Eighty-second Legislature

First Regular Session

Held at Charleston

Published by the Clerk of the House

 

West Virginia Legislature

JOURNAL

of the

House of Delegates

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Monday, February 16, 2015

THIRTY-FOURTH DAY

[Mr. Speaker, Mr. Armstead, in the Chair]

 

 

            The House of Delegates met at 11:00 a.m., and was called to order by the Honorable Tim Armstead, Speaker.

            Prayer was offered and the House was led in recitation of the Pledge of Allegiance.

            The Clerk proceeded to read the Journal of Friday, February 13, 2015, being the first order of business, when the further reading thereof was dispensed with and the same approved.

Conference Committee Report Availability

            At 11:48 a.m., the Clerk announced availability in his office of the report of the Committee of Conference on Com. Sub. for S. B. 13, Reinstating open and obvious doctrine for premises liability.

Committee Reports

            Chairman McCuskey, from the House Committee on Enrolled Bills, submitted the following report, which was received:

            Your House Committee on Enrolled Bills has examined, found truly enrolled and, on the 13th day of February, 2015, presented to His Excellency, the Governor, for his action, the following bills, signed by the President of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Delegates:

            (Com. Sub. for H. B. 2217), Relating to qualifications of the Commissioner of Labor.

            Delegate Nelson, Chair of the Committee on Finance, submitted the following report, which was received:

            Your Committee on Finance has had under consideration:

            H. B. 2299, Board of Osteopathy, fees for services rendered by the board,

            H. B. 2300, Board of Physical Therapy, fees for physical therapists and physical therapist assistants,

            And,

            H. B. 2308, Commissioner of Agriculture, fee structure for the Pesticide Control Act of 1990,

            And reports the same back with the recommendation that they each do pass but that they first be referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.

            In accordance with the former direction of the Speaker, the bills (H. B. 2299, H. B. 2300 and H. B. 2308) were each referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.

            Delegate Ellington, Chair of the Committee on Health and Human Resources, submitted the following report, which was received:

            Your Committee on Health and Human Resources has had under consideration:

            H. B. 2098, Authorizing those health care professionals to provide services to patients or residents of state-run veterans’ facilities without obtaining an authorization to practice.

            And reports back a committee substitute therefor, with a new title, as follows:

            Com. Sub. for H. B. 2098 - “A Bill to amend the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, by adding thereto a new section, designated §30-3-11b; and to amend said code by adding thereto a new section, designated §30-14-12c, all relating to health care professionals providing services in federal veterans’ affairs facilities in this state; authorizing those health care professionals to provide services to patients or residents of state-run veterans’ facilities without obtaining an authorization to practice from the appropriate licensing agency of this state.”

            With the recommendation that the committee substitute do pass.

            Delegate Ellington, Chair of the Committee on Health and Human Resources, submitted the following report, which was received:

            Your Committee on Health and Human Resources has had under consideration:

            H. B. 2100, Permitting hospital patients to designate a lay caregiver,

            And reports the same back, with amendment, with the recommendation that it do pass, as amended, and with the recommendation that second reference of the bill to the Committee on the Judiciary be dispensed with.

            In the absence of objection, reference of the bill (H. B. 2100) to the Committee on the Judiciary was abrogated.

            Chairman Ellington, from the Committee on Health and Human Resources, submitted the following report, which was received:

            Your Committee on Health and Human Resources has had under consideration:

            H. B. 2535, Relating generally to suicide prevention training,

            And reports the same back, with amendment, with the recommendation that it do pass, as amended, and with the recommendation that second reference of the bill to the Committee on Education be dispensed with.

            In the absence of objection, reference of the bill (H. B. 2535) to the Committee on Education was abrogated.

            Delegate Nelson, Chair of the Committee on Finance, submitted the following report, which was received:

            Your Committee on Finance has had under consideration:

            H. B. 2287, Department of Environmental Protection, awarding of WV Stream Partners Program Grants,

            H. B. 2301, Racing Commission, relating to thoroughbred racing,

            And,

            H. B. 2360, State Tax Department, appointment of special assessors by the State Tax Commissioner,

            And reports the same back, with amendment, with the recommendation that they each do pass, as amended, but that they first be referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.

            In accordance with the former direction of the Speaker, the bills (H. B. 2287, H. B. 2301 and H. B. 2360) were each referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.

            Delegate Shott, Chair of the Committee on the Judiciary, submitted the following report, which was received:

            Your Committee on Judiciary has had under consideration:

            H. B. 2048, Relating to juvenile proceedings,

            And reports the same back, with amendment, with the recommendation that it do pass, as amended, but that it first be referred to the Committee on Finance.

            In accordance with the former direction of the Speaker, the bill (H. B. 2048) was referred to the Committee on Finance.

            Delegate Shott, Chair of the Committee on the Judiciary, submitted the following report, which was received:

            Your Committee on the Judiciary has had under consideration:

            H. B. 2607, Relating to the violation of interfering with emergency services communications and clarifying penalties,

            And reports the same back with the recommendation that it do pass.

            Delegate Shott, Chair of the Committee on the Judiciary, submitted the following report, which was received:

            Your Committee on the Judiciary has had under consideration:                                           H. B. 2586, Allowing for an alternative form of service of process in actions against nonresident persons by petitioners seeking domestic violence or personal safety relief,

            And reports back a committee substitute therefor, with the same title, as follows:

            Com. Sub. for H. B. 2586 - “A Bill to amend and reenact §48-27-311 of the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, and to amend said code by adding thereto a new section, designated §56-3-33a, all relating to service of process; actions against nonresident persons by petitioners seeking domestic violence or personal safety relief; and authorizing the Secretary of State to receive process against nonresidents,”

            With the recommendation that the committee substitute do pass.

            Delegate Shott, Chair of the Committee on the Judiciary, submitted the following report, which was received:

            Your Committee on the Judiciary has had under consideration:

            H. B. 2099, Extending the time of meetings of local levying bodies when meetings are delayed,

            And reports back a committee substitute therefor, with a new title, as follows:

            Com. Sub. for H. B. 2099 - “A Bill to amend and reenact §11-8-9 of the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, relating to extending the time of meetings of local levying bodies when meetings are delayed due to circumstances beyond the control of a local levying body; providing the State Auditor is authorized to extend the time of meetings of local levying bodies; authorizing the State Auditor to propose rules to implement this section; requiring that the meeting be held in compliance with chapter six, article nine-a; and authorizing the State Auditor to set the meeting time,”

            With the recommendation that the committee substitute do pass

Messages from the Senate

            A message from the Senate, by

            The Clerk of the Senate, announced that the Senate had passed, with amendment, to take effect from passage, a bill of the House of Delegates, as follows:

            H. B. 2200, Revising, rearranging, consolidating and recodifying the laws of the State of West Virginia relating to child welfare.

