____________________
Saturday, March 9, 2019
SIXTIETH DAY
[DELEGATE HANSHAW, MR. SPEAKER, IN THE CHAIR]
The House of Delegates met at 11:00 a.m., and was called to order by the Honorable Roger Hanshaw, 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, March 8, 2019, being the first order of business, when the further reading thereof was dispensed with and the same approved.
Conference Committee Report Availability
At 11:17 a.m., the Clerk announced that the report of the Committee of Conference on Com. Sub. for S. B. 481, Relating to Judicial Vacancy Advisory Commission, shall be available in the Clerk?s Office.
Committee Reports
On motion for leave, a resolution was introduced (Originating in the Committee on Banking and Insurance and reported with the recommendation that it be adopted), which was read by its title, as follows:
By Delegates Westfall, Azinger, Barrett, Bates, Brown, Capito, Criss, Espinosa, Estep-Burton, Graves, Hartman, Hott, Householder, D. Jeffries, Lovejoy, P. Martin, McGeehan, Nelson, Porterfield, Robinson, Rowe, Shott, Sponaugle, Waxman and Williams:
H. C. R. 108 - ?Requesting the Joint Committee on Government and Finance to study the feasibility and propriety of authorizing and regulating a program for the rental of privately owned passenger motor vehicles through what is commonly known as a peer-to-peer car sharing program, establishing a regulatory framework to enable peer-to-peer car sharing entities to operate in West Virginia and the manner in which individually owned passenger motor vehicles are rented, maintained and insured in the program.?
Whereas, The technology evolution is constantly advancing the means of doing business in all industries, including the business of the rental of motor vehicles; and
Whereas, Americans are increasingly utilizing the ?sharing? economy to provide as well as to obtain transportation, travel and overnight accommodations; customers use services like Airbib, Uber, and Lyft, relying on peers, instead of businesses for travel and transportation and drivers and hosts have created cottage industries in various parts of the country to generate income by renting their cars and homes, charging rates for these services; and
Whereas, The rental of individually owned passenger motor vehicles to the public under rental agreements, known as ?peer-to-peer carsharing? has become an increasing common transaction either already authorized and occurring or for which authorization is currently being sought throughout the country; and?????
Whereas, There has been a nationwide emergence of private vehicle rental program providers through what is known as peer-to-peer car sharing programs, who operate, facilitate or administer the rental of individually owned private passenger motor vehicles to the public via digital and or other electronic means, without the necessity of personal, direct, in-person contact between the parties; and
Whereas, Currently, West Virginia law provides that a person may not engage in a daily car rental business unless licensed by the Commissioner of Motor Vehicles and comply with all of the duties and requirements set forth in W. Va. Code ?17A-6D-1 et seq.; furthermore, a person may not rent a motor vehicle to another person unless the renter is licensed to operate a motor vehicle, the owner of the motor vehicle has inspected the license of the renter and has compared and verified the signature of the operator?s license with the signature of such person, written in his or her presence, thereby inhibiting the ability to conduct rental transactions via digital or electronic means; and
Whereas, West Virginia law also provides that persons who rent a motor vehicle to another person must keep records of the registration of the rented vehicle as well as information about the person renting the vehicle, which shall be open to inspection by law enforcement and the DMV; and
Whereas, There are other issues to be considered in the peer-to-peer car rental business platform of renting individually owned passenger motor vehicles via digital or electronic means, including issues of insurance coverage on individually owned passenger vehicles used for hire, as well as liability issues and potential regulation of such transactions and activity that may be subject to regulation as a motor carrier for hire; therefore, be it
Resolved by the Legislature of West Virginia:
Further Resolved, That the Joint Committee on Government and Finance report to the Legislature, on the first day of the regular session, 2020, on its findings, conclusions and recommendations together with drafts of any legislation 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.
At the request of Delegate Summers, and by unanimous consent, reference of the resolution (H. C. R. 108) to a committee was dispensed with, and it was taken up for immediate consideration and adopted.
Ordered, That the Clerk of the House communicate to the Senate the action of the House of Delegates and request concurrence therein.
Mr. Speaker (Mr. Hanshaw), Chair of the Committee on Rules, submitted the following report, which was received:
Your Committee on Rules has had under consideration:?
S. C. R. 5, Home of Coach Bob Bolen Mountain State University 2004 NAIA Champions sign,
S. C. R. 6, US Army SP4 Darrell Gregory Triplett Memorial Bridge,
S. C. R. 16, US Army SP4 Wilbur Allen Smith Memorial Bridge,
S. C. R. 17, Sardis District Veterans Memorial Bridge,
Com. Sub. for S. C. R. 24, Hazel Dickens Memorial Bridge,
Com. Sub. for S. C. R. 26, Thompson-Lambert Memorial Bridge,
Com. Sub. for S. C. R. 28, US Army SP5 James Henry Caruthers Memorial Road,
S. C. R. 31, SGT James E. Mattingly Bridge,
S. C. R. 32, US Army SSG Henry Kilgore Bridge,
Com. Sub. for S. C. R. 34, US Army SPC Julian Lee Berisford Memorial Bridge,
Com. Sub. for S. C. R. 36, US Army CPL Cory M. Hewitt Memorial Bridge,
S. C. R. 38, Urging CSX support New River Train,
And,
Com. Sub. for S. C. R. 45, US Army Corporal T-5 Albert John ?Engine? Arco Memorial Bridge,
And reports the same back with the recommendation that they each be adopted.
In the absence of objection, the resolutions (S. C. R. 5, S. C. R. 6, S. C. R. 16, S. C. R. 17, Com. Sub. for S. C. R. 24, Com. Sub. for S. C. R. 26, Com. Sub. for S. C. R. 28, S. C. R. 31, S. C. R. 32, Com. Sub. for S. C. R. 34, Com. Sub. for S. C. R. 36, S. C. R. 38 and Com. Sub. for S. C. R. 45) were each taken up for immediate consideration and adopted.
Ordered, That the Clerk of the House communicate to the Senate the action of the House of Delegates.
Messages from the Executive
The following communications were laid before the House of Delegates and reported by the Clerk:
JIM JUSTICE
Governor of West Virginia
March 7, 2019
Executive Message No. 3
2019 Regular Session
The Honorable Roger Hanshaw
Speaker, West Virginia House of Delegates
State Capitol, Rm 228M
Charleston, WV? 25305
Dear Mr. Speaker:
Pursuant to the provisions of section twenty, article one, chapter five of the Code of West Virginia, I hereby certify that the following annual reports have been received in the Office of the Governor:
Accountancy, West Virginia Board of; Annual Report
Administration, West Virginia Department of; Public Records Management and Preservation Act Annual Report
Administration, West Virginia Department of; Public Defender Services Annual Report Fiscal Year 2018
Aeronautics Commission, West Virginia Department of Transportation; 2018 Annual Report
Alcohol Beverage Control Administration, West Virginia; 2018 Fiscal Year Annual Report
Architects, West Virginia Board of; Annual Report FY 2018 & FY 2017
Attorney General, State of West Virginia; Biennial Report and Official Opinions for the Fiscal Years Beginning July 1, 2016 and Ending June 30, 2018
Attorney General, State of West Virginia; Annual Report 2018
Attorney General, State of West Virginia; 2018 Annual Report on the Activities of the Consumer Protection and Antitrust Division
Auditor?s Office, West Virginia State; West Virginia State Dollar Report 2018
Barbour County, West Virginia; Financial Statements of Barbour County for the Fiscal Year Ended June 30, 2018
Board of Risk and Insurance Management, State of West Virginia Department of Administration; Annual Report for fiscal year ending June 30, 2017
Bureau of Senior Services, State of West Virginia; FY 2017 Annual Report
Chiropractic Examiners, State of West Virginia Board of; Annual Report 2016-2018
Commercial Motor Vehicle Weight and Safety Enforcement Advisory Committee; 2018 Annual Report
Consolidated Public Retirement Board?s, West Virginia; (West Virginia State Police Disability Experience) Annual Report Fiscal Year 2018
Consumer Advocate Offices of the WV Insurance Commissioner, West Virginia Office of; 2018 Annual Report
Counseling, West Virginia Board of; 2016-2018 Annual Report
Culture and History, West Virginia Division of; Annual Report 2017-2018
Department of Health and Human Resources, State of West Virginia; SFY 2017 Sanction Policy Change Data Annual Report
Education, West Virginia Department and Board of; 2018 State of Education Report
Environmental Protection (Office of Oil and Gas), West Virginia Department of; FY 2017 Annual Report for Fund 3323
Environmental Protection (Office of Oil and Gas), West Virginia Department of; FY 2018 Annual Report for Fund 3322
Environmental Protection, West Virginia Department of; Quarterly Reports Special Reclamation Fund and the Special Reclamation Water Trust Fund for the Quarter Ended December 31, 2018
Federal Communications Commission; Annual Report
Financial Institutions, West Virginia Division of; 117th Annual Report Fiscal Year ending June 30, 2018
Forestry, West Virginia Division of; 2018 Logging Sediment Control Act Annual Report
Forward, West Virginia; 2018 Annual Report WV Women Moving Forward
Funeral Service Examiners, West Virginia Board of; Annual Report (Period July 1, 2016- June 30, 2018)
Harrison County Department of Health and Human Resources; Annual Summary Report October 2016 to December 2017
Herbert Henderson Office of Minority Affairs; Annual Report 2017
Innovative Mine Safety Technology Credit Act, West Virginia; Annual Report
Insurance Commissioner, West Virginia Office of the; 2017 Annual Report
Insurance Commissioner, West Virginia Office of the; 2018 Annual Medical Malpractice Report
Interstate Commission on the Potomac River Basin; October 1, 2016 to September 30, 2017
Interstate Insurance Product Regulation Commission Compact; Annual Report 2017
Jobs Investment Trust, West Virginia; Years Ended June 30, 2018 and 2017
Judicial Compensation Commission, West Virginia; 2018 Report
Legislative Claims Commission, West Virginia; Reports of Legislative Claims Commission
Legislative Claims Commission, West Virginia; Supplemental Report for December 2018
Lottery, West Virginia; Comprehensive Annual Financial Report Fiscal Year Ended June 30, 2018 and 2017
Lottery, West Virginia; Monthly Report on Lottery Operations Month Ending January 31, 2019
Medical Imaging and Radiation Therapy Technology Board of Examiners, West Virginia; 2018 Annual Report
Medicine, West Virginia Board of; Annual Report for the Biennium 7/1/16-6/30/18
Municipal Bond Commission, West Virginia; Annual Report July 1, 2017- June 30, 2018
National Coal Heritage Area Authority; 2017 Annual Report
Natural Resources, West Virginia Division of; 2017-2018 Annual Report
Occupational Therapy, West Virginia Board; Annual Report for Fiscal Year 2017/2018
Office of Miners? Health, Safety and Training; 2017 Annual Report
Osteopathic Medicine, West Virginia School of; Annual Report
Personnel, West Virginia Division of; Annual Report FY 2018
Pharmacy, West Virginia Board of (Controlled Substances Monitoring Program); 2018 Annual Report
Physical Therapy, West Virginia State Board of; Annual Report of the Biennium July 1, 2016-June 30, 2018
Professional Engineers, West Virginia State Board of Registered; Annual Report FY 2018
Public Employees Grievance Board; 2018 Annual Report
Public Service Commission Consumer Advocate Division, State of West Virginia; 2018 Annual Report
Public Service Commission of West Virginia; 2018 Management Summary Report and the Electric and Gas Utilities Supply-Demand Forecast Reports
Regional Intergovernmental Council (Boone, Clay, Kanawha, Putnam Counties); 2017 Annual Report
Ron Yost Personal Assistance Services (RYPAS) Board; 2018 Annual Report
Sanitarians, West Virginia Board of; 2018 Annual Report
Senior Services, West Virginia Bureau of; Annual Report State Fiscal Year 2018 July 1, 2017-June 30, 2018
State Tax Department (Manufacturing Property Tax Adjustment Credit), West Virginia; Annual Report
State Tax Department, West Virginia; West Virginia Fireworks Safety Fee Report
Tax Department, West Virginia State; Report for Tax Year 2018
Tax Department, West Virginia State; West Virginia Tax Expenditure Study
Tax Department, West Virginia State; Calculation of Regular School Levy Rates for Tax Year 2019 and the Effects on Projected County School Revenues
Treasury Investments, West Virginia Board of; Year Ended June 30, 2018
Treasury Investments, West Virginia Board of; Comprehensive Annual Financial Report Fiscal Year Ended June 30, 2018
United States Department of Energy (National Energy Technology Laboratory); 2017 Annual Report
Veterinary Medicine, West Virginia Board of; Biennium Report July 1, 2016-June 30, 2018
Water Development Authority, West Virginia; Fiscal Year 2018 Annual Report
West Virginia University Medicine; 2017 Annual Report
??????????????????????? Sincerely,
??????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????? Jim Justice,
??????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????? ?? Governor.
JIM JUSTICE
Governor of West Virginia
March 7, 2019
EXECUTIVE MESSAGE NO. 4
2018 REGULAR SESSION????????????????????????????????????????????? ????????????????????????????
The Honorable Roger Hanshaw
Speaker, West Virginia House of Delegates
State Capitol, Rm 228M
Charleston, WV 25305
Dear Mr. Speaker:?????
In accordance with the provisions of section 11, article 7 of the Constitution of the State of West Virginia, and section 16, article 1, chapter 5 of the Code of West Virginia, I hereby report that I extended relief to the persons named on the attached report, during the period of March 6, 2018 through March 7, 2019.
Very truly yours,
Jim Justice,
Governor
PARDONS & MEDICAL RESPITES GRANTED
BY GOVERNOR JUSTICE
FOR THE PERIOD
Richard Lee Devore, Sr.
Decided: March 15, 2018
In March 2018, Governor Justice received a medical respite application that both the warden and commissioner of the Division of Corrections believed should be granted.? Mr. Devore had been given a poor prognosis and had not reached his minimum sentence date (September 2018) and was no longer ambulatory and required palliative care.??
For these reasons, Governor Justice granted a medical respite, allowing him to spend his last moments with his family.
NO PARDONS WERE GRANTED DURING THIS TIME PERIOD.
Messages from the Senate
A message from the Senate, by
The Clerk of the Senate, announced concurrence by the Senate in the amendment of the House of Delegates, with further title amendment, and the passage, as amended, of
Com. Sub. for S. B. 4, Relating generally to Municipal Home Rule Program.
On motion of Delegate Summers, the House concurred in the following Senate title amendment:
Com. Sub. for S. B. 4 - ?A Bill to amend and reenact ?8-1-5a of the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, relating to municipal home rule; making legislative findings; establishing the Municipal Home Rule Pilot Program as a permanent program identified as the Municipal Home Rule Program; providing for continuation of plans and amendments approved during Municipal Home Rule Pilot Program; providing that any ordinance, act, resolution, rule, or regulation enacted pursuant to the Municipal Home Rule Pilot Program shall continue until repealed; expanding eligibility to participate in home rule to additional municipalities; establishing annual assessment for participants in Municipal Home Rule Program; establishing penalty for failing to timely pay annual assessment; creating special revenue account for Municipal Home Rule Board; authorizing certain expenditures from special revenue fund; providing suspension of annual assessment when certain conditions are met; clarifying the authority of the Municipal Home Rule Board; requiring Municipal Home Rule Board to reject any application or amendment that does not reasonably demonstrate municipality?s ability to manage related costs or liabilities; requiring publication of administrative rules of Municipal Home Rule Board on its website and made available to the public in print upon request; clarifying procedures related to submitting amendment to approved plan; requiring certain notice prior to proposing or amending a plan; requiring public hearing and notice of hearing prior to municipality proposing a plan or amendment; amending certain prohibitions on the powers and duties of municipalities under home rule; providing more specific direction regarding the requirements for municipalities participating in the Municipal Home Rule Program that reinstate or raise business and occupation taxes and its impact on municipal sales tax in certain circumstances; prohibiting municipalities participating in the Municipal Home Rule Program from passing an ordinance, act, resolution, rule, or regulation contrary to laws governing professional licensing or certification of employees; prohibiting municipalities participating in the Municipal Home Rule Program from passing an ordinance, act, resolution, rule, or regulation contrary to laws, rules, or regulations governing enforcement of building codes or fire codes; prohibiting municipalities participating in the Municipal Home Rule Program from passing an ordinance, act, resolution, rule, or regulation contrary to federal laws, regulations, or standards that would affect state?s required compliance or jeopardize federal funding; prohibiting municipalities participating in the Home Rule Program from passing an ordinance, act, resolution, rule, or regulation contrary to laws or rules governing procurement of architectural and engineering services with certain exceptions; prohibiting municipalities participating in the Municipal Home Rule Program from passing an ordinance, act, resolution, rule, or regulation contrary to chapter 17C of the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended; prohibiting municipalities participating in the Municipal Home Rule Program from passing an ordinance, act, resolution, rule, or regulation contrary to laws, rules, or regulations governing communication technologies or telecommunication carriers; prohibiting municipalities participating in the Municipal Home Rule Program from enacting any ordinance, act, resolution, rule, or regulation that governs the sale, transfer, possession, use, storage, taxation, registration, licensing, or carrying of firearms, ammunition, or accessories thereof; prohibiting municipalities participating in the Municipal Home Rule Program from enacting any ordinance, act, resolution, rule, or regulation that imposes duties on another governmental entity and providing certain exceptions to that prohibition; prohibiting municipalities from prohibiting or effectively limiting the rental of a property or regulating the duration, frequency, or location of such rental and providing certain exceptions to that prohibition and limitation; modifying reporting requirements; eliminating automatic termination of the Municipal Home Rule Pilot Program on July 1, 2019; and making technical corrections throughout.?
The bill, as amended by the House, and further amended by the Senate, was then put upon its passage.
The question being on the passage of the bill, the yeas and nays were taken (Roll No. 667), and there were?yeas 92, nays 6, absent and not voting 2, with the nays and absent and not voting being as follows:
Nays: Bibby, Graves, Hanna, C. Martin, P. Martin and Waxman.
Absent and Not Voting: Ellington and Rohrbach.
So, a majority of the members present and voting having voted in the affirmative, the Speaker declared the bill (Com. Sub. for S. B. 4) passed.
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 House of Delegates amendment, with amendment, and the passage, as amended, of
S. B. 28, Removing hotel occupancy tax limit collects for medical care and emergency services.
On motion of Delegate Kessinger, the House concurred in the following amendment of the bill by the Senate:
On page four, section fourteen, subsection (c), subdivision (11), after the word ?infrastructure?, by inserting the words ?in an amount not to exceed $200,000?.
The question being on the passage of the bill, the yeas and nays were taken (Roll No. 668), and there were?yeas 98, nays none, absent and not voting 2, with the absent and not voting being as follows:
Absent and Not Voting: Ellington and Rohrbach.
So, a majority of the members present and voting having voted in the affirmative, the Speaker declared the bill (S. B. 28) passed.
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 by the Senate in the amendment of the House of Delegates, with further title amendment, and the passage, as amended, of
Com. Sub. for S. B. 402, Authorizing Division of Forestry investigate and enforce timber theft violations.
On motion of Delegate Summers the House concurred in the following title amendment by the Senate, with further title amendment:
Com. Sub. for S. B. 402 - ?A Bill to amend and reenact ?19-1A-3b of the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended; and to amend and reenact ?61-3-52 of said code, all relating to authorizing the Division of Forestry to investigate and enforce timber theft and intentional damage to the timber of another; increasing the threshold between felony and misdemeanor from $1,000 to $2,500; requiring ten years elapse between offenses for sentence enhancement purposes and establishing criminal penalties.?
The further title amendment offered by Delegate Howell and adopted by the House being as follows:
Com. Sub. for S. B. 402 - ?A Bill to amend and reenact ?19-1A-3b of the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended; and to amend and reenact ?61-3-52 of said code, all relating to authorizing the Division of Forestry to investigate and enforce timber theft and intentional damage to the timber of another; increasing the threshold between felony and misdemeanor from $1,000 to $2,500; requiring enhanced penalties for subsequent offenses occurring within ten years of the first offense; and establishing criminal penalties.?
The question being on the passage of the bill, the yeas and nays were taken (Roll No. 669), and there were?yeas 97, nays 1, absent and not voting 2, with the nays and absent and not voting being as follows:
Nays: Foster.
Absent and Not Voting: Ellington and Rohrbach.
So, a majority of the members present and voting having voted in the affirmative, the Speaker declared the bill (Com. Sub. for S. B. 402) passed.
Ordered, That the Clerk of the House communicate to the Senate the action of the House of Delegates and request concurrence therein.
A message from the Senate, by
The Clerk of the Senate, announced concurrence in the House of Delegates amendment, with amendment, and the passage, as amended, of
Com. Sub. for S. B. 405, Increasing limit on additional expenses incurred in preparing notice list for redemption.
The amendment of the bill by the Senate being as follows:
On page one, by striking out everything after the enacting section and inserting in lieu thereof the following:
?ARTICLE 3. SALE OF TAX LIENS AND NONENTERED, ESCHEATED AND WASTE AND UNAPPROPRIATED LANDS
?11A-3-23. Redemption from purchase; receipt; list of redemptions; lien; lien of person redeeming interest of another; record.
(a) After the sale of any tax lien on any real estate pursuant to ?11A-3-5 of this code, the owner of, or any other person who was entitled to pay the taxes on, any real estate for which a tax lien on the real estate was purchased by an individual may redeem at any time before a tax deed is issued for the real estate. In order to redeem, he or she shall pay to the State Auditor the following amounts:
(1) An amount equal to the taxes, interest and charges due on the date of the sale, with interest at the rate of one percent per month from the date of sale;
(2) All other taxes which have since been paid by the purchaser, his or her heirs or assigns, with interest at the rate of one percent per month from the date of payment;
(3) Any
additional expenses incurred from January 1 of the year following the sheriff?s
sale to the date of redemption for the preparation of the list of those to be
served with notice to redeem and any written documentation used for the
preparation of the list, with interest at the rate of one percent per month
from the date of payment for reasonable legal expenses incurred for the
services of an attorney who has performed an examination of the title to the
real estate and rendered written documentation used for the preparation of the
list: Provided, That the The maximum amount the
owner or other authorized person shall pay, excluding the interest, for the
expenses incurred for the preparation of the list of those to be served
required by ?11A-3-19 of this code is $300 $500: Provided however,
That the An attorney may only charge a fee for legal services
actually performed and must certify that he or she conducted an examination to
determine the list of those to be served required by ?11A-3-19 of this code;
and
(4) All additional statutory costs paid by the purchaser.
(b) Where
the State Auditor has not received from the purchaser satisfactory proof of the
expenses incurred in preparing the notice to redeem, and any written
documentation used for the preparation of the list of those to be served with
notice to redeem, including the certification required in subdivision (3),
subsection (a) of this section, incident thereto, in the form of receipts or
other evidence of legal expenses, incurred as provided in section nineteen of
this article, the person redeeming shall pay the State Auditor the sum of $300
$500 plus interest at the rate of one percent per month from January 1
of the year following the sheriff?s sale for disposition by the sheriff
pursuant to the provisions of ?11A-3-10, ?11A-3-24, ?11A-3-25, and ?11A-3-32 of
this code.
(c) The person redeeming shall be given a receipt for the payment and the written opinion or report used for the preparation of the list of those to be served with notice to redeem required by section nineteen of this article.
(d) Any person who, by reason of the fact that no provision is made for partial redemption of the tax lien on real estate purchased by an individual, is compelled in order to protect himself or herself to redeem the tax lien on all of the real estate when it belongs, in whole or in part, to some other person, shall have a lien on the interest of that other person for the amount paid to redeem the interest. He or she shall lose his or her right to the lien, however, unless within thirty days after payment he or she files with the clerk of the county commission his or her claim in writing against the owner of the interest, together with the receipt provided in this section. The clerk shall docket the claim on the judgment lien docket in his or her office and properly index the claim. The lien may be enforced as other judgment liens are enforced.
(e) Before a tax deed is issued, the county clerk may accept, on behalf of the State Auditor, the payment necessary to redeem any real estate encumbered with a tax lien and write a receipt. The amount of the payment necessary to redeem any real estate encumbered with a tax lien shall be provided by the State Auditor and the State Auditor shall update the required payments plus interest at least monthly.
(f) On or before the tenth day of each month, the county clerk shall deliver to the State Auditor the redemption money paid and the name and address of the person who redeemed the property on a form prescribed by the State Auditor.
?11A-3-25. Distribution of surplus to purchaser.
(a) Where the land has been redeemed in the manner set forth in ?11A-3-23 of this code, and the State Auditor has delivered the redemption money to the sheriff pursuant to ?11A-3-24 of this code, the sheriff shall, upon receipt of the sum necessary to redeem, promptly notify the purchaser or his or her heirs or assigns, by mail, of the fact of the redemption and pay to the purchaser or his or her heirs or assigns the following amounts:
(1) From the sale of tax lien surplus fund provided by ?11A-3-10 of this code:
(A) The surplus of money paid in excess of the amount of the taxes, interest and charges paid by the purchaser to the sheriff at the sale; and
(B) The amount of taxes, interest and charges paid by the purchaser on the date of the sale, plus the interest at the rate of one percent per month from the date of sale to the date of redemption;
(2) All other taxes on the land which have since been paid by the purchaser or his or her heirs or assigns, with interest at the rate of one percent per month from the date of payment to the date of redemption;
(3) Any
additional reasonable expenses that the purchaser may have incurred from
January 1 of the year following the sheriff?s sale to the date of redemption
for the preparation of the list of those to be served with notice to redeem and
any written documentation used for the preparation of the list, in accordance
with ?11A-3-19 of this code, with interest at the rate of one percent per month
from the date of payment, but the amount which shall be paid, excluding the
interest, for the expenses incurred for the preparation of the list of those to
be served with notice to redeem required by ?11A-3-19 of this code shall not
exceed the amount actually incurred by the purchaser or $300 $500,
whichever is less: Provided, That the attorney may only charge a fee for
legal services actually performed and must certify that he or she conducted an
examination to determine the list of those to be served required by ?11A-3-19
of this code; and
(4) All additional statutory costs paid by the purchaser.
(b) (1) The notice shall include:
(A) A copy of the redemption certificate issued by the State Auditor;
(B) An itemized statement of the redemption money to which the purchaser is entitled pursuant to the provisions of this section; and
(C) Where, at the time of the redemption, the State Auditor has not received from the purchaser satisfactory proof of the expenses incurred in preparing the list of those to be served with notice to redeem and any written documentation used for the preparation of the list in accordance with ?11A-3-19 of this code, the State Auditor shall also include instructions to the purchaser as to how these expenses may be claimed.
(2) Subject to the limitations of this section, the purchaser is entitled to recover any expenses incurred in preparing the list of those to be served with notice to redeem and any written documentation used for the preparation of the list from January 1 of the year following the sheriff?s sale to the date of the sale to the date of the redemption.
(c) Where,
pursuant to ?11A-3-23 of this code, the State Auditor has not received from the
purchaser satisfactory proof of the expenses incurred in preparing the list of
those to be served with notice to redeem, including written documentation used
for preparation of the list, in the form of receipts or other evidence within
thirty days from the date of notification by the State Auditor, the sheriff
shall refund the amount to the person redeeming and the purchaser is barred
from any claim. Where, pursuant to that section, the State Auditor has received
from the person redeeming and therefore delivered to the sheriff the sum of $300
$500 plus interest at the rate of one percent per month from January 1
of the year following the sheriff?s sale to the date of the sale to the date of
redemption, and the purchaser provides the sheriff within thirty days from the
date of notification satisfactory proof of the expenses, and the amount of the
expenses is less than the amount paid by the person redeeming, the sheriff
shall refund the difference to the person redeeming.
?11A-3-36. Operating fund for land department in Auditor?s office.
(a) The Auditor shall establish a special operating fund for the land department in his or her office. He or she shall pay into such fund all redemption fees, all publication or other charges collected by him or her, if such charges were paid by or were payable to him or her, the unclaimed surplus proceeds received by him or her from the sale of delinquent and other lands pursuant to this article, and all payments made to him or her under the provisions of ?11A-3-64 and ?11A-3-65 of this code, except such part thereof as represents state taxes and interest. All payments so excepted shall be credited by the Auditor to the general school fund or other proper state fund.
(b) The
operating fund shall be used by the Auditor in cases of deficits in land sales
to pay any balances due to deputy commissioners for services rendered, and any
unpaid costs including those for publication which have accrued or will accrue
under the provisions of this article, to pay fees due surveyors under the
provisions of ?11A-3-43, and to pay for the operation and maintenance of the
land department in his or her office. The surplus over and above the
amount of $100,000, remaining in the fund at the end of any fiscal year, shall
be paid by the Auditor into the general school fund. The surplus over
and above the amount of 20 percent of gross revenue from operation of the fund
from the prior year, remaining at the end of any fiscal year, shall be paid by
the Auditor into the General School Fund.
?11A-3-56. Redemption from purchase; receipt; list of redemptions; lien; lien of person redeeming interest of another; record.
(a) After the sale of any tax lien on any real estate pursuant to 11A-3-45 or ?11A-3-48 of this code, the owner of, or any other person who was entitled to pay the taxes on, any real estate for which a tax lien thereon was purchased by an individual, may redeem at any time before a tax deed is issued therefor. In order to redeem, he or she must pay to the deputy commissioner the following amounts:
(1) An amount equal to the taxes, interest and charges due on the date of the sale, with interest thereon at the rate of one percent per month from the date of sale;
(2) all
All other taxes thereon, which have since been paid by the purchaser,
his or her heirs or assigns, with interest at the rate of one percent
per month from the date of payment;
(3) such
Such additional expenses as may have been incurred in preparing the list
of those to be served with notice to redeem, and for any licensed
attorney?s title examination incident thereto, with interest at the rate of
one percent per month from the date of payment, but the amount he or she
shall be required to pay, excluding said interest, for such expenses incurred
for the preparation of the list of those to be served with notice to redeem
required by ?11A-3-52 of this code, and for any licensed attorney?s
title examination incident thereto, shall not exceed $200 $500. An
attorney may only charge a fee for legal services actually performed and must
certify that he or she conducted an examination to determine the list of those
to be served required by ?11A-3-52 of this code;
(4) all
All additional statutory costs paid by the purchaser; and
(5) the
The deputy commissioner?s fee and commission as provided by ?11A-3-66 of
this code. Where the deputy commissioner has not received from the purchaser
satisfactory proof of the expenses incurred in preparing the notice to redeem, and
any examination of title or of any licensed attorney?s title examination
incident thereto, in the form of receipts or other evidence thereof, the person
redeeming shall pay the deputy commissioner the sum of $200 $500
plus interest thereon at the rate of one percent per month from the date of the
sale for disposition pursuant to the provisions of ?11A-3-57, ?11A-3-58, and
?11A-3-64 of this code. Upon payment to the deputy commissioner of those and
any other unpaid statutory charges required by this article, and of any unpaid
expenses incurred by the sheriff, the Auditor and the deputy commissioner in
the exercise of their duties pursuant to this article, the deputy commissioner
shall prepare an original and five copies of the receipt for the payment and
shall note on said receipts that the property has been redeemed. The original
of such receipt shall be given to the person redeeming. The deputy commissioner
shall retain a copy of the receipt and forward one copy each to the sheriff,
assessor, the Auditor and the clerk of the county commission. The clerk shall
endorse on the receipt the fact and time of such filing and note the fact of
redemption on his or her record of delinquent lands.
(b) Any person who, by reason of the fact that no provision is made for partial redemption of the tax lien on real estate purchased by an individual, is compelled in order to protect himself or herself to redeem the tax lien on all of such real estate when it belongs, in whole or in part, to some other person, shall have a lien on the interest of such other person for the amount paid to redeem such interest. He or she shall lose his or her right to the lien, however, unless within thirty days after payment he or she shall file with the clerk of the county commission his or her claim in writing against the owner of such interest, together with the receipt provided for in this section. The clerk shall docket the claim on the judgment lien docket in his or her office and properly index the same. Such lien may be enforced as other judgment liens are enforced.
?11A-3-57. Notice of redemption to purchaser; moneys received by sheriff.
(a) Upon payment of the sum necessary to redeem, the deputy commissioner shall promptly deliver to the sheriff the redemption money paid and the name and address of the purchaser, his or her heirs or assigns.
(b) Of the redemption money received by the sheriff pursuant to this section, the sheriff shall hold as surplus to be disposed of pursuant to ?11A-3-64 of this code an amount thereof equal to the amount of taxes, interest and charges due on the date of the sale, plus the interest at the rate of one percent per month thereon from the date of sale to the date of redemption.
?11A-3-58. Distribution to purchaser.
(a) Where the land has been redeemed in the manner set forth in ?11A-3-56 of this code, and the deputy commissioner has delivered the redemption money to the sheriff pursuant to ?11A-3-57 of this code, the sheriff shall, upon delivery of the sum necessary to redeem, promptly notify the purchaser, his or her heirs or assigns, by mail, of the redemption and pay to the purchaser, his or her heirs or assigns, the following amounts:
(1) The amount paid to the deputy commissioner at the sale;
(2) all other taxes thereon, which have since been paid by the purchaser, his or her heirs or assigns, with interest at the rate of one percent per month from the date of payment;
(3) such
additional expenses as may have been incurred in preparing the list of those to
be served with notice to redeem, and for any licensed attorney?s
title examination incident thereto, with interest at the rate of one percent
per month from the date of payment, but the amount which shall be paid,
excluding said interest, for such expenses incurred for the preparation of the
list of those to be served with notice to redeem required by ?11A-3-52 of this
code, and for any licensed attorney?s title examination incident
thereto, shall not exceed $200 $500; and
(4) all additional statutory costs paid by the purchaser.
(b) (1) The notice shall include:
(A) A copy of the redemption certificate issued by the deputy commissioner;
(B) An itemized statement of the redemption money to which the purchaser is entitled pursuant to the provisions of this section; and
(C) Where,
at the time of the redemption, the deputy commissioner has not received from
the purchaser satisfactory proof of the expenses incurred in preparing the list
of those to be served with notice to redeem and any or for any
licensed attorney?s title examination incident thereto, the deputy
commissioner shall also include instructions to the purchaser as to how these
expenses may be claimed.
(2) Subject to the limitations of this section, the purchaser is entitled to recover any expenses incurred in preparing the list of those to be served with notice to redeem and for any licensed attorney?s title examination incident thereto from the date of the sale to the date of the redemption.
(c) Where,
pursuant ?11A-3-56 of this code, the deputy commissioner has not received from
the purchaser satisfactory proof of the expenses incurred in preparing the
notice to redeem, in the form of receipts or other evidence of legal
expenses, and any or for any licensed attorney?s title
examination and rendered written documentation used for the preparation of
the list incident thereto, in the form of receipts or other evidence
thereof, and therefore received from the purchaser as required by said section
and delivered to the sheriff the sum of $200 $500 plus interest
thereon at the rate of one percent per month from the date of the sale to the
date of redemption, and the sheriff has not received from the purchaser such
satisfactory proof of such expenses within thirty days from the date of
notification, the sheriff shall refund such amount to the person redeeming and
the purchaser is barred from any claim thereto. Where, pursuant to ?11A-3-56 of
this code, the deputy commissioner has received from the purchaser and
therefore delivered to the sheriff said sum of $200 $500 plus
interest thereon at the rate of one percent per month from the date of the sale
to the date of redemption, and the purchaser provides the sheriff within thirty
days from the date of notification such satisfactory proof of such expenses,
and the amount of such expenses is less than the amount paid by the person
redeeming, the sheriff shall refund the difference to the person redeeming.?
On motion of Delegate Kessinger, the House of Delegates requested the Senate agree to the appointment of a Committee of Conference of three from each house on the disagreeing votes of the two houses.
Whereupon,
The Speaker appointed as conferees on the part of the House of Delegates the following:
Delegates Pack, Bibby and Tomblin.
A message from the Senate, by
The Clerk of the Senate, announced that the Senate had refused to concur in the amendment of the House of Delegates and requested the House to recede from its amendment to
Com. Sub. for S. B. 487, Relating to admissibility of health care staffing requirements in litigation.
Delegate Summers moved that the House of Delegates refuse to recede from its amendment and request the Senate to agree to the appointment of a Committee of Conference of three from each house on the disagreeing votes of the two houses.
Subsequently, unanimous consent having been obtained, the bill was placed at the foot of messages.
A message from the Senate, by
The Clerk of the Senate, announced that the Senate had refused to concur in the amendment of the House of Delegates and requested the House to recede from its amendment to
S. B. 596, Adjusting voluntary contribution amounts on certain DMV forms.
On motion of Delegate Summers, the House of Delegates refused to recede from its amendment and requested the Senate to agree to the appointment of a Committee of Conference of three from each house on the disagreeing votes of the two houses.
Whereupon,
The Speaker appointed as conferees on the part of the House of Delegates the following:
Delegates Harshbarger, Phillips and Hartman.
Ordered, That the Clerk of the House communicate to the Senate the action of the House of Delegates and request concurrence therein.
A message from the Senate, by
The Clerk of the Senate, announced concurrence in the House of Delegates amendment, with amendment, and the passage, as amended, of
Com. Sub. for S. B. 624, Allowing county boards of education use alternative assessment provided in Every Student Succeeds Act.
On motion of Delegate Kessinger, the House concurred in the following amendment of the bill by the Senate:
On page one, section five, subsection (d), subdivision (3), by striking out ?The department shall negotiate reasonable per student costs for the delivery and administration of the alternative assessment that is equal to the per-student assessment cost as determined by the statewide assessment contract. The department shall be responsible for the costs of collecting and submitting the evidence needed to satisfy the requirements specified in 20 U.S.C. ?6311 (b)(2)(H) and 34 CFR 200.3. If the U.S. Department of Education determines that an alignment study is needed, the department shall ensure that a holistic alignment approach is used to evaluate the degree of alignment between the assessment and the state academic standards and the study shall include at least three test forms? and the period, and inserting in lieu thereof the following: ?The state Department of Education shall pay no more than the general summative assessment per-student cost for a locally selected assessment used pursuant to the locally selected assessment option. If required by the U.S. Department of Education, the state department shall be responsible for contracting and paying no more than $100,000 total, of the costs of any studies required as part of the peer review process to satisfy the requirements specified in 20 U.S.C. ?6311 (b)(2)(H) and 34 CFR 200.3. If the U.S. Department of Education determines that an alignment study is needed for a locally selected assessment option, the state department shall ensure that an independent alignment study is used to evaluate the degree of alignment between the assessment and the state academic standards and the study shall include at least three test forms. If the locally selected assessment is approved by the U.S. Department of Education and meets federal and state law, the state department shall enter into a contract that allows for county boards of education to implement the locally selected assessment.?
And,
By amending the title of the bill to read as follows:
Com. Sub. for S. B. 624 - ?A Bill to amend and reenact ?18-2E-5 of the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, relating to allowing county boards of education to use an alternative assessment, such as the ACT assessment, pursuant to the locally selected assessment option provided for in the Every Student Succeeds Act; and setting forth requirements for the West Virginia Department of Education pertaining to the alternative assessment.?
The question being on the passage of the bill, the yeas and nays were taken (Roll No. 670), and there were?yeas 97, nays 1, absent and not voting 2, with the nays and absent and not voting being as follows:
Nays: Zukoff.
Absent and Not Voting: Ellington and Rohrbach.
So, a majority of the members present and voting having voted in the affirmative, the Speaker declared the bill (Com. Sub. for S. B. 624) passed.
Delegate Kessinger moved that the bill take effect from its passage.
On this question, the yeas and nays were taken (Roll No. 671), and there were?yeas 98, nays none, absent and not voting 2, with the absent and not voting being as follows:
Absent and Not Voting: Ellington and Rohrbach.
So, two thirds of the members elected to the House of Delegates having voted in the affirmative, the Speaker declared the bill (Com. Sub. for S. B. 624) 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 refused to concur in the amendment of the House of Delegates and requested the House to recede from its amendment to
S. B. 673, Relating to public higher education accountability and planning.
Delegate Kessinger moved the House of Delegates recede from its amendment to the bill.
On this motion, the yeas and nays were demanded, which demand was sustained.
The yeas and nays having been ordered, they were taken (Roll No. 672), and there were?yeas 52, nays 46, absent and not voting 2, with the nays and absent and not voting being as follows:
Nays: Angelucci, Barrett, Bates, Bibby, N. Brown, S. Brown, Campbell, Canestraro, Caputo, Criss, Dean, Diserio, Doyle, Evans, Fast, Fleischauer, Fluharty, Hamrick, Hanna, Hartman, Hicks, Higginbotham, Hornbuckle, Howell, J. Jeffries, Jennings, Kump, Lavender-Bowe, Longstreth, Lovejoy, Miley, Pethtel, Phillips, Porterfield, Queen, Rodighiero, Sponaugle, Staggers, Storch, Swartzmiller, R. Thompson, Toney, Waxman, Williams, Wilson and Zukoff.
Absent and Not Voting: Ellington and Rohrbach.
So, a majority of the members present and voting having voted in the affirmative, the motion prevailed.
The question being on the passage of the bill, the yeas and nays were taken (Roll No. 673), and there were?yeas 84, nays 14, absent and not voting 2, with the nays and absent and not voting being as follows:
Nays: Angelucci, Barrett, S. Brown, Campbell, Caputo, Diserio, Doyle, Evans, Fleischauer, Lavender-Bowe, Longstreth, Miley, Queen and Waxman.
Absent and Not Voting: Ellington and Rohrbach.
So, a majority of the members present and voting having voted in the affirmative, the Speaker declared the bill (S. B. 673) passed.
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, a bill of the House of Delegates, as follows:
Com. Sub. for H. B. 2001, Relating to exempting social security benefits from personal income tax.
Delegate Summers moved that the House of Delegates concur in the following amendment of the bill by the Senate:
On page four, section twelve, line seventy-seven, after the word ?year? and the period,? by inserting ?For taxable years beginning after December 31, 2018, retirement income from the uniformed services, including the Army, Navy, Marines, Air Force, Coast Guard, Public Health Service, National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration, reserves, and National Guard, paid by the United States or by this state after December 31, 2018, including any survivorship annuities, to the extent included in federal adjusted gross income for the taxable year? and a period.
And,
On page four, section twelve, lines eighty-two through eighty-seven, by striking out all of subdivision (8) and inserting in lieu thereof a new subdivision, designated subdivision (8), to read as follows:
?(8) Decreasing modification for social security income.
(A) For taxable years beginning on and after January 1, 2020, 35 percent of the amount of social security benefits received pursuant to Title 42 U.S.C., Chapter 7, including, but not limited to, social security benefits paid by the Social Security Administration as Old Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance Benefits as provided in ?42 U.S.C. 401 et. seq. or as Supplemental Security Income for the Aged, Blind, and Disabled as provided in ?42 U.S.C. 1381 et. seq., included in federal adjusted gross income for the taxable year shall be allowed as a decreasing modification from federal adjusted gross income when determining West Virginia taxable income subject to the tax imposed by this article, subject to the limitation in ?11-21-12(c)(8)(D) of this code.
(B) For taxable years beginning on or after January 1, 2021, 65 percent of the social security benefits received pursuant to Title 42 U.S.C., Chapter 7, including, but not limited to, social security benefits paid by the Social Security Administration as Old Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance Benefits as provided in ?42 U.S.C. 401 et. seq. or as Supplemental Security Income for the Aged, Blind, and Disabled as provided in ?42 U.S.C. 1381 et. seq., included in federal adjusted gross income for the taxable year shall be allowed as a decreasing modification from federal adjusted gross income when determining West Virginia taxable income subject to the tax imposed by this article, subject to the limitation in ?11-21-12(c)(8)(D) of this code.
(C) For taxable years beginning on or after January 1, 2022, 100 percent of the social security benefits received pursuant to Title 42 U.S.C., Chapter 7, including, but not limited to, social security benefits paid by the Social Security Administration as Old Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance Benefits as provided in ?42 U.S.C. 401 et. seq. or as Supplemental Security Income for the Aged, Blind, and Disabled as provided in ?42 U.S.C. 1381 et. seq., included in federal adjusted gross income for the taxable year shall be allowed as a decreasing modification from federal adjusted gross income when determining West Virginia taxable income subject to the tax imposed by this article, subject to the limitation in ?11-21-12(c)(8)(D) of this code.
