, March 6, 2025 (28)

 

  • 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 2117: Relating to when Mail In Ballots are Due (Pending Senate introduction)
  • 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 (Transportation and Infrastructure)
  • HB 2158: Relating to removal of a sunset clause for the West Virginia spay and neuter program (Agriculture)
  • HB 2170: Allowing volunteer fire departments to use fire protection funding for certain purchases (Government Organization)
  • HB 2217: Relating to penalties for conspiracy to commit murder (Judiciary)
  • HB 2222: Relating to authorizing the Department of Administration to promulgate a legislative rule relating to retention and disposal scheduling (Judiciary)
  • HB 2331: Relating to authorizing the Office Miners’ Health, Safety, and Training to promulgate a legislative rule relating to the certification, recertification, and training of EMT-Miners and the certification of EMT-M instructors (Judiciary)
  • HB 2344: Relating generally to traffic safety (Transportation and Infrastructure)
  • HB 2354: Banning certain products from food in West Virginia (Passed Senate; pending House concurrence to Senate amendment)
  • HB 2360: Clarifying the victims of crimes against law-enforcement officers (Judiciary)
  • HB 2362: Relating to recognizing the law-enforcement powers of correctional officers employed by the Division of Corrections and Rehabilitation (Government Organization)
  • 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)
  • HB 2434: Relating to establishing the Stop Squatters Act (Judiciary)
  • HB 2437: Clarification of penalties for offenses involving Fentanyl (Substance Use Disorder and Mental Health)
  • HB 2441: To make those who fail drug test ineligible for unemployment (Pending Senate introduction)
  • HB 2444: Relating to limiting financial records of limited video lottery permittees that are subject to examination by Lottery Commission (Pending Senate introduction)
  • HB 2511: Relating to charitable bingo and alcohol sales and consumption while such bingo is taking places (Judiciary)

·       HB 2515: Relating to elementary behavior intervention and safety (Education)

·       HB 2653: Updating the West Virginia Law Institute (Pending Senate introduction)

·       HB 2709: Permitting a voter with a change of address to vote in his or her new precinct without having to cast a provisional ballot (Pending Senate introduction)

 

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.

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