            On motion of Delegate Cowles, the bill was taken up for immediate consideration.

            The following Senate amendments were reported by the Clerk:

            On page thirty-nine, section two hundred eight, line twelve, by striking out the words “Department of Public Safety” and inserting in lieu thereof the words “State Police”.

            And,

            By amending the title of the bill to read as follows:

            H. B. 2200 - “A Bill to amend and reenact chapter forty-nine of the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, all relating to child welfare generally; revising, rearranging, consolidating and recodifying the laws of the State of West Virginia relating to child welfare; and removing outdated language and modifying the code to comply with court decisions concerning child welfare.”

            On motion of Delegate Cowles, the House of Delegates concurred in the Senate amendments.

            The bill, as amended by the Senate, was then put upon its passage.

            On the passage of the bill, the yeas and nays were taken (Roll No. 74), and there were--yeas 92, nays none, absent and not voting 8, with the absent and not voting being as follows:

            Absent and Not Voting: Ellington, Hamrick, Marcum, McCuskey, Moore, Morgan, L. Phillips and H. White.

             So, a majority of the members elected to the House of Delegates having voted in the affirmative, the Speaker declared the bill (H. B. 2200) passed.

            Delegate Cowles moved that the bill take effect from its passage.

            On this question, the yeas and nays were taken (Roll No. 75), and there were--yeas 92, nays none, absent and not voting 8, with the absent and not voting being as follows:

            Absent and Not Voting: Ellington, Hamrick, Marcum, McCuskey, Moore, Morgan, L. Phillips and H. White.

            So, two thirds of the members elected to the House of Delegates having voted in the affirmative, the Speaker declared the bill (H. B. 2200) takes effect from its passage.

            Ordered, That the Clerk of the House communicate to the Senate the action of the House of Delegates.

            A message from the Senate, by

            The Clerk of the Senate, announced that the Senate had passed, with amendment, to take effect from passage, a bill of the House of Delegates, as follows:

            H. B. 2201 - Requiring the Public Service Commission to adopt certain net metering and interconnection rules and standards.

            On motion of Delegate Cowles, the bill was taken up for immediate consideration.

            The following Senate amendments were reported by the Clerk:

            On page one, after the enacting section, by striking out the remainder of the bill and inserting in lieu thereof the following:

ARTICLE 2F. NET METERING OF CUSTOMER-GENERATORS.

 §24-2F-8. Net metering and interconnection standards.

            (a) ‘Net metering’ means measuring the difference between electricity supplied by an electric utility and electricity generated from a facility owned or leased and operated by a customer generator when any portion of the electricity generated from the facility is used to offset part or all of the electric retail customer’s requirements for electricity.

            (b) ‘Customer-generator’ means an electric retail customer who owns or leases and operates a customer-sited generation projected utilizing an alternative or renewable energy resource or a net metering system in this state.

            (c) ‘Cross-subsidization’, for purposes of this section, means the practice of charging costs directly incurred by the electric utility in accommodating a net metering system to electric retail customers to electric retails customers who are not customer generators.

            (d) ‘Commission’ means the Public Service Commission of West Virginia as constituted pursuant to section three, article one of this chapter.

            (e) The commission shall adopt a rule requiring that all electric utilities provide a rebate or discount at fair value, to be determined by the commission, to customer-generators for any electricity generation that is delivered to the utility under a net metering arrangement. The commission shall assure that any net metering tariff does not create a cross-subsidization between customers within one class of service.

            (b) (f) The commission shall also consider adopting, by rule, a requirement that all sellers of electricity to retail customers in the state, including rural electric cooperatives, municipally owned electric facilities or utilities serving less than thirty thousand residential electric customers in this state, offer net metering rebates or discounts to customer-generators.

            (c) (g) The commission shall institute a general investigation for the purpose of adopting rules pertaining to net metering and the interconnection of eligible electric generating facilities intended to operate in parallel with an electric utility’s system. As part of its investigation, the commission shall take into consideration rules of other states within the applicable region of the regional transmission organization, as that term is defined in 18 C.F.R. §35.34, that manages a utility’s transmission system in any part of this state. Furthermore, the commission shall consider increasing the allowed kilowatt capacity for commercial customer-generators to an amount not to exceed five hundred kilowatts and for industrial customer-generators to an amount not to exceed two megawatts. The commission shall further consider interconnection standards for combined heat and power.

            (d) The commission shall promulgate these rules within twelve months of the effective date of this article.

            (h) An electric utility shall offer net metering to a customer-generator that generates electricity on the customer-generator side of the meter using alternative or renewable energy sources, on a first-come, first-served basis, based on the date of application for interconnection as provided in the rules promulgated by the commission and pursuant to a standard tariff. An electric utility may offer net metering to customer-generators, on a first-come, first-served basis, so long as the total generation capacity installed by all customer-generators is no greater than three percent (3%) of the electric utility aggregate customer peak demand in the state during the previous year, of which no less than one-half percent (0.5%) is reserved for residential customer-generators.

            (i) The commission shall adopt a rule requiring compliance with the Institute of the Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE), and as the same shall be amended, standards at all times, including having a disconnect readily accessible to the utility between the facilities of the customer-generator and the electric utility.

            And,

            By amending the title of the bill to read as follows:

            H. B. 2201 - “A Bill to amend and reenact §24-2F-8 of the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, relating to net metering; defining net metering; defining customer-generator; defining cross-subsidization; requiring the Public Service Commission to prohibit cross-subsidization; requiring the Public Service Commission adopt certain net metering and interconnection rules and standards; striking deadlines for rulemaking by the Public Service Commission; and capping the amount of generating capacity subject to net metering.”

            On motion of Delegate Cowles, the House of Delegates concurred in the Senate amendments.

            The bill, as amended by the Senate, was then put upon its passage.