(D) The deduction allowed by ?11-21-12(c)(8)(A), ?11-21-12(c)(8)(B), and ?11-21-12(c)(8)(C) of this code are allowable only when the federal adjusted gross income of a married couple filing a joint return does not exceed $100,000, or $50,000 in the case of a single individual or a married individual filing a separate return.?
And,
By amending the title of the bill to read as follows:
Com. Sub. for H. B. 2001- ?A Bill to amend and reenact ?11-21-12 of the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, relating to exemptions from personal income tax; providing for an exemption for members of certain uniformed services; exempting social security benefits from personal income tax; clarifying that tier one railroad retirement benefits are not subject to personal income tax; specifying an effective date; and removing obsolete language.?
Delegate Westfall moved the previous question, which demand was sustained.
On this question, the yeas and nays were taken (Roll No. 674), and there were?yeas 15, nays 81, absent and not voting 4, with the yeas and absent and not voting being as follows:
Yeas: Atkinson, Azinger, Butler, Capito, Cooper, Harshbarger, Higginbotham, Hott, Kump, Porterfield, Rowan, Shott, Waxman, Westfall and Wilson.
Absent and Not Voting: Ellington, Mandt, Rohrbach and Steele.
So, a majority of the members present and voting not having voted in the affirmative, the motion was rejected.
Delegate J. Kelly requested to be excused from voting on Com. Sub. for H. B. 2001 under the provisions of House Rule 49.
The Speaker replied that the Delegate was a member of a class of persons possibly to be affected by the passage of the bill and directed the Member to vote.??
On the motion to concur in the Senate amendment, the yeas and nays were demanded, which demand was sustained.
The yeas and nays having been ordered, they were taken (Roll No. 675), and there were?yeas 53, nays 44, absent and not voting 3, with the nays and absent and not voting being as follows:
Nays: Angelucci, Barrett, Bates, Boggs, N. Brown, S. Brown, Butler, Byrd, Campbell, Canestraro, Caputo, Dean, Diserio, Doyle, Estep-Burton, Evans, Fleischauer, Fluharty, Hansen, Hartman, Hornbuckle, Lavender-Bowe, Longstreth, Lovejoy, McGeehan, Miley, Miller, Paynter, Pethtel, Pushkin, Pyles, Robinson, Rodighiero, Rowe, Skaff, Sponaugle, Staggers, Swartzmiller, C. Thompson, R. Thompson, Tomblin, Walker, Williams and Zukoff.
Absent and Not Voting: Ellington, Rohrbach and Steele.
So, a majority of the members present and voting having voted in the affirmative, the motion to concur in the amendment of the bill by the Senate prevailed.
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. 676), and there were?yeas 97, nays none, absent and not voting 3, with the absent and not voting being as follows:
Absent and Not Voting: Ellington, Rohrbach and Steele.
So, a majority of the members elected to the House of Delegates having voted in the affirmative, the Speaker declared the bill (Com. Sub. for H. B. 2001) passed.
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, a bill of the House of Delegates, as follows:
Com. Sub. for H. B. 2503, Relating to court actions.
On motion of Delegate Kessinger, the House of Delegates refused to concur in the following amendment of the bill by the Senate and requested the Senate to recede therefrom:
On page one, by striking out everything after the enacting clause and inserting in lieu thereof the following:
?ARTICLE 4. COURT ACTIONS.
Part VI.
Procedures in Cases of Child Neglect or Abuse.
?49-4-601. Petition to court when child believed neglected or abused; venue; notice; right to counsel; continuing legal education; findings; proceedings; procedure.
(a) Petitioner and venue. ─ If the department or a reputable person believes that a child is neglected or abused, the department or the person may present a petition setting forth the facts to the circuit court in the county in which the child resides, or if the petition is being brought by the department, in the county in which the custodial respondent or other named party abuser resides, or in which the abuse or neglect occurred, or to the judge of the court in vacation. Under no circumstance may a party file a petition in more than one county based on the same set of facts.
(b) Contents of
Petition. ─ The petition shall be verified by the oath of some
credible person having knowledge of the facts. The petition shall allege
specific conduct including time and place, how the conduct comes within the
statutory definition of neglect or abuse with references thereto to
the statute, any supportive services provided by the department to remedy
the alleged circumstances, and the relief sought. Each petition shall name
as a party each parent, guardian, custodian, other person standing in loco
parentis of or to the child allegedly neglected or abused and state with
specificity whether each parent, guardian, custodian, or person standing in
loco parentis is alleged to have abused or neglected the child.
(c) Court action upon filing of petition. ─ Upon filing of the petition, the court shall set a time and place for a hearing and shall appoint counsel for the child. When there is an order for temporary custody pursuant to this article, the preliminary hearing shall be held within 10 days of the order continuing or transferring custody, unless a continuance for a reasonable time is granted to a date certain, for good cause shown.
(d) Department action upon filing of the petition. ─ At the time of the institution of any proceeding under this article, the department shall provide supportive services in an effort to remedy circumstances detrimental to a child.
(e) Notice of hearing. ─
(1) The petition and
notice of the hearing shall be served upon both parents and any other guardian,
custodian, or person standing in loco parentis, giving to the
parents or custodian those persons at least five days? actual notice
of a preliminary hearing and at least ten days? notice of any other hearing.
(2) Notice shall be given to the department, any foster or pre-adoptive parent, and any relative providing care for the child.
(3) In cases where
personal service within West Virginia cannot be obtained after due diligence
upon any parent or other custodian, a copy of the petition and notice of the
hearing shall be mailed to the person by certified mail, addressee only, return
receipt requested, to the last known address of the person. If the person signs
the certificate, service shall be is complete and the certificate
shall be filed as proof of the service with the clerk of the circuit court.
(4) If service cannot be obtained by personal service or by certified mail, notice shall be by publication as a Class II legal advertisement in compliance with ?59-3-1 et seq. of this code.
(5) A notice of hearing shall specify the time and place of
the hearing hearings, the right to counsel of the child, and
parents, or and other guardians, custodians,
at every stage of the proceedings, and other persons standing in
loco parentis with the child and the fact that the proceedings can
result in the permanent termination of the parental rights.
(6) Failure to object to defects in the petition and notice may not be construed as a waiver.
(f) Right to counsel. ─
(1) In any
proceeding under this article, the child, his or her parents, and his or her
legally established custodian or other persons standing in loco parentis
to him or her has the right to be represented by counsel at every stage of the
proceedings and shall be informed by the court of their right to be so
represented and that if they cannot pay for the services of counsel, that
counsel will be appointed.
(1) In any proceeding under this article, the child shall have counsel to represent his or her interests at all stages of the proceedings.
(2) Counsel shall
be appointed in the initial order. For parents, legal guardians, and other
persons standing in loco parentis, the representation may only continue
after the first appearance the parent or other persons standing in loco
parentis cannot pay for the services of counsel.
(2) The court?s initial order shall appoint counsel for the child and for any parent, guardian, custodian, or other person standing in loco parentis with the child if such person is without retained counsel.
(3) Counsel for
other parties shall only be appointed upon request for appointment of counsel.
If the requesting parties have not retained counsel and cannot pay for the
services of counsel, the court shall, by order entered of record, appoint an
attorney or attorneys to represent the other party or parties and so inform the
parties.
(3) The court shall, at the initial hearing in the matter, determine whether persons other than the child for whom counsel has been appointed:
(A) Have retained counsel; and
(B) Are financially able to retain counsel.
(4) A parent, guardian, custodian, or other person standing in loco parentis with the child who is alleged to have neglected or abused the child and who has not retained counsel and is financially unable to retain counsel beyond the initial hearing, shall be afforded appointed counsel at every stage of the proceedings.
(4) (5) Under no circumstances may the same
attorney represent both the child and another party the other party
or parties., nor may the The same attorney may not represent both
parents or custodians more than one parent or custodian: However,
Provided, That one attorney may represent both parents or
custodians where both parents or guardians custodians consent to
this representation after the attorney fully discloses to the client the
possible conflict and where the attorney assures advises the
court that she or he is able to represent each client without impairing her or
his professional judgment.; however, if If more than one child
from a family is involved in the proceeding, one attorney may represent all the
children.
(5) (6) A parent who is a co-petitioner is
entitled to his or her own attorney.
(7) The court may allow to each attorney so
appointed pursuant to this section a fee in the same amount which
appointed counsel can receive in felony cases.
(6) (8) The court shall, sua sponte or upon
motion, appoint counsel to any unrepresented party if, at any stage of the
proceedings, the court determines doing so is necessary to satisfy the
requirements of fundamental fairness.
(g) Continuing education for counsel. ─ Any attorney representing a party under this article shall receive a minimum of eight hours of continuing legal education training per reporting period on child abuse and neglect procedure and practice. In addition to this requirement, any attorney appointed to represent a child must first complete training on representation of children that is approved by the administrative office of the Supreme Court of Appeals. The Supreme Court of Appeals shall develop procedures for approval and certification of training required under this section. Where no attorney has completed the training required by this subsection, the court shall appoint a competent attorney with demonstrated knowledge of child welfare law to represent the parent or child. Any attorney appointed pursuant to this section shall perform all duties required of an attorney licensed to practice law in the State of West Virginia.
(h) Right to be heard. ─ In any proceeding pursuant to this article, the party or parties having custodial or other parental rights or responsibilities to the child shall be afforded a meaningful opportunity to be heard, including the opportunity to testify and to present and cross-examine witnesses. Foster parents, pre-adoptive parents, and relative caregivers shall also have a meaningful opportunity to be heard.
(i) Findings of the court. ─ Where relevant, the court shall consider the efforts of the department to remedy the alleged circumstances. At the conclusion of the adjudicatory hearing, the court shall make a determination based upon the evidence and shall make findings of fact and conclusions of law as to whether the child is abused or neglected and whether the respondent is abusing, neglecting, or, if applicable, a battered parent, all of which shall be incorporated into the order of the court. The findings must be based upon conditions existing at the time of the filing of the petition and proven by clear and convincing evidence.
(j) Priority of proceedings. ─ Any petition filed and any proceeding held under this article shall, to the extent practicable, be given priority over any other civil action before the court, except proceedings under ?48-27-309 of this code and actions in which trial is in progress. Any petition filed under this article shall be docketed immediately upon filing. Any hearing to be held at the end of an improvement period and any other hearing to be held during any proceedings under this article shall be held as nearly as practicable on successive days and, with respect to the hearing to be held at the end of an improvement period, shall be held as close in time as possible after the end of the improvement period and shall be held within 30 days of the termination of the improvement period.
(k) Procedural
safeguards. ─ The petition may not be taken as confessed. A transcript
or recording shall be made of all proceedings unless waived by all parties to
the proceeding. The rules of evidence shall apply. Following the court?s
determination, it shall be inquired of ask the parents or
custodians whether or not appeal is desired and the response transcribed. A
negative response may not be construed as a waiver. The evidence shall be
transcribed and made available to the parties or their counsel as soon as
practicable, if the same transcript is required for purposes of
further proceedings. If an indigent person intends to pursue further
proceedings, the court reporter shall furnish a transcript of the hearing
without cost to the indigent person if an affidavit is filed stating that he or
she cannot pay for the transcript therefor.
Part VI.
Juvenile Proceedings.
?49-4-722. Conviction for offense while in custody.
(a) Notwithstanding
any other provision of law to the contrary, any person who is 18 years of age
or older who is convicted as an adult of an offense that he or she committed while
in the custody of the Division Bureau of Juvenile Services and
who is therefor sentenced for the conviction to a regional jail
or state correctional facility for the offense may not be returned to the
custody of the division bureau upon the completion of his or her
adult sentence.
(b) Upon the incarceration in a regional jail or state correctional facility of any person 18 years of age or older who remains subject to the juvenile jurisdiction of the circuit court for crimes committed in a juvenile facility, the Bureau of Juvenile Services shall provide written notification to both the circuit court with juvenile jurisdiction over the person and the judicial authority in the county where the criminal charges are pending that the person is being detained, remains in the jurisdiction of a circuit court, and is pending a sentence as an adult offender. Prior to the imposition of a sentence on the criminal charges, the juvenile facility in which the adult crime occurred shall inform the judicial authority in the county with jurisdiction over the criminal offense which circuit court has juvenile jurisdiction over the person. The judicial authority in the county with jurisdiction over the criminal offense shall then notify the circuit court with juvenile jurisdiction over the person. The person may not be released from custody on the criminal offense until the judicial authority in the county where the criminal charges are pending has been notified by the circuit court with juvenile jurisdiction over the person that it has conducted the hearing required in ?49-4-722(c) of this code.
(b)(c) Prior to
completion of the adult sentence specified in subsection (a) of this section,
the circuit court having jurisdiction over the underlying juvenile matter shall
conduct a hearing to determine whether the person who has turned 18 years of
age shall remain in the regional jail during pendency of the underlying
juvenile matter or if another disposition or pretrial placement is appropriate
and available: Provided, That the court may not remand a child who reached the
age of 18 years to a juvenile facility or placement during the pendency of the
underlying juvenile matter: Provided, however, That the Commissioner of the
Division of Corrections and Rehabilitation is authorized to designate a unit in
one or more of the institutions under his or her management to ensure that the
detention of any person 18 years of age or older who is subject to subsection
(a) of this section and who remains subject to the juvenile jurisdiction of a
Circuit Court, may be placed in by the Commissioner, so that the person does
not have contact with or come within sight or sound of any adult incarcerated
persons.?
And,
By amending the title of the bill to read as follows:
Com. Sub. for H. B. 2503 - ?A Bill to amend and reenact ?49-4-601 and ?49-4-722 of the Code of West Virginia, 193, as amended, all relating to court actions in abuse and neglect proceedings; counsel appointment procedures in child neglect or abuse cases; requiring a petition to include the names of all parents, guardians, custodians, or other persons standing in loco parentis with the child and an express statement as to whether each parent, guardian, custodian, or person standing in loco parentis is alleged to have neglected or abused the child; requiring the court to appoint counsel for the child, parents, guardians, custodians, and persons standing in loco parentis prior to the initial hearing; clarifying when a court may and may not appoint counsel; requiring a court to appoint counsel to an unrepresented person if necessary to satisfy the requirements of fundamental fairness; directing notice to various courts in actions involving certain adults held in juvenile custody when charged or convicted of adult crimes; requiring the Bureau of Juvenile Services to provide written notification to court as to such defendants during various stages of the criminal process in cases of adults in the juvenile jurisdiction of the circuit court; requiring notice generally; requiring that notice to be given by courts that a hearing required by subsection (a) of this section has been held; and authorizing the Commissioner of Corrections and Rehabilitation to establish one or more facilities to house adult offenders who remain under the juvenile jurisdiction of the circuit court to comply with federal sight and sound restrictions.?
Ordered, That the Clerk of the House communicate to the Senate the action of the House of Delegates and request concurrence therein.
A message from the Senate
The Clerk of the Senate, announced that the Senate had passed, with amendment, a bill of the House of Delegates, as follows:
Com. Sub. for H. B. 2768, Reducing the use of certain prescription drugs.
On motion of Delegate Summers, the House of Delegates concurred in the following amendment of the bill by the Senate:
On page one, by striking out everything after the enacting clause and inserting in lieu thereof the following:
?ARTICLE 54. Opioid reduction Act.
As used in this section:
?Acute pain? means a time limited pain caused by a specific disease or injury.
?Chronic pain? means a noncancer, nonend of life pain lasting more than three months or longer than the duration of normal tissue healing.
?Health care practitioner? or ?practitioner? means:
(1) A physician licensed
authorized pursuant to the provisions of ?30-3-1 et seq. and
?30-14-1 et seq. of this code;
(2) A podiatrist licensed pursuant to the provisions of ?30-3-1 et seq. of this code;
(3) A physician assistant with prescriptive authority as set forth in ?30-3E-3 of this code;
(4) An advanced practice registered nurse with prescriptive authority as set forth in ?30-7-15a of this code;
(5) A dentist licensed
pursuant to the provisions of ?30-4-1 et seq. of this code; and
(6) An optometrist licensed pursuant to the provisions of ?30-8-1 et seq. of this code;
(7) A physical therapist licensed pursuant to the provisions of ?30-20-1 et seq. of this code;
(8) An occupational therapist licensed pursuant to the provisions of ? 30-28-1 et seq. of this code;
(9) An osteopathic physician licensed pursuant to the provisions of ?30-14-1 et seq. of this code; and
(10) A chiropractor licensed pursuant to the provisions of ?30-16-1 et seq. of this code.
?Insurance provider? means an entity that is regulated under the provisions of ?33-15-1 et seq., ?33-16-1 et seq., ?33-24-1 et seq. ?33-25-1 et seq. and ?33-25A-1 et seq. of this code.
?Office? means the Office of Drug Control Policy.
?Pain clinic? means the same as that term is defined in ?16-5H-2 of this code.
?Pain specialist? means a practitioner who is board certified in pain management or a related field.
?Prescribe? means the advisement of a physician or other licensed practitioner to a patient for a course of treatment. It can include but is not limited to medication, services, supplies, equipment, procedures, diagnostic tests, or screening as permitted by the physician or other licensed practitioner?s scope of practice.
?Referral? means the recommendation by a person to another person for the purpose of initiating care by a health care practitioner.
?Schedule II opioid drug? means an opioid drug listed in ?60A-2-206 of this code.
?Surgical procedure? means a medical procedure involving an incision with instruments performed to repair damage or arrest disease in a living body.
?16-54-3. Opioid prescription notifications.
Prior to issuing a
prescription for an opioid a Schedule II opioid drug, a practitioner
shall:
(1) Advise the patient
regarding the quantity of the opioid Schedule II opioid drug and
a patient?s option to fill the prescription in a lesser quantity; and
(2) Inform the patient
of the risks associated with the opioid Schedule II opioid drug
prescribed.
?16-54-4. Opioid prescription limitations.
(a) When issuing a
prescription for an opioid a Schedule II
opioid drug to an adult patient seeking treatment in an emergency room
for outpatient use, a health care practitioner may not issue a prescription for
more than a four-day supply: Provided, That a prescription for
a Schedule II opioid drug issued to an adult patient in an emergency room for
outpatient use is not considered to be an initial Schedule II opioid
prescription.
(b) When issuing a
prescription for an opioid a Schedule II opioid drug to an adult
patient seeking treatment in an urgent care facility setting for outpatient
use, a health care practitioner may not issue a prescription for more than a
four-day supply: Provided, That an additional dosing for up to no more
than a seven-day supply may be permitted, but only if the medical rationale for
more than a four-day supply is documented in the medical record.
(c) A health care
practitioner may not issue an opioid an initial Schedule II opioid
drug prescription to a minor for more than a three-day supply and shall
discuss with the parent or guardian of the minor the risks associated with opioid
Schedule II opioid drug use and the reasons why the prescription is
necessary.
(d) A dentist or an
optometrist may not issue an opioid a Schedule II opioid drug
prescription for more than a three-day supply. at any time.
(e) A practitioner, other
than a dentist or an optometrist, may not issue an initial opioid Schedule
II opioid drug prescription for more than a seven-day supply. The
prescription shall be for the lowest effective dose which in the medical
judgement of the practitioner would be the best course of treatment for this
patient and his or her condition.
(f) Prior to issuing
an initial opioid Schedule II opioid drug prescription, a
practitioner shall:
(1) Take and document the results of a thorough medical history, including the patient?s experience with nonopioid medication, nonpharmacological pain management approaches, and substance abuse history;
(2) Conduct, as appropriate, and document the results of a physical examination. The physical exam should be relevant to the specific diagnosis and course of treatment, and should assess whether the course of treatment would be safe and effective for the patient.
(3) Develop a treatment plan, with particular attention focused on determining the cause of the patient?s pain; and
(4) Access relevant prescription monitoring information under the Controlled Substances Monitoring Program Database.
(g) Notwithstanding
any provision of this code or legislative rule to the contrary, no medication
listed as a Schedule II controlled substance opioid drug as set
forth in ?60A-2-206 of this code, may be prescribed by a practitioner for
greater than a 30-day supply: Provided, That two additional
prescriptions, each for a 30-day period for a total of a 90-day supply, may be
prescribed if the practitioner accesses the West Virginia Controlled Substances
Monitoring Program Database as set forth in ?60A-9-1 et seq. of this
code: Provided, however, That the limitations in this section do
not apply to cancer patients, patients receiving hospice care from a licensed
hospice provider, patients receiving palliative care, a patient who is a
resident of a long-term care facility, or a patient receiving medications that
are being prescribed for use in the treatment of substance abuse or opioid
dependence.
(h) A practitioner is
required to conduct and document the results of a physical examination every 90
days for any patient for whom he or she continues to treat with any Schedule II
controlled substance opioid drug as set forth in ?60A-2-206
of this code. The physical examination should be relevant to the specific
diagnosis and course of treatment, and should assess whether continuing the
course of treatment would be safe and effective for the patient.
(i) A veterinarian
licensed pursuant to the provisions of ?30-10-1 et seq. of this code may
not issue more than an initial opioid Schedule II opioid drug
prescription for more than a seven-day supply. The prescription shall be for
the lowest effective dose which in the medical judgment of the veterinarian
would be the best course of treatment for the patient and his or her condition.
(j) A prescription
for any opioid drug listed on In conjunction with the issuance of the
third prescription for a Schedule II opioid drug, as set forth in
?60A-2-206 of this code for greater than a seven-day period shall require
the patient to shall execute a narcotics contract with the
prescribing practitioner. The contract shall be made a part of the patient?s
medical record. The narcotics contract is required to provide at a minimum
that:
(1) The patient agrees only to obtain scheduled medications from this particular prescribing practitioner;
(2) The patient agrees he or she will only fill those prescriptions at a single pharmacy which includes a pharmacy with more than one location;
(3) The patient agrees
to notify the prescribing practitioner within 72 hours of any emergency where
he or she is prescribed scheduled medication; and
(4) If the patient fails to honor the provisions of the narcotics contract, the prescribing practitioner may either terminate the provider-patient relationship or continue to treat the patient without prescribing a Schedule II opioid drug for the patient. Should the practitioner decide to terminate the relationship, he or she is required to do so pursuant to the provisions of this code and any rules promulgated hereunder. Termination of the relationship for the patient?s failure to honor the provisions of the contract is not subject to any disciplinary action by the practitioner?s licensing board; and
(5) If another physician is approved to prescribe to the patient.
(k) A pharmacist is not responsible for enforcing the provisions of this section and the Board of Pharmacy may not discipline a licensee if he or she fills a prescription in violation of the provisions of this section.
?16-54-5. Subsequent prescriptions; limitations.
(a) No fewer than
six days After issuing the initial Schedule II opioid drug
prescription as set forth in ?16-54-4 of this code, the practitioner, after
consultation with the patient, may issue a subsequent prescription for an
opioid a Schedule II opioid drug to the patient if:
(1) The subsequent prescription would not be deemed an initial prescription pursuant to ?16-54-4 of this code;
(2) The practitioner determines the prescription is necessary and appropriate to the patient?s treatment needs and documents the rationale for the issuance of the subsequent prescription; and
(3) The practitioner determines that issuance of the subsequent prescription does not present an undue risk of abuse, addiction, or diversion and documents that determination.
(b) Prior to issuing the subsequent Schedule II opioid drug prescription of the course of treatment, a practitioner shall discuss with the patient, or the patient?s parent or guardian if the patient is under 18 years of age, the risks associated with the Schedule II opioid drugs being prescribed. This discussion shall include:
(1) The risks of addiction and overdose associated with Schedule II opioid drugs and the dangers of taking Schedule II opioid drugs with alcohol, benzodiazepines, and other central nervous system depressants;
(2) The reasons why the prescription is necessary;
(3) Alternative treatments that may be available; and
(4) Risks associated
with the use of the Schedule II opioid drug being prescribed,
specifically that opioids Schedule II opioid drugs are highly
addictive, even when taken as prescribed, that there is a risk of developing a
physical or psychological dependence on the controlled substance Schedule
II opioid drug, and that the risks of taking more opioids than prescribed,
or mixing sedatives, benzodiazepines, or alcohol with opioids, can result in
fatal respiratory depression.
(c) The discussion as set forth in ?16-54-5(b) of this code shall be included in a notation in the patient?s medical record.
?16-54-6. Ongoing treatment; referral to pain clinic or pain specialist.
(a) At the time of the
issuance of the third prescription for a prescription opioid Schedule
II opioid drug the practitioner shall consider referring the patient to a
pain clinic or a pain specialist. The practitioner shall discuss the benefits
of seeking treatment through a pain clinic or a pain specialist and provide him
or her with an understanding of any risks associated by choosing not to pursue
that as an option.
(b) If the patient
declines to seek treatment from a pain clinic or a pain specialist and opts to
remain a patient of the practitioner, and the practitioner continues to
prescribe an opioid for pain a Schedule II opioid drug as
provided in this code, the practitioner shall:
(1) Note in the patient?s medical records that the patient knowingly declined treatment from a pain clinic or pain specialist;
(2) Review, at a minimum of every three months, the course of treatment, any new information about the etiology of the pain, and the patient?s progress toward treatment objectives and document the results of that review;
(3) Assess the patient prior to every renewal to determine whether the patient is experiencing problems associated with physical and psychological dependence and document the results of that assessment; and
(4) Periodically make reasonable efforts, unless clinically contraindicated, to either stop the use of the controlled substance, decrease the dosage, try other drugs or treatment modalities in an effort to reduce the potential for abuse or the development of physical or psychological dependence, and document with specificity the efforts undertaken.
?16-54-7. Exceptions.
(a)
This article does not apply to a prescription for a patient who is
currently in active
treatment for cancer, receiving hospice care from a licensed hospice provider
or palliative care provider, or is a resident of a long-term care facility.
or to any medications
that are being prescribed for use in the treatment of substance abuse or opioid
dependence.
(b) This article does not apply to a patient being prescribed, or ordered, any medication in an inpatient setting at a hospital.
(b) (c) Notwithstanding the limitations on the
prescribing of a Schedule II opioid drug contained in ?16-54-4 of this code,
a practitioner may prescribe an initial seven-day supply of an opioid a
Schedule II opioid drug to a post-surgery patient immediately following a
surgical procedure. Based upon the medical judgment of the practitioner, a
subsequent prescription may be prescribed by the practitioner pursuant to the
provisions of this code. Nothing in this section authorizes a practitioner to
prescribe any medication which he or she is not permitted to prescribe pursuant
to their practice act.
(c) (d) A practitioner who acquires a patient
after January 1, 2018, who is currently being prescribed an opioid a
Schedule II opioid drug from another practitioner shall be is
required to access the Controlled Substances Monitoring Program Database as set
forth in ?60A-9-1 et seq. of this code. Any prescription would not be deemed
an initial prescription pursuant to the provisions of this section The practitioner shall otherwise treat the patient as set forth in this
code.
(d) (e) This article does not apply to an existing
practitioner-patient relationship established before January 1, 2018, where
there is an established and current opioid treatment plan which is reflected in
the patient?s medical records.
?16-54-8. Treatment of pain.
(a) When patients
seek a patient seeks treatment, for any of the myriad conditions
that cause pain, a health care practitioner shall refer or prescribe to the
patient any of the following treatment alternatives, as is appropriate
based on the practitioner?s clinical judgment and the availability of the
treatment, before starting a patient on a Schedule II opioid drug: physical
therapy, occupational therapy, acupuncture, massage therapy, osteopathic
manipulation, chronic pain management program, and chiropractic services, as
defined in ?30-16-3 of this code.
(b) Nothing in this section should be construed to require that all of the treatment alternatives set forth in ?16-54-8(a) of this code are required to be exhausted prior to the patient?s receiving a prescription for a Schedule II opioid drug.
(c) At a minimum, an
insurance provider who offers an insurance product in this state, the Bureau
for Medical Services, and the Public Employees Insurance Agency shall provide
coverage for 20 visits per event of physical therapy, occupational therapy,
osteopathic manipulation, a chronic pain management program, and chiropractic
services, as defined in ?30-16-3 of this code, when ordered or prescribed
by a health care practitioner. to treat conditions that cause chronic pain.
(d) A patient person
may seek treatment for physical therapy, occupational therapy, osteopathic
manipulation, a chronic pain management program, and chiropractic services, as
defined in ?30-16-3 of this code, prior to seeking treatment from any other
health care practitioner. The licensed health care practitioner
providing services pursuant to this section may prescribe within their scope of
practice as defined in ?16-54-1 of this code. and A health care
practitioner referral although permitted is not required as a condition
of coverage by the Bureau for Medical Services the Public Employees Insurance
Agency, and any insurance provider who offers an insurance product in this
state. Any deductible, coinsurance, or copay required for any of these services
may not be greater than the deductible, coinsurance, or copay required for a
primary care visit.
(e) Nothing in this section precludes a practitioner from simultaneously prescribing a Schedule II opioid drug and prescribing or recommending any of the procedures set forth in ?16-54-8(a) of this code.?
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. 677), and there were?yeas 80, nays 17, absent and not voting 3, with the nays and absent and not voting being as follows:
Nays: Angelucci, Barrett, Cadle, Caputo, Diserio, Doyle, Estep-Burton, Fluharty, Hansen, Lavender-Bowe, Longstreth, McGeehan, Robinson, C. Thompson, Walker, Williams and Zukoff.
Absent and Not Voting: Ellington, Rohrbach and Steele.
So, a majority of the members elected to the House of Delegates having voted in the affirmative, the Speaker declared the bill (Com. Sub. for H. B. 2768) passed.
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, a bill of the House of Delegates, as follows:
Com. Sub. for H. B. 2849, Establishing different classes of pharmacy technicians.
On motion of Delegate Summers, the House of Delegates concurred in the following amendment of the bill by the Senate:
On page three, section twelve, line eleven, by striking out the words ?also known as tech-check-tech? and the comma.
And,
On page three, section twelve, line twelve, after the word ?necessary?, by inserting the words ?and the pharmacist makes the final verification?.
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. 678), and there were?yeas 96, nays none, absent and not voting 4, with the absent and not voting being as follows:
Absent and Not Voting: Ellington, C. Martin, Rohrbach and Steele.
So, a majority of the members elected to the House of Delegates having voted in the affirmative, the Speaker declared the bill (Com. Sub. for H. B. 2849) passed.
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, a bill of the House of Delegates, as follows:
H. B. 2934, West Virginia Lottery Interactive Wagering Act.
On motion of Delegate Kessinger, the House of Delegates concurred in the following amendment of the bill by the Senate:
On page one, striking out everything after the enacting clause and inserting in lieu thereof the following:
?ARTICLE 22E. WEST VIRGINIA LOTTERY INTERACTIVE WAGERING ACT.
?29-22E-1. Short title.
This article shall be known and may be cited as the West Virginia Lottery Interactive Wagering Act.
?29-22E-2. State authorization of interactive wagering at licensed racetrack facilities and historic resort hotel; legislative findings, and declarations.
(a) Operation of West Virginia Lottery interactive wagering. ? Notwithstanding any provision of law to the contrary, the operation of interactive wagering and ancillary activities are only lawful when conducted in accordance with the provisions of this article and rules of the commission.
(b) Legislative findings. ?
(1) The Legislature finds that the operation of the four racetracks and the historic resort hotel in this state play a critical role in the economy of this state, and such constitutional lotteries are rightfully authorized as state enterprises consistent with the rights and powers granted to the states under the Tenth Amendment of the United States Constitution. The federal government is a government of limited and enumerated powers, and powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution nor prohibited by it to the states are reserved for the states and its respective citizens.
(2) The Legislature finds that section 36, article VI of the Constitution of the State of West Virginia grants the state the exclusive right to lawfully own and operate a lottery in this state. Authorization of wagering on any constitutional lottery within West Virginia is within the state?s sovereign rights as a state to act in the best interest of its citizens.
(3) The Legislature finds that it is in the best interests of the State of West Virginia for the state to operate a lottery in the form of interactive wagering and that it is the intent of the Legislature to authorize interactive wagering within the state and through compacts with other approved jurisdictions.
(4) The Legislature finds that illegal interactive wagering channels operating throughout the United States pose a critical threat to the safety and welfare of the citizens of West Virginia and that creating civil and criminal penalties to prosecute illegal operators, while transferring this black market demand into a secure and highly regulated environment, will protect the public and positively benefit state revenues and the state?s economy.
?(5) The Legislature finds that the most effective and efficient manner in which the state can operate and regulate the forms of lottery authorized by the provisions of this article is to limit the number of authorized operators to those who are licensed, pursuant to the provisions of ?29-22A-1 et seq. of this code, and to facilities licensed to operate video lottery terminals, pursuant to the provisions of ?29-25-1 et seq. of this code.
(6) The Legislature finds that the granting of licenses pursuant to the provisions of this article, while maintaining all ownership rights and exercising control through strict regulation of all West Virginia Lottery interactive wagering authorized by the provisions of this article, constitutes an appropriate exercise by the Legislature of the power granted it by the provisions of section 36, article VI of the Constitution of the State of West Virginia.
(7) The Legislature finds that the operation of West Virginia Lottery interactive wagering at racetracks, licensed pursuant to the provisions of ?29-22A-1 et seq. of this code, and at a historic resort hotel, licensed pursuant to the provisions of ?29-25-1 et seq. of this code, serves to protect, preserve, promote, and enhance the tourism industry of the state as well as the general fiscal wellbeing of the state and its subdivisions.
?29-22E-3. Definitions.
For the purposes of this article, the following terms have the meanings ascribed to them in this section:
(1) ?Adjusted gross interactive wagering receipts? means an operator?s gross interactive wagering receipts from West Virginia Lottery interactive wagering, less winnings paid to wagerers in such games.
(2) ?Commission? or ?State Lottery Commission? means the West Virginia Lottery Commission, created by ?29-22-1 et seq. of this code.
(3) ?Director? means the Director of the West Virginia State Lottery Commission, appointed pursuant to ?29-22-6 of this code.
(4) ?Gaming? or ?interactive gaming? means wagering on any authorized interactive game. Authorized interactive games are computerized or virtual versions of any game of chance or digital simulation thereof, including, but not limited to, casino themed slot simulations, table games, and other games approved by the commission.
?(5) ?Government? means any governmental unit of a national, state, or local body exercising governmental functions, other than the United States Government.
(6) ?Gross interactive wagering receipts? means the total gross receipts received by a licensed gaming facility from interactive wagering.
(7) ?Interactive gaming operator? or ?operator? means a licensed gaming facility which has elected to operate authorized West Virginia Lottery interactive wagering activities or an interactive gaming system on behalf of or in cooperation with an interactive gaming licensee.
(8) ?Interactive gaming provider? or ?management services provider? means an interactive gaming licensee or an interactive gaming operator with a valid permit acting on behalf of or in partnership with an interactive gaming licensee.
(9) ?Interactive wagering account? means a financial record established by a licensed gaming facility for an individual patron in which the patron may deposit and withdraw funds for interactive wagering and other authorized purchases, and to which the licensed gaming facility may credit winnings or other amounts due to that patron or authorized by that patron.
(10) ?Interactive wagering agreement? means a written agreement between the commission and one or more other governments whereby persons who are physically located in a signatory jurisdiction may participate in interactive wagering conducted by one or more operators licensed by the signatory governments.
(11) ?Interactive wagering fund? means the special fund in the State Treasury, created in ?29-22E-17 of this code.
(12) ?License? means any license, applied for or issued by the commission under this article, including, but not limited to:
(A) A license to act as agent of the commission in operating West Virginia Lottery interactive wagering at a licensed gaming facility (operator license or West Virginia Lottery interactive wagering license);
(B) A license to supply a gaming facility, licensed under this article, to operate interactive wagering with interactive wagering equipment or services necessary for the operation of interactive wagering (supplier license); or
(C) A license to be employed at a racetrack or gaming facility, licensed under this article, to operate West Virginia Lottery interactive wagering when the employee works in a designated gaming area that has interactive wagering or performs duties in furtherance of or associated with the operation of interactive wagering at the licensed gaming facility (occupational license).
(13) ?Licensed gaming facility? or ?gaming facility? means a designated area on the premises of an existing historic resort hotel, pursuant to ?29-25-1 et seq. of this code, or the facility of an entity authorized to operate racetrack video lottery machines, pursuant to ?29-22A-1 et seq. of this code, licensed under this article, to conduct West Virginia Lottery interactive wagering.
(14) ?Lottery? means the public gaming systems or games regulated, controlled, owned, and operated by the State Lottery Commission in the manner provided by general law, as provided in this article, and in ?29-22-1 et seq., ?29-22A-1 et seq., ?29-22B-1 et seq., ?29-22C-1 et seq., ?29-22D-1 et seq., and ?29-25-1 et seq. of this code.
(15) ?National criminal history background check system? means the criminal history record system maintained by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, based on fingerprint identification or any other method of positive identification.
(16) ?Wager? means a sum of money or thing of value risked on an uncertain occurrence.
(17) ?West Virginia Lottery interactive wagering? or ?interactive wagering? or ?interactive gaming? means the placing of wagers remotely and in real time on any authorized interactive game with any interactive gaming provider, using any communications technology, by means of any electronic or mobile device or other interface capable of providing a means of input and output. The term does not include:
(A) Pari-mutuel betting on the outcome of horse or dog races, authorized by ?19-23-12a and ?19-23-12d of this code;
(B) Lottery games of the West Virginia State Lottery, authorized by ?29-22-1 et seq. of this code;
(C) Racetrack video lottery, authorized by ?29-22A-1 et seq. of this code;
(D) Limited video lottery, authorized by ?29-22B-1 et seq. of this code;
(E) Racetrack table games, authorized by ?29-22C-1 et seq. of this code;
(F) Video lottery and table games, authorized by ?29-25-1 et seq. of this code;
(G) Sports wagering, authorized by ?29-22D-1 et seq.; and
(H) Daily Fantasy Sports (DFS).
(18) ?West Virginia Lottery interactive wagering license? means authorization granted under this article by the commission to a gaming facility that is already licensed under ?29-22A-1 et seq. or ?29-25-1 et seq. of this code, which permits the gaming facility as an agent of the commission to operate West Virginia Lottery interactive wagering on the grounds where video lottery is conducted by the licensee or through any other authorized interactive platform developed by the gaming facility. This term is synonymous with ?operator?s license.?
?29-22E-4. Commission duties and powers.
(a) In addition to the duties set forth elsewhere in this article, and in ?29-22-1 et seq., ?29-22A-1 et seq., ?29-22B-1 et seq., ?29-22C-1 et seq., ?29-22D-1 et seq., and ?29-25-1 et seq. of this code, the commission shall have the authority to regulate interactive wagering and the conduct of interactive gaming.
(b) The commission shall examine the regulations implemented in other states where interactive wagering is conducted and shall, as far as practicable, adopt a similar regulatory framework through promulgation of rules.
(c) The commission has the authority, pursuant to ?29A-1-1 et seq. and ?29A-3-1 et seq. of this code, to promulgate or otherwise enact any legislative, interpretive, and procedural rules the commission considers necessary for the successful implementation, administration, and enforcement of this article. Rules proposed by the commission before July 1, 2020, may be promulgated as emergency rules pursuant to ?29A-3-15 of this code.
(1) Rules promulgated by the commission may include, but are not limited to, those governing the acceptance of wagers on interactive games; maximum wagers which may be accepted by an operator from any one patron on any one interactive game; method of accounting to be used by operators; types of records which shall be kept; use of credit and checks by patrons; type of system for wagering; protections for patrons placing wagers; and promotion of social responsibility, responsible gaming, and inclusion of the statement, ?If you or someone you know has a gambling problem and wants help, call 1-800 GAMBLER?, in every designated area approved for interactive wagering and on any mobile application or other digital platform used to place wagers.
(2) The commission shall establish minimum internal control standards (MICS) and approve minimum internal control standards proposed by licensed operators for administration of interactive wagering operations, interactive wagering equipment and systems, or other items used to conduct interactive wagering, as well as maintenance of financial records and other required records.
(d) The commission shall determine the eligibility of a person to hold or continue to hold a license, shall issue all licenses, and shall maintain a record of all licenses issued under this article. The commission may accept applications, evaluate qualifications of applicants, and undertake initial review of licenses prior to promulgation of emergency rules upon the effective date of this article.
(e) The commission shall levy and collect all fees, surcharges, civil penalties, and weekly tax on adjusted gross interactive wagering receipts imposed by this article, and deposit all moneys into the interactive wagering fund, except as otherwise provided under this article.
(f) The commission may sue to enforce any provision of this article or any rule of the commission by civil action or petition for injunctive relief.
(g) The commission may hold hearings, administer oaths, and issue subpoenas or subpoenas duces tecum: Provided, That all hearings shall be conducted pursuant to the provisions of the State Administrative Procedures Act, ?29A-2-1 et seq. of this code and the Lottery Administrative Appeal Procedures, W.Va. CSR ?179-2-1 et seq.
(h) The commission may exercise any other powers necessary to effectuate the provisions of this article and the rules of the commission.
?29-22E-5. Licenses required.
?(a) No person may engage in any activity in connection with West Virginia Lottery interactive wagering in this state unless all necessary licenses have been obtained in accordance with this article and rules of the commission.
(b) The commission may not grant a license until it determines that each person who has control of the applicant meets all qualifications for licensure. The following persons are considered to have control of an applicant:
(1) Each person associated with a corporate applicant, including any corporate holding company, parent company, or subsidiary company of the applicant who has the ability to control the activities of the corporate applicant or elect a majority of the board of directors of that corporation; this does not include any bank or other licensed lending institution which holds a mortgage or other lien acquired in the ordinary course of business;
(2) Each person associated with a noncorporate applicant who directly or indirectly holds a beneficial or proprietary interest in the applicant?s business operation, or who the commission otherwise determines has the ability to control the applicant; and
(3) Key personnel of an applicant, including any executive, employee, or agent, having the power to exercise significant influence over decisions concerning any part of the applicant?s business operation.
(c) License application requirements. ? All applicants for any license issued under this article shall submit an application to the commission in the form the commission requires and submit fingerprints for a national criminal records check by the Criminal Identification Bureau of the West Virginia State Police and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. The fingerprints shall be furnished by all persons required to be named in the application and shall be accompanied by a signed authorization for the release of information by the Criminal Investigation Bureau and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. The commission may require additional background checks on licensees when they apply for annual license renewal, and any applicant convicted of any disqualifying offense shall not be licensed.
(d) Each interactive wagering licensee, licensed supplier, or a licensed management services provider shall display the license conspicuously in its place of business or have the license available for inspection by any agent of the commission or any law-enforcement agency.
(e) Each holder of an occupational license shall carry the license and have some indicia of licensure prominently displayed on his or her person when present in a licensed gaming facility at all times, in accordance with the rules of the commission.
(f) Each person licensed under this article shall give the commission written notice within 30 days of any change to any information provided in the licensee?s application for a license or renewal.
(g) No commission employee may be an applicant for any license issued under this article nor may any employee of any such licensee directly or indirectly hold an ownership or a financial interest in any West Virginia Lottery interactive wagering license.
?29-22E-6. Operator license; West Virginia interactive wagering operators.
(a) In addition to the casino games permitted pursuant to the provisions of ?29-22A-1 et seq., ?29-22C-1 et seq., and ?29-25-1 et seq. of this code, a licensed gaming facility may operate West Virginia Lottery interactive wagering upon the approval of the commission, and the commission shall have the general responsibility for the implementation of this article and all other duties specified in ?29-22-1 et seq., ?29-22A-1 et seq., ?29-22C-1 et seq., ?29-22D-1 et seq., and ?29-25-1 et seq. of this code, the provisions of this article, and applicable rules.
(b) All interactive wagering authorized by this article shall be West Virginia Lottery games owned by the State of West Virginia. An operator license granted by the commission pursuant to this article grants licensees lawful authority to conduct West Virginia Lottery interactive wagering within the terms and conditions of the license and any rules promulgated under this article.
