H. B. 4361

         (By Delegates Butler, Howell, Hamrick, Arvon,

          O’Neal, Sumner, Longstreth, Cadle, Armstead,

                        Ellington and Paxton)

         [Introduced January 28, 2014; referred to the

         Committee on Government Organization then the Judiciary.]

A BILL to amend the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, by adding thereto a new section, designated §4-1-4a, relating to allowing members of the Legislature who are away serving in the Armed Forces to participate and vote via electronic teleconferencing; and defining electronic teleconferencing.

Be it enacted by the Legislature of West Virginia:

    That the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, be amended by adding thereto a new section, designated §4-1-4a, to read as follows:

ARTICLE 1. OFFICERS, MEMBERS AND EMPLOYEES; APPROPRIATIONS; INVESTIGATIONS; DISPLAY OF FLAGS; RECORDS; USE OF CAPITOL BUILDING; PREFILING OF BILLS AND RESOLUTIONS; STANDING COMMITTEES; INTERIM MEETINGS; NEXT MEETING OF THE SENATE.

§4-1-4a. Participation in the Legislature via teleconferencing.

    (a) A member of the Legislature who is unable to be physically present when the Legislature is in session because the member is serving on active duty in the Armed Forces of the United States or in the West Virginia National Guard may participate in proceedings of the house of the Legislature in which he or she is a member by means of electronic teleconferencing. The member may vote on any question put to the legislative body by means of electronic teleconferencing.

    (b) As used in this section, “electronic teleconferencing” means telecommunication by electronic means which provides two-way audio and video communication and participation in real time by use of telecommunications equipment and technology.

    NOTE: The purpose of this bill is to allow legislators serving in the Armed Forces to participate and vote in the Legislature via electronic teleconference when on away for reasons related to their military service.

    This section is new; therefore, it has been completely underscored.