            On the passage of the bill, the yeas and nays were taken (Roll No. 76), and there were--yeas 92, nays none, absent and not voting 8, with the absent and not voting being as follows:

            Absent and Not Voting: Ellington, Hamrick, Marcum, McCuskey, Moore, Morgan, L. Phillips and H. White.

             So, a majority of the members elected to the House of Delegates having voted in the affirmative, the Speaker declared the bill (H. B. 2201) passed.

            Delegate Cowles moved that the bill take effect from its passage.

            On this question, the yeas and nays were taken (Roll No. 77), and there were--yeas 90, nays 2, absent and not voting 8, with the nays and absent and not voting being as follows:

            Nays: Fleischauer and Skinner.

            Absent and Not Voting: Ellington, Hamrick, Marcum, McCuskey, Moore, Morgan, L. Phillips and H. White.

            So, two thirds of the members elected to the House of Delegates having voted in the affirmative, the Speaker declared the bill (H. B. 2201) takes effect from its passage.

            Ordered, That the Clerk of the House communicate to the Senate the action of the House of Delegates.

            A message from the Senate, by

            The Clerk of the Senate, announced concurrence in the amendment of the House of Delegates and the passage, as amended, to take effect from passage, of

            Com. Sub. for S. B. 237, Creating Captive Cervic Farming Act.

            A message from the Senate, by

            The Clerk of the Senate, announced the passage by the Senate and requested the concurrence of the House of Delegates in the passage, of

            S. B. 298 - “A Bill to amend and reenact §5-10-28 of the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, relating to the Public Employees Retirement System; and clarifying that members deposit fund, employers accumulation fund, retirement reserve fund, income fund and expense fund all refer to the Public Employees Retirement Fund”; which was referred to the Committee on Finnace.

            A message from the Senate, by

            The Clerk of the Senate, announced the passage by the Senate and requested the concurrence of the House of Delegates in the passage, of

            S. B. 299 - “A Bill to amend and reenact §15-2A-9 and §15-2A-10 of the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, all relating to duty-related disability retirement in the West Virginia State Police Retirement System; and specifying that disability disbursements shall begin the first day of the month following approval by the Consolidated Public Retirement Board and member’s termination of employment”; which was referred to the Committee on Finance.

            A message from the Senate, by

            The Clerk of the Senate, announced the passage by the Senate and requested the concurrence of the House of Delegates in the passage, of

            S. B. 302 - “A Bill to amend and reenact §5-10A-2 and §5-10A-6 of the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, all relating to disqualification for public retirement plan benefits when a participant is determined to have rendered less than honorable service; adding the West Virginia Municipal Police Officers and Firefighters Retirement System to definition of ‘retirement plan’; and specifying that former participants of the West Virginia Teachers Defined Contribution Retirement System who elected to transfer to the West Virginia Teachers Retirement System and whose benefits have been terminated for less than honorable service shall not be refunded any transferred vested employer contributions”; which was referred to the Committee on Finance.

            A message from the Senate, by

            The Clerk of the Senate, announced the passage by the Senate and requested the concurrence of the House of Delegates in the passage, of

            Com. Sub. for S. B. 315 - “A Bill to amend and reenact §46A-6-101, §46A-6-102, §46A-6-105 and §46A-6-106 of the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, all relating to civil actions filed under the Consumer Protection Act; providing statement of legislative intent that courts be guided by federal court and agency interpretations of similar federal statutes; clarifying who may bring private cause of action; establishing requirement of out-of-pocket loss proximately caused by alleged violation in actions for damages; and providing right to demand a jury trial”; which was referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.

            A message from the Senate, by

            The Clerk of the Senate, announced the adoption by the Senate and requested the concurrence of the House of Delegates in the adoption of the following concurrent resolution, which was read by its title and referred to the Committee on Rules:

            S. C. R. 10 - “Designating the month of September every year as U. S. Constitution Month and encouraging the people of West Virginia to remember and study the extraordinary events of 1787, which culminated in the drafting of the U. S. Constitution at the convention in Philadelphia.”

            Whereas, The U. S. Constitution established America’s national government and fundamental laws and guaranteed certain basic rights for its citizens. It was signed on September 17, 1787, by delegates to the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia and presided over by George Washington. Under Americas first governing document, the Articles of Confederation, the national government was weak and states operated like independent countries. At the 1787 convention, delegates devised a plan for a stronger federal government with three branches: Executive, Legislative and Judicial, together with a system of checks and balances to ensure no single branch would have too much power. The Bill of Rights, which are the first ten amendments to the Constitution guaranteeing basic individual protections such as freedom of speech and religion, became part of the Constitution in 1791. There have been a total of twenty-seven constitutional amendments; and

            Whereas, As Benjamin Franklin said on the closing day of the convention in 1787, “I agree to this Constitution with all its faults, if they are such, because I think a central government is necessary for us… I doubt too whether any other convention we can obtain may be able to make a better Constitution.” It is still the most remarkable document of its kind in the political history of mankind; therefore, be it

            Resolved by the Legislature of West Virginia:

             That the Legislature hereby designates the month of September every year as U. S. Constitution Month and encourages the people of West Virginia to remember and study the extraordinary events of 1787, which culminated in the drafting of the U. S. Constitution at the convention in Philadelphia.

Resolutions Introduced

            Delegates Eldridge, R. Phillips, Marcum and Moffatt offered the following resolution, which was read by its title and referred to the Committee on Roads and Transportation then Rules:

            H. C. R. 64 - “Requesting the Division of Highways to name the portion of West Virginia Route 36 in Lincoln County, from the intersection of Sheridan Road, continuing 1.4 miles southeast, to the Greystone Branch sign, the ‘U.S. Army PFC Ray Freeman Meade Memorial Road’.”

            Whereas, Private First Class Ray Freeman Meade of Branchland, West Virginia, was born on November 15, 1929, to Ruth A. Hatfield and Raymond D. Meade; and

            Whereas, Private First Class Ray Freeman Meade was killed in action in Korea on November 14, 1950; and

            Whereas, It is fitting that an appropriate memorial recognizing this soldier’s service and sacrifice be established in the area where he lived; therefore, be it

            Resolved by the Legislature of West Virginia:

            That the Division of Highways is hereby requested to name the portion of West Virginia Route 36 in Lincoln County, from the intersection of Sheridan Road, continuing 1.4 miles southeast, to the Greystone Branch sign, the “U.S. Army PFC Ray Freeman Meade Memorial Road”; and, be it

            Further Resolved, That the Commissioner of the Division of Highways is hereby requested to erect signs at both ends of the designated roadway containing bold and prominent letters proclaiming the designated roadway the “U.S. Army PFC Ray Freeman Meade Memorial Road”; and, be it

            Further Resolved, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates, forward a certified copy of this resolution to the Secretary of Transportation, the Commissioner of Highways, and the family of the late Private First Class Ray Freeman Meade.