(c) Interactive wagering licenses. ? The commission may issue up to five licenses to operate West Virginia Lottery interactive wagering in accordance with the provisions of this article. No more than five licenses to operate a gaming facility with West Virginia Lottery interactive wagering shall be permitted in this state.
(d) Grant of license. ? Upon application by a gaming facility and payment of a $250,000 application fee, the commission shall immediately grant a West Virginia Lottery interactive wagering license to an operator that provides for the right to conduct West Virginia Lottery interactive wagering: Provided, That the applicant must hold a valid racetrack video lottery license issued by the commission, pursuant to ?29-22A-1 et seq. of this code, or a valid license to operate a gaming facility, issued by the commission pursuant to ?29-25-1 et seq. of this code, and otherwise meet the requirements for licensure under the provisions of this article and the rules of the commission. This license shall be issued for a five-year period, and may be renewed for five-year periods upon payment of a $100,000 renewal fee, as long as an operator continues to meet all qualification requirements.
(e) Location. ? A West Virginia Lottery interactive wagering license authorizes the operation of West Virginia Lottery interactive wagering at approved locations and through any mobile application or other digital platforms approved by the commission.
(f) Management service contracts. ?
(1) Approval. ? A West Virginia Lottery interactive wagering licensee may not enter into any management services contract that would permit any person other than the licensee to act as the commission?s agent in operating West Virginia Lottery interactive wagering unless the management service contract: (A) Is with a person licensed under this article to provide management services; (B) is in writing; and (C) has been approved by the commission.
(2) Material change. ? The West Virginia Lottery interactive wagering licensee shall submit any material change in a management services contract, previously approved by the commission, to the commission for its approval or rejection before the material change may take effect.
(3) Other commission approvals and licenses. ? The duties and responsibilities of a management services provider under a management services contract may not be assigned, delegated, subcontracted, or transferred to a third party without the prior approval of the commission. Third parties must be licensed as a management services provider under this article before providing services.
(g) Expiration date and renewal. ?
(1) A licensed operator shall submit to the commission such documentation or information as the commission may require demonstrating to the satisfaction of the director that the licensee continues to meet the requirements of the law and rules. Required documentation or information shall be submitted no later than five years after issuance of an operator license and every five years thereafter, or within lesser periods based on circumstances specified by the commission.
(2) If the licensee fails to apply to renew its license issued pursuant to ?29-22A-1 et seq. or ?29-25-1 et seq. of this code prior to expiration, the commission shall renew its license under this article at the time the expired license is renewed as long as the licensee was operating in compliance with applicable requirements in the preceding license year.
(h) Surety bond. ? A West Virginia Lottery interactive wagering licensee shall execute a surety bond in an amount and in the form approved by the commission, to be given to the state, to guarantee the licensee faithfully makes all payments in accordance with the provisions of this article and rules promulgated by the commission.
(i) Audits. ? Upon application for a license and annually thereafter, a West Virginia Lottery interactive wagering licensee shall submit to the commission an annual audit of the financial transactions and condition of the licensee?s total operations prepared by a certified public accountant in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles and applicable federal and state laws.
(j) Commission office space. ? A West Virginia Lottery interactive wagering licensee shall provide suitable office space at the interactive wagering facility, at no cost, for the commission to perform the duties required of it by this article and the rules of the commission.
(k) Facility qualifications. ? A West Virginia Lottery interactive wagering licensee shall demonstrate that its gaming facility with West Virginia Lottery interactive wagering will: (1) Be accessible to disabled individuals, in accordance with applicable federal and state laws; (2) be licensed in accordance with this article, and all other applicable federal, state, and local laws; and (3) meet any other qualifications specified in rules adopted by the commission. Notwithstanding any provision of this code or any rules promulgated by the Alcohol Beverage Control Commissioner to the contrary, vacation of the premises after service of beverages ceases is not required for any licensed gaming facility.
?29-22E-7. Management services providers; license requirements.
(a) License. ? The holder of a license to operate West Virginia Lottery interactive wagering may contract with an entity to conduct that operation in accordance with the rules of the commission. That entity shall obtain a license as a management services provider prior to the execution of any such contract, and such license shall be issued pursuant to the provisions of this article and any rules promulgated by the commission.
(b) License qualifications and fee. ? Each applicant for a management services provider license shall meet all requirements for licensure and pay a nonrefundable license and application fee of $100,000. The commission may adopt rules establishing additional requirements for an authorized management services provider. The commission may accept licensing by another jurisdiction, that it specifically determines to have similar licensing requirements, as evidence the applicant meets authorized management services provider licensing requirements.
(c) Renewal. ? Management services provider licenses shall be renewed annually to any licensee who continues to be in compliance with all requirements and who pays the annual renewal fee of $100,000.
(d) Any entity or individual who shares in revenue, including any affiliate operating under a revenue share agreement, shall be licensed under this section.
?29-22E-8. Suppliers; license requirements.
(a) Supplier license. ?
(1) The commission may issue a supplier license to a person to sell or lease interactive wagering equipment, systems, or other gaming items necessary to conduct interactive wagering, and offer services related to such equipment or other gaming items to a West Virginia Lottery interactive wagering licensee while the license is active. The commission may establish the conditions under which the commission may issue provisional licenses, pending completion of final action on an application.
(2) The commission may adopt rules establishing additional requirements for a West Virginia Lottery interactive wagering supplier and any system or other equipment utilized for wagering. The commission may accept licensing by another jurisdiction, that it specifically determines to have similar licensing requirements, as evidence the applicant meets West Virginia Lottery interactive wagering supplier licensing requirements.
(b) Supplier specifications. ? An applicant for a supplier license shall demonstrate that the equipment, system, or services that the applicant plans to offer to the interactive wagering licensee conform to standards established by the commission and applicable state law. The commission may accept approval by another jurisdiction, that it specifically determines have similar equipment standards, as evidence the applicant meets the standards established by the commission and applicable state law.
(c) License application and renewal fees. ? Applicants shall pay to the commission a nonrefundable license and application fee in the amount of $10,000. After the initial one-year term, the commission shall renew supplier licenses annually thereafter. Renewal of a supplier license will be granted to any renewal applicant who has continued to comply with all applicable statutory and regulatory requirements, upon submission of the commission issued renewal form and payment of a $10,000 renewal fee.
(d) Inventory. ? A licensed interactive wagering supplier shall submit to the commission a list of all interactive wagering equipment and services sold, delivered to, or offered to a West Virginia Lottery interactive wagering licensee in this state, as required by the commission, all of which must be tested and approved by an independent testing laboratory approved by the commission. An interactive wagering licensee may continue to use supplies acquired from a licensed interactive wagering supplier, even if a supplier?s license expires or is otherwise cancelled, unless the commission finds a defect in the supplies.
?29-22E-9. Occupational licenses.
(a) All persons employed to be engaged directly in interactive wagering-related activities, or otherwise conducting or operating interactive wagering, shall be licensed by the commission and maintain a valid occupational license at all times and the commission shall issue such license to be employed in the operation of interactive wagering to a person who meets the requirements of this section.
(b) An occupational license to be employed by a gaming facility with West Virginia Lottery interactive wagering permits the licensee to be employed in the capacity designated by the commission while the license is still active. The commission may establish, by rule, job classifications with different requirements to recognize the extent to which a particular job has the ability to impact the proper operation of West Virginia Lottery interactive wagering.
(c) Application and fee. ? Applicants shall submit any required application forms established by the commission and pay a nonrefundable application fee of $100. The fee may be paid on behalf of an applicant by the employer.
(d) Renewal fee and form. ? Each licensed employee shall pay to the commission an annual license fee of $100 by June 30 of each year. The fee may be paid on behalf of the licensed employee by the employer. In addition to a renewal fee, each licensed employee shall annually submit a renewal application on the form required by the commission.
?29-22E-10. License prohibitions.
(a) The commission may not grant any license, pursuant to the provisions of this article, if evidence satisfactory to the commission exists that the applicant:
(1) Has knowingly made a false statement of a material fact to the commission;
(2) Has been suspended from operating a gambling game, gaming device, or gaming operation, or had a license revoked by any governmental authority responsible for regulation of gaming activities;
(3) Has been convicted of a gambling-related offense, a theft or fraud offense, or has otherwise demonstrated, either by a police record or other satisfactory evidence, a lack of respect for law and order; or
(4) Is a company or individual who has been directly employed by any illegal or offshore book that serviced the United States, or otherwise accepted black market wagers from individuals located in the United States.
(b) The commission may deny a license to any applicant, reprimand any licensee, or suspend or revoke a license:
(1) If the applicant or licensee has not demonstrated to the satisfaction of the commission financial responsibility sufficient to adequately meet the requirements of the proposed enterprise;
(2) If the applicant or licensee is not the true owner of the business or is not the sole owner and has not disclosed the existence or identity of other persons who have an ownership interest in the business; or
(3) If the applicant or licensee is a corporation which sells more than five percent of a licensee?s voting stock, or more than five percent of the voting stock of a corporation which controls the licensee, or sells a licensee?s assets, other than those bought and sold in the ordinary course of business, or any interest in the assets, to any person not already determined by the commission to have met the qualifications of a licensee under this article.
(c) In the case of an applicant for an interactive wagering license, the commission may deny a license to any applicant, reprimand any licensee, or suspend or revoke a license if an applicant has not met the requirements of this section or any other provision of this article.
?29-22E-11. Interactive wagering house rules; posting of rules.
(a) Each operator shall adopt comprehensive house rules for game play governing interactive wagering transactions with its patrons. These comprehensive rules will be published as part of the minimum internal control standards. The rules shall specify the amounts to be paid on winning wagers and the effect of schedule changes. House rules shall be approved by the commission prior to implementation.
(b) The house rules, together with any other information the commission deems appropriate, shall be conspicuously displayed and included in the terms and conditions of the interactive wagering system. Copies shall be made readily available to patrons.
(c) The commission shall license and require the display of West Virginia Lottery game logos on interactive wagering platforms and any locations the commission considers appropriate.
?29-22E-12. Operator duties; interactive wagering operations at a licensed gaming facility.
(a) General. ? All operators licensed under this article to conduct West Virginia Lottery interactive wagering shall:
(1) Employ an interactive gaming system and interactive gaming platform which manages, conducts, and records interactive games and the wagers associated with interactive games, as well as any interactive gaming platforms authorized by the commission. System requirements and specifications shall be developed according to industry standards and implemented by the commission as part of the minimum internal control standards;
(2) Promptly report to the commission any facts or circumstances related to the operation of a West Virginia Lottery interactive wagering licensee which constitute a violation of state or federal law and immediately report any suspicious betting over a threshold set by the operator that has been approved by the commission to the appropriate state or federal authorities;
(3) Conduct all interactive wagering activities and functions in a manner which does not pose a threat to the public health, safety, or welfare of the citizens of this state and does not adversely affect the security or integrity of the West Virginia Lottery;
(4) Hold the commission and this state harmless from and defend and pay for the defense of any and all claims which may be asserted against a licensee, the commission, the state, or employees thereof, arising from the licensee?s actions or omission while acting as an agent of the commission operating West Virginia Lottery interactive wagering pursuant to this article;
(5) Assist the commission in maximizing interactive wagering revenues; and
(6) Keep current in all payments and obligations to the commission.
(b) Duties. ? All West Virginia Lottery interactive wagering licensees shall:
(1) Acquire West Virginia Lottery interactive wagering equipment by purchase, lease, or other assignment and provide a secure location for the placement, operation, and play of interactive wagering gaming equipment;
(2) Prevent any person from tampering with or interfering with the operation of any West Virginia Lottery interactive wagering;
(3) Ensure that West Virginia Lottery interactive wagering conducted at a gaming facility is within the sight and control of designated employees of the licensee and such wagering at the facility or otherwise available by the licensee is conducted under continuous observation by security equipment in conformity with specifications and requirements of the commission;
(4) Ensure that West Virginia Lottery interactive wagering occurs only in the specific locations within designated gaming areas approved by the commission or using a commission approved mobile application or other digital platform that utilizes communications technology to accept wagers originating within this state, or on an interactive wagering device. West Virginia Lottery interactive wagering shall only be relocated or offered in additional authorized manners in accordance with the rules of the commission;
(5) Maintain sufficient cash and other supplies to conduct interactive wagering at all times; and
(6) Maintain daily records showing the gross interactive wagering receipts and adjusted gross interactive wagering receipts of the licensee from West Virginia Lottery interactive wagering and shall timely file with the commission any additional reports required by rule or by other provisions of this code.
?29-22E-13. Posting of betting limits.
An interactive wagering licensee shall conspicuously post a sign at each West Virginia Lottery interactive wagering location and on all interactive gaming platforms indicating the minimum and maximum wagers permitted at that location and shall comply with the same.
?29-22E-14. Interactive wagering agreements with other governments.
(a) On behalf of the State of West Virginia, the commission is authorized to:
(1) Enter into interactive wagering agreements with other governments whereby persons who are physically located in a signatory jurisdiction may participate in interactive wagering conducted by one or more operators licensed by the signatory governments; and
(2) Take all necessary actions to ensure that any interactive wagering agreement entered into, pursuant to this section, becomes effective.
(b) The rules adopted by the commission pursuant to this section may include provisions prescribing:
(1) The form, length, and terms of an agreement entered into by the commission and another government, including, but not limited to, provisions relating to how: Taxes are to be treated by this state and another government; revenues are to be shared and distributed; and disputes with patrons are to be resolved;
(2) The information to be furnished to the commission by a government that proposes to enter into an agreement with this state pursuant to this section;
(3) The information to be furnished to the commission to enable the commission and director to carry out the purposes of this section;
(4) The manner and procedure for hearings conducted by the commission pursuant to this section, including any special rules or notices; and
(5) The information required to be furnished to the commission to support any recommendations made to the commission, pursuant to this section.
(c) The commission may not enter into any interactive wagering agreement, pursuant to this section, unless the agreement includes provisions that:
(1) Account for the sharing of revenues by this state and another government;
(2) Permit the effective regulation of interactive wagering by this state, including provisions relating to licensing of persons, technical standards, resolution of disputes by patrons, requirements for bankrolls, enforcement, accounting, and maintenance of records;
(3) Require each government that is a signatory to the agreement to prohibit operators of interactive wagering, management or other service providers, or suppliers, manufacturers or distributors of interactive wagering systems from engaging in any activity permitted by the interactive wagering agreement unless they are licensed in this state or in a signatory jurisdiction with similar requirements approved by the commission;
(4) No variation from the requirements of the interactive wagering agreement is permitted for any signatory government without a lack of opposition by this state and all signatory governments;
(5) Prohibit any subordinate or side agreements among any subset of governments that are signatories to the agreement unless it relates exclusively to the sharing of revenues; and
(6) Require the government to establish and maintain regulatory requirements governing interactive wagering that are consistent with the requirements of this state in all material respects if the interactive wagering agreement allows persons physically located in this state to participate in interactive wagering conducted by another government or an operator licensed by another government.
?29-22E-15. Authorization of interactive wagering in this state; requirements.
(a) An operator shall accept wagers on interactive games authorized under this article from persons physically present in a licensed gaming facility where authorized interactive wagering occurs. A person placing a wager shall be at least 21 years of age.
(b) An operator may accept wagers from an individual physically located within this state using a mobile or other digital platform or an interactive wagering device, approved by the commission, through the patron?s interactive wagering account. A person placing a wager shall be at least 21 years of age.
(c) An operator may accept wagers from an individual physically located in a state or jurisdiction with which the commission has entered into an interactive wagering agreement using a mobile or other digital platform or an interactive wagering device through the patron?s interactive wagering account, so long as the device or platform is approved by the commission and all other requirements of the agreement are satisfied.
(d) The commission or operator may ban any person from entering a gaming area of a gaming facility conducting interactive wagering or the grounds of a gaming facility licensed under this article or from participating in the play or operation of any West Virginia Lottery interactive wagering. A log of all excluded players shall be kept by the commission and each licensee, and no player on the commission?s exclusion list or the licensed operator?s exclusion list shall wager on any West Virginia Lottery interactive wagering under this article.
(e) The commission shall promulgate rules implementing the provisions of ?29-22E-15(a) and ?29-22E-15(b) of this code by interpretive rule and minimum internal control standards.
(f) The commission shall conduct all interactive wagering pursuant to the provisions of this article, and such gaming activities shall be deemed to occur at the licensed gaming facilities authorized to conduct interactive wagering.
(g) No licensed gaming facility employee may place a wager on any interactive wagering at the employer?s facility or through any other mobile application or digital platform of their employer.
(h) No commission employee may knowingly wager or be paid any prize from any wager placed at any licensed gaming facility with West Virginia Lottery interactive wagering within this state or at any facility outside this jurisdiction that is directly or indirectly owned or operated by a West Virginia interactive wagering licensee.
?29-22E-16. Interactive wagering revenues; accounting for the state?s share of revenue imposed for the privilege of offering West Virginia Lottery interactive wagering; limitation of other taxes; recoupment for improvements.
(a) Imposition and rate of assessment. ? For the privilege of holding a license to operate interactive wagering under this article, the state shall impose and collect 15 percent of the licensee?s adjusted gross interactive wagering receipts from the operation of West Virginia Lottery interactive wagering (hereinafter ?privilege tax? or ?tax?). The accrual method of accounting shall be used for purposes of calculating the amount of the tax owed by the licensee.
(b) Operator revenue reports and payment of privilege tax. ?
(1) The tax levied and collected pursuant to ?29-22E-16(a) of this code is due and payable to the commission in weekly installments on or before the Wednesday following the calendar week in which the adjusted gross interactive wagering receipts were received and the tax obligation was accrued.
(2) The licensed operator shall complete and submit the return for the preceding week by electronic communication to the commission, on or before Wednesday of each week, in the form prescribed by the commission that provides:
(A) The total gross interactive wagering receipts and adjusted gross interactive wagering receipts from operation of West Virginia Lottery interactive wagering during that week;
(B) The tax amount for which the interactive wagering licensee is liable; and
(C) Any additional information necessary in the computation and collection of the tax on adjusted gross interactive wagering receipts required by the commission.
(3) The tax amount shown to be due shall be remitted by electronic funds transfer simultaneously with the filing of the return. All moneys received by the commission pursuant to this section shall be deposited in the interactive wagering fund in accordance with the provisions of this article.
(c) Privilege tax obligation imposed by this section is in lieu of other taxes. ? With the exception of the ad valorem property tax collected under chapter 11A of this code, the privilege tax on adjusted gross interactive wagering receipts imposed by this section is in lieu of all other state and local taxes and fees imposed on the operation of, or the proceeds from operation of, West Virginia Lottery interactive wagering, except as otherwise provided in this section. The consumers sales and services tax imposed pursuant to ?11-15-1 et seq. of this code, the use tax imposed by ?11-15A-1 et seq. of this code and any similar local tax imposed at the municipal or county level, shall not apply to the licensee?s gross receipts from any West Virginia Lottery interactive wagering or to the licensee?s purchase of interactive wagering equipment, supplies, or services directly used in operation of the interactive wagering authorized by this article.
(d) Acquisition of any system or wagering equipment and other items related to the operation of West Virginia interactive wagering shall be considered ?facility modernization improvements? eligible for recoupment as defined in ?29-22A-10(b)(2) and ?29-25-22(c) of this code.
(e) Prohibition on credits. ? Notwithstanding any other provision of this code to the contrary, no credit may be allowed against the privilege tax obligation imposed by this section or against any other tax imposed by any other provision of this code for any investment in gaming equipment or for any investment in or improvement to real property that is used in the operation of West Virginia Lottery interactive wagering.
?29-22E-17. West Virginia Lottery Interactive Wagering Fund; distribution of funds.
(a) The special fund in the State Treasury known as the West Virginia Lottery Interactive Wagering Fund is hereby created and all moneys collected under this article by the commission shall be deposited with the State Treasurer to the West Virginia Lottery Interactive Wagering Fund. The fund shall be an interest-bearing account with all interest or other return earned on the money of the fund credited to and deposited in the fund. All expenses of the commission incurred in the administration and enforcement of this article shall be paid from the interactive wagering fund pursuant to ?29-22E-17(b) of this code.
(b) The commission shall deduct an amount sufficient to reimburse its actual costs and expenses incurred in administering interactive wagering at licensed gaming facilities from the gross deposits into the interactive wagering fund. The amount remaining after the deduction for administrative expenses is the net profit.
(1) Administrative allowance. ? The commission shall retain up to 15 percent of gross deposits for the fund operation and its administrative expenses: Provided, That in the event that the percentage allotted for operations and administration generates a surplus, the surplus shall be allowed to accumulate but may not exceed $250,000. On a monthly basis, the director shall report any surplus in excess of $250,000 to the Joint Committee on Government and Finance and remit the entire amount of those surplus funds in excess of $250,000 to the State Treasurer which shall be allocated as net profit.
(2) Distribution to pension plan for racing association employees. ? In each fiscal year, the Lottery Commission shall deposit one‑quarter of a percent of the net profit into each of the four special funds established by the Racing Commission, pursuant to ?29‑22A‑10 and ?29‑22C‑27 of this code, to be used for payment into the pension plan for the employees of the licensed racing associations in this state.
(3) Distribution of net profit. ? In each fiscal year, remaining net profit shall be deposited into the State Lottery Fund created by ?29-22-18 of this code unless otherwise required by this code.
?29-22E-18. Law enforcement.
Notwithstanding any provision of this code to the contrary, the commission shall, by contract or cooperative agreement with the West Virginia State Police, arrange for those law-enforcement services uniquely related to interactive wagering, as such occurs at facilities of the type authorized by this article, that are necessary to enforce the provisions of this article that are not subject to federal jurisdiction: Provided, That the State Police shall only have exclusive jurisdiction over offenses committed on the grounds of a licensed gaming facility that are offenses relating to interactive wagering.
?29-22E-19. Civil penalties.
(a) The commission may impose, on any person who violates the provisions of this article, a civil penalty not to exceed $50,000 for each violation. Such penalty shall be imposed on all individuals and is not limited to individuals licensed under this article.
(b) The provisions of ?29A-5-1 et seq. of this code apply to any civil penalty imposed pursuant to the provisions of this section.
?29-22E-20. Crimes and penalties related to unauthorized interactive wagering operations.
(b) Notwithstanding the penalty provisions of ?29-22E-20(a) of this code, any person convicted of a second violation of ?29-22E-20(a) of this code is guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction thereof, shall be fined not more than $50,000, or confined in jail for not more than six months, or both fined and confined.
(c) Notwithstanding the penalty provisions of ?29-22E-20(a) or ?29-22E-20(b) of this code, any person convicted of a third or subsequent violation of ?29-22E-20(a) of this code is guilty of a felony, and upon conviction thereof, shall be fined not less than $25,000 nor more than $100,000 or imprisoned in a state correctional facility for not less than one year nor more than five years, or both fined and confined.
?29-22E-21. Crimes and penalties related to authorized interactive wagering operation.
(a) An interactive wagering licensee is guilty of unlawful operation and is guilty of a misdemeanor when:
(1) The licensee operates West Virginia Lottery interactive wagering without authority of the commission to do so;
(2) The licensee operates West Virginia Lottery interactive wagering in any location or by any manner that is not approved by the commission;
(3) The licensee knowingly conducts, carries on, operates, or allows any interactive wagering to occur on premises or through any other device if equipment or material has been tampered with, or exposed to conditions in which it will be operated in a manner designed to deceive the public;
(4) The licensee employs an individual who does not hold a valid occupational license in a position for which a license is required or otherwise allows an individual to perform duties for which such license is required or continues to employ an individual after the employee?s occupational license is no longer valid;
(5) The licensee acts or employs another person to act as if he or she is not an agent or employee of the licensee in order to encourage participation in West Virginia Lottery interactive wagering;
(6) The licensee knowingly permits an individual under the age of 21 to enter or remain in a designated gaming area or to engage in interactive wagering; or
(7) The licensee exchanges tokens, chips, electronic media, or other forms of credit used for wagering for anything of value except money or credits applied to an interactive wagering account at a gaming facility or through a digital or electronic platform authorized under this article.
(b) A person is guilty of a felony when:
(1) A person changes or alters the normal outcome of any game played on a mobile or other digital platform, including any interactive gaming system used to monitor the same or the way in which the outcome is reported to any participant in the game;
(2) The person manufactures, sells, or distributes any device that is intended by that person to be used to violate any provision of this article or the interactive wagering laws of any other state;
(3) The person claims, collects, or takes anything of value from a gaming facility offering West Virginia Lottery interactive wagering with intent to defraud or attempts such action without having made a wager in which such amount or value is legitimately won or owed;
(4) The person knowingly places a wager using counterfeit currency or other counterfeit form of credit for wagering at a gaming facility or through a digital or electronic platform offering West Virginia Lottery interactive wagering; or
(5) The person, not a licensed gaming facility under this article or an employee or agent of a gaming facility licensed under this article acting in furtherance of the licensee?s interest, has in his or her possession on grounds owned by the gaming facility licensed under this article or on grounds contiguous to the licensed gaming facility, any device intended to be used to violate a provision of this article or any rule of the commission.
(c) Any person who violates any provision of ?29-22E-21(a) of this code is guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction thereof, shall be fined not more than $1,000 or confined in jail for not more than six months, or both fined and confined, except any violation that is not committed by a natural person may result in a fine of not more than $25,000.
(d) Any person who violates any provision of ?29-22E-21(b) of this code is guilty of a felony and, upon conviction thereof, shall be fined not less than $5,000 nor more than $10,000, or confined in a state correctional facility for not less than one year nor more than five years, or both fined and confined.
(e) With regard to ?29-22E-21(b) of this code, each West Virginia interactive wagering licensee shall post notice of the prohibitions and penalties of this section in a manner determined by the rules of the commission.
?29-22E-22. Preemption.
No local law or rule providing any penalty, disability, restriction, regulation, or prohibition for operating a gaming facility with West Virginia Lottery interactive wagering or supplying a licensed gaming facility may be enacted, and the provisions of this article preempt all regulations, rules, ordinances, and laws of any county or municipality in conflict with this article.
?29-22E-23. Exemption from federal law.
Pursuant to Section 2 of Chapter 1194, 64 Stat. 1134, 15 U.S.C. ? 1172, approved January 2, 1951, the State of West Virginia, acting by and through duly elected and qualified members of the Legislature, does declare and proclaim that the state is exempt from Chapter 1194, 64 Stat. 1134, 15 U.S.C. ? 1171 to ? 1178.
?29-22E-24. Shipment of gambling devices.
All shipments of gambling devices including any interactive wagering devices or related materials to licensed gaming facilities in this state are legal shipments of gambling devices into the State of West Virginia, as long as the registering, recording, and labeling of which have been completed by the supplier thereof in accordance with Chapter 1194, 64 Stat. 1134, 15 U.S.C. ? 1171 to ? 1178.?
And,
By amending the title of the bill to read as follows:
H. B. 2934 - ?A Bill to amend the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, by adding thereto a new article, designated ?29-22E-1, ?29-22E-2, ?29-22E-3, ?29-22E-4, ?29-22E-5, ?29-22E-6, ?29-22E-7, ?29-22E-8, ?29-22E-9, ?29-22E-10, ?29-22E-11, ?29-22E-12, ?29-22E-13, ?29-22E-14, ?29-22E-15, ?29-22E-16, ?29-22E-17, ?29-22E-18, ?29-22E-19, ?29-22E-20, ?29-22E-21, ?29-22E-22, ?29-22E-23, and ?29-22E-24, all relating to permitting interactive wagering authorized as West Virginia Lottery interactive wagering activities; providing legislative findings; defining terms; detailing duties and powers of the West Virginia Lottery Commission; providing rule-making authority and emergency rule-making authority; requiring commission to levy and collect all fees, surcharges, civil penalties, and weekly tax on adjusted gross interactive wagering receipts and deposit them into the West Virginia Lottery Interactive Wagering Fund; limiting licensees who may offer interactive wagering to existing racetrack casinos and the casino in a historic resort hotel; providing for four types of licenses to be issued related to interactive wagering; establishing license requirements and prohibitions; authorizing licensing fees; requiring adoption and posting of house rules; defining duties of an operator conducting interactive wagering; requiring the posting of betting limits; authorizing interactive wagering agreements with other governments; providing powers and duties of commission and operators; limiting certain activities of employees; authorizing the West Virginia Lottery to levy and collect a privilege tax in the amount of 15 percent of adjusted gross interactive wagering receipts; requiring reports and submission of taxes; clarifying that tax is in lieu of certain other taxes; providing that certain expenditures related to interactive wagering are facility modernization improvements eligible for recoupment; providing that credits are not allowed against the privilege tax; creating the West Virginia Lottery Interactive Wagering Fund; authorizing the West Virginia Lottery to collect an administrative allowance from gross interactive wagering receipts; providing for distribution of moneys deposited in the West Virginia Lottery Interactive Wagering Fund; authorizing certain agreements between the West Virginia Lottery and law enforcement; imposing civil penalties for certain violations, and exceptions thereto; prohibiting unauthorized interactive wagering in this state; establishing crimes related to unauthorized interactive wagering and imposing criminal penalties; establishing crimes related to authorized interactive wagering and imposing criminal penalties; preempting provisions from state and local law; and establishing certain exemptions from federal law.?
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. 679), and there were?yeas 78, nays 18, absent and not voting 4, with the nays and absent and not voting being as follows:
Nays: Boggs, Butler, Cowles, Fast, Hollen, D. Jeffries, J. Kelly, Kessinger, Kump, Linville, P. Martin, Pack, Paynter, Rowan, Summers, Toney, Worrell and Hanshaw (Mr. Speaker).
Absent and Not Voting: Ellington, C. Martin, Rohrbach and Steele.
So, a majority of the members elected to the House of Delegates having voted in the affirmative, the Speaker declared the bill (H. B. 2934) passed.
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, a bill of the House of Delegates, as follows:
Com. Sub. for H. B. 2982, Amending and updating the laws relating to auctioneers.
On motion of Delegate Summers, the House of Delegates concurred in the following amendment of the bill by the Senate:
On page one, by striking out everything after the enacting section and inserting in lieu thereof the following:
?article 2c. auctioneers.
?19-2C-1. Definitions.
For the purposes of this article:
(a) ?Absolute auction? means the sale of real or personal property at auction whereby every item offered from the block is sold to the highest bidder without reserve and without the requirements of a minimum bid or other conditions which limit the sale other than to the highest bidder.
(b) ?Auctioneer? means
a person who sells goods or real estate at public auction for another on
commission or for other compensation. The term ?auctioneer? does not
include:
(1) Persons conducting
sales at auctions conducted by or under the direction of any public authority
or pursuant to any judicial order or direction or to any sale required by law
to be at auction;
(2) The owner of any real
or personal property when personally sold at auction by the owner and the owner
has not personally conducted an auction within the previous twelve-month
period;
(3) Persons conducting
sales pursuant to a deed of trust;
(4) Fiduciaries of estates
when selling real or personal property of the estate;
(5) Persons conducting
sales on behalf of charitable, religious, fraternal or other nonprofit
organizations; and
(6) Persons properly
licensed pursuant to the provisions of article forty, chapter thirty of this
code when conducting an auction, any portion of which contains any leasehold or
any estate in land whether corporeal or incorporeal, freehold or nonfreehold,
when the person is retained to conduct an auction by a receiver or trustee in
bankruptcy, a fiduciary acting under the authority of a deed of trust or will,
or a fiduciary of a decedent?s estate: Provided, That nothing contained
in this article exempts persons conducting sales at public markets from the
provisions of article two-a of this chapter, where the sale is confined solely
to livestock, poultry and other agriculture and horticulture products
(b) (c) ?Commissioner?
means the Commissioner of Agriculture of West Virginia.
(c) (d) ?Department?
means the West Virginia Department of Agriculture.
(d) (e) ?Escrow
account? means a separate custodial or trust fund account maintained by the
auctioneer.
(f) ?Estate auction? means the sale at auction of property of a specified deceased person or the property of a specified living person?s estate. Estate auctions may contain property other than that of the specified living or deceased person. However, the inclusion of additional property must be included in all advertising and auction announcements.
(g) ?In this state? means that an auction satisfies one of the following criteria:
(1) The auctioneer performed the auction within the borders of the State of West Virginia;
(2) The auctioneer is selling items for a person located in the State of West Virginia;
(3) The auctioneer is auctioning real or personal property located in the State of West Virginia;
(4) The auctioneer delivers purchased property to a location in the State of West Virginia; or
(5) The auctioneer is otherwise subject to the laws, including taxation authority, of the State of West Virginia.
(e) (h) ?Public
auction? or ?auction? means any public sale of real or personal property
in any manner, whether in-person, via written offers or bids, or online,
when offers or bids are made by prospective purchasers and the property sold to
the highest bidder.
?19-2C-2. License required; exceptions.
(a) After June 30,
1974, no Except as provided in subsection (b) of this section, no
person shall conduct an auction as an auctioneer in this state unless he or
she shall have first obtained from the commissioner a license therefor.
(b) The provisions of this section do not apply to:
(1) Persons conducting sales at auctions conducted by or under the direction of any public authority or pursuant to any judicial order or direction or to any sale required by law to be at auction;
(2) The owner of any real or personal property when personally sold at auction by the owner and the owner has not personally conducted an auction within the previous 12-month period;
(3) Persons conducting sales pursuant to a deed of trust;
(4) Fiduciaries of estates when selling real or personal property of the estate;
(5) Persons conducting sales without compensation on behalf of charitable, religious, fraternal, or other nonprofit organizations: Provided, That the commissioner shall promulgate rules to limit the number of charitable auctions an exempt person may perform in a 12-month period;
(6) Persons properly licensed pursuant to the provisions in ?30-40-1 et seq. of this code when conducting an auction, any portion of which contains any leasehold or any estate in land whether corporeal or incorporeal, freehold or nonfreehold, when the person is retained to conduct an auction by a receiver or trustee in bankruptcy, a fiduciary acting under the authority of a deed of trust or will, or a fiduciary of a decedent?s estate: Provided, That nothing contained in this article exempts persons conducting sales at public markets from the provisions of ?19-2A-1 et seq. of this code, where the sale is confined solely to livestock, poultry, and other agriculture and horticulture products; and
(7) Persons listing items online for sale via a platform that establishes a fixed time for the conclusion of the sale without extension: Provided, That the commissioner may further define this exemption in legislative rules.
?19-2C-3. Procedure for license; Department of Agriculture as statutory agent for licensees.
(a) An applicant for an auctioneer license shall:
(1) Apply on forms prescribed by the commissioner;
(2) Pay a nonreturnable application fee and a license fee; and, upon successful completion of the application process, a license fee; and
(3) File a bond as required by this article.
(b) The commissioner shall, within 30 days after the receipt of an application, notify the applicant of his or her eligibility to be examined at the next regularly scheduled examination, as well as the date of the examination.
(c) If the license is denied, the commissioner shall refund the license fee submitted with the application to the applicant.
(d) All licenses expire on December
31 June 30 of each year: Provided, That an
auctioneer may continue to perform auctions for up to 30 days after June 30, so
long as he or she has submitted the required paperwork to renew his or her
auctioneer license: Provided, however, That licenses issued in 2019
shall continue to be active through June 30, 2020. A license may be renewed
upon the payment of the annual renewal fee within 60 days of the expiration
date. Renewals received more than 60 days after the expiration date are subject
to a late renewal fee in addition to the annual renewal fee.
(e) A license that has been expired for more than two years cannot be renewed until the auctioneer or apprentice auctioneer takes the written and oral examination, pays the examination fee and complies with the other requirements of this article.
(f) Where an auctioneer or apprentice auctioneer requires a duplicate or replacement license or a license reflecting a change in information, the auctioneer or apprentice auctioneer shall submit the fee with the request.
(g) The State Department of Agriculture is the agent for the purpose of service of process on a licensed auctioneer for any action occasioned by the performance of the duties of the auctioneer. Every licensed auctioneer, by virtue of his or her application for a license, shall be considered to have consented to the statutory agency.
?19-2C-5. Requirements for auctioneer license; duties of licensee.
(a) A person seeking an auctioneer license shall submit satisfactory evidence to the commissioner showing that he or she:
(1) Has successfully completed the written and oral examinations required by this article;
(2) Has a good reputation;
He or she (3) Is of
trustworthy character;
(4) Has met the apprenticeship requirements set forth in this article, if applicable;
(5) Is a citizen of the United States; and
(6) Has a general knowledge of the auctioneering profession and the principles involved in conducting an auction.
(b) A licensee shall:
(1) Promptly produce for inspection his or her license at all sales conducted by or participated in by the licensee when requested to do so by any person; and
(2) Keep complete and accurate records of all transactions engaged in for a period of three years from the date on which the sale was completed.
(c) For the purposes of this section, the term ?record? includes, but is not limited to:
(1) Copies of signed contracts, including the names of buyers and their addresses;
(2) Clerk sheets showing items sold, including buyers numbers or names, and the selling prices; and
(3) Final settlement papers.
(d) The records of the auctioneer shall be open to inspection by the commissioner or his or her authorized representative.
(e) A person who has an auctioneer license is considered to be a professional in his or her trade.
?19-2C-5a. Examinations of applicants. excuse for
illness
(a) Examinations shall be
held in April and October of a minimum of two times each year, at
a time and place to be designated by the commissioner or his or her authorized
representative.
(b) An individual auctioneer applicant may take the examination for auctioneer or apprentice auctioneer at the regularly scheduled time and place.
(c) The apprentice auctioneer?s examination shall consist of a written examination.
(d) The auctioneer?s examination shall consist of both a written and oral examination. The passing grade for any written or oral examination shall be 70 percent out of 100 percent. The oral portion will be scored by the commissioner or his or her authorized representative.
(e) If the applicant fails either the written or oral portion of the examination, no license will be issued and he or she may not be administered the examination again until the next regularly scheduled examination date.
(f) A person who has an
auctioneer license is considered to be a professional in his or her trade
(g)(f) Only one
notice of the examination will be mailed or emailed to the applicant at the
address given on the application. If the applicant fails to appear for an
examination, except as provided in this subsection, a new application and a new
fee shall be required. No fee will be returned, except when the applicant fails
to take the examination because of illness evidenced by a doctor?s certificate
sent to the commissioner. If excused because of illness, the applicant shall be
admitted to the next scheduled examination without paying an additional fee. No
applicant may be excused from taking the scheduled examination for any reason
other than illness, unless in the judgment of the commissioner the applicant
would suffer undue hardship by not being excused.
(h)(g) An
examination fee and any other fees required by this article, shall be collected
from each person taking an examination. If the applicant has previously paid
the examination fee and successfully completed the apprentice auctioneer?s
examination, no additional examination fee will be required to take the
auctioneer?s examination.
(i)(h) If the
commissioner determines that an applicant does not qualify for a license, he or
she shall notify the applicant by certified mail. The notice shall state:
(1) The reason for the refusal to grant a license; and
(2) The applicant?s right to appeal the commissioner?s decision within 20 days of receipt of the notice.
(j)(i) An
examination is not required for the renewal of a license, unless the license
has been revoked or suspended, or has expired. If the license was revoked or
suspended, then the commissioner may require a person to take and pass a
written or oral examination. If a license has been expired for more than two
years and was not revoked or suspended, then the applicant is required to take
and pass any written and oral examinations required by the commissioner.
?19-2C-5b. Background checks required.
(a) A person applying for a license pursuant to ?19-2C-5, ?19-2C-6, or ?19-2C-6c of this code may be required to submit to a state and national criminal history record check. The criminal history record check shall be based on fingerprints submitted to the West Virginia State Police or its assigned agent for forwarding to the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
(b) The applicant shall meet all requirements necessary to accomplish the state and national criminal history record check, including:
(1) Submitting fingerprints for the purposes set forth in this subsection; and
(2) Authorizing the board, the West Virginia State Police, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation to use all records submitted and produced for the purpose of screening the applicant for a license.
(c) The results of the state and national criminal history record check may not be released to or by a private entity except:
(1) To the individual who is the subject of the criminal history record check;
(2) With the written authorization of the individual who is the subject of the criminal history record check; or
(3) Pursuant to a court order.
(d) The criminal history record check and related records are not public records for the purposes of chapter 29B of this code.
(e) The applicant shall pay the actual costs of the fingerprinting and criminal history record check.
(f) The commissioner may not disqualify an applicant for initial licensure, certification or registration because of a prior criminal conviction that has not been reversed unless that conviction is for a crime that bears a rational nexus to the occupation requiring licensure.
(g) The commissioner may not use crimes involving moral turpitude in making licensure, certification or registration determinations.
(h) If an applicant is disqualified for licensure, certification or registration because of a criminal conviction that has not been reversed, the commissioner shall afford the applicant the opportunity to reapply for licensure, certification or registration after the expiration of five years from the date of conviction or date of release from the penalty that was imposed, whichever is later, if the individual has not been convicted of any other crime during that period of time: Provided, That convictions for violent or sexual offenses or offenses shall subject an individual to a longer period of disqualification, to be determined by the individual board or licensing authority.
(i) An individual with a criminal record who has not previously applied for licensure, certification or registration may petition the commissioner at any time for a determination of whether the individual?s criminal record will disqualify the individual from obtaining a license or other authorization. This petition shall include sufficient details about the individual?s criminal record to enable the commissioner to identify the jurisdiction where the conviction occurred, the date of the conviction and the specific nature of the conviction. The commissioner shall inform the individual of his or her standing within 60 days of receiving the petition from the applicant. The licensing authority may charge a fee to recoup its costs for each petition.
(j) Nothing in this section alters the standards and procedures the commissioner uses for evaluating licensure, certification or registration renewals.
(k) The commissioner shall propose rules or amendments to existing rules for legislative approval to comply with the provisions of this section. These rules or amendments to rules shall be proposed pursuant to the provisions of ?29A-3-1 et seq. of this code within the applicable time limit to be considered by the Legislature during its regular session in the year 2020.
(l) The provisions of this section, enacted during the 2019 Regular Session of the Legislature, shall not apply to current licensees who maintain active licensure, but shall apply to individuals currently holding an apprentice auctioneer license who are applying for an auctioneer license, or to any current license holder whose license lapses and who is required to reapply.
?19-2C-6. Requirements for apprentice auctioneer license.
(a) A person seeking an apprentice auctioneer license shall furnish to the commissioner, on forms provided by the commissioner, satisfactory proof that he or she:
(1) Has a good reputation;
(2) Is a trustworthy character;
(3) Is a citizen of the United States; and
(4) Has taken and passed a written examination relating to the skills and knowledge of the statutes and rules governing auctioneers.
(b) An apprentice auctioneer may take the examination to become an auctioneer after completing one of the following:
(1) Serving a two-year apprenticeship under a licensed auctioneer; or
(2) Attending a nationally accredited graduate school of auctioneering, approved by the commissioner, and serving an apprenticeship of six months.
(c) Before an apprentice auctioneer may take the auctioneer?s examination, the apprentice auctioneer shall conduct at least six auction sales under the direct supervision of the sponsoring auctioneer. The commissioner may waive the requirements of this section, on an individual basis, upon the presentation of written evidence that the applicant has educational training or exceptional experience in the auctioneering profession and that the applicant has been unable to obtain sponsorship by a licensed auctioneer: Provided, That the commissioner may not waive apprenticeship requirements for an applicant without the concurrence of the board of review.
(d) When an apprentice auctioneer is discharged or terminates his or her employment with an auctioneer for any reason, the auctioneer shall immediately provide written notification to the commissioner. No discharged or terminated apprentice auctioneer may thereafter perform any acts under the authority of his or her license until the apprentice auctioneer receives a new license bearing the name and address of his or her new employer. No more than one license may be issued to an apprentice auctioneer for the same period of time.
(e) The commissioner may not
issue an apprentice auctioneer license until bond has been filed. All
apprentice auctioneer licenses expire on December 31 June 30 of
each year, but are renewable upon the payment of the annual fee: Provided,
That an apprentice auctioneer may continue to perform auctions for up to 20
days after June 30, so long as he or she has submitted the required paperwork
to renew his or her apprentice auctioneer license: Provided, however, That
licenses issued in 2019 shall continue to be active through June 30, 2020.
