Tuesday, March 11, 2025 – 28th Day of Session

 

The Senate will convene at 11 a.m.

THIRD READING

 

  • Eng. Com. Sub. for SB 196: Lauren’s Law (original similar to HB 2613)
  • Eng. SB 257: Providing protection for property owner when someone visiting private cemetery causes damage to property
  • Eng. SB 501: Relating to loan form
  • Eng. Com. Sub. for SB 522: Clarifying procedure for administrative dissolution of limited liability companies by Secretary of State
  • Eng. Com. Sub. for SB 525: Clarifying procedure for administrative dissolution of nonprofit corporations by Secretary of State
  • Eng. SB 561: Relating to Uniform Special Deposits Act (original similar to HB 2745)

 

SECOND READING

 

  • SB 280: Displaying official US motto in public schools
  • Com. Sub. for SB 500: Transferring audits of volunteer fire departments to Legislative Auditor
  • Com. Sub. for SB 521: Requiring party affiliations be listed for all candidates
  • Com. Sub. for SB 532: Making ad valorem taxes on property payable only to county in which property is located
  • Com. Sub. for SB 606: Relating to notification of breast density
  • SB 649: Supplementing and amending appropriations to Department of Health, Office of Inspector General
  • SB 650: Relating to full-time interventionists

 

FIRST READING

 

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

Scheduled Committee Meetings

 

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

  • SB 538: Allowing certain entities to purchase qualifying tax-delinquent properties before they are offered at public auction
  • SB 709: Repealing provisions of code that exempt Department of Transportation, Tax Division, and Bureau of Social Services from Division of Personnel
  • SB 577: Clarifying prohibited practices by manufacturer, factory branch, distributor, or distributor branch when providing new motor vehicle to dealer
  • Com. Sub. for SB 546: Authorizing county commissions to levy additional excise tax on transferring real property to fund local economic development

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

  • SB 220: Authorizing child sexual abuse and sexual violence prevention program and in-service training in child sexual abuse prevention
  • SB 449: Permitting compressed air and rimfire shooting teams in public schools
  • SB 548: Creating Safety and Violence Education for Students Act

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

  • SB 614: Authorizing over-the-counter sale of ivermectin
  • SB 297: Requiring coverage for certain pediatric autoimmune neuropsychiatric disorders in certain circumstances
  • SB 689: State Sovereignty Act of 2025
  • SB 707: Providing increase in salary to WV Birth-to-Three contracted therapists and employees

3 p.m.: Judiciary (208W)

  • SB 586: Relating to requirements for filling vacancies in certain elected federal, state, and county offices
  • SB 102: Modifying form of certain deeds
  • SB 543: Clarifying oversight by Attorney General of political subdivision’s hiring of private attorney under contingency fee or contract to sue
  • SJR 6: Elimination of Business Inventory Tax Amendment

3 p.m.: Finance (451M)

  • Budget Presentation: West Virginia Department of Revenue

 

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

 

Senate Bills to be Introduced Tuesday, March 11, 2025

  • SB 731: Repealing article creating Design Build Procurement Act (Rucker; Government Organization)
  • SB 732: Relating generally to medical cannabis (Woodrum; Health and Human Resources then Judiciary)
  • SB 733: Relating to membership composition of Legislative Oversight Commission on Department of Transportation Accountability (Maynard; Transportation and Infrastructure)
  • SB 734: Repealing section creating A. James Manchin Rehabilitation Environmental Action Plan (Rucker; Government Organization)
  • SB 735: Relating to development and operation of broadband within state (FN) (Deeds, Fuller, Woodrum; Government Organization then Finance)
  • SB 736: Relating to publication of registered lobbyist information (Rucker; Government Organization)
  • SB 737: Creating WV Farm Equipment Repair Pilot Program (FN) (Hamilton, Deeds, Thorne, Woelfel, Woodrum; Education then Finance)
  • SB 738: Terminating Employee Suggestion Award Board (Rucker; Government Organization)
  • SCR 18: Recognizing intent to create WV Coal Renaissance Act (Helton, Rose, Azinger, Martin, Maynard, Phillips, Rucker, Taylor, Thorne)
  • SR 21: Designating March 12, 2025, as WV Tourism Day (Smith)
  • SR 22: Recognizing 175th anniversary of Wheeling Hospital (Chapman, Weld)
  • SR 23: Memorializing life of Janie Lou White (Smith)