            Delegates J. Nelson, Moffatt, Gearheart, R. Smith, R. Phillips, Campbell, Hicks, Butler, Eldridge, Manchin and Boggs offered the following resolution, which was read by its title and referred to the Committee on Roads and Transportation then Rules:

            H. C. R. 65 - “Requesting that bridge number 22-119-0.04 (22A103), latitude 38.18215, longitude -81.84941, on United States Route 119, heading southbound, otherwise known as the North Pinnacle Rock Creek Bridge, in Lincoln County, be named the ‘U.S. Army PFC Willie Paul Wilson Bridge’.”

            Whereas, Private First Class Willie Paul Wilson, known to his family and friends as “Jenkie”, was born on November 11, 1925, in Julian, West Virginia, to John and Elsie Wilson; and

            Whereas, Private First Class Willie Paul Wilson enlisted in the United States Army on February 29, 1944, and was assigned to Company K, 1st Platoon, 262nd Regiment; and

            Whereas, Private First Class Willie Paul Wilson was killed on Christmas Eve of 1944 aboard the S. Leopoldville, a Belgian troopship being used in the English Channel to transport troops and supplies for the Allied war effort. On that evening, a German submarine torpedoed the S. Leopoldville when it was only five miles from the shore, killing at least eight hundred and two people in the most deadly tragedy to ever befall an American Infantry Division as the result of an enemy submarine attack; and

            Whereas, Private First Class Willie Paul Wilson was awarded the Purple Heart on June 30, 1945, for the wounds that resulted in his death; and

            Whereas, It is fitting that Private First Class Willie Paul Wilson be memorialized and honored for his great sacrifice in the area where he lived; therefore, be it

            Resolved by the Legislature of West Virginia:

            That the Division of Highways is hereby requested to name bridge number 22-119-0.04 (22A103), latitude 38.18215, longitude -81.84941, on United States Route 119, heading southbound, otherwise known as the North Pinnacle Rock Creek Bridge, in Lincoln County, the “U.S. Army PFC Willie Paul Wilson Bridge”; and, be it

            Further Resolved, That the Commissioner of the Division of Highways is hereby requested to erect signs identifying the bridge, heading southbound, as the “U.S. Army PFC Willie Paul Wilson Bridge”; and, be it

            Further Resolved, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates forward a certified copy of this resolution to the Commissioner of the Division of Highways and to the family of Private First Class Willie Paul Wilson.

            Delegates Rohrbach, Sobonya, Statler, Stansbury, Hill, Pasdon, Fast, Rowan, A. Evans, Romine and Hamilton offered the following resolution, which was read by its title and referred to the Committee on Industry and Labor then Rules:

            H. C. R. 66 - “Requiring the Joint Committee on Government and Finance conduct a comprehensive study of how to develop plans for industrial parks or zones throughout the state to attract new businesses and industry investments in West Virginia and tax incentives to encourage location of businesses in industrial parks or zones.”

            Whereas, West Virginia’s economy can be strengthened by the development and establishment of industrial zones or parks throughout the state. There are dozens of locations with sufficient attractive areas and sites that could be developed into industrial zones and parks for technology based economic development programs and other businesses that are tailored to West Virginia’s specific markets, opportunities and challenges in establishing innovation driven enterprises; and

            Whereas, Investment and job incentive tax credits exist and have existed in West Virginia for businesses to locate in this state; and the development of industrial parks or zones as an incentive to create new businesses should also be considered for such tax credits; therefore, be it

            Resolved by the Legislature of West Virginia:

            That the Joint Committee on Government and Finance is hereby required to make a comprehensive study on how to best develop plans for industrial parks or zones throughout the state to attract new businesses and industry investments in West Virginia and tax incentives to encourage location of businesses in industrial parks or zones; and, be it

            Further Resolved, That the Joint Committee on Government and Finance report to the regular session of the Legislature, 2016, on its findings, conclusions and recommendations, together with drafts of any legislation necessary to effectuate its recommendations; and, be it

            Further Resolved, That the expenses necessary to conduct this study, to prepare a report and to draft necessary legislation be paid from legislative appropriations to the Joint Committee on Government and Finance.

            Delegates Rohrbach, Statler, Stansbury, Hill, Pasdon, Howell, Fast, Rowan, A. Evans, Romine and Hamilton offered the following resolution, which was read by its title and referred to the Committee on Energy then Rules:

            H. C. R. 67 - “Requesting the Joint Committee on Government and Finance to authorize a study of various industries that use natural gas and how the Legislature can leverage West Virginia’s natural gas resources to attract industries to the state and spur economic growth.”

            Whereas, West Virginia contains vast natural gas resources, including a 6,000-foot-deep Marcellus Shale rock formation believed to contain more than 50 trillion cubic-feet of recoverable natural gas and a Utica Shale rock formation believed to be one of the largest in the country; and

            Whereas, West Virginia's underground natural gas storage capacity accounts for about 6 percent of the U.S. total, and the state is an important supplier to the Northeast during the winter months when natural gas demand peaks; and

            Whereas, Industries are increasingly relying on natural gas to meet energy needs; and

            Whereas, The Legislature should take an active role in studying, formulating and implementing policies that address how to leverage the state's natural gas resources to spur economic growth in the state; therefore, be it

            Resolved by the Legislature of West Virginia:

            That the Joint Committee on Government and Finance is hereby requested to authorize a study on the types of industry that would benefit from locating in West Virginia, because of the state's high natural gas production, and how the state can leverage its natural gas resources to attract businesses and spur economic growth; and, be it

            Further Resolved, That the Joint Committee on Government and Finance report to the regular session of the Legislature, 2016, on its findings, conclusions and recommendations, together with drafts of any legislation necessary to effectuate its recommendations; and, be it

            Further Resolved, That the expenses necessary to conduct this study, to prepare a report and to draft necessary legislation be paid from legislative appropriations to the Joint Committee on Government and Finance.