(f) A person cannot be licensed as an apprentice auctioneer for more than three years without applying for an auctioneer license. Should an apprentice auctioneer allow the three year limit to lapse, then the apprentice auctioneer shall be required to take the apprentice examination and meet all the requirements of this article.
?19-2C-6a. Investigation of complaints; board of review.
(a) The Department of Agriculture may, upon its own action, and shall upon the verified written complaint of any person, investigate the actions of any auctioneer, apprentice auctioneer, any applicant for an auctioneer?s or apprentice auctioneer?s license, or any person who assumes to act in that capacity, if the complaint, together with other evidence presented in connection with it, establishes probable cause. Upon verification of the complaint, the department shall present the complaint to the board of review. The board of review shall consider all of the facts of the complaint and recommend a course of action to the commissioner.
(b) The
board of review shall be appointed by the Governor, by and with the advice and
consent of the Senate, and shall consist of three members, each appointed for a
staggered three-year term. Two members of the board of review shall be licensed
auctioneers in West Virginia and residents of this state and shall have been
licensed and been practicing the profession of auctioneering for five years
immediately preceding their appointment. The third member shall be a lay person
from the commercial or agricultural community who has utilized services of
auctioneers for at least three years. No more than one two board member
members shall be from any one congressional district and no more than
two members shall be from the same political party. Board members shall receive
no compensation for their service on the board, but shall be entitled to
receive reimbursement for expenses in accordance with the Department of
Agriculture travel regulations. During the establishment of the board one
member shall be appointed for a three-year term, one member for a two-year term
and one member for a one-year term. The first year of each term expires on January
1, 1992, and subsequently on January 1, of each year There shall be no
limit on the number of consecutive terms a member may serve on the board. The
Governor is authorized to fill a vacancy when it occurs on the board for any
reason. An appointment to fill a vacancy shall be for the remainder of the
existing term of the vacant position.
?19-2C-6c. Procedure for obtaining reciprocal or nonresident auctioneer?s and apprentice auctioneer?s license.
(a) To
qualify for a nonresident license by reciprocity, the applicant must
show evidence of licensing in another state for a period of one year preceding
the date of application. The licensing may have been as an apprentice
auctioneer or as an auctioneer. Provided this qualification is met and the
applicant meets all the other requirements as required by this article and by
regulation, he or she shall be licensed either as an apprentice auctioneer or
as an auctioneer, based on a nonresident license, as the case may be.
(b) When an applicant?s resident state has no licensing law for auctioneers or the applicant?s resident state has no written or oral examination associated with its licensing requirements, the Department of Agriculture shall require proof that the applicant has been a practicing auctioneer for a period of two years preceding the date of application. The proof shall be in the form of sale bills, contracts, sale permits and other such evidence acceptable to the commissioner. Provided this qualification is met, and the applicant meets other requirements for licensing as required by the statutes and regulations, the applicant shall be admitted to the next scheduled written and oral examination for auctioneers without being required to first serve an apprenticeship.
?19-2C-8. Penalties.
(a) Criminal penalties. ? Any person, firm, association or corporation violating a provision of this article or the rules, is guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, shall be fined not less than $250 nor more than $500 for the first offense, and not less than $500 nor more than $1,000 for the second and subsequent offenses. Magistrates have concurrent jurisdiction with circuit courts to enforce the provisions of this article.
(b) Civil penalties. ? Any person violating a provision of this article or the rules, may be assessed a civil penalty by the commissioner.
(1) In determining the
amount of the civil penalty, the commissioner shall give due consideration to
the history of previous violations by the person, the seriousness of the
violation, and the demonstrated good faith of the person charged in attempting
to achieve compliance with this article before and after written notification
of the violation. The commissioner may assess a penalty of not more than $200
$500 for each a first offense, and not more than $1,000 for
a each second and subsequent offense. The civil penalty is
payable to the State of West Virginia and is collectible in any manner provided
for collection of debt. If any person liable to pay the civil penalty neglects
or refuses to pay the penalty, the amount of the civil penalty, together with
interest at ten percent, is a lien in favor of the State of West Virginia upon
the property, both real and personal, of the person after the same has been
entered and docketed to record in the county where the property is situated.
The clerk of the county, upon receipt of the certified copy of the lien, shall
enter it to record without requiring the payment of costs as a condition
precedent to recording
(2) In addition to a penalty assessed against an unlicensed auctioneer for practicing without the required license, the commissioner may assess penalties against an unlicensed auctioneer for violations of the provisions of this article that would have applied to the individual?s conduct had he or she held the required license.
(3) The civil penalty is payable to the State of West Virginia and is collectible in any manner provided for collection of debt. If any person liable to pay the civil penalty neglects or refuses to pay the penalty, the amount of the civil penalty, together with interest at 10 percent, is a lien in favor of the State of West Virginia upon the property, both real and personal, of the person after the same has been entered and docketed to record in the county where the property is situated. The clerk of the county, upon receipt of the certified copy of the lien, shall enter it to record without requiring the payment of costs as a condition precedent to recording.
(c) No state court may allow for the recovery of damages for any administrative action taken if the court finds that there was probable cause for such action.
?19-2C-8a. Revocation.
In addition to the penalties in section eight of this article, the commissioner may, by order, suspend, deny or revoke any license granted hereunder for any violation of this article or the rules and regulations promulgated hereunder or for any of the following reasons:
(a) Obtaining a license through false or fraudulent representation;
(b) Making any substantial misrepresentation in any application for an auctioneer?s or apprentice auctioneer?s license;
(c) Engaging in a continued or flagrant course of misrepresentation or for making false promises through an agent, advertisement or otherwise;
(d) Failing to account for or remit within a reasonable time any money belonging to others that comes into his or her possession;
(e) Being convicted in any court of competent jurisdiction of this state or any other state of a criminal offense involving moral turpitude or a felony; or for failing to notify the department of any such conviction within 15 days of conviction;
(f) Violating any other laws related to the conduct of auctions or auctioneering;
(f)(g) Engaging
in any conduct of an auctioneer which demonstrates dishonesty or incompetency;
(g)(h) Engaging
in any other conduct that constitutes fraudulent or dishonest dealing; and
(i) Engaging in any other unethical conduct in the contexts of his or her work as an auctioneer; and
(h)(j) Acting
as an attorney for a client.
Any auctioneer or apprentice auctioneer who has had his or her license suspended or revoked shall not be issued another such license until a period not to exceed two years has elapsed from the date of revocation. The commissioner may also require the successful completion of the examinations required for an auctioneer?s license or an apprentice auctioneer?s license.
?19-2C-9. Written contracts.
(a) No person may act as an auctioneer on the sale at public auction of any goods, wares, merchandise or of any other property, real or personal, until he or she has entered into a written contract in duplicate with the owner or consignor of the property to be sold. No apprentice auctioneer may be authorized to enter into a contract without the written consent of his or her sponsoring auctioneer. All contracts shall be in the name of and on behalf of the sponsoring auctioneer.
(b) The written contract shall:
(1) State the terms and conditions upon which the auctioneer receives or accepts the property for sale at auction;
(2) Be between the auctioneer and the seller;
(3) Be made in duplicate;
(4) Be retained by the auctioneer for a period of three years from the date of final settlement;
(5) Be furnished to each person that entered into the contract;
(6) State that an apprentice auctioneer may not contract directly with a client but only through his or her sponsoring auctioneer;
(7) State that an apprentice auctioneer may not engage in a sale with an auctioneer by whom he or she is not sponsored without first obtaining the written consent of his or her sponsoring auctioneer;
(8) Have a prominent statement indicating that the auctioneer is licensed by the Department of Agriculture and is bonded in favor of the State of West Virginia; and
(9) Include the following information:
(A) The name, address and phone number of the owner of the property to be sold or the consignor;
(B) The date of the auction or a termination date of the contract;
(C) The terms and conditions of the auction;
(D) The location of the auction;
(E) The date the owner or consignor is to be paid;
(F) A statement establishing the responsibility for bad checks, debts and unpaid auction items;
(G) A detailed list of all fees to be charged by the auctioneer, including commissions, rentals, advertising and labor;
(H) A statement of the auctioneer?s policy regarding absentee bidding;
(I) A statement above the owner?s signature line: ?I have read and accept the terms of the contract?; and
(J) A statement indicating that an explanation of settlement of the auction, or settlement sheet, will be provided to the owner or consignor at the end of the auction.
(c) As a condition of entering into a contract, the auctioneer shall be provided with proof or certificate of ownership for all titled property, or assurances of ownership for all other property. The auctioneer shall have such proof or certificate or ownership with him or her at the time the auction is held.
(d) Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection (a) of this section, an auctioneer may conduct an auction on behalf of an auction house or other business entity without having entered into a contract directly with the seller of the auctioned goods, so long as the following conditions are satisfied:
(1) The auction house or business must have a written contract with both the seller of the goods and the auctioneer;
(2) The contract between the auction house or business entity must satisfy all the requirements set forth in subsection (b) of this section; and
(3) The auction house or business entity must file with the commissioner a bond satisfying the requirements of ?19-2C-4 of this code.
(e) By entering into contracts with sellers of property pursuant to this section, the owners and partners of any auction house or business entity agree to submit to the jurisdiction of the commissioner and the Board of Review and are subject to the penalties set forth in ?19-2C-8 of this code.
?19-2C-10. Advertising.
In advertising an auction sale by any licensed auctioneer, the principal auctioneer or auctioneers who physically conduct the sale shall be listed prominently in such advertising as used by said auctioneer or auctioneers. The individual auctioneer or auctioneers who conduct the sale shall be the person or persons who call for, accept and close bids on the majority of items offered for sale.
Any apprentice auctioneer who advertises, as provided in this section, shall indicate in his or her advertisement the name of the sponsoring auctioneer under whom he or she is licensed.
The auctioneer?s name and license number shall be displayed in equal prominence with the name of the apprentice auctioneer and license number in such advertisement.
Nothing in the provisions of this article shall be construed so as to prohibit any other auctioneer, licensed pursuant to this article, from assisting with any auction, notwithstanding the failure to list the name of the other auctioneer in any advertising associated with such auction.
It is unlawful to conduct or advertise that an auction is absolute if minimum opening bids are required or other conditions are placed on the sale that limit the sale other than to the highest bidder.
No property other than the property of a specified deceased person or the property of a specified living person?s estate may be sold at auction if the auction is conducted or advertised only as an estate auction. However, property other than that of the specified estate may be sold at the sale if all advertisements for the sale specify that items will be sold that do not belong to the estate and those items are identified at the sale.?
And,
By amending the title of the bill to read as follows:
Com. Sub. for H. B. 2982 - ?A Bill to amend and reenact ?19-2C-1, ?19-2C-2, ?19-2C-3, ?19-2C-5, ?19-2C-5a, ?19-2C-6, ?19-2C-6a, ?19-2C-6c, ?19-2C-8, ?19-2C-8a, ?19-2C-9, and ?19-2C-10 of the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended; and to amend said code by adding thereto a new section, designated ?19-2C-5b, all relating to amending and updating the laws relating to auctioneers by providing for definitions; providing for certain exemptions to license requirements; providing for additional rulemaking authority; providing for June 30 as the date all licenses expire; establishing certain conditions for auctioneers to continue working after license expiration; providing for record retention requirements; providing for exams held a minimum of two times each year; providing for applicants for auctioneer licenses to submit to background checks; providing for authorization to conduct and use information relating to background checks; providing for confidentiality of background checks; establishing certain conditions for apprentice auctioneers to continue working after license expiration; adjusting residency requirements for members of the board of review; eliminating certain outdated language; providing for reciprocal licensure; increasing civil penalties for violations of this article; increasing penalties commissioner may be assessed against an unlicensed auctioneer; providing for additional circumstances to suspend, deny, or revoke a license; providing for written contracts with auctioneers and owners of property; providing for auction houses and business entities to enter into contracts with auctioneers and owners of property; and providing for certain unlawful advertising practices.?
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. 680), and there were?yeas 96, nays none, absent and not voting 4, with the absent and not voting being as follows:
Absent and Not Voting: Ellington, Rohrbach, Steele and Worrell.
So, a majority of the members elected to the House of Delegates having voted in the affirmative, the Speaker declared the bill (Com. Sub. for H. B. 2982) passed.
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, a bill of the House of Delegates, as follows:
H. B. 3144, North Central Appalachian Coal Severance Tax Rebate Act.
On motion of Delegate Summers, the House of Delegates concurred in the following amendment of the bill by the Senate:
On page one, by striking out everything after the enacting clause and inserting in lieu thereof the following:
?ARTICLE 13EE. COAL SEVERANCE TAX REBATE.
?11-13EE-1. Findings and purpose.
The Legislature finds that the encouragement of economic growth and development in this state is in the public interest and promotes the general welfare of the people of this state. In order to encourage capital investment in the coal industry in this state and thereby increase economic development, there is hereby provided a coal severance tax rebate.
?11-13EE-2. Definitions.
(a) General. When used in this article, or in the administration of this article, terms defined in subsection (b) shall have the meanings ascribed to them by this section, unless a different meaning is clearly required by either the context in which the term is used, or by specific definition, in this article.
(b) Terms defined.
(1) ?Affiliated group? means one or more chains of corporations, limited liability entities, or partnerships, or any combination thereof, connected through the ownership of stock or ownership interests with a common parent which is a corporation, limited liability entity, or partnership, but only if the common parent owns directly, or indirectly, a controlling interest in each of the members of the group.
(2) ?Business? means and is limited to the activity of producing coal for sale, profit or commercial use including coal preparation and processing.
(3) ?Capital investment in new machinery, equipment, or improvements to real property? means:
(A) Tangible personal property in the form of machinery and equipment that is purchased on or after the effective date of this article and placed in service for direct use in the production of coal, when the original or first use of the machinery or equipment commences in this state on or after the effective date of this article;
(B) Tangible personal property in the form of machinery and equipment that is leased by the taxpayer and placed in service for direct use in the production of coal by the taxpayer on or after the effective date of this article, if the original or first use of the machinery or equipment commences in this state, with the taxpayer, on or after the effective date of this article and the machinery or equipment is depreciable, or amortizable, for federal income tax purposes and has a useful life of five or more years for federal income tax purposes;
(C) Improvements to real property having a useful life or 5 or more years, that are depreciable or amortizable for federal income tax purposes, purchased on or after the effective date of this article, if the original or first use of such improvements commences in this state on or after the effective date of this article and the improvements are placed in service for direct use in the production of coal.
(4) ?Coal mine? or ?mine? includes:
(A) A ?surface mine?, or ?surface mining operation? which means:
(i) Activities conducted on the surface of lands for the removal of coal, or, subject to the requirements of ?11-13EE-14 of this code, surface operations and surface impacts incident to an underground coal mine, including the drainage and discharge from the mine. The activities include: Excavation for the purpose of obtaining coal, including, but not limited to, common methods as contour, strip, auger, mountaintop removal, box cut, open pit and area mining; the uses of explosives and blasting; reclamation; in situ distillation or retorting, leaching or other chemical or physical processing; the cleaning, concentrating or other processing or preparation and loading of coal for commercial purposes at or near the mine site; and
(ii) The areas upon which the above activities occur or where the activities disturb the natural land surface. The areas also include any adjacent land, the use of which is incidental to the activities; all lands affected by the construction of new roads or the improvement or use of existing roads to gain access to the site of the activities and for haulage; and excavations, workings, impoundments, dams, ventilation shafts, entryways, refuse banks, dumps, stockpiles, overburden piles, spoil banks, culm banks, tailings, holes or depressions, repair areas, storage areas, processing areas, shipping areas and other areas upon which are sited structures, facilities, or other property or materials on the surface, resulting from or incident to the activities: Provided, That the activities do not include the extraction of coal incidental to the extraction of other minerals where coal does not exceed 16 and two-thirds percent of the tonnage of minerals removed for purposes of commercial use or sale, or coal prospecting. Surface mining does not include any of the following:
(I) Coal extraction authorized pursuant to a government-financed reclamation contract;
(II) Coal extraction authorized as an incidental part of development of land for commercial, residential, industrial or civic use; or
(III) The reclamation of an abandoned or forfeited mine by a no cost reclamation contract; and
(B) An ?underground mine? which includes the shafts, slopes, drifts or inclines connected with, or intended in the future to be connected with, excavations penetrating coal seams or strata, which excavations are ventilated by one general air current or divisions thereof, and connected by one general system of mine haulage over which coal may be delivered to one or more points outside the mine, and the surface structures or equipment connected or associated therewith which contribute directly or indirectly to the mining, preparation or handling of coal.
(5) ?Coal mining operation? includes the mine and the coal preparation and processing plant.
(6) ?Coal preparation and processing plant? means any facility (excluding underground mining operations) which prepares coal by one or more of the following processes: breaking, crushing, screening, wet or dry cleaning, and thermal drying.
(7) ?Coal production? means the privilege of severing, extracting, reducing to possession and producing coal for sale, profit or commercial use and includes the processing of coal at a coal preparation and processing plant.
(8) ?Commissioner? or ?Tax Commissioner? are used interchangeably herein and mean the Tax Commissioner of the State of West Virginia, or his or her delegate.
(9) ?Controlled group? means one or more chains of corporations connected through stock ownership with a common parent corporation if stock possessing at least 50 percent of the voting power of all classes of stock of each of the corporations is owned, directly or indirectly, by one or more of the corporations; and the common parent owns directly stock possessing at least 50 percent of the voting power of all classes of stock of at least one of the other corporations.
(10) ?Controlling interest? means:
(A) For a corporation, either more than 50 percent ownership, directly or indirectly, of the total combined voting power of all classes of stock of the corporation, or more than 50 percent ownership, directly or indirectly, of the beneficial ownership interest in the voting stock of all classes of stock of the corporation;
(B) For a partnership, association, trust or other entity other than a limited liability company, more than 50 percent ownership, directly or indirectly, of the capital, profits, or beneficial interest in the partnership, association, trust, or other entity;
(C) For a limited liability company, either more than 50 percent ownership, directly or indirectly, of the total membership interest of the limited liability company, or more than 50 percent ownership, directly or indirectly, of the beneficial ownership interest in the membership interest of the limited liability company.
(11) ?Corporation? means any corporation, joint-stock company or association, and any business conducted by a trustee or trustees wherein interest or ownership is evidenced by a certificate of interest or ownership or similar written instrument.
(12) ?Delegate? used in the phrase ?or his delegate?, when used in reference to the Tax Commissioner, means any officer or employee of the State Tax Department duly authorized by the Tax Commissioner directly, or indirectly by one or more redelegations of authority, to perform the functions mentioned or described in this article.
(13) ?Directly used or consumed in the production of coal? means used or consumed in those activities or operations which constitute an integral and essential part of the production of coal, as contrasted with and distinguished from those activities or operations which are simply incidental, convenient or remote to the production of coal.
(A) Uses of tangible personal property or improvements to real property which constitute direct use or consumption in the production of coal include only:
(i) New machinery, equipment, or improvements to real property that are depreciable, or amortizable, and have a useful life of five or more years for federal income tax purposes, and that are directly used in the production of coal in this state;
(ii) Transportation of coal within the coal mine from the coal face or coal deposit to the exterior of the mine or to a point where the extracted coal is transported away from the mine;
(iii) Directly and physically recording the flow of coal during the production of coal including those coal treatment processes specified in ?11-13A-4 of this code;
(iv) Safety equipment and apparatus directly used in the production of coal, or to secure the safety of mine personnel in direct use in the production of coal;
(v) Controlling or otherwise regulating atmospheric conditions required for the production of coal;
(vi) Transformers, pumps, rock dusting equipment and other property used to supply electricity or water, or to supply or apply rock dust directly used in the production of coal;
(vii) Storing, removal or transportation of economic waste, including coal gob, resulting from the production of coal;
(viii) Engaging in pollution control or environmental quality or protection activity directly relating to the production of coal; or
(ix) Otherwise using as an integral and essential part of the production of coal.
(B) Uses of tangible personal property or improvements to real property which do not constitute direct use or consumption in the production of coal include, but are not limited to:
(i) Heating and illumination of office buildings;
(ii) Janitorial or general cleaning activities;
(iii) Personal comfort of personnel: Provided, That safety equipment and apparatus directly used in the production of coal or to secure the safety of mine personnel is direct use in the production of coal when the tangible personal property is depreciable, or amortizable, for federal income tax purposes and has a useful life of five or more years for federal income tax purposes when it is placed in service or use;
(iv) Production planning, scheduling of work or inventory control;
(v) Marketing, general management, supervision, finance, training, accounting and administration;
(vi) Measuring or determining weight, and ash content, water content and other physical and chemical characteristics of the coal after production;
(vii) An activity or function incidental or convenient to the production of coal, rather than an integral and essential part of these activities.
(14) ?Eligible taxpayer? means:
(A) Any person who pays the tax imposed by ?11-13A-3 of this code on the privilege of producing coal for sale, profit or commercial use for at least two years before the capital investment in new machinery, equipment, or improvements to real property is placed in service or use in this state; or
(B) A taxpayer that has experienced a change in business composition through merger, acquisition, split-up, spin-off or other ownership changes or changes in the form of the business organization from limited liability company to C corporation, or partnership, or from one form of business organization to a different form of business organization, may constitute an eligible taxpayer if the entity currently operating in this state was operating in a different form of business organization in this state at least two years before the capital investment in new machinery, equipment, or improvements to real property is placed in service or use in this state. In the case of business composition change through merger, acquisition, split-up, spin-off or other ownership changes the current business may constitute an eligible taxpayer if at least 50 percent of the business assets of such component were actively and directly used in coal production activity in this state for such two-year period. If less than 50 percent of the assets of the current entity were not actively and directly used in coal production activity in this state for such two-year period, then the current entity resulting from a business composition change through merger, acquisition, split-up, spin-off or other ownership shall not constitute an eligible taxpayer.
(15) ?Includes? and ?including? when used in a definition contained in this article, shall not be deemed to exclude other things otherwise within the generally understood meaning of the term defined.
(16) ?Original use? means the first use to which the property is put by anyone.
(17) ?Partnership? includes a syndicate, group, pool, joint venture or other unincorporated organization through or by means of which any business, operation or venture is carried on, which is taxed under Subchapter K of the Internal Revenue Code, as defined in ?11-24-3 of this code, and which is not a trust or estate, a corporation or a sole proprietorship. The term ?partner? includes a member in such a syndicate, group, pool, joint venture or other unincorporated organization taxed under Subchapter K of the Internal Revenue Code.
(18) ?Person? includes any natural person, corporation, partnership, limited liability company or other business entity.
(19) ?Production of coal? means the privilege of severing, extracting, reducing to possession and producing coal for sale, profit or commercial use and includes the processing of coal at the coal preparation and processing plant.
(20) ?Property? means new machinery, equipment, or improvements to real property that are depreciable or amortizable for federal income tax purposes and that have a useful life of five or more years for federal income tax purposes.
(21) ?Property purchased or leased for business expansion? means:
(A) Included property. Except as provided in subparagraph (B), the term ?property purchased or leased for business expansion? means tangible personal property, or improvements to real property but only if the property was purchased, or leased and placed in service or use by the taxpayer in West Virginia. This term includes only:
(i) Tangible personal property placed in service or use by the taxpayer on or after the effective date of this article, with respect to which depreciation, or amortization in lieu of depreciation, is allowable in determining the personal or corporation net income tax liability of the business, or its equity owners, under ?11-21-1 et seq. or ?11-24-1 et seq. of this code, and which has a useful economic life at the time the property is placed in service or use in this state, of five or more years.
(ii) Tangible personal property acquired by written lease having a primary term of 5 years or more, that is depreciable or amortizable by the lessor, or lessee, for federal income tax purposes and that has a useful life of five or more years for federal income purposes when it is placed in service or use, and when the lease commences and was executed by the parties thereto on or after the effective date of this article, if used as a component part of a new or expanded coal mining operation in this state shall be included within this definition.
(iii) Improvements to real property having a useful life of five or more years, that are depreciable or amortizable for federal income tax purposes, purchased on or after the effective date of this article, if the original or first use of such improvements commences in this state on or after the effective date of this article and the improvements are placed in service as a component part of a new or expanded coal mining operation in this state.
(B) Excluded property. -The term ?property purchased or leased for business expansion? shall not include:
(i) Machinery and equipment owned or leased by the taxpayer and improvements to real property owned by a taxpayer for which credit was taken or is claimed under any other article of this chapter;
(ii) Repair costs, including materials used in the repair, unless for federal income tax purposes, must be capitalized and not expensed;
(iii) Motor vehicles licensed by the West Virginia Division of Motor Vehicles;
(iv) Airplanes;
(v) Off-premise transportation equipment;
(vi) Machinery, equipment, or improvements to real property that are primarily used outside this state;
(vii) Machinery, equipment, or improvements to real property that are acquired incident to the purchase of the stock or assets of the seller; and
(viii) Used machinery, equipment, or improvements to real property.
(C) Purchase date. New machinery, equipment, or improvements to real property shall be deemed to have been purchased prior to a specified date only if:
(i) The machinery, equipment, or improvements to real property were owned by the taxpayer prior to the effective date of this article or were acquired by the taxpayer pursuant to a binding purchase contract which was in effect prior to the effective date of this article; or
(ii) In the case of leased machinery and equipment, there was a binding written lease or contract to lease identifiable machinery or equipment in effect prior to the effective date of this article.
(22) ?Purchase? means any acquisition of new machinery, equipment, or improvements to real property, but only if:
(A) The property or the improvement to the property is not acquired from a person whose relationship to the person acquiring it would result in the disallowance of deductions under Section 267 or 707 (b) of the United States Internal Revenue Code, as defined in ?11-24-3 of this code;
(B) The property or the improvement to the property is not acquired by one component member of a controlled group from another component member of the same controlled group; and
(C) The basis of the property or improvements to property for federal income tax purposes, in the hands of the person acquiring it, is not determined:
(i) In whole or in part by reference to the federal adjusted basis of the property or the improvements to property in the hands of the person from whom it was acquired; or
(ii) Under Section 1014 (e) of the United States Internal Revenue Code.
(23) ?Qualified coal mining activity? means any business or other activity subject to the tax imposed by ?11-13A-3 of this code on the privilege of severing, extracting, reducing to possession and producing coal for sale, profit or commercial use including the treatment process described as mining in ?11-13A-4(a)(1) of this code.
(24) ?Qualified investment? means capital investment in new machinery, equipment, or improvements to real property directly used in the production of coal in this state that is depreciable, or amortizable, for federal income tax purposes and has a useful life for federal income tax purposes of five or more years when it is placed in service or use in this state.
(25) ?Rebate? means the amount of rebate allowable under ?11-13EE-3 of this code.
(26) ?Related person? means:
(A) A corporation, partnership, association or trust controlled by the taxpayer;
(B) An individual, corporation, partnership, association, or trust that is in control of the taxpayer;
(C) A corporation, partnership, association, or trust controlled by an individual, corporation, partnership, association, or trust that is in control of the taxpayer; or
(D) A member of the same controlled group as the taxpayer.
For purposes of this subdivision, the term ?control?, with respect to a corporation, means ownership, directly or indirectly, of stock possessing 50 percent or more of the total combined voting power of all classes of the stock of the corporation entitled to vote. ?Control? with respect to a trust, means ownership, directly or indirectly, of 50 percent or more of the beneficial interest in the principal or income of the trust. The ownership of stock in a corporation, of a capital or profits interest in a partnership or association, or of a beneficial interest in a trust is determined in accordance with the rules for constructive ownership of stock provided in section 267 (c) of the United States Internal Revenue Code, other than paragraph (3) of that section.
(27) ?State portion of severance taxes paid? means the portion of severance taxes due under ?11-13A-3 of this code when computed at the 4.65 percent rate of tax.
(28) ?Tangible personal property? means, and is limited to, new machinery and equipment that is depreciable, or amortizable, for federal income tax purposes and that has a useful life of five or more years for federal income tax purposes when it is placed in service or use in this state.
(29) ?Taxpayer? means any person exercising the privilege of severing, extracting, reducing to possession, and producing coal for sale, profit, or commercial use coal, which privilege is taxable under ?11-13A-3 of this code.
(30) ?This code? means the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended.
(31) ?This state? means the State of West Virginia.
(32) ?United States Internal Revenue Code? or ?Internal Revenue Code? means the Internal Revenue Code as defined in ?11-24-3 of this code.
?11-13EE-3. Rebate allowable.
(a) Rebate allowable. Eligible taxpayers shall be allowed a rebate for a portion of state severance taxes imposed by ?11-13A-3 of this code on the privilege of severing, extracting, reducing to possession and producing coal for sale, profit, or commercial use that is attributable to the increase in the production of coal that is attributable to and the consequence of the taxpayer?s capital investment in new machinery, equipment, or improvements to real property used at the coal mine, or coal preparation and processing facility. The amount of this rebate shall be determined and applied as hereinafter provided in this article.
(b) Amount of rebate. The amount of rebate allowable is determined by multiplying the amount of the taxpayer?s capital investment in new machinery, equipment, or improvements to real property directly used in the production of coal at a coal mining operation in this state by 35 percent. The product of this computation establishes the maximum amount of rebate allowable under this article for the capital investment in new machinery, equipment, or improvements to real property.
(c) Application of rebate amount. The amount of rebate allowable is determined by applying the rebate amount determined in subsection (b) of this section against 80 percent of the state portion of the severance tax paid on the privilege of severing, extracting, reducing to possession, and producing coal for sale, profit, or commercial use that is directly attributable to the increased production of coal at the mine due to taxpayer?s capital investment in new machinery, equipment, or improvements to real property at the mine or coal processing and preparation plant.
(d) The amount of severance tax attributable to the increase in coal production at a mine due to the capital investment in new machinery, equipment, or improvements to real property shall be determined by comparing (1) the state portion of the severance tax due under ?11-13A-3 of this code on coal produced from the mine during calendar year 2018, or if the taxpayer has produced coal for five years at the mine at which its capital investment in new machinery, equipment, or improvements to real property are placed in service or use the average of the state portion of the severance tax due under ?11-13A-3 of this code on coal produced from the mine during the five year period ending on December 31, 2018, whichever is less, before allowance of any tax credits, except as provided in subsection (e) of ?11-13-EE-3 of this code (2) with the state severance tax due on coal produced at the mine during the then current calendar year in which the rebate amount is claimed, before allowance for any tax credits. When the amount in (2) of this section is greater than the amount in (1) of this section, the difference is the amount of state severance tax due to the increase in coal production at the mine that is attributable to the capital investment in new machinery, equipment, or improvements to real property: Provided, That when the producer of the coal operates more than one mine in this state, or is a member of a controlled or affiliated group that operates one or more coal mines in this state, no credit shall be allowed unless the total coal production from all mines operated by the taxpayer or by members of the affiliated or controlled group in this state has increased: Provided, however, That in no case shall the severance tax attributable to any mine other than the specific mine at which capital investment in new machinery, equipment, or improvements to real property is directly used in a coal mining operation has been placed in service or use be offset by this rebate.
(e) When the eligible taxpayer is a new business that has produced coal in this state for two years before making the capital investment in new machinery, equipment, or improvements to real property then, for purposes of subdivision (1) in subsection (d) of this section, the base shall be the average amount of state severance tax due under ?11-13A-3 of this code on coal produced in this state during this two-year period.
(f) No rebate shall be allowed under this article when credit is claimed under any other article of this chapter for capital investment in the new machinery, equipment, or improvements to real property. No credit shall be allowed under any other article of this chapter when rebate is allowed under this article for the capital investment in new machinery, equipment, or improvements to real property.
?11-13EE-4. Information required to determine amount of rebate allowable.
(a) A taxpayer claiming rebate under this article who operates more than one coal mine in this state shall provide a schedule with the annual severance tax return filed under ?11-13A-1 et seq. of this code that shows, for each coal mine, the number of tons of coal produced and the gross value of the coal produced at each mine during the taxable year.
(b) When a taxpayer claiming rebate under this article is a member of an affiliated or controlled group, as the case may be, that operates more than one coal mine in this state the group shall provide a schedule with its annual severance tax return filed under ?11-13A-1 et seq. of this code for the taxable year that shows for each coal mine operated in this state by the affiliated or controlled group, as the case may be, the number of tons of coal produced at each mine and the gross value of the coal produced at each mine during the taxable year.
?11-13EE-5. Claim for rebate.
(a) After the severance taxes due for the taxable year are paid, a taxpayer may file a claim under this article for rebate of up to 80 percent of the state portion of the additional severance taxes paid under ?11-13A-3 of this code that are directly attributable to the taxpayer?s capital investment in new machinery, equipment, or improvements on real property placed in service or use during that taxable year as set forth in ?11-13EE-3 of this code.
(b) When the amount of rebate claimed exceeds 80 percent of the additional state severance tax paid as provided in subsection (a) of this section, the unused portion of the rebate amount may be carried forward and rebated by the Tax Commissioner after severance taxes due in subsequent years are paid: Provided, That the carryforward period may not exceed 10 years from the date the capital investment in new machinery, equipment, or improvements to real property is placed in service or use in this state.
?11-13EE-6. Suspension of payment of rebate.
(a) No rebate may be paid under this article when the taxpayer, or any member of the taxpayer?s combined or affiliated group, as the case may be, is delinquent in the payment of severance taxes imposed pursuant to ?11-13A-3 of this code and any local, state, or federal tax or fee until such time as the delinquency is cured.
(b) For purposes of this section, a taxpayer is not delinquent if the taxpayer is contesting an assessment in the Office of Tax Appeals or in any court of this state or of the appropriate federal agency or court, or is complying with the terms of any payment plan agreement.
(c) In the case of a taxpayer that files a combined tax return as a member of a unitary group, no rebate under this article that is earned by one member of the combined group, but not fully used by or allowed to that member, may be claimed, in whole or in part, by another member of the group.
?11-13EE-7. Burden of proof; application required; failure to make timely application.
(a) Burden of proof. The burden of proof is on the taxpayer to establish by clear and convincing evidence that the taxpayer is entitled to the benefits allowed by this article.
(b) Application for rebate required.
(1) Notwithstanding any provision of this article to the contrary, no rebate shall be paid under this article for any capital investment in new machinery, equipment, or improvements to real property placed in service or use until the person asserting a claim for the allowance of rebate under this article makes written application to the Tax Commissioner for allowance of rebate as provided in this section.
(2) An application for rebate shall be filed, in the form prescribed by the Tax Commissioner, no later than the last day for filing the severance tax return, determined by including any authorized extension of time for filing the return, for the taxable year in which the machinery, equipment, or improvements to which the rebate relates is placed in service or use and all information required by the form is provided.
(3) A separate application for rebate is required for each taxable year during which the taxpayer places new machinery, equipment, or improvements in service or use in a mine or coal preparation and processing facility in this state.
(c) Failure to make timely application. ? The failure to timely apply for the rebate results in the forfeiture of 25 percent of the rebate amount otherwise allowable under this article. This penalty applies annually until the application is filed.
?11-13EE-8. Identification of capital investment property.
Every taxpayer who claims a rebate pursuant to the provisions of this article shall maintain sufficient records to establish the following facts for each item of qualified investment property:
(1) Its identity;
(2) Its actual or reasonably determined cost;
(3) Its useful life for federal income tax purposes;
(4) The month and taxable year in which it was placed in service;
(5) The amount of rebate claimed; and
(6) The date it was disposed of or otherwise ceased to be qualified capital investment property.
?11-13EE-9. Failure to keep records of capital investment property.
A taxpayer who does not keep the records required for identification of investment credit property is subject to the following rules:
(1) A taxpayer is treated as having disposed of, during the taxable year, any machinery, equipment or improvements to real property that the taxpayer cannot establish was still on hand, in this state, at the end of that year.
(2) If a taxpayer cannot establish when capital investment in new machinery, equipment, or improvements to real property was reported for purposes of claiming this credit during the taxable year, or the machinery, equipment, or improvements to real property were placed in service or use, the taxpayer is treated as having placed it in service or use in the most recent prior taxable year in which similar machinery, equipment, or improvements to real property were placed in service or use, unless the taxpayer can establish that the machinery, equipment, or improvements to real property were placed in service or use in the most recent taxable year is still on hand. In that event, the taxpayer will be treated as having placed the returned machinery, equipment, or improvements to real property in service or use in the next most recent taxable year.
?11-13EE-10. Transfer of qualified investment property to successors.
(a) Mere change in form of business. Machinery, equipment, or improvements to real property may not be treated as disposed of under ?11-13EE-9 of this code, by reason of a mere change in the form of conducting the business as long as the machinery, equipment, or improvements to real property is retained in the successor business in this state, and the transferor business retains a controlling interest in the successor business. In this event, the successor business is allowed to claim the rebate amount of credit still available with respect to the machinery and equipment transferred, and the transferor business may not be required to redetermine the amount of rebate allowed in earlier years.
(b) Transfer or sale to successor. Machinery, equipment, or improvements to real property is not treated as disposed of under ?11-13EE-11 of this code by reason of any transfer or sale to a successor business which continues to operate machinery, equipment, or improvements to real property at the mine in this state at which the machinery, equipment, or improvements to real property were first placed in service or use. Upon transfer or sale, the successor shall acquire the amount of rebate, if any, that remains available under this article, and the transferor business is not required to redetermine the amount of rebate allowed in earlier years.
?11-13EE-11. Recapture of rebate; recapture tax imposed.
(a) When recapture tax applies.
(1) Any person who places machinery, equipment, or improvements to real property in service or use for purposes of this credit and who fails to use the machinery, equipment, or improvements to real property for at least five years in the production of coal in this state shall pay the recapture tax imposed by subsection (b) of this section.
(2) This section does not apply when ?11-13EE-10 of this code
?applies: Provided, That, the successor, or the successors, and the person, or persons, who previously claimed credit under this article with respect to the machinery, equipment, or improvements to real property, are jointly and severally liable for payment of any recapture tax subsequently imposed under this section with respect to the machinery, equipment, or improvements to real property used to qualify for rebate under this article.
(b) Recapture tax imposed. The recapture tax imposed by this subsection is the amount determined as follows. If the taxpayer prematurely removes machinery, equipment, or improvements to real property placed in service when considered as a class from economic service in the taxpayer?s coal production activity in this state, the taxpayer shall recapture the amount of rebate claimed under this article for the taxable year, and all preceding taxable years, attributable to the machinery, equipment, or improvements to real property which has been prematurely removed from service. The amount of tax due under this subsection is an amount equal to the amount of rebate that is recaptured pursuant to this subsection.
(c) Payment of recapture tax. The amount of tax recaptured under this section is due and payable on the day the person?s annual return is due for the taxable year, in which this section applies, under ?11-13A-1 et seq. of this code. When the employer is a partnership, limited liability company or an S corporation for federal income tax purposes, the recapture tax shall be paid by those persons who are partners in the partnership, members in the company, or shareholders in the S corporation, in the taxable year in which recapture tax is imposed under this section.
?11-13EE-12. Interpretation and construction.
(a) No inference, implication, or presumption of legislative construction or intent may be drawn or made by reason of the location or grouping of any particular section, provision, or portion of this article; and no legal effect may be given to any descriptive matter or heading relating to any section, subsection, or paragraph of this article.
(b) The provisions of this article shall be reasonably construed in order to effectuate the legislative intent recited in ?11-13EE-1 of this code.
?11-13EE-13. Rebate report.
(a) The Tax Commissioner shall provide to the Joint Committee on Government and Finance by July 1, 2022, and on the first day of July of each year thereafter, a report detailing the amount of rebate claimed pursuant to this article. The report is to include the amount of rebate claimed against the severance tax imposed pursuant to ?11-13A-2 of this code.
(b) Taxpayers claiming the rebate shall provide the information the Tax Commissioner may require to prepare the report: Provided, That the information provided is subject to the confidentiality and disclosure provisions of ?11-10-5d and ?11-10-5s of this code.
(c) The Tax Commissioner shall identify any issues he or she has in the administration and enforcement of this rebate and make any suggestions the Commissioner may have for improving the credit or the administration of the rebate.
?11-13EE-14. Rules.
The Tax Commissioner may promulgate such interpretive, legislative, and procedural rules as the commissioner deems to be useful or necessary to carry out the purpose of this article and to implement the intent of the Legislature. The Tax Commissioner may promulgate emergency rules if they are filed in the West Virginia Register before January 1, 2020. All rules shall be promulgated in accordance with the provisions of ?29A-3-1 et seq. of this code.
?11-13EE-15. Severability.
(a) If any provision of this article or the application thereof is for any reason adjudged by any court of competent jurisdiction to be invalid, the judgment may not affect, impair, or invalidate the remainder of the article, but shall be confined in its operation to the provision thereof directly involved in the controversy in which the judgment shall have been rendered, and the applicability of the provision to other persons or circumstances may not be affected thereby.
(b) If any provision of this article or the application thereof is made invalid or inapplicable by reason of the repeal, or any other invalidation of any statute therein addressed or referred to, such invalidation or inapplicability may not affect, impair, or invalidate the remainder of the article, but shall be confined in its operation to the provision thereof directly involved with, pertaining to, addressing, or referring to the statute, and the application of the provision with regard to other statutes or in other instances not affected by any such repealed or invalid statute may not be abrogated or diminished in any way.
?11-13EE-17. Effective date.
The rebate allowed by this article is allowed for capital investment in new machinery, equipment, or improvements to real property placed in service or use in this state on or after the effective date of this article.?
And,
By amending the title of the bill to read as follows:
H. B. 3144 - ?A Bill to amend the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, by adding thereto a new article, designated ?11-13EE-1, ?11-13EE-2, ?11-13EE-3, ?11-13EE-4, ?11-13EE-5, ?11-13EE-6, ?11-13EE-7, ?11-13EE-8, ?11-13EE-9, ?11-13EE-10, ?11-13EE-11, ?11-13EE-12, ?11-13EE-13, ?11-13EE-14, ?11-13EE-15, and ?11-13EE-16, all relating generally to Coal Severance Tax Rebate; findings and purpose; defining terms; providing for rebate of severance tax when capital investment made in new machinery, equipment, or improvements to real property directly used in severance of coal, or in coal preparation and processing plants; providing rules and procedures for claiming rebate and transfer to successors; imposing recapture tax in certain circumstance; providing rules for interpretation and construction; requiring periodic rebate reports; authorizing rulemaking; and providing for severability and effective date.?
The bill, as amended by the Senate, was then put upon its passage.
The question being on the passage of the bill, the yeas and nays were taken (Roll No. 681), and there were?yeas 84, nays 13, absent and not voting 3, with the nays and absent and not voting being as follows:
Nays: Angelucci, Bates, S. Brown, Caputo, Diserio, Doyle, Fleischauer, Fluharty, Hansen, Lavender-Bowe, Pushkin, Sponaugle and Walker.
Absent and Not Voting: Ellington, Rohrbach and Steele.
So, a majority of the members elected to the House having voted in the affirmative, the Speaker declared the bill (H. B. 3144) passed.
Ordered, That the Clerk of the House communicate to the Senate the action of the House of Delegates.
The House then returned to further consideration of Com. Sub. for S. B. 487, Relating to admissibility of health care staffing requirements in litigation.
On motion of Delegate Summers, the House of Delegates refused to recede from its amendment and requested the Senate to agree to the appointment of a Committee of Conference of three from each house on the disagreeing votes of the two houses.
Whereupon,
The Speaker appointed as conferees on the part of the House of Delegates the following:
Delegates Capito, Foster and Lovejoy.
Ordered, That the Clerk of the House communicate to the Senate the action of the House of Delegates and request concurrence therein.
Resolutions Introduced
Delegates Walker, Angelucci, Bates, S. Brown, Byrd, Doyle, Estep-Burton, Fleischauer, Fluharty, Hansen, Hornbuckle, Longstreth, Miller, Pushkin, Pyles, Robinson, Rowe, Skaff, Staggers, Tomblin, Williams and Zukoff offered the following resolution, which was read by its title and referred to the Committee on Health and Human Resources then Rules:
H. R. 22 - ?Urging the West Virginia House of Delegates to affirm its support of the protections for West Virginia consumers with preexisting conditions and other patient protections in the Affordable Care Act; calls on Attorney General Morrisey to withdraw from the lawsuit; and calls on the West Virginia Legislature to pass state-level protections in the event these provisions are overturned at the federal level.?