* (FN) indicates the bill has a Fiscal Note

* (IB) indicates the bill is an Interim Bill

Committee Action on Bills from Monday, March 10, 2025

9:30 a.m.: Government Organization

  • Com. Sub. for SB 526: Creating the Pharmacist Prescribing Authority Act
  • Committee substitute reported to the full Senate with the recommendation it do pass

  • SB 513: Relating generally to video lottery
  • Bill reported to the full Senate with the recommendation it do pass; second reference to Finance

  • SB 694: Protecting state and local government systems and data from foreign entities
  • Bill reported to the full Senate with the recommendation it do pass; second reference to Judiciary

1 p.m.: Workforce

  • Com. Sub. for SB 263: Relating to use of criminal records as disqualification from authorization to practice particular profession
  • Committee substitute reported to the full Senate with the recommendation to do pass; second reference to Judiciary

  • Com. Sub. for  SB 610: Abolishing tax on overtime pay
  • Committee substitute reported to the full Senate with the recommendation to do pass; second reference to Finance

1 p.m.: Transportation and Infrastructure

  • Com. Sub. for SB 67: Allowing motor vehicle racing on county or municipal roads under certain circumstances
  • Committee substitute reported to the full Senate with the recommendation to do pass; second reference to Finance

  • Com. Sub. for SB 1: Requiring PSC to be clearinghouse for state road paving projects
  • Committee substitute reported to the full Senate with the recommendation to do pass; second reference to Government Organization

  • Com. Sub. for SB 464: Creating license plate for recipients of Medal of Valor and their immediate family members
  • Committee substitute reported to the full Senate with the recommendation to do pass; second reference to Finance

2 p.m.: Energy, Industry and Mining

  • Com. Sub. for SB 592: Relating generally to above ground storage tanks
  • Committee substitute reported to the full Senate with the recommendation to do pass

  • Com. Sub. for  SB 271: Natural Resources Anti-Commandeering Act
  • Committee substitute reported to the full Senate with the recommendation to do pass; second reference to Judiciary

 

2 p.m.: Pensions

  • SB 712: Relating to retirement provisions of systems managed by CPRB
  • Bill reported to the full Senate with the recommendation it do pass; second reference to Finance

  • Com. Sub. for  SB 715: Relating to personality identifiable information of member, retirant, beneficiary, or alternate payee of retirement system
  • Committee substitute reported to the full Senate with the recommendation to do pass; second reference to Finance

  • SB 716: Relating to failure to pay required contributions and interest payments for certain retirees who transfer between retirement systems
  • Bill reported to the full Senate with the recommendation to do pass; second reference to Finance

3 p.m.: Judiciary

  • SB 727: Directing study of child welfare system be conducted by independent third party
  • Bill laid over to a future meeting

  • Eng. Com. Sub. for HB 2042: Relating to allowing a guardian ad litem to request the appointment of a court appointed special advocate
  • Bill, as amended, reported to the full Senate with the recommendation it do pass

  • Com. Sub. for SB 604: Requiring Department of Human Services to notify PSC that person is eligible for discount on utility bills
  • Committee substitute, as amended, reported to the full Senate with the recommendation to do pass