            On motion for leave, a Joint Resolution was introduced, read by its title and referred as follows:

By Delegates Hamilton, O’Neal, Hanshaw, Kessinger, Blair, Weld, Foster, Hill, Ireland, Campbell and Marcum:

            H. J. R. 22 - “Proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the State of West Virginia, amending article III thereof by adding thereto a new section, designated section twenty-three, relating to the right to hunt, fish and harvest wildlife; numbering and designating such proposed amendment; and providing a summarized statement of the purpose of such proposed amendment”; to the Committee on the Judiciary.

Bills Introduced

            On motions for leave, bills were introduced, read by their titles, and severally referred as follows:

By Delegates Householder, Blair, Espinosa, Folk, Faircloth, Border, Ihle, Hill, Cadle and Miller:

            H. B. 2752 - “A Bill to repeal §21-16-1, §21-16-2, §21-16-3, §21-16-4, §21-16-5, §21-16-6, §21-16-7, §21-16-8, §21-16-9 and §21-16-10 of the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended; to repeal §29-3D-1, §29-3D-2, §29-3D-3, §29-3D-4, §29-3D-5, §29-3D-6, §29-3D-7 and §29-3D-8, of said code; and to amend and reenact §29-3-12b, of said code, all relating to deregulating persons who perform work on heating, ventilating and cooling systems and fire dampers”; to the Committee on Industry and Labor then the Judiciary.

By Delegates J. Nelson, R. Phillips, McGeehan, P. Smith, Marcum, Longstreth and Weld:

            H. B. 2753 - “A Bill to amend and reenact §17A-3-23 of the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, relating to removing the requirement for vehicles operated by the West Virginia Wing of the Civil Air Patrol to display front license plates with white lettering on a green background bearing the words ‘West Virginia’ in one line and the words ‘State Car’ in another line”; to the Committee on Roads and Transportation then the Judiciary.

By Delegates Householder and Butler:

            H. B. 2754 - “A Bill to amend the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, by adding thereto a new section, designated §30-1-21, relating to uncompensated care”; to the Committee on Health and Human Resources.

By Delegates Boggs, Hartman, D. Evans, Perry, Ashley, Pasdon, Pethtel, Duke and Williams:

            H. B. 2755 - “A Bill to amend and reenact §18-5-11a of the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, relating to service and professional employee positions at jointly established schools”; to the Committee on Education.

By Delegates Trecost, Lynch, Marcum, R. Phillips, Sponaugle, Statler and Kelly:

            H. B. 2756 - “A Bill to amend and reenact §61-7-6 of the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, relating to exceptions to prohibitions against carrying concealed handguns; and authorizing appointees or employees of the Alcohol Beverage Control Commissioner to carry concealed handguns”; to the Committee on the Judiciary.

By Mr. Speaker, Mr. Armstead, and Delegate Miley

            [By Request of the Executive]:

            H. B. 2757 - “A Bill supplementing, amending, decreasing, and increasing items of the existing appropriations from the State Road Fund to the Department of Transportation, Division of Highways, fund 9017, fiscal year 2015, organization 0803, for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2015”; to the Committee on Finance.

By Mr. Speaker, Mr. Armstead, and Delegate Miley

            [By Request of the Executive]:

            H. B. 2758 - “A Bill making a supplementary appropriation from the balance of moneys remaining unappropriated for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2015, to the Department of Administration, Division of Purchasing - Purchasing Improvement Fund, fund 2264, fiscal year 2015, organization 0213, by supplementing and amending the appropriation for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2015”; to the Committee on Finance.

By Mr. Speaker, Mr. Armstead, and Delegate Miley

            [By Request of the Executive]:

            H. B. 2759 - “A Bill making a supplementary appropriation from the balance of moneys remaining unappropriated for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2015, to the Department of Military Affairs and Public Safety, West Virginia Division of Corrections - Parolee Supervision Fees, fund 6362, fiscal year 2015, organization 0608, and to the Department of Military Affairs and Public Safety, West Virginia State Police - Motor Vehicle Inspection Fund, fund 6501, fiscal year 2015, organization 0612, by supplementing and amending the appropriation for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2015”; to the Committee on Finance.

By Mr. Speaker, Mr. Armstead, and Delegate Miley

            [By Request of the Executive]:

            H. B. 2760 - “A Bill making a supplementary appropriation of Lottery Net Profits from the balance of moneys remaining as an unappropriated balance in Lottery Net Profits to the Bureau of Senior Services - Lottery Senior Citizens Fund, fund 5405, fiscal year 2015, organization 0508, by supplementing and amending the appropriations for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2015”; to the Committee on Finance.

By Mr. Speaker, Mr. Armstead, and Delegate Miley

            [By Request of the Executive]:

            H. B. 2761 - “A Bill making a supplementary appropriation of federal funds out of the treasury from the balance of federal moneys remaining unappropriated for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2015, to the Department of Military Affairs and Public Safety, West Virginia State Police, fund 8741, fiscal year 2015, organization 0612, by supplementing and amending the appropriations for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2015”; to the Committee on Finance.

By Mr. Speaker, Mr. Armstead, and Delegate Miley

            [By Request of the Executive]:

            H. B. 2762 - “A Bill making a supplementary appropriation from the balance of moneys remaining unappropriated for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2015, to the Department of Transportation, Division of Motor Vehicles - Motor Vehicle Fees Fund, fund 8223, fiscal year 2015, organization 0802, by supplementing and amending the appropriation for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2015”; to the Committee on Finance.

By Mr. Speaker, Mr. Armstead, and Delegate Miley

            [By Request of the Executive]:

            H. B. 2763 - “A Bill making a supplementary appropriation of federal funds out of the treasury from the balance of federal moneys remaining unappropriated for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2015, to the Department of Health and Human Resources, Human Rights Commission, fund 8725, fiscal year 2015, organization 0510, to the Department of Health and Human Resources, Division of Human Services, fund 8722, fiscal year 2015, organization 0511, by supplementing and amending the appropriations for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2015”; to the Committee on Finance.

By Mr. Speaker, Mr. Armstead, and Delegate Miley

            [By Request of the Executive]:

            H. B. 2764 - “A Bill making a supplementary appropriation of Lottery Net Profits from the balance of moneys remaining as an unappropriated balance in Lottery Net Profits to the State Department of Education - School Building Authority - Debt Service Fund, fund 3963, fiscal year 2015, organization 0402, by supplementing and amending the appropriations for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2015”; to the Committee on Finance.