Whereas, There are 740,000 individuals living with a preexisting condition in West Virginia? including 90,600 children; and
Whereas, Nearly one out of four West Virginia adults under age 50 (181,000) have anxiety, depression, or other mental health conditions; and
Whereas, There are 26,000 West Virginia cancer survivors under age 60, including adults and children; and
Whereas, Virtually any health condition that a West Virginian had before joining a health plan could lead to a preexisting condition exclusion, denial of coverage, or price increase, including high blood pressure or cholesterol, diabetes, asthma, and obesity; and
Whereas, There were 540,000 West Virginians enrolled in Medicaid/CHIP in October 2018; and
Whereas, There are more than 410,000 West Virginians enrolled in Medicare; and
Whereas, Attorneys General from 18 states including West Virginia have filed suit in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Texas, arguing that the Affordable Care Act is unconstitutional; and
Whereas, This lawsuit puts protections for West Virginians with preexisting conditions at risk in the event they need to purchase their own coverage and the 154,000 West Virginians enrolled (as of December 2018) in the Medicaid Expansion could lose coverage, and threatens all West Virginians who benefit from improvements to Medicare, including reduced costs to seniors for prescription drugs; and
Whereas, On June 7, 2018, the United States Department of Justice refused to defend the constitutionality of the Affordable Care Act, despite the well-established duty of the department to defend federal statutes where reasonable arguments can be made in their defense.
Resolved by the House of Delegates:
That the West Virginia House of Delegates affirm its support of the protections for West Virginia consumers with preexisting conditions and other patient protections in the Affordable Care Act; and calls on Attorney General Morrisey to withdraw from the lawsuit; and calls on the West Virginia Legislature to pass state-level protections in the event these provisions are overturned at the federal level.
Further Resolved, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates is hereby directed to forward a copy of this resolution to the President of the West Virginia Senate, the Attorney General, and the Governor of West Virginia.?
Delegates Sypolt, Rowan, Boggs, Linville, Longstreth, Lovejoy, C. Martin, P. Martin and Pyles offered the following resolution, which was read by its title and referred to the Committee on Rules:
H. C. R. 100 - ?Whereas, West Virginia currently is suffering a child welfare crisis that is leaving over seven thousand children in the foster care system.?
Whereas, West Virginia is suffering from a drug epidemic that is exacerbating the child welfare crisis; and
Whereas, The overall goal is for children in the foster care system to be reunified with their birth parents; however there remains a large portion whose parental rights have been terminated thus leaving the children eligible for adoption; and
Whereas, Only 27% of those discharged from foster care in 2017 were adopted; and
Whereas, Increased adoption from foster care is an opportunity to decrease the number of young people left to spend much of their youth in unstable and less than ideal living arrangements; and
Whereas, West Virginia should review national best practices to ensure its policy create an environment which leads to successful permanent placements; therefore, be it
Resolved by the Legislature of West Virginia:
That the West Virginia House of Delegates conduct a study to better understand the potential that adoption could have in addressing the critical need for improving child welfare in West Virginia; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the Joint Committee on Government and Finance report to the regular session of the Legislature, 2020, 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 a study, prepare reports, and draft necessary legislation be paid from legislative appropriations to the Joint Committee on Government and Finance.
When children being discharged from the foster care system cannot be reunified with their birth parent it is important to ensure that the adoptive system can adequately provide permanent family placement.
Delegates Rowan, Rohrbach, Boggs, Graves, Longstreth, Lovejoy, Malcolm, C. Martin, P. Martin, Pyles, Sypolt and Toney offered the following resolution, which was read by its title and referred to the Committee on Rules:
H. C. R. 101 - ?Requesting the Joint Committee on Government and Finance study issues relating to the state funding of local senior centers, and their ability to provide in-home care services to the elderly population of West Virginia.?
Whereas, Approximately twenty percent of the population of West Virginia is aged sixty-five or older; and
Whereas, Many elderly persons in West Virginia rely on state funded providers for assistance, whether in an institutional setting or through in-home care services; and
Whereas, Such services provided by in-home care providers can include grooming and hygiene, mobility assistance, light housekeeping, transportation, or nutrition care; and
Whereas, In-home care can provide West Virginia?s elderly population with numerous advantages such as remaining close to family, increasing comfort, and lowering costs; and
Whereas, Many of the aforementioned services are provided by county level aging providers which are located throughout the state; and
Whereas, County providers are currently not receiving sufficient funding to properly address the demand, and increasing costs of providing in-home services for the elderly population of West Virginia; therefore, be it
Resolved by the Legislature of West Virginia:
That the Joint Committee on Government and Finance is hereby requested to study the funding of local senior centers in an effort to increase the ability of these centers to provide adequate care to West Virginia?s aging population, in particular in-home services; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the expenses necessary to conduct a study, prepare reports, and draft necessary legislation be paid from legislative appropriations to the Joint Committee on Government and Finance.
Delegates Rowan, Boggs, Rohrbach, Graves, Longstreth, Lovejoy, Malcolm, C. Martin, P. Martin, Pyles and Sypolt offered the following resolution, which was read by its title and referred to the Committee on Rules:
H. C. R. 102 - ?Requesting the Joint Committee on Government and Finance to study the feasibility of including victims of financial exploitation as persons who are eligible for an award from the West Virginia Crime Victims Compensation Fund, especially persons who are elderly, incapacitated or who have been deemed protected persons, and the possibility of coordinating with the federal Victims of Crime Act program to obtain funds for such awards.?
Whereas, Many persons in West Virginia are victims of financial exploitation, the fastest growing silent crime of the 21st century; and
Whereas, In many cases the perpetrator of the financial exploitation drains the victim of his or her life savings, income and real and personal property, leaving that victim subject to evictions, homelessness, hunger and destitution; and
Whereas, West Virginia has a Crime Victims Compensation Fund that grants awards to victims of crimes that result in physical harm; and
Whereas, The federal Victims of Crimes Act and other states have extended crime victims compensation awards to victims of financial exploitation; and
Whereas, Even the smallest award from the Crime Victims Compensation Fund would assist vulnerable victims of financial exploitation in keeping their housing, property and dignity without resorting to assistance from public programs; therefore, be it
Resolved by the Legislature of West Virginia:
That the Joint Committee on Government and Finance is hereby requested to study the feasibility of including victims of financial exploitation as persons who are eligible for an award from the West Virginia Crime Victims Compensation Fund, especially persons who are elderly, incapacitated or who have been deemed protected persons, and the possibility of coordinating with the federal Victims of Crime Act program to obtain funds for such awards; and, be it.
Further Resolved, That the Joint Committee on Government and Finance report to the regular session of the Legislature, 2020, 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 a study, prepare reports, and draft necessary legislation be paid from legislative appropriations to the Joint Committee on Government and Finance.
Delegates Graves, Rowan, Lovejoy, C. Martin and Sypolt offered the following resolution, which was read by its title and referred to the Committee on Rules:
H. C. R. 103 - ?Requesting the Joint Committee on Government and Finance research issues relating to providing a process to support and assist ?Grandfamilies? in West Virginia.?
Whereas, 35,393 West Virginian children under the age of 18 live with grandparents; and
Whereas, 21,304 grandparents are householders responsible for their grandchildren who live with them; and
Whereas, 46.5% of these grandparents are in the workforce; and
Whereas, 20.9% of these grandparents are in poverty; and
Whereas, Federal and state public benefits programs can help with income, food, healthcare, home energy, and other needs for eligible grandfamilies; therefore, be it
Whereas, There should be an immediate and appropriate process that would enable? grandparents in grandfamily arrangements to easily gain access to financial and emotional support, respective forms for assistance programs, and leadership tools for grandfamilies.
Resolved by the Legislature of West Virginia:
That the Committee on Government and Finance is hereby requested to study the feasibility of the West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources to develop a process where a victim who has had accessories or devices withheld from him or her by a caregiver can report the matter to Adult Protective Services as abuse, neglect or financial exploitation and get immediate relief through the return of the subject accessories or devices; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the Joint Committee on Government and Finance report to the regular session of the Legislature, 2020, 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 a study, prepare reports, and draft necessary legislation be paid from legislative appropriations to the Joint Committee on Government and Finance.
Delegates Rowan, Graves, Lovejoy, Pyles and Sypolt offered the following resolution, which was read by its title and referred to the Committee on Rules:
H. C. R. 104 - ?Requesting study of child custody models that various states have adopted.?
Whereas, West Virginia?s current custody laws provide for the best interest of the child; and
Whereas, Other states have adopted a presumption that shared parenting is in the best interest of the child; and
Whereas, The intensity and quality of parental care significantly impacts a child?s welfare; and
Whereas, Many studies have been performed on this issues which should be reviewed and considered by the West Virginia Legislature; therefore, be it
Resolved by the Legislature of West Virginia:
That the West Virginia House of Delegates conduct a study of child custody models to better understand and facilitate child custody laws in the state of West Virginia; therefore, be it
Further Resolved, That the Joint Committee on Government and Finance report to the regular session of the Legislature, 2020, 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 a study, prepare reports, and draft necessary legislation be paid from legislative appropriations to the Joint Committee on Government and Finance.
Delegates Boggs, Rowan, Graves, Longstreth, Lovejoy, Malcolm, C. Martin, P. Martin, Pyles, Sypolt and Toney offered the following resolution, which was read by its title and referred to the Committee on Rules:
H. C. R. 105 - ?Requesting the Joint Committee on Government and Finance study issues relating to providing a process to assist persons have had caregivers withhold accessories or devices that assist the person in caring for themselves, making legal or health care decisions or communicating with others.?
Whereas, Many persons in West Virginia are elderly or incapacitated and depend upon eyeglasses, hearing aids, canes, braces, telephones, computers or other such accessories or devices to maintain their independence, make legal or health care decisions or communicate with other persons; and
Whereas, Certain caregivers of elderly or incapacitated persons often withhold such accessories or devices from their wards, thereby depriving them of their independence, their ability to make decisions affecting health or legal matters, isolating them from friends or family, and resulting in the person?s total dependence upon the caregivers; and
Whereas, In many cases such actions could constitute abuse, neglect or financial exploitation of a person by the alleged caregiver; and
Whereas, The West Virginia Department of Health and Human Services has an obligation, through Adult Protective Services, to thoroughly investigate complaints regarding abuse, neglect and financial exploitation of certain adults; and
Whereas, The withholding of accessories and devices from elderly or incapacitated persons by caregivers to the extent that it deprives a person of his or her independence, affects their ability to make legal or health care decisions or impedes their opportunity to communicate with other persons should be deemed abuse, neglect or financial exploitation; and
Whereas, There should be an immediate and appropriate process that would enable a person, or someone acting on behalf of such person, to report to Adult Protective Services the withholding of accessories or devices to an elderly or incapacitated person and to assist in obtaining or retrieving the same; therefore, be it
Resolved by the Legislature of West Virginia:
That the Joint Committee on Government and Finance is hereby requested to study the feasibility of the West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources to develop a process where a victim who has had accessories or devices withheld from him or her by a caregiver can report the matter to Adult Protective Services as abuse, neglect or financial exploitation and get immediate relief through the return of the subject accessories or devices; and be it
Further Resolved, That the Joint Committee on Government and Finance report to the regular session of the Legislature, 2020, 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 a study, prepare reports, and draft necessary legislation be paid from legislative appropriations to the Joint Committee on Government and Finance.
Delegates Rowan, Graves, Longstreth, Lovejoy, Malcolm, C. Martin, P. Martin, Pyles and Sypolt offered the following resolution, which was read by its title and referred to the Committee on Rules:
H. C. R. 106 - ?Requesting the Joint Committee on Government and Finance study and analyze the impact of human trafficking in West Virginia and ways to ensure its prevention as well as the treatment of victims.?
Whereas, Human trafficking is an under-reported crime in West Virginia that affects hundreds of children and families throughout the state; and
Whereas, Victims, who may or may not be identified as survivors of human trafficking, need a broad spectrum of trauma informed care and services from trained professionals and service providers; and
Whereas, Prevention of victimization is important to reducing the physical and emotional damage inflicted by perpetrators of labor and sex trafficking; therefore, be it
Resolved by the Legislature of West Virginia:
That the Joint Committee on Government and Finance is hereby requested to study and analyze the impact of human trafficking in West Virginia and ways to ensure its prevention as well as the treatment of victims; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the study include an examination of the lasting and damaging impacts of human trafficking on the children, youth and families of West Virginia; and be it
Further Resolved, That the study examine the gaps in victim services, such as housing for victims, including minors who are not falling within scope of current DHHR programs, the needs of law enforcement to better identify victims of human trafficking, particularly youth and runaway victims, and consider the resources known as soft interviewing room facilities for victims and resources to support the timely investigation of trafficking cases; and be it
Further Resolved, That the study consider that with the rise in grand-families, many elder guardians are not well versed in the hazards of technology and social media, and thus may not be aware of the victimization and grooming of children and adolescents that takes place by perpetrators of human trafficking and sexual abuse; and be it
Further Resolved, That the study seek best practices related to training and education of a variety of service providers and community resources, especially those who are mandated reporters, so they recognize the signs of human trafficking and can appropriately report and potentially intervene on behalf of young victims; and be it
Further Resolved, That the study look at methods to determine best practices in prevention through age-appropriate education of children and teens related to developing healthy relationships, understanding self-worth and building self-esteem to help all children and teens avoid victimization; and be it
Further Resolved, That the Joint Committee on Government and Finance report to the regular session of the Legislature, 2020, on its findings, conclusions, and recommendations together with any drafts of any legislation necessary to effectuate its recommendations; and be it
Further Resolved, That the expenses necessary to conduct a study, prepare reports, and draft necessary legislation be paid from legislative appropriates to the Joint Committee on Government and Finance.
Delegate Pethtel offered the following resolution, which was read by its title and referred to the Committee on Rules:
H. C. R. 107 - ?Requesting the Joint Committee on Government and Finance study the issue of domestic animals trespassing on the property on another.?
Whereas, The Legislature is committed to protecting the private property rights of land owners in this state; and
Whereas, Domestic animals at times leave the property of their owner and enter upon the land of other land owners in this state; and
Whereas, Current state law does not provide protection to individuals to recover domestic animals that trespass on the property of another; therefore, be it
Resolved by the Legislature of West Virginia:
That the Joint Committee on Government and Finance is hereby requested to study the issue of domestic animals trespassing on the property on another, including the possibility of enacting legislation to provide protections to owners of domestic animals to recover domestic animals that trespass on the property of another; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the Joint Committee on Government and Finance report to the regular session of the Legislature, 2020, on its findings, conclusion, 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.
Delegate Harshbarger offered the following resolution, which was read by its title and referred to the Committee on Rules:
H. C. R. 109 - ?Requesting the Joint Committee on Government and Finance study commercial guided bear hunting in the State of West Virginia.?
Whereas, Commercial guided bear hunting enterprises afford bear hunters the ability to host groups of individuals on guided bear hunts to showcase their unique methods of hunting, while allowing a wider segment of the population to enjoy the sport of bear hunting; and
Whereas, Commercial guided bear hunting would create economic opportunities for bear hunters in the state that do not exist currently; and
Whereas, Commercial bear hunters in the state have voiced concerns that commercial bear hunting may negatively affect the sport of bear hunting 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 study commercial guided bear hunting, including the possibility of enacting legislation to permit commercial guided bear hunting in West Virginia; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the Joint Committee on Government and Finance report to the regular session of the Legislature, 2020, on its findings, conclusion, 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.
Special Calendar
Unfinished Business
Com. Sub. for S. C. R. 4, US Marine Corps Lt. Col. Dennis Ray Blankenship Memorial Road; coming up in regular order, as unfinished business, was reported by the Clerk.
On motion of Delegate Summers the resolution was amended on page one, by striking out the entire resolution and inserting in lieu of the following:
?Requesting the Division of Highways name a portion of State Route 16 from milepost 22.85 to milepost 26.7 in McDowell County, the ?U.S. Marine Corps Lt. Col. Dennis Ray Blankenship Memorial Road?.?
Whereas, Dennis Ray Blankenship was born January 8, 1938, in Bartley, McDowell County, West Virginia; and
Whereas, Dennis Ray Blankenship served in the United States Marine Corps during the Vietnam War and reached the rank of Lieutenant Colonel; and
Whereas, Lt. Col. Dennis Ray Blankenship was highly decorated for his conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action, and was awarded the Silver Star; and
Whereas, Naming a portion of road in McDowell County is an appropriate recognition of his service and sacrifice for his country, his state, his community, and McDowell County; therefore, be it
Resolved by the Legislature of West Virginia:
That the Division of Highways is hereby requested to name a portion of State Route 16 from milepost 22.85 to milepost 26.7 in McDowell County, the ?U.S. Marine Corps Lt. Col. Dennis Ray Blankenship Memorial Road?; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the Division of Highways is requested to have made and be placed signs identifying the road as the ?U.S. Marine Corps Lt. Col. Dennis Ray Blankenship Memorial Road?; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the Clerk of the Senate is hereby directed to forward a copy of this resolution to the Commissioner of the Division of Highways.?
The resolution, as amended, was then adopted.
Ordered, That the Clerk of the House communicate to the Senate the action of the House of Delegates and request concurrence therein.
Com. Sub. for S. C. R. 40, US Army CPL Roy E. Clark Memorial Bridge; coming up in regular order, as unfinished business, was reported by the Clerk.
On motion of Delegate Summers, the resolution was amended on page one, by striking out? the entire resolution and inserting in lieu of the following:
?Requesting the Division of Highways name bridge number 2657, S-242(17), (40A030), located on West Virginia Route 34 within the city limits of Hurricane, in Putnam County, the ?U.S. Army CPL Roy E. Clark Memorial Bridge?.?
Whereas, Roy Edward Clark was born March 22, 1946, in Culloden, West Virginia, the son of Lawrence Willard Clark and Mazy Ann Woodard; and
Whereas, Roy E. Clark graduated from Hurricane High School in 1966, where he was known by his friends as a kind, humble, honest, and caring young man; Roy loved athletics and was a member of both the basketball and track teams; and
Whereas, After graduating high school, Roy E. Clark served with the U.S. Army in Vietnam, Company C, 5th Battalion, 46th Infantry, 198th Infantry Brigade; and
Whereas, On May 24, 1969, CPL Roy E. Clark was mortally wounded when his company came under heavy enemy fire near the village of Tr? Vinh, Vietnam; with complete disregard for his own safety, CPL Roy E. Clark continued to expose himself to intense enemy fire, laying down a suppressive fire that provided cover to his comrades, enabling them to reach a safe position; and
Whereas, CPL Roy E. Clark was posthumously awarded the Bronze star with ?V? for valor for saving the lives of many of his fellow soldiers through his timely and courageous actions; and
Whereas, It is fitting that an enduring memorial be established to commemorate CPL Roy E. Clark and his sacrifice for his state and country; therefore, be it
Resolved by the Legislature of West Virginia:
That the Division of Highways name bridge number 2657, S-242(17), (40A030), located on West Virginia Route 34 within the city limits of Hurricane, in Putnam County, the ?U.S. Army CPL Roy E. Clark Memorial Bridge?; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the Division of Highways is hereby requested to have made and be placed signs identifying the bridge as the ?U.S. Army CPL Roy E. Clark Memorial Bridge?; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the Clerk of the Senate is hereby directed to forward a copy of this resolution to the Commissioner of the Division of Highways.??
The resolution, as amended, was then adopted.
Ordered, That the Clerk of the House communicate to the Senate the action of the House of Delegates and request concurrence therein.
Third Reading
Com. Sub. for S. J. R. 5, Clarification of the Judiciary? Role in Impeachment Proceedings Amendment; on third reading, coming up in regular order, was read a third time.
On the adoption of the resolution, the yeas and nays were taken (Roll No. 682), and there were?yeas 54, nays 41, absent and not voting 5, with the nays and absent and not voting being as follows:
Yeas: Anderson, Azinger, Bibby, Butler, Cadle, Capitol Cooper, Cowles, Criss, Dean, Espinosa, Fast, Foster, Graves, Hamrick, Hanna, Hardy, Harshbarger, Higginbotham Hill, Hollen, Hott, Householder, Howell, D. Jeffries, J. Jeffries, Jennings, D. Kelly, J. Kelly, Kessinger, Kump, Linville, Malcolm, Mandt, C. Martin, P. Martin, Maynard, McGeehan, Pack, Paynter, Phillips, Porterfield, Queen, Rowan, Shott, Storch, Summers, Sypolt, Toney, Waxman, Westfall, Wilson, Worrell and Hanshaw (Mr. Speaker).
Nays: Angelucci, Barrett, Bates, Boggs, N. Brown, S. Brown, Byrd, Campbell, Canestraro, Caputo, Diserio, Doyle, Estep-Burton, Evans, Fleischauer, Fluharty, Hansen, Hartman, Hicks, Hornbuckle, Lavender-Bowe, Longstreth, Lovejoy, Miley, Miller, Pethtel, Pushkin, Pyles, Robinson, Rodighiero, Rowe, Skaff, Sponaugle, Staggers, Swartzmiller, C. Thompson, R. Thompson, Tomblin, Walker, Williams and Zukoff.
Absent and Not Voting: Atkinson, Ellington, Nelson, Rohrbach and Steele.
So, two thirds of the members elected to the House of Delegates not having voted in the affirmative, the Speaker declared the resolution (Com. Sub. for S. J. R. 5) rejected.
Ordered, That the Clerk of the House communicate to the Senate the action of the House of Delegates.
S. B. 677, Supplemental appropriation to Division of Health and Division of Human Services; on third reading, coming up in regular order, was read a third time.
Delegate Cowles requested to be excused from voting on S. B. 677 under the provisions of House Rule 49.
The Speaker replied that the Delegate was a member of a class of persons possibly to be affected by the passage of the bill and directed the Member to vote.??
On the passage of the bill, the yeas and nays were taken (Roll No. 683), and there were?yeas 93, nays 4, absent and not voting 3, with the nays and absent and not voting being as follows:
Nays: Butler, Jennings, Malcolm and McGeehan.
Absent and Not Voting: Ellington, Rohrbach and Steele.
So, a majority of the members elected to the House of Delegates having voted in the affirmative, the Speaker declared the bill (S. B. 677) passed.
Delegate Summers moved that the bill take effect from its passage.
On this question, the yeas and nays were taken (Roll No. 684), and there were?yeas 95, nays 2, absent and not voting 3, with the nays and absent and not voting being as follows:
Nays: Butler and McGeehan.
Absent and Not Voting: Ellington, Rohrbach and Steele.
So, two thirds of the members elected to the House of Delegates having voted in the affirmative, the Speaker declared the bill (S. B. 677) takes effect from its passage.
Ordered, That the Clerk of the House communicate to the Senate the action of the House of Delegates and request concurrence therein.
S. B. 678, Supplemental appropriation from State Excess Lottery Revenue Fund to Office of Technology; on third reading, coming up in regular order, was read a third time.
On the passage of the bill, the yeas and nays were taken (Roll No. 685), and there were?yeas 93, nays 4, absent and not voting 3, with the nays and absent and not voting being as follows:
Nays: McGeehan, Paynter, Porterfield and Worrell.
Absent and Not Voting: Ellington, Rohrbach and Steele.
So, a majority of the members elected to the House of Delegates having voted in the affirmative, the Speaker declared the bill (S. B. 678) passed.
Delegate Summers moved that the bill take effect from its passage.
On this question, the yeas and nays were taken (Roll No. 686), and there were?yeas 93, nays 4, absent and not voting 3, with the nays and absent and not voting being as follows:
Nays: McGeehan, Paynter, Porterfield and Worrell.
Absent and Not Voting: Ellington, Rohrbach and Steele.
So, two thirds of the members elected to the House of Delegates having voted in the affirmative, the Speaker declared the bill (S. B. 678) takes effect from its passage.
Ordered, That the Clerk of the House communicate to the Senate the action of the House of Delegates.
S. B. 679, Supplemental appropriation to Division of Finance; on third reading, coming up in regular order, was read a third time.
On the passage of the bill, the yeas and nays were taken (Roll No. 687), and there were?yeas 94, nays 3, absent and not voting 3, with the nays and absent and not voting being as follows:
Nays: Butler, McGeehan and Paynter.
Absent and Not Voting: Ellington, Rohrbach and Steele.
So, a majority of the members elected to the House of Delegates having voted in the affirmative, the Speaker declared the bill (S. B. 679) passed.
Delegate Summers moved that the bill take effect from its passage.
On this question, the yeas and nays were taken (Roll No. 688), and there were?yeas 95, nays 2, absent and not voting 3, with the nays and absent and not voting being as follows:
Nays: McGeehan and Paynter.
Absent and Not Voting: Ellington, Rohrbach and Steele.
So, two thirds of the members elected to the House of Delegates having voted in the affirmative, the Speaker declared the bill (S. B. 679) takes effect from its passage.
Ordered, That the Clerk of the House communicate to the Senate the action of the House of Delegates and request concurrence therein.
S. B. 680, Supplemental appropriations to various divisions in DMAPS; on third reading, coming up in regular order, was read a third time.
On the passage of the bill, the yeas and nays were taken (Roll No. 689), and there were?yeas 95, nays 2, absent and not voting 3, with the nays and absent and not voting being as follows:
Nays: McGeehan and Paynter.
Absent and Not Voting: Ellington, Rohrbach and Steele.
So, a majority of the members elected to the House of Delegates having voted in the affirmative, the Speaker declared the bill (S. B. 680) passed.
Delegate Summers moved that the bill take effect from its passage.
On this question, the yeas and nays were taken (Roll No. 690), and there were?yeas 95, nays 2, absent and not voting 3, with the nays and absent and not voting being as follows:
Nays: McGeehan and Paynter.
Absent and Not Voting: Ellington, Rohrbach and Steele.
So, two thirds of the members elected to the House of Delegates having voted in the affirmative, the Speaker declared the bill (S. B. 680) takes effect from its passage.
Ordered, That the Clerk of the House communicate to the Senate the action of the House of Delegates and request concurrence therein.
S. B. 681, Supplemental appropriation from Lottery Net Profits to Educational Broadcasting Authority; on third reading, coming up in regular order, was read a third time.
On the passage of the bill, the yeas and nays were taken (Roll No. 691), and there were?yeas 85, nays 12, absent and not voting 3, with the nays and absent and not voting being as follows:
Nays: Butler, Fast, Foster, Hollen, D. Jeffries, J. Jeffries, Kessinger, Malcolm, P. Martin, McGeehan, Paynter and Porterfield.
Absent and Not Voting: Ellington, Rohrbach and Steele.
So, a majority of the members elected to the House of Delegates having voted in the affirmative, the Speaker declared the bill (S. B. 681) passed.
Delegate Summers moved that the bill take effect passage from its passage.
On this question, the yeas and nays were taken (Roll No. 692), and there were?yeas 86, nays 11, absent and not voting 3, with the nays and absent and not voting being as follows:
Nays: Butler, Fast, Hollen, Howell, D. Jeffries, Kessinger, C. Martin, P. Martin, McGeehan, Paynter and Porterfield.
Absent and Not Voting: Ellington, Rohrbach and Steele.
So, two thirds of the members elected to the House of Delegates having voted in the affirmative, the Speaker declared the bill (S. B. 681) takes effect from its passage.
Ordered, That the Clerk of the House communicate to the Senate the action of the House of Delegates.
In the absence of objection, the House then returned to further consideration of Com. Sub. for S. B. 405.
Delegate Summers moved to reconsider the vote requesting conference, which motion prevailed.
Whereupon,
Delegate Summers asked unanimous consent to withdraw the motion requesting conference, which consent was not given, objection being heard.
On motion of Delegate Summers, the motion was then withdrawn.
On motion of Delegate Summers, the House of Delegates then refused to concur in the Senate amendment and requested the Senate to recede therefrom.
Ordered, That the Clerk of the House communicate to the Senate the action of the House of Delegates and request concurrence therein.
At 1:35 p.m., the House of Delegates recessed until 3:30 p.m.
* * * * * * * *
Afternoon Session
* * * * * * * *
The House of Delegates was called to order by the Honorable Roger Hanshaw, Speaker.
Messages from the Senate
A message from the Senate, by
The Clerk of the Senate, announced concurrence in the House of Delegates amendment, with a title amendment, and the passage, as amended, of
Com. Sub. for S. B. 352, Relating to Division of Corrections and Rehabilitation acquiring and disposing of services, goods, and commodities.
On motion of Delegate Summers, the House of Delegates concurred in the following Senate title amendment:
Com. Sub. for S. B. 352 - ?A Bill to amend and reenact ?15A-3-14 of the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended; and to amend said code by adding thereto a new section, designated ?15A-3-14a, all relating to the Division of Corrections and Rehabilitation acquiring and disposing of services, goods, and commodities; clarifying notice requirements; allowing the division to require surety; expanding acceptable forms of surety; allowing the division to utilize best value procurement; providing exception; establishing procedure for best value procurement; allowing for direct award procurement; establishing procedure for direct award procurement; allowing the division to run criminal background checks, financial background checks, licensing background checks, and credit checks to determine eligibility for award of contract; enumerating grounds upon which division shall disqualify vendors from being awarded a contract or having contract renewed; limiting disclosure under Freedom of Information Act of records obtained in response to solicitations for bids and records relating to solicitations for, or purchases of, items related to safe and secure running of any facility under jurisdiction of commissioner of division; creating special revenue fund; and providing for methods of disposition of surplus property owned by the division.?
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. 693), and there were?yeas 94, nays none, absent and not voting 6, with the absent and not voting being as follows:
Absent and Not Voting: Cooper, Ellington, Fluharty, Rodighiero, Staggers and Steele.
So, a majority of the members present and voting having voted in the affirmative, the Speaker declared the bill (Com. Sub. for S. B. 352) passed.
A message from the Senate, by
The Clerk of the Senate, announced concurrence in the House of Delegates amendment, with a title amendment, and the passage, as amended, to take effect from passage, of
Com. Sub. for S. B. 398, Relating to compensation for senior judges.
On motion of Delegate Summers, the House concurred in the following Senate title amendment:
Com. Sub. for S. B. 398 - ?A Bill to amend and reenact ?5-10-48 of the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended; to amend and reenact ?50-1-6a of said code; and to amend and reenact ?51-9-10 of said code, all relating to compensation for senior judicial officers; providing that senior judges, justices, and magistrates may receive per diem compensation for temporary assignments while receiving retirement benefits, subject to certain limitations; setting forth legislative findings; limiting the per diem rate of compensation that may be paid to senior judges and justices for each day served; providing that the combined total of per diem compensation and retirement benefits paid to a senior judge or justice during a single calendar year may not exceed the annual salary of a sitting circuit judge; limiting the per diem rate of compensation that may be paid to senior magistrates for each day served; providing that the combined total of per diem compensation and retirement benefits paid to a senior magistrate during a single calendar year may not exceed the annual salary of a sitting magistrate; providing an exception to the limitation on the combined total of per diem compensation and retirement benefits paid to a senior judge, justice, or magistrate in a calendar year, if the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Appeals enters an administrative order certifying that certain circumstances necessitate extended assignment of such judge, justice, or magistrate; providing that extended assignment of senior judges or justices must not be utilized in a manner to threaten the qualified status of the Judges? Retirement System under certain provisions of the Internal Revenue Code; requiring that administrative orders regarding extended assignment of a senior judge, justice, or magistrate be submitted to the State Auditor and the State Treasurer; providing that senior judges, justices, and magistrates may be reimbursed for actual and necessary expenses incurred in the performance of their duties; and requiring the State Treasurer to petition the West Virginia Supreme Court of Appeals for a writ of prohibition prohibiting the State Auditor from issuing warrants to authorize payment of compensation to senior judges and justices above statutory limitations.?
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. 694), and there were?yeas 79, nays 18, absent and not voting 3, with the nays and absent and not voting being as follows:
Nays: Angelucci, Barrett, Bates, S. Brown, Campbell, Canestraro, Caputo, Diserio, Fleischauer, Fluharty, Longstreth, Lovejoy, Miley, Robinson, Sponaugle, C. Thompson, Walker and Zukoff.
Absent and Not Voting: Cooper, Ellington and Staggers.
So, a majority of the members present and voting having voted in the affirmative, the Speaker declared the bill (Com. Sub. for S. B. 398) passed.
Delegate Summers moved that the bill take effect from its passage.
On this question, the yeas and nays were taken (Roll No. 695), and there were?yeas 88, nays 10, absent and not voting 2, with the nays and absent and not voting being as follows:
Nays: Barrett, S. Brown, Campbell, Estep-Burton, Fleischauer, Fluharty, Pushkin, Robinson, Sponaugle and Walker.
Absent and Not Voting: Cooper and Ellington.
So, two thirds of the members elected to the House of Delegates having voted in the affirmative, the Speaker declared the bill (Com. Sub. for S. B. 398) 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 House of Delegates amendment, with amendment, and the passage, as amended, to take effect from passage, of
S. B. 635, Relating generally to coal mining activities.
On motion of Delegate Kessinger, the House of Delegates concurred in the following amendment of the bill by the Senate, with further title amendment:
On page one, by striking out everything after the enacting clause and inserting in lieu thereof the following:
?Chapter 5B. Economic Development Act of 1985.
Article 2A. Office of Coalfield Community Development.
?5B-2A-5. Powers and duties.
The office has and may exercise the following duties, powers, and responsibilities:
(1) To
establish a procedure for developing a community impact statement as provided
in section six of this article and to administer the procedure so established;
(2) (1) To establish a procedure for
determining the assets that could be developed in and maintained by the
community to foster its long-term viability as provided in ?5B-2A-8 of this
code and to administer the procedure so established;
(3) (2) To establish a procedure for
determining the land and infrastructure needs in the general area of the
surface mining operations as provided in ?5B-2A-9 of this code and to
administer the procedure so established;
(4) (3) To establish a procedure to
develop action reports and annual updates as provided in ?5B-2A-10 of this code
and to administer the procedure so established;
(5) (4) To determine the need for
meetings to be held among the various interested parties in the communities
impacted by surface mining operations and, when appropriate, to facilitate the
meetings;
(6) (5) To establish a procedure to
assist property owners in the sale of their property as provided in ?5B-2A-11
of this code and to administer the procedure so established;
(7) (6) In conjunction with the department,
to maintain and operate a system to receive and address questions, concerns,
and complaints relating to surface mining; and
(8) (7) On its own initiative or at
the request of a community in close proximity to a mining operation, or a
mining operation, offer assistance to facilitate the development of economic or
community assets. Such assistance shall include the preparation of a master
land use plan pursuant to the provisions of ?5B-2A-9 of this code.
?5B-2A-6. Community
impact statement review.
(a)(1)
The office shall, no less frequently than quarterly, either consult with
representatives of the department?s Office of Mining and Reclamation or review
the department?s permit application database(s) to determine whether newly
proposed surface mines or significant modifications to existing surface mining
operations may present opportunities for mine operators to cooperate with local
landowners and local governmental officials to mine and reclaim properties so
as to develop community assets or secure developable land and infrastructure
pursuant to this article. The operator shall develop a community impact
statement, as described in this section, which shall be submitted to the office
within sixty days of the filing of a surface mining application pursuant to the
provisions of article three, chapter twenty-two of this code. Failure to submit
a community impact statement to the office shall be considered a violation
under the provisions of section seventeen of said article; and
(2) The
operator shall provide copies of the community impact statement to the
department?s Office of Mining Reclamation and Office of Explosives and Blasting
and to the county commissions, county clerks? offices and local, county or
regional development or redevelopment authorities of the areas to be affected
by the surface mining operations.
(b) The
community impact statement, where practicable, shall not be a highly technical
or legalistic document, but shall be written in a clear and concise manner understandable
to all citizens. The community impact statement shall include the following:
(1) The
amount and location of land to be mined or used in the actual mining
operations;
(2) The
expected duration of the mining operations in each area of the community;
(3) The
extent of anticipated mining-related property acquisitions, to the extent that
such acquisitions are known or knowable;
(4) The
intentions of the surface and mineral owners relative to the acquired property,
to the extent that such intentions are known or knowable;
(5) A
statement of the post-mining land use for all land within the permit boundary;
(6) The
intended blasting plan and the expected time and duration it will affect each
community;
(7)
Information concerning the extent and nature of valley fills and the watersheds
to be affected;
(8)
Economic information, such as the number of jobs created and annual coal
production resulting from the surface mining operation, the anticipated life of
the mining operation and such other information as may be deemed appropriate;
and
(9) An
acknowledgment of the recommendations of any approved master land use plan that
pertains to the land proposed to be mined, including an acknowledgment of the
infrastructure components needed to accomplish the designated post-mine land
use required by the plan.
(c)
Where the operator makes any significant revision to the permit application
under section eighteen, article three, chapter twenty-two of this code, which
revision substantially affects any of the information provided in subsection
(b) of this section, the operator shall revise the affected provisions of its
community impact statement and shall submit such revisions as set forth in
subsection (a) of this section.
(d)
Within thirty days of receipt of a community impact statement pursuant to
subdivision (2), subsection (a) of this section or a revised community impact
statement pursuant to subsection (c) of this section, the local, county or
regional development or redevelopment authorities of the areas to be affected
by the surface mining operations shall provide a written acknowledgment of the
receipt of this community impact statement or revised community impact
statement to the department?s Division of Mining Reclamation, to the county
commission or county commissions and to the office.
(e) (b) The provisions of this section
shall apply as follows: to all surface mining permit applications
granted after July 1, 2018.
(1) To
all surface mining permits granted after June 11, 1999; and
(2) At
the first renewal date of all previously issued permits: Provided, That
the permittee shall be afforded ninety days from said date to comply with the
provisions of this section.
?5B-2A-8. Determining and developing needed community assets.
(a) The office shall determine the community assets that may be developed by the community, county, or region to foster its viability when surface mining operations are completed.
(b) Community assets to be identified pursuant to subsection (a) of this section may include the following:
(1) Water and wastewater services;
(2) Developable land for housing, commercial development, or other community purposes;
(3) Recreation facilities and opportunities; and
(4) Education facilities and opportunities.
(c) The
operator shall be required to prepare and submit to the office the information
set forth in this subsection as follows:
(1) A
map of the area for which a permit under article three, chapter twenty-two of
this code is being sought or has been obtained;
(2) The
names of the surface and mineral owners of the property to be mined pursuant to
the permit; and
(3) A
statement of the post-mining land use for all land which may be affected by the
mining operations.
(d) (c) In determining the nature and
extent of the needed community assets, the office shall consider at least the
following:
(1) An evaluation of the future of the community once mining operations are completed;
(2) The prospects for the long-term viability of any asset developed under this section;
(3) The desirability of foregoing some or all of the asset development required by this section in lieu of the requirements of ?5B-2A-9 of this code; and
(4) The extent to which the community, local, state, or the federal government may participate in the development of assets the community needs to assure its viability.
?5B-2A-9. Securing developable land and infrastructure.
(a) The
office shall determine the land and infrastructure needs in the general area of
the surface mining operations. for which it makes the determination
authorized in ?5B-2A-6 of this code.
(b) For the purposes of this section, the term ?general area? shall mean the county or counties in which the mining operations are being conducted or any adjacent county.
(c) To assist the office, the operator, upon request by the office, shall be required to prepare and submit to the office the information set forth in this subsection as follows:
(1) A map of the area for which a permit under ?22-3-1 et seq. of this code is being sought or has been obtained;
(2) The names of the surface and mineral owners of the property to be mined pursuant to the permit; and
(3) A statement of the post-mining land use for all land which may be affected by the mining operations.
(d) In making a determination of the land and infrastructure needs in the general area of the mining operations, the office shall consider at least the following:
(1) The availability of developable land in the general area;
(2) The needs of the general area for developable land;
(3) The availability of infrastructure, including, but not limited to, access roads, water service, wastewater service, and other utilities;
(4) The amount of land to be mined and the amount of valley to be filled;
(5) The amount, nature, and cost to develop and maintain the community assets identified in ?5B-2A-8 of this code; and
(6) The availability of federal, state, and local grants and low-interest loans to finance all or a portion of the acquisition and construction of the identified land and infrastructure needs of the general area.
(e) In making a determination of the land and infrastructure needs in the general area of the surface mining operations, the office shall give significant weight to developable land on or near existing or planned multilane highways.
(f) The office may secure developable land and infrastructure for a Development Office or county through the preparation of a master land use plan for inclusion into a reclamation plan prepared pursuant to the provisions of ?22-3-10 of this code. No provision of this section may be construed to modify requirements of ?22-3-1 et seq. of this code.
(1) The county commission or other governing body for each county in which there are surface mining operations that are subject to this article shall determine land and infrastructure needs within their jurisdictions through the development of a master land use plan which incorporates post-mining land use needs, including, but not limited to, renewable and alternative energy uses, residential uses, highway uses, industrial uses, commercial uses, agricultural uses, public facility uses, or recreational facility uses. A county commission or other governing body of a county may designate a local, county, or regional development or redevelopment authority to assist in the preparation of a master land use plan. A county commission or other governing body of a county may adopt a master land use plan developed after July 1, 2009, only after a reasonable public comment period.
(2) Upon the request of a county or designated development or redevelopment authority, the office shall assist the county or development or redevelopment authority with the development of a master land use plan.
(3)(A) The Department of Environmental Protection and the Office of Coalfield Community Development shall review master land use plans existing as of July 1, 2009. If the office determines that a master land use plan complies with the requirements of this article and the rules promulgated pursuant to this article, the office shall approve the plan on or before July 1, 2010.
(B) Master land use plans developed after July 1, 2009, shall be submitted to the department and the office for review. The office shall determine whether to approve a master land use plan submitted pursuant to this subdivision within three months of submission. The office shall approve the plan if it complies with the requirements of this article and the rules promulgated pursuant to this article.
(C) The office shall review a master land use plan approved under this section every three years. No later than six months before the review of a master land use plan, the county or designated development or redevelopment authority shall submit an updated master land use plan to the department and the office for review. The county may submit its updated master land use plan only after a reasonable public comment period. The office shall approve the master land use plan if the updated plan complies with the requirements of this article and the rules promulgated pursuant to this article.
(D) If the office does not approve a master land use plan, the county or designated development or redevelopment authority shall submit a supplemental master land use plan to the office for approval.
(4) The
required infrastructure component standards needed to accomplish the designated
post-mining land uses identified in a master land use plan shall be developed
by the county or its designated development or redevelopment authority. These
standards must be in place before the respective county or development or
redevelopment authority can accept ownership of property donated pursuant to a
master land use plan. Acceptance of ownership of such property by a county or
development or redevelopment authority may not occur unless it is determined
that: (i) The property use is compatible with adjacent land uses; (ii) the
use satisfies the relevant county or development or redevelopment authority?s
anticipated need and market use; (iii) the property has in place necessary
infrastructure components needed to achieve the anticipated use; (iv) the use
is supported by all other appropriate public agencies; (v) the property is
eligible for bond release in accordance with section twenty-three, article
three, chapter twenty-two of this code; and (vi) the use is feasible. Required infrastructure component standards require approval
of the relevant county commission, commissions or other county governing body
before such standards are accepted. County commission or other county governing
body approval may be rendered only after a reasonable public comment period;
(A) The property use is compatible with adjacent land uses;
(B) The use satisfies the relevant county or development or redevelopment authority?s anticipated need and market use;
(C) The property has in place necessary infrastructure components needed to achieve the anticipated use;
(D) The use is supported by all other appropriate public agencies;
(E) The property is eligible for bond release in accordance with ?22-3-23 of this code; and
(F) The use is feasible.
Required infrastructure component standards require approval of the relevant county commission, commissions, or other county governing body before such standards are accepted. County commission or other county governing body approval may be rendered only after a reasonable public comment period.