Bills that Have Passed the Senate as of Monday, March 10, 2025 (61 – 58 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 22: Applying penalties for nonpayment of royalties under terms of oil and natural gas leases (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 117: Exempting certain physicians from specified traffic laws when responding to emergencies (House Judiciary)
  • SB 121: Updating language and increasing penalties for indecent exposure (Pending House introduction)
  • 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 Third Reading, 03-11)
  • 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 (House Education)
  • SB 155: Establishing Summer Feeding for All Program (Pending House introduction)
  • SB 198: Prohibiting creation, production, distribution, or possession of artificially generated child pornography (House Judiciary)
  • SB 199: Relating to elementary behavior intervention and safety (Pending House introduction)
  • SB 234: Increasing value at which municipal property must be sold through public auction (House Government Organization)
  • SB 240: Updating crime of sexual extortion (Passed House; pending Senate concurrence to House amendment)
  • SB 267: Extending time for renewal and restoration of commercial driver’s licenses (House Energy and Public Works)
  • 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 (H First Reading, 03-11)
  • SB 299: Modifying WV regulations on pubertal modulation, hormonal therapy, and gender reassignment (House Health and Human Resources)
  • SB 325: Department of Health rule relating to general provisions of Medical Cannabis Program (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 (H Second Reading, 03-11)
  • 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 (H First Reading, 03-11)
  • SB 456: Defining “men” and “women” (Passed House; Pending Senate concurrence to House amendment)
  • SB 458: Universal Professional and Occupational Licensing Act of 2025 (Pending House introduction)
  • SB 459: Requiring county planning commission members be state residents (House Government Organization)
  • SB 460: Relating to vaccine requirements (House Health and Human Resources)
  • SB 462: Permitting Board of Occupational Therapy to require criminal history record checks (H First Reading, 03-11)
  • SB 482: Certified Professional Midwife Licensing and Regulation (House Government Organization)
  • SB 483: Increasing civil penalties for failure to file required campaign finance reports (House Judiciary)
  • SB 485: Exempting West Virginia Secretary of State from competitive bidding process (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 (Completed legislation; awaiting action by the Governor)
  • SB 492: Removing outdated provisions governing political committees (Pending House introduction)
  • SB 496: Removing reflexology and other energy-based work from definition of “massage therapy” (House Government Organization)
  • SB 503: Allowing sheriffs to appoint more than one chief deputy with consent of county commission (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 (House Energy and Public Works)
  • SB 565: Relating generally to practice of optometry (Pending House introduction)
  • SB 573: Relating to restrictions on use or sale of motor vehicles based on power source (House Energy and Public Works)
  • SB 581: Relating to school attendance and student participation in 4-H activities (House Education)
  • SB 612: Making rules and regulations of PSC subject to legislative rule-making review procedures (Pending House introduction)
  • SB 627: Removing prohibition against leasing state-owned pore spaces underlying lands designated as state parks (Pending House introduction)
  • HB 2024: Updating the meaning certain terms used in West Virginia Personal Income Tax Act (Signed, 02-24)
  • HB 2025: Updating terms in the Corporation Net Income Tax Act (Signed, 02-24)
  • HB 2354: Banning certain products from food in West Virginia (Passed Senate; pending House concurrence to Senate amendment)

Senate Resolutions that Have Been Adopted by the Senate as of Monday, March 10, 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, March 10, 2025 (36)

 

  • 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 (S First Reading, 03-11)
  • HB 2065: To allow Gold Star parents to receive one free Gold Star vehicle registration for personal use (Transportation and Infrastructure)
  • HB 2066: Creating a crime for the destruction of first responder equipment (Judiciary)
  • HB 2117: Relating to when Mail In Ballots are Due (Government Organization)
  • HB 2123: Modifying the criminal penalties imposed on a parent, guardian or custodian for child abuse (Judiciary)
  • HB 2129: Creating the Parents Bill of Rights (Pending Senate introduction)
  • 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 2267: Authorizing Department of Revenue to Promulgate Legislative Rules (Pending Senate introduction)
  • 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 (Workforce)
  • HB 2444: Relating to limiting financial records of limited video lottery permittees that are subject to examination by Lottery Commission (Finance)
  • 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 2560: Creating Infrastructure Ready Jurisdictions (Pending Senate introduction)

·       HB 2653: Updating the West Virginia Law Institute (Judiciary)

·       HB 2678: Relating to school zones of public or private schools (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 (Government Organization)

·       HB 2710: Truth in Giving (Pending Senate introduction)

·       HB 2871: Relating to the crime of negligent homicide (Pending Senate introduction)

·       HB 2942: Administration of the West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection Design-Build Pilot Program (Pending Senate introduction)

·       HB 2943: Administration of the West Virginia Hazardous Waste Management Act (Pending Senate introduction)

 

Action on House Resolutions in the Senate as of Monday, March 10, 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 Monday, March 10, 2025 (3 – 1 Senate; 2 House)

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

Resolutions that Have Completed Legislation as of Monday, March 10, 2025 (8 – 3 Senate; 5 House)

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

Bills Signed by the Governor as of Monday, March 10, 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.

Author: [email protected]