By Mr. Speaker, Mr. Armstead, and Delegate Miley

            [By Request of the Executive]:

            H. B. 2765 - “A Bill making a supplementary appropriation of federal funds out of the treasury from the balance of federal moneys remaining unappropriated for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2015, to the Department of Environmental Protection, Division of Environmental Protection, fund 8708, fiscal year 2015 organization 0313, by supplementing and amending the appropriations for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2015”; to the Committee on Finance.

By Mr. Speaker, Mr. Armstead, and Delegate Miley

            [By Request of the Executive]:

            H. B. 2766 - “A Bill expiring funds to the unappropriated balance in the State Fund, General Revenue, for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2015, in the amount of $5,650,000 from the Joint Expenses, fund 0175, fiscal year 2008, organization 2300, appropriation 64200, and in the amount of $15,000,000 from the Joint Expenses, fund 0175, fiscal year 2009, organization 2300, appropriation 64200, and in the amount of $251,657.05 from the Department of Health and Human Resources, Division of Human Services, TRIP Fund, fund 5070, fiscal year 2015, organization 0511”; to the Committee on Finance.

By Mr. Speaker, Mr. Armstead, and Delegate Miley

            [By Request of the Executive]:

            H. B. 2767 - “A Bill making a supplementary appropriation of federal funds out of the treasury from the balance of federal moneys remaining unappropriated for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2015, to the Department of Agriculture, State Conservation Committee, fund 8783, fiscal year 2015, organization 1400, by supplementing and amending the appropriations for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2015”; to the Committee on Finance.

By Mr. Speaker, Mr. Armstead, and Delegate Miley

            [By Request of the Executive]:

            H. B. 2768 - “A Bill making a supplementary appropriation of federal funds out of the treasury from the balance of federal moneys remaining unappropriated for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2015, to the Department of Commerce, Workforce West Virginia - Workforce Investment Act, fund 8749, fiscal year 2015, organization 0323, and to the Department of Commerce, Office of the Secretary - Office of Economic Opportunity - Community Services, fund 8781, fiscal year 2015, organization 0327, by supplementing and amending the appropriation for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2015”; to the Committee on Finance.

By Mr. Speaker, Mr. Armstead, and Delegate Miley

            [By Request of the Executive]:

            H. B. 2769 - “A Bill expiring funds to the unappropriated surplus balance in the State Fund, General Revenue, for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2015 in the amount of $1,500,000 from the Department of Military Affairs and Public Safety, Division of Corrections - Correctional Units, fund 0450, fiscal year 2012, organization 0608, appropriation 59200, and in the amount of $400,103.30 from the Department of Transportation, Division of Public Transit, fund 0510, fiscal year 2013, organization 0805, appropriation 25800, and in the amount of $1,329.28 from the Department of Health and Human Resources, Division of Health, Uniform Health Professional Data Collection Systems Fund, fund 5109, fiscal year 2015, organization 0506, and in the amount of $478.81 from the Department of Health and Human Resources, Division of Health, Commonly Based Fetal and Infant Mortality Review Fund, fund 5131, fiscal year 2015, organization 0506, and in the amount of $18,609.27 from the Department of Health and Human Resources, Division of Health, Claude Worthington Benedum Foundation Fund, fund 5132, fiscal year 2015, organization 0506, and in the amount of $2,500 from the Department of Health and Human Resources, Division of Health, Behavioral Health Clearing Fund, fund 5151, fiscal year 2015, organization 0506, and in the amount of $13,193.90 from the Department of Health and Human Resources, Division of Health, Special Education Title I Fund, fund 5161, fiscal year 2015, organization 0506, and in the amount of $45 from the Department of Health and Human Resources, Division of Health, Rural Health Networking Project Fund, fund 5184, fiscal year 2015, organization 0506, and in the amount of $1,400,000 from the Department of Health and Human Resources, Division of Health, Vital Statistics Improvement Fund, fund 5225, fiscal year 2015, organization 0506, and in the amount of $6,000,000 from the Department of Health and Human Resources, West Virginia Health Care Authority - Health Care Cost Review Fund, fund 5375, fiscal year 2015, organization 0507, and in the amount of $4,000,000 from the Department of Health and Human Resources, West Virginia Health Care Authority - West Virginia Health Information Network Account, fund 5380, fiscal year 2015, organization 0507, and in the amount of $4,976.37 from the Department of Health and Human Resources, Division of Human Services, Special County General Relief Fund, fund 5054, fiscal year 2015, organization 0511, and in the amount of $18,118.01 from the Department of Health and Human Resources, Division of Human Services, Individual and Family Grant Program, fund 5055, fiscal year 2015, organization 0511, and in the amount of $4,000,000 from the Department of Health and Human Resources, Division of Human Services, Medicaid Fraud Control Fund, fund 5141, fiscal year 2015, organization 0511, and in the amount of $223,310.69 from the Department of Health and Human Resources, Division of Human Services - Marriage Education Fund, fund 5490, fiscal year 2015, organization 0511, and in the amount of $12,500,000 from the Department of Revenue, Insurance Commissioner, fund 7152, fiscal year 2015, organization 0704”; to the Committee on Finance.

By Mr. Speaker, Mr. Armstead, and Delegate Miley

            [By Request of the Executive]:

            H. B. 2770 - “A Bill making a supplementary appropriation from the State Fund, State Excess Lottery Revenue Fund, to the Division of Human Services, fund 5365, fiscal year 2015, organization 0511, by supplementing and amending the appropriation for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2015”; to the Committee on Finance.

By Mr. Speaker, Mr. Armstead, and Delegate Miley

            [By Request of the Executive]:

            H. B. 2771 - “A Bill making a supplementary appropriation from the balance of moneys remaining unappropriated for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2015, to the Department of Health and Human Resources, Division of Human Services - Health Care Provider Tax - Medicaid State Share Fund, fund 5090, fiscal year 2015, organization 0511, by supplementing and amending the appropriation for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2015”; to the Committee on Finance.