(5) The
provisions of this subsection shall not take effect until legislative rules are
promulgated pursuant to paragraph (C), subdivision (1), subsection (c), section
twenty-three, article three, chapter twenty-two of this code governing bond
releases which assure sound future maintenance by the local or regional
economic development, redevelopment, or planning agencies.
Chapter 11. Taxation.
ARTICLE 28. Post-Coal minE Site Business Credit.
?11-28-1. Definitions.
For purposes of this article:
?Business entity? or ?person? means an individual, firm, sole proprietorship, partnership, corporation, association, or other entity entitled to a post-coal mine site business credit.
?Coal mining operation? means the business of developing, producing, preparing, or loading bituminous coal, subbituminous coal, anthracite, or lignite.
?Post-coal mine site? means property that has remained undeveloped for business purposes, subsequent to coal mining operations on the property within the bonded area of the last issued coal mine permit.
?Principal place of business? means the physical location from which the entity?s direction, control, and coordination of the operations of the business are primarily exercised, with consideration given, but not limited to:
(1) The physical location at which the primary executive and administrative headquarters of the entity is located; and
(2) From which the management of overall operations of the entity is directed.
?Undeveloped for business purposes? means land has been previously used for coal mining operations and has not been built or developed for use for other activities in the commercial or manufacturing sectors of the economy.
?11-28-2. Eligibility for credit.
For those tax years beginning on or after January 1, 2020, a business entity will be allowed a credit against certain taxes imposed by this chapter, as described in ?11-28-3 of this code, if the business entity meets the following requirements:
(1) The entity is a corporation, small business corporation, limited liability company, partnership, or unincorporated business entity as defined in this code that also has a principal place of business in the state;
(2) The entity employs at the post-coal mine site a minimum of 10 full-time (32 hours a week or more) employees; and
(3) The entity?s principal place of business is located on a post-coal mine site within this state.
?11-28-3. Application of credit.
(a) Amount of credit. ? For those tax years beginning on or after January 1, 2020, an eligible business entity will be allowed a tax credit in the amount of 50 percent of that entity?s capital expenditures (as defined in Section 263 of the United States Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended) at the post-coal mine site for the first five taxable years during which the entity?s principal place of business is located on the post-coal mine site within this state. The dollar amount of the credit claimed by an eligible business entity may not exceed the amount of 50 percent of the entity?s state income tax for a single year.
(b) Application of annual credit allowance. ? The credit created by this article is allowed as a credit against the taxpayer?s state tax liability applied as provided in subdivisions (1) and (2) of this subsection, and in that order.
(1) Corporation net income taxes. ? Any credit is first applied to reduce the taxes imposed by ?11-24-1 et seq. of this code for the taxable year.
(2) Personal income taxes. ? After application of ?11-28-3(b)(1) of this code, any unused credit is next applied as follows:
(A) If the person making the qualified investment is an electing small business corporation (as defined in Section 1361 of the United States Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended), a partnership or a limited liability company that is treated as a partnership for federal income tax purposes, then any unused credit (after application of ?11-28-3(b)(1) of this code) is allowed as a credit against the taxes imposed by ?11-21-1 et seq. of this code on the income from business or other activity subject to tax under ?11-23-1 et seq. of this code.
(B) Electing small business corporations, limited liability companies, partnerships, and other unincorporated organizations shall allocate the credit allowed by this article among its members in the same manner as profits and losses are allocated for the taxable year.
(3) A credit is not allowed under this section against any employer withholding taxes imposed by ?11-21-1 et seq. of this code.
(c) Unused credit. ? A carryback to a prior taxable year is not allowed for the amount of any unused portion of any annual credit allowance. If the amount of the allowable credit exceeds the taxpayer?s tax liability for the taxable year, the amount which exceeds the tax liability may be carried over and applied as a credit against the tax liability of the taxpayer pursuant to ?11-21-1 et seq. or ?11-24-1 et seq. of this code for each of the next 10 taxable years following the year of creation of the tax credit unless sooner used.
(d) Eligibility requirements. ? Those businesses that benefit from other state economic development programs or incentives that result in a reduction of their income tax liability due shall not be eligible for this tax credit.
(e) Rule-making authority. ? The State Tax Division shall promulgate emergency rules pursuant to the provisions of ?29A-3-15 of this code. These rules shall include, at a minimum, forms for use in claiming the credit authorized in this article, administration of the credit authorized in this article, and any other matter seen necessary by the State Tax Division for the administration of this article.
Chapter 22. Environmental Resources.
Article 3. Surface and Coal Mining Reclamation Act.
?22-3-14. General environmental protection performance standards for the surface effects of underground mining; application of other provisions of article to surface effects of underground mining.
(a) The director shall promulgate separate rules directed toward the surface effects of underground coal mining operations, embodying the requirements in subsection (b) of this section: Provided, That in adopting such rules, the director shall consider the distinct difference between surface coal mines and underground coal mines in West Virginia. Such rules may not conflict with or supersede any provision of the federal or state coal mine health and safety laws or any rule issued pursuant thereto.
(b) Each permit issued by the director pursuant to this article and relating to underground coal mining shall require the operation at a minimum to:
(1) Adopt measures consistent with known technology in order to prevent subsidence causing material damage to the extent technologically and economically feasible, maximize mine stability and maintain the value and reasonably foreseeable use of overlying surface lands, except in those instances where the mining technology used requires planned subsidence in a predictable and controlled manner: Provided, That this subsection does not prohibit the standard method of room and pillar mining;
(2) Seal all portals, entryways, drifts, shafts, or other openings that connect the earth?s surface to the underground mine workings when no longer needed for the conduct of the mining operations in accordance with the requirements of all applicable federal and state law and rules promulgated pursuant thereto;
(3) Fill or seal exploratory holes no longer necessary for mining and maximize to the extent technologically and economically feasible, if environmentally acceptable, return of mine and processing waste, tailings, and any other waste incident to the mining operation to the mine workings or excavations;
(4) With respect to surface disposal of mine wastes, tailings, coal processing wastes, and other wastes in areas other than the mine workings or excavations, stabilize all waste piles created by the operator from current operations through construction in compacted layers, including the use of incombustible and impervious materials, if necessary, and assure that any leachate therefrom will not degrade surface or groundwaters below water quality standards established pursuant to applicable federal and state law and that the final contour of the waste accumulation will be compatible with natural surroundings and that the site is stabilized and revegetated according to the provisions of this section;
(5)
Design, locate, construct, operate, maintain, enlarge, modify, and
remove or abandon, in accordance with the standards and criteria developed
pursuant to ?22-3-13 of this article code,
all existing and new coal mine waste piles consisting of mine wastes, tailings,
coal processing wastes, and solid wastes and used either temporarily or
permanently as dams or embankments;
(6)
Establish on regraded areas and all other disturbed areas a diverse and
permanent vegetative cover capable of self-regeneration and plant succession
and at least equal in extent of cover to the natural vegetation of the area
within the time period prescribed in ?22-3-13(b)(20) of this article code;
(7) Protect off-site areas from damages which may result from such mining operations;
(8) Eliminate fire hazards and otherwise eliminate conditions which constitute a hazard to health and safety of the public;
(9) Minimize the disturbance of the prevailing hydrologic balance at the mine site and in associated off-site areas and to the quantity and the quality of water in surface and groundwater systems both during and after mining operations and during reclamation by: (A) Avoiding acid or other toxic mine drainage by such measures as, but not limited to: (i) Preventing or removing water from contact with toxic producing deposits; (ii) treating drainage to reduce toxic content which adversely affects downstream water before being released to water courses; and (iii) casing, sealing, or otherwise managing boreholes, shafts, and wells to keep acid or other toxic drainage from entering ground and surface waters; and (B) conducting mining operations so as to prevent, to the extent possible using the best technology currently available, additional contributions of suspended solids to streamflow or runoff outside the permit area, but in no event shall the contributions be in excess of requirements set by applicable state or federal law, and avoiding channel deepening or enlargement in operations requiring the discharge of water from mines: Provided, That in recognition of the distinct differences between surface and underground mining the monitoring of water from underground coal mine workings shall be in accordance with the provisions of the Clean Water Act of 1977;
(10) With respect to other surface impacts of underground mining not specified in this subsection, including the construction of new roads or the improvement or use of existing roads to gain access to the site of such activities and for haulage, repair areas, storage areas, processing areas, shipping areas, and other areas upon which are sited structures, facilities, or other property or materials on the surface, resulting from or incident to such activities, operate in accordance with the standards established under ?22-3-13 of this code for such effects which result from surface-mining operations: Provided, That the director shall make such modifications in the requirements imposed by this subdivision as are necessary to accommodate the distinct difference between surface and underground mining in West Virginia;
(11) To the extent possible using the best technology currently available, minimize disturbances and adverse impacts of the operation on fish, aquatic life, wildlife, and related environmental values, and achieve enhancement of such resources where practicable; and
(12) Unless otherwise permitted by the director and in consideration of the relevant safety and environmental factors, locate openings for all new drift mines working in acid producing or iron producing coal seams in a manner as to prevent a gravity discharge of water from the mine.
(c) In order to protect the stability of the land, the director shall suspend underground mining under urbanized areas, cities, towns, and communities and adjacent to industrial or commercial buildings, major impoundments, or permanent streams if he or she finds imminent danger to inhabitants of the urbanized areas, cities, towns, or communities.
(d) The provisions of this article relating to permits, bonds, insurance, inspections, reclamation and enforcement, public review, and administrative and judicial review are also applicable to surface operations and surface impacts incident to an underground mine with such modifications by rule to the permit application requirements, permit approval, or denial procedures and bond requirements as are necessary to accommodate the distinct difference between surface mines and underground mines in West Virginia.
Article 11. Water Pollution Control Act.
?22-11-10. Water Quality Management Fund established; permit application fees; annual permit fees; dedication of proceeds; rules.
(a) The special revenue fund designated the Water Quality Management Fund established in the State Treasury on July 1, 1989, is hereby continued.
(b) The permit application fees and annual permit fees established and collected pursuant to this section; any interest or surcharge assessed and collected by the secretary; interest accruing on investments and deposits of the fund; and any other moneys designated by the secretary shall be deposited into the Water Quality Management Fund. The secretary shall expend the proceeds of the Water Quality Management Fund for the review of initial permit applications, renewal permit applications, and permit issuance activities.
(c) The secretary shall propose for promulgation, legislative rules in accordance with the provisions of ?29A-1-1 et seq. of this code, to establish a schedule of application fees for all applications except for surface coal mining operations as defined in ?22-3-13 of this code. The appropriate fee shall be submitted by the applicant to the department with the application filed pursuant to this article for any state water pollution control permit or national pollutant discharge elimination system permit. The schedule of application fees shall be designed to establish reasonable categories of permit application fees based upon the complexity of the permit application review process required by the department pursuant to the provisions of this article and the rules promulgated under this article: Provided, That no initial application fee may exceed $15,000 for any facility nor may any permit renewal application fee exceed $5,000. The department may not process any permit application pursuant to this article until the required permit application fee has been received.
(d) The
secretary shall propose for promulgation legislative rules in accordance with
the provisions of ?29A-1-1 et seq. of this code, to establish a
schedule of permit fees to be assessed annually upon each person holding a
state water pollution control permit or national pollutant discharge
elimination system permit issued pursuant to this article except for permits
held by surface coal mining operations as defined in ?22-3-1 et seq. of
this chapter code. Each person holding a permit shall pay the
prescribed annual permit fee to the department pursuant to the rules promulgated
under this section: Provided, That no person holding a permit for a home
aerator of six hundred 600 gallons and under shall be required to
pay an annual permit fee. The schedule of annual permit fees shall be designed
to establish reasonable categories of annual permit fees based upon the
relative potential of categories or permits to degrade the waters of the state:
Provided, however, That no annual permit fee may exceed $5,000. The
secretary may declare any permit issued pursuant to this article void when the
annual permit fee is more than ninety 90 days past due pursuant
to the rules promulgated under this section. Voiding of the permit will only
become effective upon the date the secretary mails, by certified mail, written
notice to the permittee?s last known address notifying the permittee that the
permit has been voided.
(e) The secretary shall file a quarterly report with the Joint Committee on Government and Finance setting forth the fees established and collected pursuant to this section.
(f) On
July 1, 2002, and each year thereafter, a $1,000 fee shall be assessed for
permit applications and renewals submitted pursuant to this article for surface
coal mining operations, as defined in ?22-3-1
et seq. of this code.
On July 1, 2002, and each year thereafter, a $500 fee shall be assessed for
application for permit modifications submitted pursuant to this article for
surface coal mining operations, as defined in ?22-3-1 et seq. of
this code. Beginning July 1, 2002 and every year thereafter, an annual permit
fee shall be assessed on the issuance anniversary dates of all permits issued
pursuant to this article for surface coal mining operations as defined in ?22-3-1 et seq. of this code. The annual permit fee shall be collected as
follows: Five hundred dollars $500 for the fiscal year beginning
on July 1, 2002, and $1,000 for each fiscal year thereafter. For all other
categories of permitting actions pursuant to this article related to surface
coal mining operations, the secretary shall propose for promulgation
legislative rules in accordance with the provisions of ?29A-1-1 et seq.
of this code to establish a schedule of permitting fees.
Article 30. The Aboveground Storage Tank Act.
?22-30-3. Definitions.
For purposes of this article:
(1) ?Aboveground
storage tank? or ?tank? or ?AST? means a device made to contain an accumulation
of more than one thousand three hundred twenty 1,320 gallons of
fluids that are liquid at standard temperature and pressure, which is
constructed primarily of nonearthen materials, including concrete, steel,
plastic, or fiberglass reinforced plastic, which provide structural
support, more than ninety percent 90 percent of the capacity of
which is above the surface of the ground, and includes all ancillary pipes and
dispensing systems up to the first point of isolation. The term includes
stationary devices which are permanently affixed, and mobile devices which
remain in one location on a continuous basis for three hundred sixty-five
365 or more days. A device meeting this definition containing hazardous
waste subject to regulation under 40 C. F. R. Parts 264 and 265, exclusive of
tanks subject to regulation under 40 C. F. R. ?
265.201 is included in this definition but is not a regulated tank.
Notwithstanding any other provision of this code to the contrary, the following
categories of devices are not subject to the provisions of this article:
(A) Shipping
containers that are subject to state or federal laws or regulations governing
the transportation of hazardous materials, including, but not limited to,
railroad freight cars subject to federal regulation under the Federal Railroad
Safety Act, 49 U. S. C. ??20101-2015, as amended, including, but not limited
to, federal regulations promulgated thereunder at 49 C. F. R. Parts ??172, 173, or 174;
(B) Barges or boats
subject to federal regulation under the United States Coast Guard, United
States Department of Homeland Security, including, but not limited to, federal
regulations promulgated at 33 C. F. R. 1, et seq. or subject to
other federal law governing the transportation of hazardous materials.;
(C) Swimming pools;
(D) Process vessels;
(E) Devices containing drinking water for human or animal consumption, surface water or groundwater, demineralized water, noncontact cooling water, or water stored for fire or emergency purposes;
(F) Devices containing food or food-grade materials used for human or animal consumption and regulated under the Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act (21 U. S. C. ?301-392);
(G) Except when
located in a zone of critical concern, a device located on a farm, the contents
of which are used exclusively for farm purposes and not for commercial
distribution.;
(H) Devices holding wastewater that is being actively treated or processed (e.g., clarifier, chlorine contact chamber, batch reactor, etc.);
(I) Empty tanks held in inventory or offered for sale;
(J) Pipeline facilities, including gathering lines, regulated under the Natural Gas Pipeline Safety Act of 1968 or the Hazardous Liquid Pipeline Safety Act of 1979, or an intrastate pipeline facility regulated by the West Virginia Public Service Commission or otherwise regulated under any state law comparable to the provisions of either the Natural Gas Pipeline Safety Act of 1968 or the Hazardous Liquid Pipeline Safety Act of 1979;
(K) Liquid traps, atmospheric and pressure vessels, or associated gathering lines related to oil or gas production and gathering operations;
(L) Electrical equipment such as transformers, circuit breakers, and voltage regulator transformers;
(M) Devices having a
capacity of two hundred ten 210 barrels or less, containing brine
water or other fluids produced in connection with hydrocarbon production
activities, that are not located in a zone of critical concern; and
(N) Devices having a capacity of 10,000 gallons or less, containing sodium chloride or calcium chloride water for roadway snow and ice pretreatment, that are not located in a zone of critical concern: Provided, That all such devices exempted under subdivisions (M) and (N) of this subdivision must still meet the registration requirements contained in ?22-30-4 of this code, the notice requirements contained in ?22-30-10 of this code, and the signage requirements contained in ?22-30-11 of this code.
(2) ?Department? means the West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection.
(3) ?First point of isolation? means the valve, pump, dispenser, or other device or equipment on or nearest to the tank where the flow of fluids into or out of the tank may be shut off manually or where it automatically shuts off in the event of a pipe or tank failure.
(4) ?Nonoperational storage tank? means an empty aboveground storage tank in which fluids will not be deposited or from which fluids will not be dispensed on or after the effective date of this article.
(5) ?Operator? means any person in control of, or having responsibility for, the daily operation of an aboveground storage tank.
(6) ?Owner? means a person who holds title to, controls, or owns an interest in an aboveground storage tank, including the owner immediately preceding the discontinuation of its use. ?Owner? does not mean a person who holds an interest in a tank for financial security unless the holder has taken possession of and operated the tank.
(7) ?Person?, ?persons?, or ?people? means any individual, trust, firm, owner, operator, corporation, or other legal entity, including the United States government, an interstate commission or other body, the state or any agency, board, bureau, office, department, or political subdivision of the state, but does not include the Department of Environmental Protection.
(8) ?Process vessel? means a tank that forms an integral part of a production process through which there is a steady, variable, recurring, or intermittent flow of materials during the operation of the process or in which a biological, chemical, or physical change in the material occurs. This does not include tanks used for storage of materials prior to their introduction into the production process or for the storage of finished products or by-products of the production process.
(9) ?Public groundwater supply source? means a primary source of water supply for a public water system which is directly drawn from a well, underground stream, underground reservoir, underground mine, or other primary sources of water supplies which are found underneath the surface of the state.
(10) ?Public surface water supply source? means a primary source of water supply for a public water system which is directly drawn from rivers, streams, lakes, ponds, impoundments, or other primary sources of water supplies which are found on the surface of the state.
(11) ?Public surface water influenced groundwater supply source? means a source of water supply for a public water system which is directly drawn from an underground well, underground river or stream, underground reservoir, or underground mine, and the quantity and quality of the water in that underground supply source is heavily influenced, directly or indirectly, by the quantity and quality of surface water in the immediate area.
(12) ?Public water system? means:
(A) Any water supply
or system which regularly supplies or offers to supply water for human
consumption through pipes or other constructed conveyances, if serving at least
an average of twenty-five 25 individuals per day for at least sixty
60 days per year, or which has at least fifteen 15 service
connections, and shall include:
(i) Any collection, treatment, storage, and distribution facilities under the control of the owner or operator of the system and used primarily in connection with the system; and
(ii) Any collection or pretreatment storage facilities not under such control which are used primarily in connection with the system.
(B) A public water system does not include a bathhouse located on coal company property solely for the use of its employees or a system which meets all of the following conditions:
(i) Consists only of distribution and storage facilities (and does not have any collection and treatment facilities);
(ii) Obtains all of its water from, but is not owned or operated by, a public water system which otherwise meets the definition;
(iii) Does not sell water to any person; and
(iv) Is not a carrier conveying passengers in interstate commerce.
(13) ?Regulated level 1 aboveground storage tank? or ?level 1 regulated tank? means:
(A) An AST located within a zone of critical concern, source water protection area, public surface water influenced groundwater supply source area, or any AST system designated by the secretary as a level 1 regulated tank; or
(B) An AST that contains substances defined in section 101(14) of the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act (CERCLA) as a ?hazardous substance? (42 U. S. C. ? 9601(14)); or is on EPA?s Consolidated List of Chemicals Subject to the Emergency Planning and Community Right to Know Act (EPCRA), CERCLA, and ?112(r) of the Clean Air Act (CAA) (known as the List of Lists) as provided by 40 C. F. R. ?? 355, 372, 302, and 68) in a concentration of one percent or greater, regardless of the AST?s location, except ASTs containing petroleum are not level 1 regulated tanks based solely upon containing constituents recorded on the CERCLA lists; or
(C) An AST with a capacity of 50,000 gallons or more, regardless of its contents or location.
(14) ?Regulated level 2 aboveground storage tank? or ?level 2 regulated tank? means an AST that is located within a zone of peripheral concern that is not a level 1 regulated tank.
(15) ?Regulated aboveground storage tank? or ?regulated tank? means an AST that meets the definition of a level 1 or level 2 regulated tank.
(16) ?Release? means any spilling, leaking, emitting, discharging, escaping, or leaching of fluids from an aboveground storage tank into the waters of the state or escaping from secondary containment.
(17) ?Secondary
containment? means a safeguard applied to one or more aboveground storage tanks
that prevents the discharge into the waters of the state of the entire capacity
of the largest single tank and sufficient freeboard to contain precipitation.
In order to qualify as secondary containment, the barrier and containment field
must be sufficiently impervious to contain fluids in the event of a release,
and may include double-walled tanks, dikes, containment curbs, pits, or
drainage trench enclosures that safely confine the release from a tank in a
facility catchment basin or holding pond. Earthen dikes and similar containment
structures must be designed and constructed to contain, for a minimum of seventy-two
72 hours, fluid that escapes from a tank.
(18) ?Secretary? means the Secretary of the Department of Environmental Protection, or his or her designee.
(19) ?Source water
protection area? for a public groundwater supply source is the area within an
aquifer that supplies water to a public water supply well within a five-year
time of travel, and is determined by the mathematical calculation of the
locations from which a drop of water placed at the edge of the protection area
would theoretically take five years to reach the well.
(20) ?Zone of critical
concern? for a public surface water supply source and for a public surface
water influenced groundwater supply source is a corridor along streams within a
watershed that warrants detailed scrutiny due to its proximity to the surface
water intake and the intake?s susceptibility to potential contaminants within
that corridor. The zone of critical concern is determined using a mathematical
model that accounts for stream flows, gradient and area topography. The length
of the zone of critical concern is based on a five-hour time of travel of water
in the streams to the intake. The width of the zone of critical concern is one
thousand 1,000 feet measured horizontally from each bank of the
principal stream and five hundred 500 feet measured horizontally
from each bank of the tributaries draining into the principal stream.
(21) ?Zone of
peripheral concern? for a public surface water supply source and for a public
surface water influenced groundwater supply source is a corridor along streams
within a watershed that warrants scrutiny due to its proximity to the surface
water intake and the intake?s susceptibility to potential contaminants within
that corridor. The zone of peripheral concern is determined using a mathematical
model that accounts for stream flows, gradient, and area topography. The length
of the zone of peripheral concern is based on an additional five-hour time of
travel of water in the streams beyond the perimeter of the zone of critical
concern, which creates a protection zone of ten 10 hours above
the water intake. The width of the zone of peripheral concern is one
thousand 1,000 feet measured horizontally from each bank of the
principal stream and five hundred 500 feet measured horizontally
from each bank of the tributaries draining into the principal stream.
?22-30-24. Powers and duties of secretary.
?(a) In addition to the powers and duties prescribed in this chapter or otherwise provided by law, the secretary has the exclusive authority to perform all acts necessary to implement this article.
(b) The secretary may receive and expend money from the federal government or any other sources to implement this article.
(c) The secretary may revoke any registration or certificate to operate for a significant violation of this article or the rules promulgated hereunder.
(d) The secretary may issue orders, assess civil penalties, institute enforcement proceedings, and prosecute violations of this article as necessary.
(e) The secretary, in accordance with this article, may order corrective action to be undertaken, take corrective action, or authorize a third party to take corrective action.
(f) The secretary may recover the costs of taking corrective action, including costs associated with authorizing third parties to perform corrective action. Costs may not include routine inspection and administrative activities not associated with a release.
(g) The secretary shall promulgate for review and consideration by the West Virginia Legislature in the regular session of the Legislature, 2020, legislative rules to incorporate the relevant provisions of this article in the Groundwater Protection Rules for Coal Mining, 38 CSR 2F, for tanks and devices located at coal mining operations.
Chapter 22a. Miners? Health, safety, and Training.
Article 1. Office of Miners? Health, Safety, and Training; Administration; Enforcement.
?22A-1-21. Penalties.
?(a) (1) Any operator of a coal mine in which a violation of any health or safety rule occurs or who violates any other provisions of this chapter shall be assessed a civil penalty by the director under subdivision (3) of this subsection, which shall be not more than $5,000, for each violation, unless the director determines that it is appropriate to impose a special assessment for the violation, pursuant to the provisions of subdivision (2), subsection (b) of this section. Each violation constitutes a separate offense. In determining the amount of the penalty, the director shall consider the operator?s history of previous violations, whether the operator was negligent, the appropriateness of the penalty to the size of the business of the operator charged, the gravity of the violation, and the demonstrated good faith of the operator charged in attempting to achieve rapid compliance after notification of a violation.
(2) Revisions to the assessment of civil penalties shall be proposed as legislative rules in accordance with the provisions of ?29A-3-1 et seq. of this code.
(3) Any miner who knowingly violates any health or safety provision of this chapter or health or safety rule promulgated pursuant to this chapter is subject to a civil penalty assessed by the director under subdivision (4) of this subsection which shall not be more than $250 for each occurrence of the violation. Any miner issued a violation under this subsection shall either appeal the violation or pay the civil penalty within 30 days after receipt of the violation. Any violation not appealed or paid within 30 days shall become delinquent.
Any civil penalty that becomes delinquent on or after July 1, 2019, and has not been paid shall be deemed a failure by the miner to perform a duty mandated pursuant to this article for purposes of ?22A-1-31 of this code.
(4) A civil penalty under subdivision (1) or (2) ,subsection (a) of this section or subdivision (1) or (2), subsection (b) of this section shall be assessed by the director only after the person charged with a violation under this chapter or rule promulgated pursuant to this chapter has been given an opportunity for a public hearing and the director has determined, by a decision incorporating the director?s findings of fact in the decision, that a violation did occur and the amount of the penalty which is warranted and incorporating, when appropriate, an order in the decision requiring that the penalty be paid. Any hearing under this section shall be of record.
(5) If the person against whom a civil penalty is assessed fails to pay the penalty within the time prescribed in the order, the director may file a petition for enforcement of the order in any appropriate circuit court. The petition shall designate the person against whom the order is sought to be enforced as the respondent. A copy of the petition shall immediately be sent by certified mail, return receipt requested, to the respondent and to the representative of the miners at the affected mine or the operator, as the case may be. The director shall certify and file in the court the record upon which the order sought to be enforced was issued. The court has jurisdiction to enter a judgment enforcing, modifying and enforcing as modified, or setting aside, in whole or in part, the order and decision of the director or it may remand the proceedings to the director for any further action it may direct. The court shall consider and determine de novo all relevant issues, except issues of fact which were or could have been litigated in review proceedings before a circuit court under ?22A-1-20 of this code and, upon the request of the respondent, those issues of fact which are in dispute shall be submitted to a jury. On the basis of the jury?s findings the court shall determine the amount of the penalty to be imposed. Subject to the direction and control of the Attorney General, attorneys appointed for the director may appear for and represent the director in any action to enforce an order assessing civil penalties under this subdivision.
(b) (1)
Any operator who knowingly violates a health or safety provision of this
chapter or health or safety rule promulgated pursuant to this chapter, or
knowingly violates or fails or refuses to comply with any order issued under
?22A-1-15 of this article code, or any order incorporated in a
final decision issued under this article, except an order incorporated in a
decision under ?22A-1-22(a) or ?22A-1-22(b) of this article
code, shall be assessed a civil penalty by the director under
subdivision (5), subsection (a) of this section of not more than $5,000 and for
a second or subsequent violation assessed a civil penalty of not more than
$10,000, unless the director determines that it is appropriate to impose a
special assessment for the violation, pursuant to the provisions of subdivision
(2) of this subsection.
(2) In lieu of imposing a civil penalty pursuant to the provisions of subsection (a) of this section or subdivision (1) of this subsection, the director may impose a special assessment if an operator violates a health or safety provision of this chapter or health or safety rule promulgated pursuant to this chapter and the violation is of serious nature and involves one or more of the following by the operator:
(A) Violations involving fatalities and serious injuries;
(B) Failure or refusal to comply with any order issued under ?22A-1-15 of this code;
(C) Operation of a mine in the face of a closure order;
(D) Violations involving an imminent danger;
(E) Violations involving an extraordinarily high degree of negligence or gravity or other unique aggravating circumstances; or
(F) A discrimination violation under ?22A-1-22 of this code.
In situations in which the director determines that there are factors present which would make it appropriate to impose a special assessment, the director shall assess a civil penalty of at least $5,000 and not more than $10,000.
(c)
Whenever a corporate operator knowingly violates a health or safety provision
of this chapter or health or safety rules promulgated pursuant to this chapter,
or knowingly violates or fails or refuses to comply with any order issued under
this law or any order incorporated in a final decision issued under this law,
except an order incorporated in a decision issued under ?22A-1-22(a) or
?22A-1-22(b) of this article code, any director, officer, or
agent of the corporation who knowingly authorized, ordered or carried out the
violation, failure or refusal is subject to the same civil penalties that may
be imposed upon a person under subsections (a) and (b) of this section.
(d) Whoever knowingly makes any false statement, representation, or certification in any application, record, report, plan, or other document filed or required to be maintained pursuant to this law or any order or decision issued under this law is guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction thereof, shall be fined not more than $10,000 or confined in jail not more than one year, or both fined and confined. The conviction of any person under this subsection shall result in the revocation of any certifications held by the person under this chapter which certified or authorized the person to direct other persons in coal mining by operation of law and bars that person from being issued any license under this chapter, except a miner?s certification, for a period of not less than one year or for a longer period as may be determined by the director.
(e) Whoever willfully distributes, sells, offers for sale, introduces, or delivers in commerce any equipment for use in a coal mine, including, but not limited to, components and accessories of the equipment, who willfully misrepresents the equipment as complying with the provisions of this law, or with any specification or rule of the director applicable to the equipment, and which does not comply with the law, specification or rule, is guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction thereof, is subject to the same fine and confinement that may be imposed upon a person under subsection (d) of this section.
(f) Any
person who willfully violates any safety standard pursuant to this chapter or a
rule promulgated thereunder that causes a fatality or who willfully orders or
carries out such violation that causes a fatality is guilty of a felony and,
upon conviction thereof, shall be fined not more than $10,000 or confined in a
state correctional facility not less than one year and not more than five
years, or both fined and imprisoned confined.
(g) There is continued in the Treasury of the State of West Virginia a Special Health, Safety and Training Fund. All civil penalty assessments collected under this section shall be collected by the director and deposited with the Treasurer of the State of West Virginia to the credit of the Special Health, Safety and Training Fund. The fund shall be used by the director who is authorized to expend the moneys in the fund for the administration of this chapter.
?22A-1-35. Mine rescue teams.
(a) The operator shall provide mine rescue coverage at each active underground mine.
(b) Mine rescue coverage may be provided by:
(1) Establishing at least two mine rescue teams which are available at all times when miners are underground; or
(2) Entering into an arrangement for mine rescue services which assures that at least two mine rescue teams are available at all times when miners are underground.
(3) A West Virginia Office of Miners? Health, Safety, and Training Mine
Rescue Team may shall serve as a second or backup team for mines
within the state and qualify as one of the two teams required under subdivision
(1) of this subsection and in accordance with 30 CFR, Part 49.20(4) for all
mines with no backup team available within a one-hour drive to the mine.
The operator shall contact the office and obtain the state?s agreement to
serve as a backup team in the form of a written notification signed by the
director and this notification shall be kept posted at the mine notify
them of the need for mine rescue services beginning July 1, 2019. The director
shall utilize surplus funds from the West Virginia Office of Miners? Health,
Safety, and Training?s special revenue fund to provide backup mine rescue
services.
(c) As used in this section, mine rescue teams shall be considered available where teams are capable of presenting themselves at the mine site(s) within a reasonable time after notification of an occurrence which might require their services. Rescue team members will be considered available even though performing regular work duties or while in an off-duty capacity. The requirement that mine rescue teams be available does not apply when teams are participating in mine rescue contests or providing rescue services to another mine.
(d) In the event of a fire, explosion, or recovery operations in or about any mine, the director is hereby authorized to assign any mine rescue team to said mine to protect and preserve life and property. The director may also assign mine rescue and recovery work to inspectors, instructors, or other qualified employees of the office as he or she deems necessary.
(e) The ground travel time between any mine rescue station and any mine
served by that station shall not exceed two hours. To ensure adequate rescue
coverage for all underground mines, no mine rescue station may provide coverage
for more than seventy 70 mines within the two-hour ground travel
limit as defined in this subsection.
(f) Each mine rescue team shall consist of five members and one alternate, who are fully qualified, trained, and equipped for providing emergency mine rescue service. Each mine rescue team shall be trained by a state certified mine rescue instructor.
(g) Each member of a mine rescue team must have been employed in an underground mine for a minimum of one year. For the purpose of mine rescue work only, miners who are employed on the surface but work regularly underground meet the experience requirement. The underground experience requirement is waived for those members of a mine rescue team on the effective date of this statute.
(h) An applicant for initial mine rescue training shall pass, on at least an annual basis, a physical examination by a licensed physician certifying his or her fitness to perform mine rescue work. A record that such examination was taken, together with pertinent data relating thereto, shall be kept on file by the operator and a copy shall be furnished to the director.
(i) Upon completion of the initial training, all mine rescue team
members shall receive at least forty 40 hours of refresher
training annually. This training shall be given at least four hours each month,
or for a period of eight hours every two months, and shall include:
(1) Sessions underground at least once every six months;
(2) The wearing and use of a breathing apparatus by team members for a period of at least two hours, while under oxygen, once every two months;
(3) Where applicable, the use, care, capabilities, and limitations of auxiliary mine rescue equipment, or a different breathing apparatus; and
(4) Mine map training and ventilation procedures.
(j) When engaged in rescue work required by an explosion, fire, or other emergency at a mine, all members of mine rescue teams assigned to rescue operations shall, during the period of their rescue work, be employees of the operator of the mine where the emergency exists, and shall be compensated by the operator at the rate established in the area for such work. In no case shall this rate be less than the prevailing wage rate in the industry for the most skilled class of inside mine labor. During the period of their emergency employment, members of mine rescue teams shall be protected by the workers? compensation subscription of the mine operator.
(k) During the recovery work and prior to entering any mine at the start of each shift, all rescue or recovery teams shall be properly informed of existing conditions and work to be performed by the designated company official in charge.
(1) For every two teams performing rescue or recovery work underground, one six-member team shall be stationed at the mine portal.
(2) Each rescue or recovery team performing work with a breathing apparatus shall be provided with a backup team of equal number, stationed at each fresh air base.
(3) The mine operator shall provide two-way communication and a lifeline or its equivalent at each fresh air base for all mine rescue or recovery teams and no mine rescue team member shall advance more than 1,000 feet inby the fresh air base: Provided, That if a life may possibly be saved and existing conditions do not create an unreasonable hazard to mine rescue team members, the rescue team may advance a distance agreed upon by those persons directing the mine rescue or recovery operations: Provided, however, That the mine operator shall provide a lifeline or its equivalent in each fresh air base for all mine rescue or recovery teams.
(4) A rescue or recovery team shall immediately return to the fresh air
base when the atmospheric pressure of any member?s breathing apparatus depletes
to sixty 60 atmospheres, or its equivalent.
(l) Mine rescue stations shall provide a centralized storage location for rescue equipment. This storage location may be either at the mine site, affiliated mines, or a separate mine rescue structure. All mine rescue teams shall be guided by the mine rescue apparatus and auxiliary equipment manual. Each mine rescue station shall be provided with at least the following equipment:
(1) Twelve self-contained oxygen breathing apparatuses, each with a minimum of two hours capacity, and any necessary equipment for testing such breathing apparatuses;
(2) A portable supply of liquid air, liquid oxygen, pressurized oxygen, oxygen generating or carbon dioxide absorbent chemicals, as applicable to the supplied breathing apparatuses and sufficient to sustain each team for six hours while using the breathing apparatuses during rescue operations;
(3) One extra, fully charged, oxygen bottle for each self-contained compressed oxygen breathing apparatus, as required under subdivision (1) of this subsection;
(4) One oxygen pump or a cascading system, compatible with the supplied breathing apparatuses;
(5) Twelve permissible cap lamps and a charging rack;
(6) Two gas detectors appropriate for each type of gas which may be encountered at the mines served;
(7) Two oxygen indicators;
(8) One portable mine rescue communication system or a sound-powered
communication system. The wires or cable to the communication system shall be
of sufficient tensile strength to be used as a manual communication system. The
communication system shall be at least one thousand 1,000 feet in
length; and
(9) Necessary spare parts and tools for repairing the breathing apparatuses and communication system, as presently prescribed by the manufacturer.
(m) Mine rescue apparatuses and equipment shall be maintained in a
manner that will ensure readiness for immediate use. A person trained in the
use and care of breathing apparatuses shall inspect and test the apparatuses at
intervals not exceeding thirty 30 days and shall certify by
signature and date that the inspections and tests were done. When the
inspection indicates that a corrective action is necessary, the corrective
action shall be made and recorded by said person. The certification and
corrective action records shall be maintained at the mine rescue station for a
period of one year and made available on request to an authorized
representative of the director.
(n) Authorized representatives of the director have the right of entry to inspect any designated mine rescue station.
(o) When an authorized representative finds a violation of any of the
mine rescue requirements, the representative shall take appropriate corrective
action in accordance with ?22A-1-15
of this article code.
(p) Operators affiliated with a station issued an order by an authorized
representative will be notified of that order and that their mine rescue
program is invalid. The operators shall have twenty-four 24 hours
to submit to the director a revised mine rescue program.
(q) Every operator of an underground mine shall develop and adopt a mine
rescue program for submission to the director within thirty 30
days of the effective date of this statute: Provided, That a new program
need only be submitted when conditions exist as defined in subsection (p) of
this section, or when information contained within the program has changed.
(r) A copy of the mine rescue program shall be posted at the mine and kept on file at the operator?s mine rescue station or rescue station affiliate and the state regional office where the mine is located. A copy of the mine emergency notification plan filed pursuant to 30 CFR ?49.9(a) will satisfy the requirements of subsection (q) of this section if submitted to the director.
(s) The operator shall immediately notify the director of any changed conditions materially affecting the information submitted in the mine rescue program.
?22A-1-43. Hold harmless clause; decision to enter mine.
(a) If any injury or death shall occur to any person who has entered any mine, whether active workings, inactive workings, or abandoned workings, without permission, neither:
(1) The owner of that mine or property; nor
(2) The State of West Virginia or any of its political subdivisions, or any agency operating under color of law thereunder; nor
(3) Any person, organization, or entity involved in any rescue or attempted rescue of such person who has committed an entry without permission, shall be held liable in any court or other forum for such injury or death.
(b) The director is authorized to make the decision on whether a mine is too dangerous, and this decision is not subject to review by a court of this state.
(c) A company shall not be required or ordered to conduct rescue operations.
?22A-1-44. Temporary exemption for environmental regulations.
In the event of an unauthorized entry by any person or persons into any mine whether active workings, inactive workings, or abandoned workings, neither the owner of that mine or property, nor any other person, organization, or entity involved in any rescue or attempted rescue of such person, may be held liable for any violation of any environmental regulation, if such violation occurred as part of any rescue efforts.
Article 1A. Office of Miners? Health, Safety, and Training; Administration; Substance Abuse.
?22A-1A-1. Substance abuse screening; minimum requirements; standards and procedures for screening.
?(a) Every
employer of certified persons, as defined in ?22A-1-2 of this chapter code,
shall implement a substance abuse screening policy and program that shall, at a
minimum, include:
(1) A
preemployment, ten 10-panel urine test for the following and any other
substances as set out in rules adopted by the Office of Miners? Health, Safety,
and Training:
(A) Amphetamines;
(B) Cannabinoids/THC;
(C) Cocaine;
(D) Opiates;
(E) Phencyclidine (PCP);
(F) Benzodiazepines;
(G) Propoxyphene;
(H) Methadone;
(I) Barbiturates; and
(J) Synthetic narcotics.
Split samples shall be collected by providers who are certified as complying with standards and procedures set out in the United States Department of Transportation?s rule, 49 C. F. R. Part 40, which may be amended, from time to time, by legislative rule of the Office of Miners? Health, Safety, and Training. Collected samples shall be tested by laboratories certified by the United States Department of Health and Human Services, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) for collection and testing. Notwithstanding the provisions of this subdivision, the mine operator may implement a more stringent substance abuse screening policy and program;
(2) A random substance abuse testing program covering the substances referenced in subdivision (1) of this subsection. ?Random testing? means that each person subject to testing has a statistically equal chance of being selected for testing at random and at unscheduled times. The selection of persons for random testing shall be made by a scientifically valid method, such as a random number table or a computer-based random number generator that is matched with the persons? Social Security numbers, payroll identification numbers, or other comparable identifying numbers; and
(3) Review of the substance abuse screening program with all persons required to be tested at the time of employment, upon a change in the program and annually thereafter.
(b) For purposes of this subsection, preemployment testing shall be required upon hiring by a new employer, rehiring by a former employer following a termination of the employer/employee relationship or transferring to a West Virginia mine from an employer?s out-of-state mine to the extent that any substance abuse test required by the employer in the other jurisdiction does not comply with the minimum standards for substance abuse testing required by this article. Furthermore, the provisions of this section apply to all employers that employ certified persons who work in mines, regardless of whether that employer is an operator, contractor, subcontractor or otherwise.
(c) Any employee involved in an accident that results in physical injuries or damage to equipment or property may be subject to a drug test by his or her employer.
(c) (d) (1) Every employer shall
notify the director, on a form prescribed by the director, within seven days of
any of the following:
(A) A
Any positive drug or alcohol test of a certified person., whether it
be a preemployment test, random test, reasonable suspicion test or
post-accident test. However, for purposes of determining whether a drug
test is positive the certified employee may not rely on a prescription dated
more than one year prior to the date of the drug test result;
(B) The refusal of a certified person to submit a sample;
(C) A certified person possessing a substituted sample or an adulterated sample; or
(D) A certified person submitting a substituted sample or an adulterated sample.
(2) With respect to any certified person subject to a collective bargaining agreement, the employer shall notify the director, on a form prescribed by the director, within seven days of any of the following:
(A) A
Any positive drug or alcohol test of a certified person, whether it
be a preemployment test, random test, reasonable suspicion test or
post-accident test. However, for purposes of determining whether a drug
test is positive the certified employee may not rely on a prescription dated
more than one year prior to the date of the drug test result;
(B) The refusal of a certified person to submit a sample;
(C) A certified person possessing a substituted sample or an adulterated sample; or
(D) A certified person submitting a substituted sample or an adulterated sample.
(3) When the employer submits the completed notification form prescribed by the director, the employer shall also submit a copy of the laboratory test results showing the substances tested for and the results of the test.
(4) Notice
shall result in the immediate temporary suspension of all certificates held by
the certified person who failed the screening, pending a hearing before the
board of appeals pursuant to ?22A-1-2 of this article code.
(d) (e) Suspension or revocation of a
certified person?s certificate as a miner or other miner specialty in another
jurisdiction by the applicable regulatory or licensing authority for substance
abuse-related matters shall result in the director?s immediately and
temporarily suspending the certified person?s West Virginia certificate until
such time as the certified person?s certification is reinstated in the other
jurisdiction.
(e) (f) The provisions of this article
shall not be construed to preclude an employer from developing or maintaining a
drug and alcohol abuse policy, testing program, or substance abuse
program that exceeds the minimum requirements set forth in this section. The
provisions of this article shall also not be construed to require an employer
to alter, amend, revise or otherwise change, in any respect, a previously
established substance abuse screening policy and program that meets or exceeds
the minimum requirements set forth in this section. The provisions of this
article shall require an employer to subject its employees who as part of their
employment are regularly present at a mine and who are employed in a
safety-sensitive position to preemployment and random substance abuse tests:
Provided, That each employer shall retain the discretion to establish the
parameters of its substance abuse screening policy and program so long as it
meets the minimum requirements of this article. For purposes of this section, a
?safety-sensitive position? means an employment position where the employee?s
job responsibilities include duties and activities that involve the personal
safety of the employee or others working at a mine.