By Mr. Speaker, Mr. Armstead, and Delegate Miley

            [By Request of the Executive]:

            H. B. 2772 - “A Bill expiring funds to the unappropriated surplus balance in the State Fund, General Revenue, for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2015, in the amount of $1,000,000 from the Auditor's Office - Purchasing Card Administration Fund, fund 1234, fiscal year 2015, organization 1200”; to the Committee on Finance.

By Delegates Espinosa, Overington, Storch, Skinner, Ashley and Upson:

            H. B. 2773 - “A Bill to amend and reenact §11-13X-3 and §11-13X-5 of the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, all relating to the West Virginia Film Industry Investment tax credit; defining terms; specifying the amount of West Virginia Film Industry Investment tax credit authorized as a percentage of qualified expenditures for purposes of calculating the tax credit; decreasing the percentage authorized for expenditures on projects that do not employ ten or more West Virginia residents as part of the full-time employees working on the project in West Virginia or as apprentices working in West Virginia; increasing the percentage authorized for expenditures on projects that do employ ten or more West Virginia residents as part of the full-time employees working on the project in West Virginia or as apprentices working in West Virginia; and specifying effective date”; to the Committee on Finance.

By Delegates Butler, Gearheart, Frich, R. Smith, J. Nelson, Moffatt, Azinger, Cadle and McGeehan:

            H. B. 2774 - “A Bill to amend the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, by adding thereto a new article, designated §18-1A-1, §18-1A-2, §18-1A-3, §18-1A-4, §18-1A-5, §18-1A-6, §18-1A-7, §18-1A-8 and §18-1A-9, all relating to public school standards and assessments; prohibiting the school board from ceding authority over standards or student data to the federal government or private entities; prohibiting the use of common core standards and assessments; implementing temporary standards; limiting the use of statewide assessments; prohibiting the sharing of student level data or personally identifiable data; creating the West Virginia Legislative Education Standards Development Commission and Standards Development committees; and prohibiting colleges in the state from denying admission based on participation in common core programs or tests”; to the Committee on Education.

By Delegates Campbell, Eldridge, Perry, Moore, L. Phillips, J. Nelson and Marcum:

            H. B. 2775 - “A Bill to amend the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, by adding thereto a new section, designated §9A-1-16, relating to salary increase for Veteran's Service Officer 1 and Veteran’s Service Officer 2 positions”; to the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs and Homeland Security then Finance.

Delegates Gearheart, McCuskey, Storch, Hamrick, Espinosa, E. Nelson, Westfall, Mr. Speaker, Mr. Armstead, O’Neal, Pethtel and Ferro:

            H. B. 2778 - “A Bill to amend the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, by adding thereto a new article, designated §17-17B-1, §17-17B-2, §17-17B-3, §17-17B-4 and §17-17B-5, all relating to authorizing West Virginia Division of Highways to enter into cooperative agreements with United States Secretary of Transportation to establish infrastructure revolving funds; creating State Infrastructure Fund Program; creating State Infrastructure Fund; and permitting Commissioner of the Division of Highways to propose rules for legislative approval”; to the Committee on Roads and Transportation then Finance.

Special Calendar

Second Reading

            Com. Sub. for S. B. 6, Relating to medical professional liability; on second reading, coming up in regular order, was read a second time.

            At the request of Delegate Cowles, and by unanimous consent, the bill was advanced to third reading with amendments pending, and the rule was suspended to permit the consideration of the amendments on that reading.

             S. B. 389, Relating to Board of Registration for Professional Engineers license renewals and reinstatements; on second reading, coming up in regular order, was read a second time.

            An amendment, recommended by the Committee on Government Organization, was reported by the Clerk and adopted, amending the bill on page one, after the enacting clause by striking out the remainder of the bill and inserting in lieu thereof the following:

            “That §30-13-13a, §30-13-17 and §30-13-18 of the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, be amended and reenacted, all to read as follows:

ARTICLE 13. ENGINEERS.

§30-13-13a. Designations of nonpracticing status.

            The board may designate a professional engineer as ineligible to practice or offer to practice engineering in this state using one of the following terms:

            (1) Professional engineer-retired. – A registrant may apply for retired status upon certification that he or she is no longer practicing or offering to practice engineering in this state for remuneration.

            (2) Professional engineer-inactive. – A registrant may request inactive status upon affirmation that he or she is no longer practicing or offering to practice engineering in this state.

            (3) Professional engineer-lapsed. – A registrant’s license is lapsed when the registrant does not respond to renewal notices or pay the required renewal fees.

            (4) Professional engineer-invalidated. – A registrant’s license is invalidated when he or she is unable to provide sufficient proof that any condition of renewal set forth in this article or by board rule has been met.

§30-13-17. Certificates of authorization required; naming of engineering firms.

            (a) No person or firm is authorized to practice or offer to practice engineering in this state until the person or firm has been issued a certificate of authorization by the board.

            (b) A person or firm desiring a certificate of authorization must file all the required information with the board on an application form specified by the board. The required information shall include the sworn statement of the engineer in responsible charge who is a professional engineer registered in this state. The board shall issue a certificate of authorization to an applicant who has met all the requirements and paid the fees set forth in board rules. 

            (c) No person or firm is relieved of responsibility for the conduct or acts of its agents, employees, officers or partners due to compliance with the provisions of this article. No individual practicing engineering under the provisions of this article is relieved of responsibility for engineering services performed due to his or her employment or other relationship with a person or firm holding a certificate of authorization.

            (d) An engineer who renders occasional, part-time or contract engineering services to or for a firm may not be designated as being in responsible charge for the professional activities of the firm unless that engineer is an owner or principal of the firm.

            (e) The Secretary of State shall not issue a certificate of authority or business registration or license to an applicant whose business includes, among the objectives for which it is established, the words engineer, engineering or any modification or derivation thereof unless the board of registration for this profession has issued to the applicant a certificate of authorization or a letter indicating eligibility to receive the certificate. The certificate or letter from the board shall be filed with the application filed with the Secretary of State to do business in West Virginia.

            (f) The Secretary of State shall decline to register a trade name or service mark which includes the words engineer, engineering or modifications or derivatives thereof in its business name or logotype except those businesses holding a certificate of authorization issued under the provisions of this article.

            (g) The certificate of authorization may be renewed or reinstated in accordance with board rule and upon payment of the required renewal fee fees.

            (h) Every holder of a certificate of authorization has a duty to notify the board promptly of any change in information previously submitted to the board in an application for a certificate of authorization.

§30-13-18. Renewals and reinstatement.

            (a) Certificates of registration and certificates of authorization for firms expire on the last day of the month of June following issuance December of the year indicated on the certificate, and are invalid after that date unless renewed the holder of any certificate that is not timely renewed is ineligible to practice or offer to practice engineering in this state until the certificate has been reinstated in accordance with rules promulgated by the board.

            (b) The secretary of the board shall notify every person registered and every firm holding a certification of authorization under this article of the pending expiration of a certificate of registration or certificate of authorization issued to that person or firm, including notice of the fee required to renew the registration or certificate. The notice shall be mailed to the registrant or firm at their last known address at the last mailing address or email address provided to the board, at least one month in advance of the date of the expiration. Certificates may be renewed only in accordance with board rule, which may include payment of a late fee for renewals not postmarked by December 31 of the year in which renewal is required. The board shall notify every person or firm holding an active certificate under this article of the certificate renewal requirements at least one month prior to the renewal date. The notice shall be made by mail or electronic means using the contact information provided to the board.

            (c) An expired A certificate that was not timely renewed or for other reason was given a nonpracticing status may be renewed reinstated under rules promulgated by the board and may require reexamination and payment of penalty fees set forth in board rules.

            (d) Effective July 1, 2015, the board may renew certificates on a biennial basis.

            (e) The board shall promulgate emergency rules pursuant to section fifteen, article three, chapter twenty-nine-a of this code to implement the provisions of this section.

            The bill was then ordered to third reading.

            Com. Sub. for H. B. 2157, Relating to absentee ballot fraud; on second reading, coming up in regular order, was read a second time and ordered to engrossment and third reading.

            Com. Sub. for H. B. 2160, WV Schools for the Deaf and Blind eligible for School Building Authority funding; on second reading, coming up in regular order, was read a second time and ordered to engrossment and third reading.

            H. B. 2212, Changing the amount of severance tax revenue annually dedicated to the West Virginia Infrastructure General Obligation Debt Service Fund; on second reading, coming up in regular order, was read a second time and ordered to engrossment and third reading.

            H. B. 2213, Reducing the distributions to the West Virginia Infrastructure Fund; on second reading, coming up in regular order, was read a second time.

            Delegate Cowles asked unanimous consent that the bill be advanced to third reading with amendments pending, which consent was not given, objection by Delegate Sponaugle being heard.

            Delegate Cowles then so moved.

            On this motion, the yeas and nays were taken (Roll No. 78), and there were--yeas 60, nays 31, absent and not voting 9, with the nays and absent and not voting being as follows:

            Nays: Bates, Boggs, Byrd, Campbell, Caputo, Duke, Eldridge, Fleischauer, Fluharty, Guthrie, Hicks, Hornbuckle, Longstreth, Lynch, Manchin, Miley, Moye, E. Nelson, Perdue, Perry, Pethtel, R. Phillips, Pushkin, Reynolds, Rodighiero, Rowe, Skinner, P. Smith, Sponaugle, Trecost and Williams.

            Absent and Not Voting: Ellington, Ferro, Hamrick, Marcum, McCuskey, Moore, Morgan, L. Phillips and H. White.

             So, two thirds of the members present and voting not having voted in the affirmative, the motion did not prevail.

            An amendment, offered by Delegates Sponaugle and Perdue, was reported by the Clerk on page three, section one, line thirty-one, following the period, by inserting, “With a minimum of ten percent of the aforementioned fifty percent being used to fund veteran related projects.”

            On the adoption of the amendment, Delegate Sponaugle demanded the yeas and nays, which demand was sustained.

            The yeas and nays having been ordered, they were taken (Roll No. 79), and there were--yeas 88, nays 3, absent and not voting 9, with the nays and absent and not voting being as follows:

            Nays: Foster, Gearheart and McGeehan.

            Absent and Not Voting: Ellington, Ferro, Hamrick, Marcum, McCuskey, Moore, Morgan, L. Phillips and H. White.

             So, a majority of the members present and voting having voted in the affirmative, the amendment was adopted.

            The bill was then ordered to engrossment and third reading.

            H. B. 2387, Relating to a framework for initiating comprehensive transformation of school leadership; on second reading, coming up in regular order, was read a second time and ordered to engrossment and third reading.

            H. B. 2606, Clarifying the potential sentence for disorderly conduct; on second reading, coming up in regular order, was read a second time and ordered to engrossment and third reading.

            H. B. 2608, Cleaning up redundant language in the statute relating to misdemeanor offenses for violation of protective orders; on second reading, coming up in regular order, was read a second time and ordered to engrossment and third reading.

First ReadingThe following bills on first reading, coming up in regular order, were each read a first time and ordered to second reading:

            S. B. 262, Transferring CHIP and Children’s Health Insurance Agency from Department of Administration to DHHR,

            Com. Sub. for H. B. 2391, Authorizing additional annual waiver to full implementation of five full day early childhood education program,

            H. B. 2523, Creating a special revenue account to offset costs for the West Virginia State Police 100th Anniversary in 2019,

            Com. Sub. for H. B. 2527, Creating a Task Force on Prevention of Sexual Abuse of Children; “Erin Merryn’s Law”,

            H. B. 2675, Reducing certain severance taxes that are dedicated to the Workers' Compensation Debt Reduction Fund,

            H. B. 2776, Relating to prescribing hydrocodone combination drugs for a duration of no more than three days,

            And,

            H. B. 2777, Relating to licensing of barbers, cosmetologists, and hairstylists, and revising the membership requirements of the Board of Barbers and Cosmetologists.

Leaves of Absence

            At the request of Delegate Cowles, and by unanimous consent, leaves of absence for the day were granted Delegates Ellington, Hamrick, Marcum, McCuskey, Moore, Morgan, L. Phillips and H. White.

Miscellaneous Business

            Delegates McCuskey, E. Nelson, R. Phillips and Westfall filed forms with the Clerk’s Office per House Rule 94b to be added as cosponsors of H. B. 2523.

            Delegate Ihle filed forms with the Clerk’s Office per House Rule 94b to be added as a cosponsor of H. B. 2737 and H. B. 2774.

            Delegate Kelly filed a form with the Clerk’s Office per House Rule 94b to be added as a cosponsor of H. B. 2774.

            At 12:23 p.m., the House of Delegates adjourned until 11:00 a.m., Tuesday, February 17, 2015.