?22A-1A-2. Board of Appeals hearing procedures.
(a) Any hearing conducted after the temporary suspension of a certified
person?s certificate pursuant to this article, shall be conducted within
sixty 60 days of the temporary suspension. The Board of Appeals
shall make every effort to hold the hearing within forty 40 days
of the temporary suspension.
(b) All hearings of the Board of Appeals pursuant to this section shall
be conducted in accordance with the provisions of ?22A-1-31 of this chapter
code. In addition to the rules and procedures in ?22A-1-31 of this chapter code in hearings under
this section, the Board of Appeals may accept as evidence a notarized affidavit
of drug testing procedures and results from a Medical Review Officer (MRO) in
lieu of live testimony by the MRO. If the Board of Appeals desires testimony in
lieu of a notarized affidavit, the MRO may testify under oath telephonically or
by an Internet-based program in lieu of physically attending the hearing. The
Board of Appeals may suspend the certificate or certificates of a certified
person for violation of this article or for any other violation of this chapter
pertaining to substance abuse. The Board of Appeals may impose further disciplinary
actions for repeat violations. The director shall have the authority to propose
legislative rules for promulgation in accordance with ?29A-3-1 et seq.
of this code to establish the disciplinary
actions referenced in this section following the receipt of recommendations
from the Board of Coal Mine Health and Safety following completion of the study
required pursuant to ?22A-6-14 of this chapter
code. The legislative rules authorized by this subsection shall not,
however, include any provisions requiring an employer to take or refrain from
taking any specific personnel action or mandating any employer to establish or
maintain an employer-funded substance abuse rehabilitation program.
(c) No person whose certification is suspended or revoked under this
section may perform any duties under any other certification issued under this
chapter, during the period of the suspension imposed by the Board of
Appeals. For all miners determined to have a positive drug or alcohol test
as determined pursuant to the provisions of this article, the board shall
suspend the miner?s certification card(s) for a minimum of six months from the
date of the drug test. This six-month minimum suspension shall also apply to
miners who enter into a treatment program after testing positive in a drug test
administered pursuant to the provisions of this article and are placed under
probationary treatment and testing agreements by the board. The director shall
promulgate an emergency rule and legislative rule by July 1, 2019, requiring
all miners who have a positive drug or alcohol test shall have their miner
certification card(s) suspended for a minimum of six months.
(d) Any party adversely affected by a final order or decision issued by the Board of Appeals hereunder is entitled to judicial review thereof pursuant to ?29A-5-4 of this code.
Article 2. Underground Mines.
?22A-2-2. Submittal of detailed ventilation plan to director.
?(a) A mine
operator shall submit a detailed ventilation plan and any addenda to the
director for review and comment. The mine operator shall review the plan with
the director and address concerns to the extent practicable. The operator shall
deliver to the miners? representative employed by the operator at the mine, if
any, a copy of the operator?s proposed annual ventilation plan at least 10 days
prior to the date of submission. The miners? representative, if any, shall be
afforded the opportunity to submit written comments to the operator prior to
such submission; in addition, the miners? representative, if any, may submit
written comments to the director. The director shall submit any concern that is
not addressed to the United States Department of Labor - Mine Safety and Health
Administration (MSHA) through comments to the plan. The mine operator shall
provide a copy of the plan to the director 10 days prior to the submittal of
the plan to MSHA. The MSHA-approved plan shall serve as the state-approved
plan: Provided, That the MSHA-approved plan shall comply with all provisions of
state mining law as set forth in state code or code of state rules.
?(b) (a)
The A mine operator shall give the director a copy of the MSHA
United States Department of Labor?s Mine Safety and Health Administration
(MSHA)-approved plan and any addenda as soon as the operator receives the
approval from MSHA. The MSHA-approved plan shall serve as the state-approved
plan: Provided, That the MSHA-approved plan shall comply with all
provisions of state mining law as set forth in this code or state rules.
(c) (b) In the event of an unforeseen situation
requiring immediate action on a plan revision, the operator shall submit the
proposed revision to the director and the miners? representative, if any,
employed by the operator at the mine when the proposed revision is submitted to
MSHA. The director shall work with the operator to review and comment on the
proposed plan revision to MSHA as quickly as possible.
(d) (c) Upon approval by MSHA, the plan is
enforceable by the director. The approved plan and all revisions and addenda
thereto shall be posted on the mine bulletin board and made available for
inspection by the miners at that mine for the period of time that they are in
effect.
?22A-2-12. Instruction of employees and supervision of apprentices; annual examination of persons using approved methane-detecting devices; records of examination; maintenance of methane detectors, etc.
?(a) The
Office of Miners? Health, Safety, and Training shall prescribe and establish a
course of instruction in mine safety and particularly in dangers incident to
employment in mines and in mining laws and rules, which course of instruction
shall be successfully completed within twelve 12 weeks after any
person is first employed as a miner. It is further the duty and responsibility
of the Office of Miners? Health, Safety, and Training to see that the course is
given to all persons as above provided after their first being employed in any
mine in this state. In addition to other enforcement actions available to the
director, upon a finding by the director of the existence of a pattern of
conduct creating a hazardous condition at a mine, the director shall notify the
Board of Miners? Training, Education and Certification Board of Coal
Mine Health and Safety, which shall cause additional training to occur at
the mine addressing such safety issue or issues identified by the director,
pursuant to ?22A-7-1 et seq. of this chapter code. The
Director of the Office of Miners? Health, Safety, and Training is authorized to
promulgate emergency and legislative rules in consultation with the Board of
Coal Mine Health and Safety establishing a course of instruction.
(b) It is
the duty of the mine foreman or the assistant mine foreman of every coal mine
in this state to see that every person employed to work in the mine is, before
beginning work therein, instructed in the particular danger incident to his or
her work in the mine, and furnished a copy of the mining laws and rules of the
mine. It is the duty of every mine operator who employs apprentices, as that
term is used in ?22A-8-3 and ?22A-8-4 of this chapter code to
ensure that the apprentices are effectively supervised with regard to safety practices
and to instruct apprentices in safe mining practices. Every apprentice shall
work under the direction of the mine foreman or his or her assistant mine
foreman and they are responsible for his or her safety. The mine foreman or
assistant mine foreman may delegate the supervision of an apprentice to an
experienced miner, but the foreman and his or her assistant mine foreman remain
responsible for the apprentice. During the first one hundred twenty 120
days of employment in a mine, the apprentice shall work within sight and sound
of the mine foreman, assistant mine foreman, or an experienced miner, and in a
location that the mine foreman, assistant mine foreman, or experienced miner
can effectively respond to cries for help of the apprentice: Provided,
that if the apprentice has completed an approved training program as approved
by the Board of Coal Mine Health
and Safety, this period may be reduced by an amount not to exceed 30 days. The location shall be on the same side
of any belt, conveyor, or mining equipment.
(c) Persons whose duties require them to use an approved methane-detecting device or other approved methane detectors shall be examined at least annually as to their competence by a qualified official from the Office of Miners? Health, Safety, and Training and a record of the examination shall be kept by the operator and the office. Approved methane-detecting devices and other approved methane detectors shall be given proper maintenance and shall be tested before each working shift. Each operator shall provide for the proper maintenance and care of the permissible approved methane-detecting device or any other approved device for detecting methane and oxygen deficiency by a person trained in the maintenance, and, before each shift, care shall be taken to ensure that the approved methane-detecting device or other device is in a permissible condition and maintained according to manufacturer?s specifications.
?22A-2-13. Daily inspection of working places; records.
Before the
beginning of any shift upon which they shall perform supervisory duties, the
mine foreman or his or her assistant shall review carefully and
countersign all books and records reflecting the conditions and the areas under
their supervision, exclusive of equipment logs, which the operator is required
to keep under this chapter. The mine foreman, assistant mine foreman, or
fire boss shall visit and carefully examine each working place in which miners
will be working at the beginning of each shift before any face equipment is
energized and shall examine each working place in the mine at least once every
two hours each shift while such miners are at work in such places, and shall
direct that each working place shall be secured by props, timbers, roof bolts,
or other approved methods of roof support or both where necessary to the end
that the working places shall be made safe. The mine foreman or his or her
assistants upon observing a violation or potential violation of ?22A-2-1 et
seq. of this chapter code or any regulation or any plan or
agreement promulgated or entered into thereunder shall arrange for the prompt
correction thereof. The foreman shall not permit any miner other than a
certified foreman, fire boss, assistant mine foreman, assistant mine foreman-fire
boss or pumper to be on a working section by himself or herself. Should
the mine foreman or his or her assistants find a place to be in a
dangerous condition, they shall not leave the place until it is made safe,
or shall remove the persons working therein until the place is made safe by
some competent person designated for that purpose.
He or she shall place his or her initials, time and the date at or near each place he or she examines. He or she shall also record any dangerous conditions and practices found during his or her examination in a book provided for that purpose.
?22A-2-80. Existing regulations to be revised.
By August 31, 2019, all existing rules or regulations under authority of this article shall be revised to reflect the changes enacted during the 2019 Regular Session of the Legislature.
Article 8. Certification of Underground and surface Coal Miners.
?22A-8-5. Supervision of apprentices.
Each
holder of a permit of apprenticeship shall be known as an apprentice. Any miner
holding a certificate of competency and qualification may have one person working
with him or her, and under his or her supervision and direction, as an
apprentice, for the purpose of learning and being instructed in the duties and
calling of mining. Any mine foreman or fire boss, or assistant mine
foreman or fire boss, may have three persons working with him or her
under his or her supervision and direction, as apprentices, for the purpose of
learning and being instructed in the duties and calling of mining: Provided,
That a mine foreman, assistant mine foreman, or fire boss supervising
apprentices in an area where no coal is being produced or which is outby the
working section may have as many as five apprentices under his or her
supervision and direction, as apprentices, for the purpose of learning and
being instructed in the duties and calling of mining or where the operator is
using a production section under program for training of apprentice miners,
approved by the Board of Miner Training, Education and Certification Board
of Coal Mine Health and Safety.
Every apprentice working at a surface mine shall be at all times under the supervision and control of at least one person who holds a certificate of competency and qualification.
In all cases, it is the duty of every mine operator who employs apprentices to ensure that such persons are effectively supervised and to instruct such persons in safe mining practices. Each apprentice shall wear a red hat which identifies the apprentice as such while employed at or near a mine. No person shall be employed as an apprentice for a period in excess of eight months, except that in the event of illness or injury, time extensions shall be permitted as established by the Director of the Office of Miners? Health, Safety, and Training.
?22A-8-10. Loss of certification for unlawful trespass.
Upon a conviction under the provisions of ?61-3B-6 of this code, the certification of any person certified under the provision of ?22A-8-1 et seq. of this code, including a safety sensitive certification issued pursuant to 56 CSR 19, shall be deemed revoked and person shall be permanently barred from holding a certification under the provisions of ?22A-8-1 et seq. of this code.
Chapter 61. Crimes and Their Punishment.
Article 3. Crimes Against Property.
?61-3-12. Entry of building other than dwelling; entry of railroad, traction or motorcar, steamboat, or other vessel; penalties; counts in indictment.
If any
person shall, at any time, break and enter, or shall enter without breaking,
any office, shop, underground coal mine, storehouse, warehouse, banking
house, or any house or building, other than a dwelling house or outhouse
adjoining thereto or occupied therewith, any railroad or traction car, propelled
by steam, electricity or otherwise, any steamboat or other boat or vessel, or
any commercial, industrial or public utility property enclosed by a fence,
wall, or other structure erected with the intent of the property owner of
protecting or securing the area within and its contents from unauthorized
persons, within the jurisdiction of any county in this state, with intent to
commit a felony or any larceny, he or she shall be deemed guilty of a felony
and, upon conviction, shall be confined in a state correctional facility not
less than one nor more than 10 years. And if any person shall, at any time,
break and enter, or shall enter without breaking, any automobile, motorcar, or
bus, with like intent, within the jurisdiction of any county in this state, he
or she shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, shall be confined
in jail not less than two nor more than 12 months and be fined not exceeding
$100.
An indictment for burglary may contain one or more counts for breaking and entering, or for entering without breaking, the house or building mentioned in the count for burglary under the provisions of this section and ?61-3-11 of this code.
Article 3B. Trespass.
?61-3B-6. Mine trespass; penalties.
(a) A person who willfully enters an underground coal mine, whether active workings, inactive workings, or abandoned workings, without permission, is guilty of a felony and, upon conviction thereof shall be imprisoned in a correctional facility not less than one year and nor more than 10 years and shall be fined not less than $5,000 nor more than $10,000: Provided, that for any conviction pursuant to this subsection, any inactive or abandoned underground workings must be either: (1) sealed; or (2) clearly identified by signage at some conspicuous place near the entrance of the mine that includes a notice that the unauthorized entry into the mine is a felony criminal offense,
(b) A person who willfully enters a surface coal mine, whether active workings, inactive workings or abandoned workings, without permission, and with the intent to commit a felony or any larceny, is guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction thereof, shall be confined in jail not less than one week and not more than one month and shall be fined not less than $1,000 nor more than $5,000. For a second conviction, pursuant to this subsection, the person shall be guilty of a felony and shall be confined in a correctional facility not less than one year and not more than five years and shall be fined not less than $5,000 nor more than $10,000. For a third or subsequent conviction, pursuant to this subsection, the person shall be guilty of a felony and shall be confined in a correctional facility not less than five year and not more than 10 years and shall be fined not less than $10,000, nor more than $25,000.
?(c) If a person violates subsections (a) or (b) of this section, and during any rescue efforts for any such person, there occurs an injury that causes substantial physical pain, illness, or any impairment of physical condition to any person other than himself or herself, then that person is guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction thereof, shall be confined in jail for not less than one week and not more than one year and shall be fined not less than $1,000 nor more than $5,000: Provided, That such jail term shall include actual confinement of not less than seven days.
(d) If a person violates subsections (a) or (b) of this section, and during any rescue efforts for any such person, there occurs an injury that creates a substantial risk of death, causes serious or prolonged disfigurement, prolonged impairment of health, or prolonged loss or impairment of the function of any bodily organ to any person other than himself or herself, then that person is guilty of a felony and, upon conviction thereof, shall be imprisoned in a correctional facility for not less than two nor more than 10 years and shall be fined not less than $5,000 nor more than $10,000.
(e) If a person violates subsections (a) or (b) of this section, and during any rescue efforts of such person, the death of any other person occurs, then that person is guilty of a felony and, upon conviction thereof, shall be imprisoned in a correctional facility for not less than three nor more than 15 years and shall be fined not less than $10,000 nor more than $25,000.
(f) Notwithstanding and in addition to any other penalties provided by law, any person who performs or causes damage to property in the course of a willful trespass in violation of this section is liable to the property owner in the amount of twice the amount of such damage.
?(g) The terms ?mine?, ?active workings?, ?inactive workings?, and ?abandoned workings? have the same meaning ascribed to such terms as set forth in ?22A-1-2 of this code.
(h) Nothing in this section shall be construed to prevent lawful assembly and petition for the lawful redress of grievances, during any dispute, including, but not limited to, activities protected by the West Virginia Constitution or the United States Constitution or any statute of this state or the United States.?
And,
By amending the title of the bill to read as follows:
S. B. 635 - ?A Bill to amend and reenact ?5B-2A-5, ?5B-2A-6, ?5B-2A-8, and ?5B-2A-9 of the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended; to amend said code by adding thereto three new sections, designated ?11-28-1, ?11-28-2, and ?11-28-3; to amend and reenact ?22-3-14 of said code; to amend and reenact ?22-11-10 of said code; to amend and reenact ?22-30-3 and ?22-30-24 of said code; to amend and reenact ?22A-1-21 and ?22A-1-35 of said code; to amend said code by adding thereto two new sections, designated ?22A-1-43 and ?22A-1-44; to amend and reenact ?22A-1A-1 and ?22A-1A-2 of said code; to amend and reenact ?22A-2-2, ?22A-2-12, and ?22A-2-13 of said code; to amend said code by adding thereto a new section, designated, ?22A-2-80; to amend and reenact ?22A-2A-405 of said code; to amend and reenact ?22A-8-5 of said code; to amend said code by adding thereto a new section, designated ?22A-8-10; to amend and reenact ?61-3-12 of said code; and to amend said code by adding thereto a new section, designated ?61-3B-6, all relating generally to coal mining activities; eliminating the requirement for submission of the community impact statement; requiring review of new mining activity for submission to the Office of Coalfield Community Development; eliminating requirements for submission of certain additional information; requiring the submission of certain information related to land and infrastructure needs upon request of the Office of Coalfield Community Development; requiring and authorizing the Secretary of the Department of Environmental Protection to promulgate rules relating to mine subsidence protection for dwelling owners; creating a tax credit for post coal mine development; authorizing the Secretary of the Department of Environmental Protection to promulgate rules for permit modification and renewal fees for surface mining operations pursuant to the Water Pollution Control Act; authorizing the Secretary of the Department of Environmental Protection to promulgate rules relating to exemptions pursuant to the Aboveground Storage Tank Act; requiring a miner who was issued an assessment to either pay the fine or appeal a violation within 30 days; requiring the Office of Miners? Health, Safety, and Training Mine Rescue Team be provided to a coal operation where the operation has no mine rescue team available within one hour?s drive; permitting employers to drug test an employee involved in an accident that results in physical injuries or damage to equipment or property; requiring miners testing positive for drug use to undergo a mandatory minimum six-month suspension; eliminating timing requirements for submission of a detailed mine ventilation plan to the Director of the Office of Miners? Health, Safety, and Training; authorizing the Director of the Office of Miners? Health, Safety, and Training to promulgate emergency rules for establishing a course of instruction for apprentice miners; requiring apprentice miners to work 90 days in a mine within sight and sound of a mine foreman or assistant foreman; permitting the Director of the Office of Miners? Health, Safety, and Training to decertify miners who fail to perform daily examinations; allowing the Director of the Office of Miners? Health, Safety, and Training to use the employer?s tracking data of the designated daily examiner; authorizing the Director of the Office of Miners? Health, Safety, and Training to promulgate rules generally; amending standards for controlling and monitoring exhaust gases for diesel-powered underground coal mining equipment; allowing certified competent miners to supervise up to two apprentice miners; holding mine owners, the state, and person or entities engaged in rescue operations harmless for injury or death; authorizing a temporary exemption from environmental regulations during rescue operations; revoking certifications of persons convicted of mine trespass; removing underground coal mines from those places subject to the crime of unlawful entry of building other than a dwelling; creating the new criminal misdemeanor and felony offenses of mine trespass; establishing penalties for mine trespass including enhanced penalties for bodily injury or death during rescue operations; authorizing increased liability for damages caused during a mine trespass; and exempting lawful activities under the West Virginia and United States Constitutions, and state and federal law from the operation of the mine trespass criminal statute.?
The further title amendment offered by Delegate Anderson and adopted by the House being as follows:
S. B. 635 - ?A Bill to amend and reenact ?5B-2A-5, ?5B-2A-6, ?5B-2A-8, and ?5B-2A-9 of the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended; to amend said code by adding thereto three new sections, designated ?11-28-1, ?11-28-2, and ?11-28-3; to amend and reenact ?22-3-14 of said code; to amend and reenact ?22-11-10 of said code; to amend and reenact ?22-30-3 and ?22-30-24 of said code; to amend and reenact ?22A-1-21 and ?22A-1-35 of said code; to amend said code by adding thereto a new sections, designated ?22A-1-43; to amend and reenact ?22A-1A-1 and ?22A-1A-2 of said code; to amend and reenact ?22A-2-2, ?22A-2-12, and ?22A-2-13 of said code; to amend said code by adding thereto a new section, designated, ?22A-2-80; to amend and reenact ?22A-8-5 of said code; to amend said code by adding thereto a new section, designated ?22A-8-10; to amend and reenact ?61-3-12 of said code; and to amend said code by adding thereto a new section, designated ?61-3B-6, all relating generally to coal mining activities; eliminating the requirement for submission of the community impact statement; requiring review of new mining activity for submission to the Office of Coalfield Community Development; eliminating requirements for submission of certain additional information; requiring the submission of certain information related to land and infrastructure needs upon request of the Office of Coalfield Community Development; requiring and authorizing the Secretary of the Department of Environmental Protection to promulgate rules relating to mine subsidence protection for dwelling owners; creating a tax credit for post coal mine site development; adding definitions; delineating eligibility for tax credit for post coal mine site development; specifying application of the tax credit for post coal mine site development; authorizing the Secretary of the Department of Environmental Protection to promulgate rules for permit modification and renewal fees for surface mining operations pursuant to the Water Pollution Control Act; authorizing the Secretary of the Department of Environmental Protection to promulgate rules relating to exemptions pursuant to the Aboveground Storage Tank Act; requiring a miner who was issued an assessment to either pay the fine or appeal a violation within 30 days; requiring the Office of Miners? Health, Safety, and Training Mine Rescue Team be provided to a coal operation where the operation has no mine rescue team available within one hour?s drive; permitting employers to drug test an employee involved in an accident that results in physical injuries or damage to equipment or property; requiring miners testing positive for drug use to undergo a mandatory minimum six-month suspension; eliminating timing requirements for submission of a detailed mine ventilation plan to the Director of the Office of Miners? Health, Safety, and Training; authorizing the Director of the Office of Miners? Health, Safety, and Training to promulgate emergency rules for establishing a course of instruction for apprentice miners; requiring apprentice miners to work at least 90 days in a mine within sight and sound of a mine foreman or assistant foreman; permitting the Director of the Office of Miners? Health, Safety, and Training to decertify miners who fail to perform daily examinations; authorizing the Director of the Office of Miners? Health, Safety, and Training to promulgate rules generally; holding mine owners, the state, and person or entities engaged in rescue operations harmless for injury or death resulting from mine trespass; authorizing a temporary exemption from environmental regulations during rescue operations; revoking certifications of persons convicted of mine trespass; removing underground coal mines from those places subject to the crime of unlawful entry of building other than a dwelling; creating the new criminal misdemeanor and felony offenses of mine trespass; establishing penalties for mine trespass including enhanced penalties for bodily injury or death during rescue operations; authorizing increased liability for damages caused during a mine trespass; and exempting lawful activities under the West Virginia and United States Constitutions, and state and federal law from the operation of the mine trespass criminal statute.?
The bill, as amended, was then put upon its passage.
On the passage of the bill, the yeas and nays were taken (Roll No. 696), and there were?yeas 98, nays none, absent and not voting 2, with the absent and not voting being as follows:
Absent and Not Voting: Cooper and Ellington.
So, a majority of the members present and voting having voted in the affirmative, the Speaker declared the bill (S. B. 635) passed.
Delegate Kessinger moved that the bill take effect from its passage.
On this question, the yeas and nays were taken (Roll No. 697), and there were?yeas 98, nays none, absent and not voting 2, with the absent and not voting being as follows:
Absent and Not Voting: Cooper and Ellington.
So, two thirds of the members elected to the House of Delegates having voted in the affirmative, the Speaker declared the bill (S. B. 635) takes effect from its passage.
Ordered, That the Clerk of the House communicate to the Senate the action of the House of Delegates and request concurrence therein.
A message from the Senate, by
The Clerk of the Senate, announced that the Senate had passed, with amendment, a bill of the House of Delegates, as follows:
Com. Sub. for H. B. 2049, Relating to a prime contractor?s responsibility for wages and benefits.
On motion of Delegate Kessinger, the House refused to concur in the following amendment of the bill by the Senate, and requested the Senate to recede therefrom:
On page one, by striking out everything after the enacting clause and inserting in lieu thereof the following:
?ARTICLE 5. WAGE PAYMENT AND COLLECTION.
?21-5-4a. Safe Harbor.
(a) An employee, in bringing an action for the underpayment or nonpayment of wages and fringe benefits due upon the employee?s separation of employment as contemplated by ?21-5-4 of this code, is not entitled to seek liquidated damages or attorney?s fees from an employer without first making a written demand, as defined in subsection (c) of this section, to the employer seeking the payment of any alleged underpayment or nonpayment as set forth in this section. The written demand shall be mailed or delivered to the employer?s correct address or delivered to the employer?s authorized representative. Upon receiving a written demand, the employer has seven calendar days from receipt to correct the alleged underpayment or nonpayment of the wages and fringe benefits due. If, after the seven calendar days, the employer has not corrected the alleged underpayment or nonpayment, or otherwise disputes the allegation, the employee shall be allowed to seek liquidated damages and attorney?s fees. Nothing in this section prohibits the employee from presenting a claim under this article without making a written demand to the employer.
(b) In a class action lawsuit brought under this article for the underpayment or nonpayment of wages and fringe benefits due upon the employee?s separation of employment, participation in the class shall be limited only to those individual employees who have made a written demand on the employer as required in subsection (a) of this section.
(c) For purposes of this section, a ?written demand? means any writing, including email, from or on behalf of an employee stating only that the employer has not paid all of the wages or fringe benefits which the employee is owed.
(d) In order for the employer to be eligible for the protections of this section, the employer shall: (i) Inform its employees through a posted notice maintained in a place accessible to its employees in accordance with ?21-5-9 of this code of the employee?s obligation to make a written demand in order to preserve the right to seek liquidated damages, attorney?s fees, or class action relief; and (ii) furnish to the employee with his or her last paycheck or pay stub a written notice of that obligation together with a mailing address and email address to which the notice may be delivered.
?21-5-7. Prime contractor?s responsibility for wages and benefits.
(a) Whenever any
person, firm, or corporation shall contract with another for the performance of
any work which the prime contracting person has undertaken to perform for
another, the prime contractor shall become civilly liable to employees engaged
in the performance of work under such the contract for the
payment of wages and fringe benefits relating to such work only,
exclusive of attorney?s fees, interest, liquidated damages, or any
other damages of any kind, as provided in ?21-5-4(e) of this code, or
other applicable law and/or common law, to the extent that the employer of such
the employee fails to pay such the wages and fringe
benefits: for work performed under the contract with the prime
contractor. The employer, and its shareholders, owners, directors, and officers
shall be personally and civilly liable to the prime contractor for any sums
paid under this section, including attorney?s fees.
(b) Any individual or entity seeking redress pursuant to subsection (a) of this section must:
(1) Notify the prime contractor, by certified mail, only that wages or fringe benefits have not been paid within 100 days of the date the wages or fringe benefits become payable to the employee; and
(2) Commence the action within one year of the date the employee delivered notice to the prime contractor pursuant to subdivision (1) of this subsection.
Provided,
That such employees have exhausted all feasible remedies contained in this
article against such employer, but if the prime contractor has failed to notify
the commissioner as required by section sixteen of this article, then the
employee shall not be required to exhaust any remedies against the employer:
Provided, however, That such employer shall become civilly
liable to such prime contractor for any sum of money paid by him under this
section.
(c) The employer of the employee to whom wages and/or fringe benefits are owed, shall whenever feasible provide, immediately upon request by the employee or the prime contractor, complete payroll records relating to work performed under the contract with the prime contractor.
(d) Whenever the employee to whom wages and/or fringe benefits are due is represented by a union or other plan administrator, the union or other plan administrator, shall whenever feasible, immediately upon notice of a claim hereunder, cooperate with the employee and the prime contractor to identify and quantify the wages and fringe benefits owed for work performed under the contract with the prime contractor. Further, if the union or agents thereof or other plan administrator, including, but not limited to, third party administrators, trustees, administrators, or employees, become aware that an employer is not timely in the payment of wages and/or fringe benefits, the union or other plan administrator shall immediately notify the affected employee and the prime contractor for whom the affected employee provided work.
?(e) A prime contractor must notify the owner and the architect prior to the completion of the contract if any subcontractor has not been paid in full.?
And,
By amending the title of the bill to read as follows:
H. B. 2049 - ?A Bill to amend and reenact ?21-5-7 of the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, relating to a prime contractor?s responsibility for wages and benefits of employees of a subcontractor; establishing personal and civil liability for the employer and its shareholders, owners, directors, and officers to the prime contractor for any sums paid under this section, including attorney?s fees; requiring notice to prime contractor by certified mail within 100 days of the missing wages becoming payable to the employee; instituting a one-year statute of limitations; requiring the employer of the employee to whom wages and fringe benefits are owed to whenever feasible provide immediately upon request by the employee or the prime contractor complete payroll records relating to work performed under the contract with the prime contractor; requiring when an employee to whom wages and fringe benefits are due is represented by a union or other plan administrator that the union or other plan administrator must whenever feasible immediately upon notice of a claim cooperate with the employee and the prime contractor to identify and quantify the wages and fringe benefits owed for work performed under the contract with the prime contractor; providing that if the union or its agents or other plan administrator become aware that an employer is not timely in the payment of wages and fringe benefits the union or other plan administrator must immediately notify the affected employee and the prime contractor for whom the affected employee provided work; and providing that a prime contractor must notify the owner and the architect prior to the completion of the contract if any subcontractor has not been paid in full.?
Ordered, That the Clerk of the House communicate to the Senate the action of the House of Delegates and request concurrence therein.
A message from the Senate, by
The Clerk of the Senate, announced that the Senate had passed, with amendment, a bill of the House of Delegates, as follows:
Com. Sub. for H. B. 2486, Using records of criminal conviction to disqualify a person from receiving a license for a profession or occupation.
On motion of Delegate Summers, the House concurred in the following amendment by the Senate, with further title amendment:
On page one, by striking out everything after the enacting clause and inserting in lieu thereof the following:
?ARTICLE 1. GENERAL PROVISIONS APPLICABLE TO ALL STATE BOARDS OF EXAMINATION OR REGISTRATION REFERRED TO IN CHAPTER.
?30-1-22. Use of criminal records as disqualification of authorization to practice.
?Notwithstanding any other provision of this chapter to the contrary, except for the professions and occupations in ?30-2-1 et seq., ?30-3-1 et seq., ?30-3E-1 et seq., ?30-14-1 et seq., ?30-18-1 et seq., and ?30-29-1 et seq. of this code and where not in conflict with an existing compact or model act:
(a) Boards or licensing authorities referred to in this chapter may not disqualify an applicant for initial licensure, certification or registration because of a prior criminal conviction that has not been reversed unless that conviction is for a crime that bears a rational nexus to the occupation requiring licensure, certification, or registration.
(b) Because the term ?moral turpitude? is vague and subject to inconsistent applications, boards or licensing authorities referred to in this chapter when making licensure, certification or registration determination may not rely upon the description of a crime as one of ?moral turpitude? unless the underlying crime bears a rational nexus to the occupation requiring licensure, certification, or registration.
(c) If an applicant is disqualified for initial licensure, certification or registration because of a criminal conviction that has not been reversed, the board or licensing authority shall afford the applicant the opportunity to reapply for licensure, certification or registration after the expiration of five years from the date of conviction or date of release from the penalty that was imposed, whichever is later, if the individual has not been convicted of any other crime during that period of time: Provided, That convictions for violent or sexual offenses shall subject an individual to a longer period of disqualification, to be determined by the individual board or licensing authority.
(d) An individual with a criminal record who has not previously applied for licensure, certification, or registration may petition a board at any time for a determination of whether the individual?s criminal record will disqualify the individual from obtaining a license or other authorization to practice. This petition shall include sufficient details about the individual?s criminal record to enable the licensing authority to identify the jurisdiction where the conviction occurred, the date of the conviction, and the specific nature of the conviction. The licensing authority shall inform the individual of his or her standing within 60 days of receiving the petition from the applicant. The licensing authority may charge a fee to recoup its costs for each petition.
(e) Nothing in this section alters the standards and procedures each licensing authority uses for evaluating licensure, certification, or registration renewals.
(f) Every board subject to the provisions of this section shall propose rules or amendments to existing rules for legislative approval to comply with the provisions of this section. These rules or amendments to rules shall be proposed pursuant to the provisions of ?29A-3-1 et seq. of this code within the applicable time limit to be considered by the Legislature during its regular session in the year 2020.
ARTICLE 5. PHARMACISTS, PHARMACY TECHNICIANS, PHARMACY INTERNS AND PHARMACIES.
?30-5-11. Registration of pharmacy technicians.
(a) To be eligible for registration as a pharmacy technician to assist in the practice of pharmacist care, the applicant shall:
(1) Submit a written application to the board;
(2) Pay the applicable fees;
(3) Have graduated
from high school or obtained a Certificate of General Educational
Development (GED) Test Assessing Secondary Completion (TASC) or
equivalent;
(4) Have:
(A) Graduated from a competency-based pharmacy technician education and training program as approved by legislative rule of the board;
(B) Completed a pharmacy-provided, competency-based education and training program approved by the board; or
(C) Obtained a national certification as a pharmacy technician and have practiced in another jurisdiction for a period of time as determined by the board.
(5) Have successfully passed an examination developed using nationally recognized and validated psychometric and pharmacy practice standards approved by the board;
(6) Not be an alcohol or drug abuser, as these terms are defined in ?27-1A-11 of this code: Provided, That an applicant in an active recovery process, which may, in the discretion of the board, be evidenced by participation in a 12-step program or other similar group or process, may be considered;
(7) Not have been convicted of a felony in any jurisdiction within 10 years preceding the date of application for license, which conviction remains unreversed: Provided, That any consideration of prior criminal convictions shall be governed by the provisions of ?29A-3-1 et seq. of this code.
(8) Not have been
convicted of a misdemeanor or felony in any jurisdiction if the offense for
which he or she was convicted bearing bears a rational nexus to
the practice of pharmacist care, which conviction remains unreversed: Provided,
That any consideration of prior criminal convictions shall be governed by the
provisions of ?30-1-22 of this code; and
(9) Have fulfilled any other requirement specified by the board in rule.
(b) A person whose license to practice pharmacist care has been denied, revoked, suspended, or restricted for disciplinary purposes in any jurisdiction is not eligible to be registered as a pharmacy technician.
(c) A person registered to assist in the practice pharmacist care issued by the board shall for all purposes be considered registered under this article and may renew pursuant to the provisions of this article.
?30-5-11a. Pharmacy technician trainee qualifications.
(a) To be eligible for registration as a pharmacy technician trainee to assist in the practice of pharmacist care, the applicant shall:
(1) Submit a written application to the board;
(2) Pay the applicable fees;
(3) (A) Have graduated
from a high school or obtained a Certificate of General Educational
Development (GED)Test Assessing Secondary Completion (TASC), or
equivalent;
(B) Be currently enrolled in a high school competency-based pharmacy technician education and training program;
(4) (A) Be currently enrolled in a competency-based pharmacy technician education and training program of a learning institution or training center approved by the board; or
(B) Be an employee of a pharmacy in an on-the-job competency-based pharmacy technician training program.
(5) Not be an alcohol or drug abuser as these terms are defined in ?27-1A-11 of this code: Provided, That an applicant in an active recovery process, which may, in the discretion of the board, be evidenced by participation in a 12-step program or other similar group or process, may be considered;
(6) Not have been convicted of a felony in any jurisdiction within 10 years preceding the date of application for registration, which conviction remains unreversed: Provided, That any consideration of prior criminal convictions shall be governed by the provisions of ?30-1-22 of this code;
(7) Not have been convicted of a misdemeanor or felony in any jurisdiction which bears a rational nexus to the practice of pharmacist care, which conviction remains unreversed: Provided, That any consideration of prior criminal convictions shall be governed by the provisions of ?30-1-22 of this code; and
(8) Have requested and submitted to the board the results of a fingerprint-based state and a national electronic criminal history records check.
(b) The rules, authorized duties, and unauthorized prohibitions as set out in ?30-5-12 of this code for pharmacy technicians apply to pharmacy technician trainees.
(c) The board shall promulgate an emergency rule and legislative rule pursuant to ?29A-2-1 et seq. of this code to authorize the requirements of this section to permit pharmacy technician trainee.
ARTICLE 10. VETERINARIANS.
?30-10-8. Requirements for Veterinary License.
(a) To be eligible for a license to practice veterinary medicine under the provisions of this article, the applicant must:
(1) Be of good moral character;
(2) (A) Be a graduate of an accredited school approved by the board; or
(B) Be a graduate of a foreign veterinary school and hold a certificate of competence issued by a foreign veterinary graduate educational organization as approved by the board;
(3) Have passed the examinations required by the board;
(4) Be at least 18 years of age;
(5) Be a citizen of the United States or be eligible for employment in the United States; and
(6) Not have been
convicted of a crime involving moral turpitude;
(7) (6) Not have been convicted of a felony under
the laws of any jurisdiction within five years preceding the date of
application for licensure which conviction remains unreversed: Provided,
That any consideration of prior criminal convictions shall be governed by the
provisions of ?30-1-22 of this code; and
(8) (7) Not have been convicted of a misdemeanor
or a felony under the laws of any jurisdiction at any time if the offense for
which the applicant was convicted related to the practice of veterinary
medicine or animal abuse or neglect: Provided, That any
consideration of prior criminal convictions shall be governed by the provisions
of ?30-1-22 of this code.
(b) A person seeking a license under the provisions of this article shall submit an application on a form prescribed by the board and pay all applicable fees.
(c) An applicant from another jurisdiction shall comply with all the requirements of this article.
(d) A license to practice veterinary medicine issued by the board prior to July 1, 2010, shall for all purposes be considered a license issued under this article and may be renewed under this article.
(e) An application for a license to practice veterinary medicine submitted to the board prior to July 1, 2010, shall be considered in conformity with the licensing provisions of this article and the rules promulgated thereunder in effect at the time of the submission of the application.
?30-10-10. Requirements for a registered veterinary technician.
(a) To be eligible for a registration to practice veterinary technology under the provisions of this article, the applicant must:
(1) Be of good moral character;
(2) Have a degree in veterinary technology from an accredited school, approved by the board;
(3) Have passed the examinations required by the board;
(4) Be at least 18 years of age;
(5) Be a citizen of the United States or be eligible for employment in the United States; and
(6) Not have been
convicted of a crime involving moral turpitude;
(7) (6) Not have been convicted of a felony under
the laws of any jurisdiction within five years preceding the date of
application for registration which conviction remains unreversed: Provided,
That any consideration of prior criminal convictions shall be governed by the
provisions of ?30-1-22 of this code; and
(8) (7) Not have been convicted of a misdemeanor
or a felony under the laws of any jurisdiction at any time if the offense for
which the applicant was convicted related to the practice of veterinary technology
or animal abuse or neglect: Provided, That any consideration
of prior criminal convictions shall be governed by the provisions of ?30-1-22
of this code;
(b) A person seeking registration under the provisions of this article shall submit an application on a form prescribed by the board and pay all applicable fees.
(c) A person registered to practice veterinary technology issued by the board prior to July 1, 2010, shall for all purposes be considered registered under this article and may renew pursuant to the provisions of this article.
ARTICLE 13A. LAND SURVEYORS.
?30-13A-9. Surveying license requirements.
(a) The board shall issue a surveying license to an applicant who meets the following requirements:
(1) Is of good moral character;
(2) Is at least 18 years of age;
(3) Is a citizen of the United States or is eligible for employment in the United States;
(4) Holds a high school diploma or its equivalent; and
(5) Has not been
convicted of a crime involving moral turpitude; and
(5) Has not been convicted of a felony in any jurisdiction within five years preceding the date of application of license which conviction remains unreversed; Provided; That any consideration of prior criminal convictions shall be governed by ?30-1-22.
(6) Has completed all of one of the education, experience, and examination requirements set out in ?30-13A-8 of this code.
(b) An application for a surveying license shall be made on forms provided by the board and include the following:
(1) Name and address of the applicant;
(2) Applicants education and experience;
(3) Location and date of passage of all the examinations;
(4) Names of five persons for reference, at least three of whom shall be licensees or persons authorized in another jurisdiction to engage in the practice of surveying, and who have knowledge of the applicant?s work; and
(5) Any other information the board prescribes.
(c) An applicant shall pay all the applicable fees.
(d) A license to practice surveying issued by the board prior to July 1, 2010, shall for all purposes be considered a license issued under this article: Provided, That a person holding a license to practice surveying issued by the board prior to July 1, 2010, must renew the license pursuant to the provisions of this article.
?30-13A-12. Surveyor intern requirements.
(a) To be recognized
as a surveyor intern by the board, a person must who meets
the following requirements:
(1) Is of good moral character;
(2) Is at least 18 years of age;
(3) Is a citizen of the United States or is eligible for employment in the United States;
(4) Holds a high school diploma or its equivalent;
(5) Has not been
convicted of a crime involving moral turpitude;
(5) Has not been convicted of a felony in any jurisdiction within five years preceding the date of application of license which conviction remains unreversed; Provided; That any consideration of prior criminal convictions shall be governed by ?30-1-22 of this code.
(6) Has completed one of the education requirements set out in ?30-13A-8 of this code; and
(7) Has passed an examination in the fundamentals of land surveying.
(b) A surveyor intern must pass the principles and practice of land surveying examination and the West Virginia examination within 10 years of passing the fundamentals of land surveying examination. If the examinations are not passed within 10 years, then the surveyor intern must retake the fundamentals of land surveying examination.
ARTICLE 20. PHYSICAL THERAPISTS.
?30-20-8. License to practice physical therapy.
(a) To be eligible for a license to engage in the practice of physical therapy, the applicant must:
(1) Submit an application to the board;
(2) Be at least 18 years of age;
(3) Be of good moral character;
(4) Have graduated from an accredited school of physical therapy approved by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education or a successor organization;
(5) Pass a national examination as approved by the board;
(6) Not be an alcohol or drug abuser, as these terms are defined in ?27-1A-11 of this code: Provided, That an applicant in an active recovery process, which may, in the discretion of the board, be evidenced by participation in a 12-step program or other similar group or process, may be considered;
(7) Not have been convicted of a felony in any jurisdiction within 10 years preceding the date of application for license which conviction remains unreversed: Provided, That any consideration of prior criminal convictions shall be governed by the provisions of ?30-1-22 of this code;
(8) Not have been convicted of a misdemeanor or felony in any jurisdiction if the offense for which he or she was convicted related to the practice of physical therapy, which conviction remains unreversed: Provided, That any consideration of prior criminal convictions shall be governed by the provisions of ?30-1-22 of this code; and
(9) Has fulfilled any other requirement specified by the board.
(b) A physical therapist shall use the letters ?PT? immediately following his or her name to designate licensure under this article.
(c) A license to practice physical therapy issued by the board prior to July 1, 2010, is considered a license issued under this article: Provided, That a person holding a license issued prior to July 1, 2010, must renew the license pursuant to the provisions of this article.
?30-20-10. License to act as a physical therapist assistant.
(a) To be eligible for a license to act as a physical therapist assistant, the applicant must:
(1) Submit an application to the board;
(2) Be at least 18 years of age;
(3) Be of good moral character;
(4) Have graduated from a two-year college level education program for physical therapist assistants which meets the standards established by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education and the board;
(5) Have passed the examination approved by the board for a license to act as a physical therapist assistant;
(6) Not be an alcohol or drug abuser, as these terms are defined in ?27-1A-11 of this code: Provided, That an applicant in an active recovery process, which may, in the discretion of the board, be evidenced by participation in a 12-step program or other similar group or process, may be considered;
(7) Not have been convicted of a felony in any jurisdiction within 10 years preceding the date of application for license which conviction remains unreversed: Provided, That any consideration of prior criminal convictions shall be governed by the provisions of ?30-1-22 of this code;
(8) Not have been convicted of a misdemeanor or felony in any jurisdiction if the offense for which he or she was convicted related to the practice of physical therapy, which conviction remains unreversed: Provided, That any consideration of prior criminal convictions shall be governed by the provisions of ?30-1-22 of this code; and
(10) (9) Meet any other requirements established by the
board.
(b) A physical therapist assistant shall use the letters ?PTA? immediately following his or her name to designate licensure under this article.
(c) A license to act as a physical therapist assistant issued by the board prior to July 1, 2010, is considered a license issued under this article: Provided, That a person holding a license issued prior to July 1, 2010, must renew the license pursuant to the provisions of this article.
ARTICLE 21. PSYCHOLOGISTS; SCHOOL PSYCHOLOGISTS.
?30-21-7. Qualifications of applicants; exceptions; applications; fee.
(a) To be eligible for a license to engage in the practice of psychology, the applicant must:
(1) Be at least 18 years of age;
(2) Be of good moral character;
(3) Be a holder of a doctor of philosophy degree or its equivalent or a masters degree in psychology from an accredited institution of higher learning, with adequate course study at such institution in psychology, the adequacy of any such course study to be determined by the board;
(4) When the degree held is a doctor of philosophy degree or its equivalent, at least 1,800 hours must be a predoctoral internship in the performance of any of the psychological services described in ?30-21-2(e) of this code, including those activities excluded from the definition of the term practice of psychology in said subdivision (e), and, when the degree held is a masters degree, have at least five years? experience subsequent to receiving said degree in the performance of any of the psychological services described in said subdivision (e), including those activities excluded from the definition of the term ?practice of psychology? in said subdivision (e);
(5) Have passed the examination prescribed by the board, which examination shall cover the basic subject matter of psychology and psychological skills and techniques;
(6) Not have been
convicted of a felony or crime involving moral turpitude:
Provided, That any consideration of prior criminal convictions shall
be governed by the provisions of ?30-1-22of this code; and
(7) Not, within the next preceding six months, have taken and failed to pass the examination required by subdivision (5), subsection (a) of this section.
(b) The following persons shall be eligible for a license to engage in the practice of psychology without examination:
(1) Any applicant who holds a doctor of philosophy degree or its equivalent from an institution of higher learning, with adequate course study at such institution in psychology and who is a diplomate of the ?American Board of Examiners in Professional Psychology?; and
(2) Any person who holds a license or certificate to engage in the practice of psychology issued by any other state, the requirements for which license or certificate are found by the board to be at least as great as those provided in this article.
(c) Any person who is engaged in the practice of psychology in this state, or is engaged in any of the activities described in ?30-21-2(e)(1), 30-21-2(e)(2), or ?30-21-2(e)(3) of this code, in this state, on the effective date of this article and has been so engaged for a period of two consecutive years immediately prior thereto shall be eligible for a license to engage in the practice of psychology without examination and without meeting the requirements of subdivision (4), subsection (a) of this section, if application for such license is made within six months after the effective date of this article and if such person meets the requirements of subdivisions (1), (2), (3) and (6), subsection (a) of this section: Provided, That an equivalent of a masters degree in psychology may be considered by the board, only for the purpose of this subsection (c), as meeting the requirements of subdivision (3), subsection (a) of this section.
(d) Any applicant for any such license shall submit an application therefor at such time (subject to the time limitation set forth in subsection (c) of this section), in such manner, on such forms and containing such information as the board may from time to time by reasonable rule and regulation prescribe, and pay to the board an application fee.
ARTICLE 22. LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTS.
?30-22-10. License requirements.
(a) The board shall issue a license to practice under the provisions of this article to an applicant who meets the following requirements:
(1) Is of good moral character;
(2) Is at least 18 years of age;
(3) Is a citizen of the United States or is eligible for employment in the United States;
(4) Has not been
convicted of a crime involving moral turpitude;
(5) (4) Has not had his or her application for a
license to practice as a landscape architect refused in any state of the United
States;
(6) (5) Has not had his or her license to practice
landscape architecture suspended or revoked in any state of the United States;
and
(7) (6) Has completed the licensure requirements
set out in this article and the rules promulgated hereunder.
(b) The board may
issue a license to practice under the provisions of this article to an
applicant who does not meet the licensure requirements set out in subdivisions (5)
or (6) (4) or (5) of subsection (a) of this section, but who does
meet the licensure requirements established by rule by the board.
(c) An application for a license shall be made on forms prescribed by the board.
(d) An applicant shall pay all the applicable fees.
(e) A license to practice landscape architecture issued by the board prior to July 1, 2006, shall for all purposes be considered a license issued under this article: Provided, That a person holding a license to practice landscape architecture issued prior to July 1, 2006, must renew the license pursuant to the provisions of this article.
ARTICLE 23. RADIOLOGIC TECHNOLOGISTS.
?30-23-9. Requirements for Radiologic Technology license.
(a) To be eligible for a license to practice Radiologic Technology, the applicant must:
(1) Be of good moral character;
(2) Have a high school diploma or its equivalent;
(3) Have successfully completed an accredited program in Radiologic Technology, as determined by an accreditation body recognized by the board, from a school of Radiologic Technology that has been approved by the board;
(4) Have passed the examination prescribed by the board, which examination shall cover the basic subject matter of Radiologic Technology, skills and techniques; and
(5) Not have been convicted of a felony under the laws of any state or the United States within five years preceding the date of application for licensure, which conviction remains unreversed: Provided, That any consideration of prior criminal convictions shall be governed by the provisions of ?30-1-22 of this code; and
(6) Not have been convicted of a misdemeanor or a felony under the laws of any state or the United States at any time if the offense for which the applicant was convicted related to the practice of Medical Imaging, which conviction remains unreversed: Provided, That any consideration of prior criminal convictions shall be governed by the provisions of ?30-1-22 of this code.
(b) A person seeking a Radiologic Technology license shall submit an application on a form prescribed by the board and pay the license fee, which fee shall be returned to the applicant if the license application is denied.
(c) A Radiologic Technology license issued by the board prior to July 1, 2009, shall for all purposes be considered a license issued under this article.
?30-23-15. Requirements for Nuclear Medicine Technologist license
(a) To be eligible for a license to practice Nuclear Medicine Technology, the applicant must:
(1) Be of good moral character;
(2) Have a high school diploma or its equivalent;
(3) Not have been convicted of a felony under the laws of any state or the United States within five years preceding the date of application for licensure, which conviction remains unreversed;
(4) Not have been convicted of a misdemeanor or felony under the laws of any state or the United States if the offense for which the applicant was convicted related to the practice of Medical Imaging, which conviction remains unreversed: Provided, That any consideration of prior criminal convictions shall be governed by the provisions of ?30-1-22 of this code;
(5) Meet one of the following qualifications:
(A) Have a baccalaureate or associate degree in one of the physical or biological sciences pertaining to the Medical Imaging or Radiation Therapy profession;
(B) Have a baccalaureate or associate degree in other disciplines of Medical Imaging with successful completion of courses in the following areas: college algebra, physics or chemistry, human anatomy, physiology, and radiation safety;
(C) National certification as a certified Nuclear Medicine Technologist (CNMT);
(D) National certification as a Registered Radiographer (ARRT (R));
(E) National certification as a Registered Radiographer specializing in Nuclear Medicine (ARRT (N)); or
(F) National certification as a Radiation Therapist (ARRT (T)); and
(6) Pass an examination which has been approved by the board, with a minimum passing score of 75 percent, which examination shall cover the basic subject matter of medical imaging, radiation safety, skills and techniques as it pertains to Nuclear Medicine.
(b) A person seeking a Nuclear Medicine Technology license shall submit an application on a form prescribed by the board and pay the license fee, which fee shall be returned to the applicant if the license application is denied.
(c) A Nuclear Medicine Technology license issued by the board prior to July 1, 2007, shall for all purposes be considered a license issued under this article: Provided, That a person holding a Nuclear Medicine Technology license issued prior to July 1, 2007, must renew the license pursuant to the provisions of this article.
?30-23-17. Requirements for Magnetic Resonance Imaging Technologist license.
(a) To be eligible for a license to practice Magnetic Resonance Imaging Technology, the applicant must:
(1) Be of good moral character;
(2) Have a high school diploma or its equivalent;
(3) Not have been convicted of a felony under the laws of any state or the United States within five years preceding the date of application for licensure, which conviction remains unreversed: Provided, That any consideration of prior criminal convictions shall be governed by the provisions of ?30-1-22 of this code;
(4) Not have been convicted of a misdemeanor or a felony under the laws of any state or the United States if the offense for which the applicant was convicted practice of Medical Imaging, which conviction remains unreversed: Provided, That any consideration of prior criminal convictions shall be governed by the provisions of ?30-1-22 of this code;
(5) Meet one of the following qualifications:
(A) Have a baccalaureate or associate degree in one of the physical or biological sciences pertaining to the Medical Imaging or Radiation Therapy profession;
(B) Have a baccalaureate or associate degree in other disciplines of Medical Imaging with successful completion of courses in the following areas: college algebra, physics or chemistry, human anatomy, physiology, and radiation safety;
(C) National certification as a certified Nuclear Medicine Technologist (CNMT);
(D) National certification as a Registered Radiographer (ARRT (R));
(E) National certification as a Registered Radiographer specializing in Nuclear Medicine (ARRT (N));
(F) National certification as a Radiation Therapist (ARRT(T)); or
(G) National certification as an MRI technologist (ARRT (MR) or ARMRIT); and
(6) Pass an examination which has been approved by the board, with a minimum passing score of 75 percent, which examination shall cover the basic subject matter of Medical Imaging, radiation safety, skills and techniques as it pertains to Magnetic Resonance Imaging.
(b) A person seeking a Magnetic Resonance Imaging Technology license shall submit an application on a form prescribed by the board and pay the license fee, which fee shall be returned to the applicant if the license application is denied.
(c) A Magnetic Resonance Imaging Technology license issued by the board prior to July 1, 2007, shall for all purposes be considered a license issued under this article: Provided, That a person holding a Magnetic Resonance Imaging Technology license issued prior to July 1, 2007, must renew the license pursuant to the provisions of this article.
?30-23-20. Requirements for Podiatric Medical Assistant permit.
(a) To be eligible for a Podiatric Medical Assistant permit to perform podiatric radiographs, the applicant must:
(1) Be of good moral character;
(2) Have a high school diploma or its equivalent;
(3) Pass a written examination for certification from the American Society of Podiatric Medical Assistants (ASPMA);
(4) Maintain an active certification in the American Society of Podiatric Medical Assistants (ASPMA) and meet all requirements of that organization including the continuing education requirements; and
(5) Not have been convicted of a felony under the laws of any state or the United States within five years preceding the date of application for licensure, which conviction remains unreversed: Provided, That any consideration of prior criminal convictions shall be governed by the provisions of ?30-1-22 of this code; and
(6) Not have been convicted of a misdemeanor or felony under the laws of any state or the United States if the offense for which the applicant was convicted related to the practice of Radiologic Technology, which conviction remains unreversed: Provided, That any consideration of prior criminal convictions shall be governed by the provisions of ?30-1-22 of this code.
(b) A person seeking a Podiatric Medical Assistant permit shall submit an application on a form prescribed by the board and pay the permit fee, which fee shall be returned to the applicant if the permit application is denied.
Upon application for renewal, the permittee shall submit documentation of an active certification in ASPMA and payment of a renewal fee.
(c) A Podiatric Medical Assistant permit issued by the board prior to July 1, 2007, shall for all purposes be considered a permit issued under this article: Provided, That a person holding a Podiatric Medical Assistant permit issued prior to July 1, 2007, must renew the permit pursuant to the provisions of this article.
ARTICLE 25. NURSING HOME ADMINISTRATORS.
?30-25-8. Qualifications for license; exceptions; application; fees.
(a) To be eligible for a license to engage in the practice of nursing home administration, the applicant must:
(1) Submit an application to the board;
(2) Be of good moral character;
(3) Obtain a baccalaureate degree;
(4) Pass a state and national examination as approved by the board;
(5) Complete the required experience as prescribed by the board;
(6) Successfully complete a criminal background check, through the West Virginia State Police and the National Criminal Investigative Center;
(7) Successfully complete a Health Integrity Protection Data Bank check;
(8) Not be an alcohol or drug abuser as these terms are defined in ?27-1A-11 of this code: Provided, That an applicant in an active recovery process, which may, in the discretion of the board, be evidenced by participation in a 12-step program or other similar group or process, may be considered;
(9) Not have been convicted of a felony in any jurisdiction within 10 years preceding the date of application for license which conviction remains unreversed;
(10) Not have been convicted of a misdemeanor or felony in any jurisdiction if the offense for which he or she was convicted related to the practice of nursing home administration, which conviction remains unreversed: Provided, That any consideration of prior criminal convictions shall be governed by the provisions of ?30-1-22 of this code; and
(11) Has fulfilled any other requirement specified by the board.
(b) A license issued by the board prior to July 1, 2010, shall for all purposes be considered a license issued under this article: Provided, That a person holding a license issued prior to July 1, 2010, must renew the license pursuant to the provisions of this article.
ARTICLE 26. HEARING-AID DEALERS AND FITTERS.
?30-26-5. Application for licenses; qualifications of applicants; fees; duties of the board with respect thereto.
Each person desiring to obtain a license from the board to engage in the practice of dealing in or fitting of hearing aids shall make application to the board. The application shall be made in such manner and form as prescribed by the board and shall be accompanied by the prescribed fee. The application shall state under oath that the applicant:
(1) Intends to maintain a permanent office or place of business in this state or that the applicant has at the time of application a permanent office or place of business in another state within a reasonable commuting distance from this state. The board shall determine and prescribe by regulation the term ?reasonable distance? as used herein;
(2) Is a person of
good moral character and that he or she has never been convicted of nor is
presently under indictment for a crime involving moral turpitude;
(3) Is 18 years of age or older;
(4) Has an education equivalent to a four-year course in an accredited high school; and
(5) Is free of chronic infectious or contagious diseases.
Any person who fails to meet any of the standards set forth in the next preceding paragraph shall not be eligible or qualified to take the examination nor shall any such person be eligible or qualified to engage in the practice of dealing in or fitting of hearing aids.
The board, after first determining that the applicant is qualified and eligible in every respect to take the examination, shall notify the applicant that he or she has fulfilled all of the qualifications and eligibility requirements as required by this section and shall advise him or her of the date, time, and place for him or her to appear to be examined as required by the provisions of this article and the regulations promulgated by the board pursuant to this article.
The board, with the aid and assistance of the department, shall give at least one annual examination of the type required by this article and may give such additional examinations, at such times and places, as the board and the department may deem proper, giving consideration to the number of applications.
?30-26-13. Refusal to issue, suspension or revocation of license or trainee permit; false and deceptive advertising.
(a) The board may
refuse to issue or renew, or may suspend or revoke any license or trainee
permit for any one, or any combination of the following causes:
Violation of a rule or regulation governing the ethical practice of dealing in
or fitting of hearing aids promulgated by the board under the authority granted
by this article; conviction of a felony, as shown by a certified copy of the
record of the court wherein such conviction was had after such conviction has
become final; the obtaining of or the attempt to obtain a license, money, or
any other thing of value, by fraudulent misrepresentation; malpractice;
continued practice of dealing in or fitting of hearing aids by a person
knowingly having a chronic infectious or contagious disease; habitual
drunkenness or addiction to the use of a controlled substance as defined in
?60-1-101 et seq. of this code; advertising, practicing or attempting to
practice under a name other than ones own; advertising by means of or selling
by the use of knowingly false or deceptive statements: Provided,
That any consideration of prior criminal convictions shall be governed by the
provisions of ?30-1-22 of this code.
(b) False and deceptive advertisement shall constitute unethical practice and the board, by rules and regulations, may regulate and proscribe acts considered by it to be false and deceptive advertisement.
The rules and regulations promulgated pursuant to this subsection shall include prohibitions against: (1) Advertising a particular model or type of hearing aid for sale when purchasers or prospective purchasers responding to the advertisement cannot purchase the advertised model or type, where it is established that the purpose of the advertisement is to obtain prospects for the sale of a different model or type than that advertised; (2) representing that the service or advice of a person licensed to practice medicine will be used or made available in the selection, fitting, adjustment, maintenance, or repair of hearing aids when that is not true, or using the words ?doctor?, ?clinic?, or similar words, abbreviations, or symbols which tend to connote the medical profession when such use is not accurate; and (3) advertising a manufacturers product or using a manufacturers name or trademark which implies a relationship with the manufacturer that does not exist or using the words ?audiologist?, ?state licensed clinic?, ?state registered?, ?state certified?, or ?state approved?, or any other term, abbreviation, or symbol when it would falsely give the impression that service is being provided by persons holding a degree in audiology or trained in clinical audiology, or that licensees service has been recommended by the state when such is not the case.
(c) The refusal to issue or renew a license or trainee permit, or the suspension or revocation of a license or trainee permit by the board must have the concurrence of a majority of the members of the board.
ARTICLE 30. SOCIAL WORKERS.
?30-30-8. License to practice as an independent clinical social worker.
To be eligible for a license to practice as an independent clinical social worker, the applicant must:
(1) Submit an application to the board;
(2) Be at least 18 years of age;
(3) Be of good moral character;
(4) Have obtained a masters degree from a school of social work accredited by the council on social work education that included a concentration of clinically-oriented course work as defined by the board;
(5) Have completed a supervised clinical field placement at the graduate level, or post-masters clinical training that is found by the board to be equivalent;
(6) Have practiced clinical social work for at least two years in full-time employment, or 3,000 under the supervision of an independent clinical social worker, or clinical supervision that is found by the board to be equivalent;
(7) Have passed an examination approved by the board;
(8) Have satisfied the board that he or she merits the public trust by providing the board with three letters of recommendation from persons not related to the applicant;
(9) Not be an alcohol or drug abuser, as these terms are defined in ?27-1A-11 of this code: Provided, That an applicant in an active recovery process, which may, in the discretion of the board, be evidenced by participation in an acknowledged substance abuse treatment and/or recovery program may be considered;
(10) Not have been convicted of a felony in any jurisdiction within five years preceding the date of application for license which conviction remains unreversed;
(11) Not have been convicted of a misdemeanor or felony in any jurisdiction if the offense for which he or she was convicted related to the practice of social work, which conviction remains unreversed: Provided, That any consideration of prior criminal convictions shall be governed by the provisions of ?30-1-22 of this code; and
(12) Meet any other requirements established by the board.
?30-30-10. License to practice as a certified social worker.
(a) To be eligible for a license to practice as certified social worker, the applicant must:
(1) Submit an application to the board;
(2) Be at least 18 years of age;
(3) Be of good moral character;
(4) Have obtained a masters degree from a school of social work accredited by the council on social work education;
(5) Have practiced social work for at least two-years post-masters experience in full-time employment or earned 3,000 hours of post-master?s social work experience;
(6) Have passed an examination approved by the board;
(7) Have satisfied the board that he or she merits the public trust by providing the board with three letters of recommendation from persons not related to the applicant;
(8) Not be an alcohol or drug abuser, as these terms are defined in ?27-1A-11 of this code: Provided, That an applicant in an active recovery process, which may, in the discretion of the board, be evidenced by participation in an acknowledged substance abuse treatment and/or recovery program may be considered;
(9) Not have been convicted of a felony in any jurisdiction within five years preceding the date of application for license which conviction remains unreversed: Provided, That any consideration of prior criminal convictions shall be governed by the provisions of ?30-1-22 of this code;
(10) Not have been convicted of a misdemeanor or felony in any jurisdiction if the offense for which he or she was convicted related to the practice of social work, which conviction remains unreversed: Provided, That any consideration of prior criminal convictions shall be governed by the provisions of ?30-1-22 of this code; and
(11) Meet other additional requirements as established by the board.
(b) A certified social worker may engage in the practice of clinical social work, if that certified social worker has:
(1) Obtained a masters degree from a school of social work accredited by the council on social work education that included a concentration of clinically-oriented course work as defined by the board;
(2) Has completed a supervised clinical field placement at the graduate level, or post-master?s clinical training that is found by the board to be equivalent;
(3) Has contracted, in writing, with a licensed clinical social worker who shall assume responsibility for and supervise the certified social workers practice as directed by the board by promulgation of legislative rules;
(4) Is an employee of an institution or organization in which the certified social worker has no direct or indirect interest other than employment.
(c) A certified social worker may not practice clinical social work until his or her contract has been approved by the board and shall cease the practice of clinical social work immediately upon the termination of the contract. At the termination of the contract, the certified social worker shall apply for licensure as a licensed clinical social worker or request an extension of the contract from the board.
?30-30-12. License to practice as a licensed graduate social worker.
(a) To be eligible for a license to practice as a graduate social worker, the applicant must:
(1) Submit an application to the board;
(2) Be at least 18 years of age;
(3) Be of good moral character;
(4) Have obtained a master?s degree from a school of social work accredited by the council on social work education;
(5) Have passed an examination approved by the board;
(6) Have satisfied the board that he or she merits the public trust by providing the board with three letters of recommendation from persons not related to the applicant;
(7) Not be an alcohol or drug abuser, as these terms are defined in ?27-1A-11: Provided, That an applicant in an active recovery process, which may, in the discretion of the board, be evidenced by participation in an acknowledged substance abuse treatment and/or recovery program may be considered;
(8) Not have been convicted of a felony in any jurisdiction within five years preceding the date of application for license which conviction remains unreversed: Provided, That any consideration of prior criminal convictions shall be governed by the provisions of ?30-1-22 of this code;
(9) Not have been convicted of a misdemeanor or felony in any jurisdiction if the offense for which he or she was convicted related to the practice of social work, which conviction remains unreversed: Provided, That any consideration of prior criminal convictions shall be governed by the provisions of ?30-1-22 of this code; and
(10) Meet any other requirements established by the board.
(b) A licensed graduate social worker may engage in the practice of clinical social work, if he or she has:
(1) Obtained a masters degree from a school of social work accredited by the council on social work education that included a concentration of clinically oriented course work as defined by the board;
(2) Has completed a supervised clinical field placement at the graduate level, or post-master?s clinical training that is found by the board to be equivalent;
(3) Has contracted, in writing, with a licensed clinical social worker who shall assume responsibility for and supervise the certified social worker?s practice as directed by the board by promulgation of legislative rules;
(4) Be employed by an institution or organization in which the graduate social worker has no direct or indirect interest other than employment.
(c) A graduate social worker may not practice clinical social work until this contract has been approved by the board and shall cease the practice of clinical social work immediately upon the termination of the contract. At the termination of the contract, the graduate social worker shall apply for licensure as a licensed independent clinical social worker or request an extension of the contract from the board.
?30-30-14. License to practice as a social worker.
To be eligible for a license to practice as a social worker, the applicant must:
(1) Submit an application to the board;
(2) Be at least 18 years of age;
(3) Be of good moral character;
(4) Have a baccalaureate degree in social work from a program accredited by the council on social work education;
(5) Have passed an examination approved by the board;
(6) Have satisfied the board that he or she merits the public trust by providing the board with three letters of recommendation from persons not related to the applicant;
(7) Not be an alcohol or drug abuser, as these terms are defined in 27A-1A-11 of this code: Provided, That an applicant in an active recovery process, which may, in the discretion of the board, be evidenced by participation in an acknowledged substance abuse treatment and/or recovery program may be considered;
(8) Not have been convicted of a felony in any jurisdiction within five years preceding the date of application for license which conviction remains unreversed: Provided, That any consideration of prior criminal convictions shall be governed by the provisions of ?30-1-22 of this code;
(9) Not have been convicted of a misdemeanor or felony in any jurisdiction if the offense for which he or she was convicted related to the practice of social work, which conviction remains unreversed: Provided, That any consideration of prior criminal convictions shall be governed by the provisions of ?30-1-22 of this code; and
(10) Meet any other requirements established by the board.
?30-30-26. Complaints; investigations; due process procedure; grounds for disciplinary action.
(a) The board may upon its own motion based on credible information, and shall upon the written complaint of any person, cause an investigation to be made to determine whether grounds exist for disciplinary action under this article or the legislative rules promulgated pursuant to this article.
(b) Upon initiation or receipt of the complaint, the board shall provide a copy of the complaint to the licensee or permittee.
(c) After reviewing any information obtained through an investigation, the board shall determine if probable cause exists that the licensee or permittee has violated subsection (g) of this section or rules promulgated pursuant to this article.
(d) Upon a finding that probable cause exists that the licensee or permittee has violated subsection (g) of this section or rules promulgated pursuant to this article, the board may enter into a consent decree or hold a hearing for the suspension or revocation of the license or permit or the imposition of sanctions against the licensee or permittee. Any hearing shall be held in accordance with this article.
(e) Any member of the board or the administrator of the board may issue subpoenas and subpoenas duces tecum to obtain testimony and documents to aid in the investigation of allegations against any person regulated by the article.
(f) Any member of the board or its administrator may sign a consent decree or other legal document on behalf of the board.
(g) The board may, after notice and opportunity for hearing, deny or refuse to renew, suspend, restrict, or revoke the license or permit of, or impose probationary conditions upon or take disciplinary action against, any licensee or permittee for any of the following reasons once a violation has been proven by a preponderance of the evidence:
(1) Obtaining a license or permit by fraud, misrepresentation, or concealment of material facts;
(2) Being convicted of
a felony or other crime involving moral turpitude: Provided,
That any consideration of prior criminal convictions shall be governed by the
provisions of ?30-1-22 of this code;
(3) Being guilty of unprofessional conduct which placed the public at risk, as defined by legislative rule of the board;
(4) Intentional violation of a lawful order or legislative rule of the board;
(5) Having had a license or other authorization revoked or suspended, other disciplinary action taken, or an application for licensure or other authorization revoked or suspended by the proper authorities of another jurisdiction;
(6) Aiding or abetting unlicensed practice; or
(7) Engaging in an act while acting in a professional capacity which has endangered or is likely to endanger the health, welfare, or safety of the public.
(h) For the purposes of subsection (g) of this section, effective July 1, 2011, disciplinary action may include:
(1) Reprimand;
(2) Probation;
(3) Restrictions;
(4) Administrative fine, not to exceed $1,000 per day per violation;
(5) Mandatory attendance at continuing education seminars or other training;
(6) Practicing under supervision or other restriction; or
(7) Requiring the licensee or permittee to report to the board for periodic interviews for a specified period of time.
(i) In addition to any other sanction imposed, the board may require a licensee or permittee to pay the costs of the proceeding.
ARTICLE 31. LICENSED PROFESSIONAL COUNSELORS.
?30-31-8. Requirements for license to practice counseling.
(a) To be eligible for a license to practice professional counseling, an applicant must:
(1) Be of good moral character;
(2) Be at least 18 years of age;
(3) Be a citizen of the United States or be eligible for employment in the United States;
(4) Pay the applicable fee;
(5)(A)(i) Have earned a master?s degree in an accredited counseling program or in a field closely related to an accredited counseling program as determined by the board or have received training equivalent to such degree as may be determined by the board; and
(ii) Have at least two years of supervised professional experience in counseling of such a nature as is designated by the board after earning a master?s degree or equivalent; or
(B)(i) Have earned a doctorate degree in an accredited counseling program or in a field closely related to an accredited counseling program as determined by the board or have received training equivalent to such degree as may be determined by the board; and
(ii) Have at least one year of supervised professional experience in counseling of such a nature as is designated by the board after earning a doctorate degree or equivalent;
(6) Have passed a standardized national certification examination in counseling approved by the board;
(7) Not have been
convicted of a felony or crime involving moral turpitude under the laws
of any jurisdiction: Provided, That any consideration of prior
criminal convictions shall be governed by the provisions of ?30-1-22 of this
code:
(A) If the applicant
has never been convicted of a felony or a crime involving moral turpitude,
the applicant shall submit letters of recommendation from three persons not
related to the applicant and a sworn statement from the applicant stating that
he or she has never been convicted of a felony or a crime involving moral
turpitude; or
(B) If the applicant
has been convicted of a felony or a crime involving moral turpitude, it
is a rebuttable presumption that the applicant is unfit for licensure unless he
or she submits competent evidence of sufficient rehabilitation and present
fitness to perform the duties of a licensed professional counselor as may be
established by the production of:
(i) Documentary evidence including a copy of the relevant release or discharge order, evidence showing compliance with all conditions of probation or parole, evidence showing that at least one year has elapsed since release or discharge without subsequent conviction, and letters of reference from three persons who have been in contact with the applicant since his or her release or discharge; and
(ii) Any collateral evidence and testimony as may be requested by the board which shows the nature and seriousness of the crime, the circumstances relative to the crime or crimes committed and any mitigating circumstances or social conditions surrounding the crime or crimes and any other evidence necessary for the board to judge present fitness for licensure or whether licensure will enhance the likelihood that the applicant will commit the same or similar offenses;
(8) Not be an alcohol or drug abuser as these terms are defined in ?27-1A-11 of this code: Provided, That an applicant who has had at least two continuous years of uninterrupted sobriety in an active recovery process, which may, in the discretion of the board, be evidenced by participation in a 12-step program or other similar group or process, may be considered; and
(9) Has fulfilled any other requirement specified by the board.
(b) A person who holds a license or other authorization to practice counseling issued by another state, the qualifications for which license or other authorization are determined by the board to be at least substantially equivalent to the license requirements in this article, is eligible for licensure.
(c) A person seeking licensure under the provisions of this section shall submit an application on a form prescribed by the board and pay all applicable fees. A person applying for licensure may elect for a temporary permit to utilize during the application process while the applicant takes the required examination. The temporary permit shall be valid for a period not to exceed six months and may not be renewed. The fee for the temporary permit is $50. The permittee shall be supervised by an approved licensed professional supervisor while practicing under the temporary permit. Supervision hours completed under the temporary permit count as supervised professional experience as required for licensure under this section. The supervision requirements are the same as required with a provisional license as defined in section six of this article. The temporary permit may be revoked at any time by a majority vote of the board.
?(d) A person who has been continually licensed under this article since 1987, pursuant to prior enactments permitting waiver of certain examination and other requirements, is eligible for renewal under the provisions of this article.
(e) A license to practice professional counseling issued by the board prior to July 1, 2009, shall for all purposes be considered a license issued under this article: Provided, That a person holding a license issued prior to July 1, 2009, must renew the license pursuant to the provisions of this article.
?30-31-9. Requirements for a license to practice marriage and family therapy.
(a) To be eligible for a license to practice marriage and family therapy, an applicant must:
(1) Be of good moral character;
(2) Be at least 18 years of age;
(3) Be a citizen of the United States or be eligible for employment in the United States;
(4) Pay the applicable fee;
(5)(A)(i) Have earned a master?s degree in marriage and family therapy from a program accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Marriage and Family Therapy Education, the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Education Programs, or a comparable accrediting body as approved by the board, or in a field closely related to an accredited marriage and family therapy program as determined by the board, or have received training equivalent to such degree as may be determined by the board; and
(ii) Have at least two years of supervised professional experience in marriage and family therapy of such a nature as is designated by the board after earning a master?s degree or equivalent; or
(B)(i) Have earned a doctorate degree in marriage and family therapy from a program accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Marriage and Family Therapy Education, the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Education Programs, or a comparable accrediting body as approved by the board, or in a field closely related to an accredited marriage and family therapy program as determined by the board, or have received training equivalent to such degree as may be determined by the board; and
(ii) Have at least one year of supervised professional experience in marriage and family therapy of such a nature as is designated by the board after earning a doctorate degree or equivalent;
(6) Have passed a standardized national certification examination in marriage and family therapy as approved by the board;
(7) Not have been
convicted of a felony or crime involving moral turpitude under the laws
of any jurisdiction: Provided, That any consideration of prior
criminal convictions shall be governed by the provisions of ?30-1-22 of this
code:
?(A) If the applicant
has never been convicted of a felony or a crime involving moral turpitude,
the applicant shall submit letters of recommendation from three persons not
related to the applicant and a sworn statement from the applicant stating that
he or she has never been convicted of a felony or a crime involving moral
turpitude; or
(B) If the applicant
has been convicted of a felony or a crime involving moral turpitude, it
is a rebuttable presumption that the applicant is unfit for licensure unless he
or she submits competent evidence of sufficient rehabilitation and present
fitness to perform the duties of a person licensed to practice marriage and family
therapy as may be established by the production of:
(i) Documentary evidence including a copy of the relevant release or discharge order, evidence showing compliance with all conditions of probation or parole, evidence showing that at least one year has elapsed since release or discharge without subsequent conviction, and letters of reference from three persons who have been in contact with the applicant since his or her release or discharge; and
(ii) Any collateral evidence and testimony as may be requested by the board which shows the nature and seriousness of the crime, the circumstances relative to the crime or crimes committed and any mitigating circumstances or social conditions surrounding the crime or crimes, and any other evidence necessary for the board to judge present fitness for licensure or whether licensure will enhance the likelihood that the applicant will commit the same or similar offenses;
(8) Not be an alcohol or drug abuser as these terms are defined in ?27-1A-1 of this code: Provided, That an applicant who has had at least two continuous years of uninterrupted sobriety in an active recovery process, which may, in the discretion of the board, be evidenced by participation in a 12-step program or other similar group or process, may be considered; and
(9) Has fulfilled any other requirement specified by the board.
(b) A person who holds a license or other authorization to practice marriage and family therapy issued by another state, the qualifications for which license or other authorization are determined by the board to be at least substantially equivalent to the license requirements in this article, is eligible for licensure.
(c) A person seeking licensure under the provisions of this section shall submit an application on a form prescribed by the board and pay all applicable fees. A person applying for licensure may elect for a temporary permit to utilize during the application process while the applicant takes the required examination. The temporary permit shall be valid for a period not to exceed six months and may not be renewed. The fee for the temporary permit is $50. The permittee shall be supervised by an approved licensed professional supervisor while practicing under the temporary permit. Supervision hours completed under the temporary permit count as supervised professional experience as required for licensure under this section. The supervision requirements are the same as required with a provisional license as defined in section six of this article. The temporary permit may be revoked at any time by a majority vote of the board.
?(d) A person who is licensed for five years as of July 1, 2010, and has substantially similar qualifications as required by subdivisions (1), (2), (3), (4), (5)(A)(i) or (5)(B)(i), (7) and (8), subsection (a) of this section is eligible for a license to practice marriage and family therapy until July 1, 2012, and is eligible for renewal under section ten of this article.
ARTICLE 38. THE REAL ESTATE APPRAISER LICENSING AND CERTIFICATION ACT.
?30-38-12. Refusal to issue or renew license or certification; suspension or revocation; grounds for disciplinary action.
(a) The following acts or omissions are grounds for disciplinary action, and the board may refuse to issue or renew a license or certification, or after issuance may suspend or revoke a license or certification, or impose disciplinary sanctions for:
(1) Procuring or attempting to procure license or certification under this article by knowingly making a false statement, submitting false information, or making a material misrepresentation in an application filed with the board, or procuring or attempting to procure a license or certification through fraud or misrepresentation;
(2) Paying money other than the fees provided for by this article to any member or employee of the board to procure a license or certification under this article;
(3) An act or omission in the practice of real estate appraising which constitutes dishonesty, fraud, or misrepresentation with the intent to substantially benefit the licensee or another person or with the intent to substantially injure another person;
(4) Entry of a final civil or criminal judgment against a licensee on grounds of fraud, misrepresentation, or deceit in the making of an appraisal of real estate;
(5) Conviction,
including a conviction based upon a plea of guilty or nolo contender contendere
of a crime which is substantially related to the qualifications, functions, or
duties of a person developing real estate appraisals and communicating real estate
appraisals to others: Provided, That any consideration of prior
criminal convictions shall be governed by the provisions of ?30-1-22 of this
code;
(6) Making a false or misleading statement in that portion of a written appraisal report that deals with professional qualifications or in any testimony concerning professional qualifications;
(7) Violation of any section of this article, or any rule of the board;
(8) Violation of the confidential nature of governmental records to which a licensee gained access through employment or engagement as an appraiser by a governmental agency;
(9) Acceptance of a fee that is or was contingent upon the appraiser reporting a predetermined analysis, opinion, or conclusion, or is or was contingent upon the analysis, opinion, conclusion, or valuation reached, or upon the consequences resulting from the appraisal assignment;
(10) Failing to meet the minimum qualifications for state licensure or certification established by or pursuant to this article; or
(11) Failing or refusing without good cause to exercise reasonable diligence, or negligence or incompetence, in developing an appraisal, preparing an appraisal report, or communicating an appraisal.
(b) Every person licensed or certified by the board has a duty to report to the board in a timely manner any known or observed violation of this article or the board?s rules by any other person licensed or certified by the board.
ARTICLE 39. UNIFORM ATHLETE AGENTS ACT.
?30-39-6. Certificate of registration; issuance or denial; renewal.
(a) Except as otherwise provided in subsection (b) of this section, the Secretary of State shall issue a certificate of registration to an individual who complies with ?30-39-5 of this code or whose application has been accepted under ?30-39-5 of this code.
(b) The Secretary of State may refuse to issue a certificate of registration if the Secretary of State determines that the applicant has engaged in conduct that has a significant adverse effect on the applicant?s fitness to act as an athlete agent. In making the determination, the Secretary of State may consider whether the applicant has:
(1) Been convicted of
a crime that, if committed in this state, would be a crime involving moral
turpitude or a felony;
(2) Made a materially false, misleading, deceptive, or fraudulent representation in the application or as an athlete agent;
(3) Engaged in conduct that would disqualify the applicant from serving in a fiduciary capacity;
(4) Engaged in conduct prohibited by ?30-39-14 of this code;
(5) Had a registration or licensure as an athlete agent suspended, revoked, or denied, or been refused renewal of registration or licensure as an athlete agent in any state;
(6) Engaged in conduct the consequence of which was that a sanction, suspension, or declaration of ineligibility to participate in an interscholastic or intercollegiate athletic event was imposed on a student-athlete or educational institution; or
(7) Engaged in conduct that significantly adversely reflects on the applicant?s credibility, honesty, or integrity.
(c) In making a determination under subsection (b) of this section, the Secretary of State shall consider:
(1) How recently the conduct occurred;
(2) The nature of the conduct and the context in which it occurred; and
(3) Any other relevant conduct of the applicant.
(d) An athlete agent may apply to renew a registration by submitting an application for renewal in a form prescribed by the Secretary of State. An application filed under this section is a public record. The application for renewal must be signed by the applicant under penalty of perjury and must contain current information on all matters required in an original registration.
(e) An individual who has submitted an application for renewal of registration or licensure in another state, in lieu of submitting an application for renewal in the form prescribed pursuant to subsection (d) of this section, may file a copy of the application for renewal and a valid certificate of registration or licensure from the other state. The Secretary of State shall accept the application for renewal from the other state as an application for renewal in this state if the application to the other state:
(1) Was submitted in the other state within six months next preceding the filing in this state and the applicant certifies the information contained in the application for renewal is current;
(2) Contains information substantially similar to or more comprehensive than that required in an application for renewal submitted in this state; and
(3) Was signed by the applicant under penalty of perjury.
(f) A certificate of registration or a renewal of a registration is valid for two years.?
And,
By amending the title of the bill to read as follows:
Com. Sub. for H. B. 2486 - ?A Bill to amend the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, by adding thereto a new section, designated ?30-1-22; and to amend and reenact ?30-5-11, ?30-5-11a, ?30-10-8, ?30-10-10, ?30-13A-9, ?30-13A-12, ?30-14-11, ?30-20-8, ?30-20-10, ?30-21-7, ?30-22-10, ?30-23-9, ?30-23-15, ?30-23-17, ?30-23-20, ?30-25-8, ?30-26-5, ?30-26-13, ?30-30-8, ?30-30-10, ?30-30-12, ?30-30-14, ?30-30-26, ?30-31-8, ?30-31-9, ?30-38-12 and ?30-39-6 of said code, all relating to the use of post-criminal conduct in professional and occupational initial licensure decision making; creating a rational nexus requirement between prior criminal conduct and initial licensure decision making; removing offenses of moral turpitude as to basis for license denial; authorizing persons to petition licensure boards for a determination as to whether a person?s criminal record precludes licensure; limiting licensure disqualification.?
The further title amendment offered by Delegate Shott and adopted by the House being as:
Com. Sub. for H. B. 2486 - ?A Bill to amend the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, by adding thereto a new section, designated ?30-1-22; and to amend and reenact ?30-5-11, ?30-5-11a, ?30-10-8, ?30-10-10, ?30-13A-9, ?30-13A-12, ?30-20-8, ?30-20-10, ?30-21-7, ?30-22-10, ?30-23-9, ?30-23-15, ?30-23-17, ?30-23-20, ?30-25-8, ?30-26-5, ?30-26-13, ?30-30-8, ?30-30-10, ?30-30-12, ?30-30-14, ?30-30-26, ?30-31-8, ?30-31-9, ?30-38-12 and ?30-39-6 of said code, all relating to the use of post-criminal conduct in professional and occupational initial licensure decision making; creating a rational nexus requirement between prior criminal conduct and initial licensure decision making; removing offenses described as one of moral turpitude as a basis for license denial unless the underlying crime bears a rational nexus to the occupation requiring licensure, certification or registration; limiting licensure disqualification; authorizing persons to petition licensure boards for a determination as to whether a person?s criminal record precludes licensure; and providing for rulemaking.?
The bill, as amended, was then put upon its passage.
On the passage of the bill, the yeas and nays were taken (Roll No. 698), and there were?yeas 96, nays 2, absent and not voting 2, with the nays and absent and not voting being as follows:
Nays: Fast, C. Martin.
Absent and Not Voting: Cooper and Ellington.
So, a majority of the members elected to the House of Delegates having voted in the affirmative, the Speaker declared the bill (Com. Sub. for H. B. 2486) passed.
Ordered, That the Clerk of the House communicate to the Senate the action of the House of Delegates and request concurrence therein.
A message from the Senate, by
The Clerk of the Senate, announced that the Senate had passed, with amendment, a bill of the House of Delegates, as follows:
Com. Sub. for H. B. 2583, Family Planning Access Act.
On motion of Delegate Summers, the House of Delegates concurred in the following amendment of the bill by the Senate:
On page one, by striking out everything following the enacting clause, and inserting in lie thereof the following:
?Article 57. FAMILY PLANNING ACCESS ACT.
?16-57-1. Definitions.
As used in this article:
?Dispense? means the same as that term is defined in ?30-5-4 of this code.
?Patient counseling? means the same as that term is defined in ?30-5-4 of this code.
?Pharmacist? means the same as that term is defined in ?30-5-4 of this code.
?Self-administered hormonal contraceptive? means a self-administered hormonal contraceptive that is approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration to prevent pregnancy and does not include the class of emergency contraceptives commonly known as the ?morning after pill? or ?Plan B?.
?16-57-2. Voluntary participation.
This article does not create a duty or standard of care for a person to prescribe or dispense a self-administered hormonal contraceptive.
?16-57-3. Authorization to dispense self-administered hormonal contraceptives.
(a) A pharmacist licensed under ?30-5-1 et seq. of this code may dispense a self-administered hormonal contraceptive: (1) pursuant to a standing prescription drug order made in accordance with ?16-57-4 of this code without any other prescription drug order from a person licensed to prescribe a self-administered hormonal contraceptive; (2) in accordance with the dispensing guidelines in ?16-57-6 of this code; and (3) to a patient who is 18 years old or older.
(b) All state and federal laws governing insurance coverage of contraceptive drugs, devices, products, and services shall apply to self-administered contraceptives dispensed by a pharmacist under a standing order pursuant to this section.
?16-57-4. Standing prescription drug orders for a self-administered hormonal contraceptive.
The state health officer may prescribe on a statewide basis a self-administered hormonal contraceptive by one or more standing orders in accordance with a protocol consistent with the United States Medical Eligibility Criteria for Contraceptive Use (MEC) Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, that requires:
(1) Use of the self-screening risk assessment questionnaire described below;
(2) Written and oral education;
(3) The timeline for renewing and updating the standing order;
(4) Who is eligible to utilize the standing order;
(5) The pharmacist to make and retain a record of each person to whom the self-administered hormonal contraceptive is dispensed, including:
(A) The name of the person;
(B) The drug dispensed; and
(C) Other relevant information.
?16-57-5. Pharmacist education and training required.
(a) The Board of Pharmacy, in collaboration with the Bureau for Public Health, shall approve a training program or programs to be eligible to participate in the utilization of the standing prescription drug order for self-administered hormonal contraceptives by a pharmacist.
(b) Documentation of training shall be provided to the Board of Pharmacy upon request.
?16-57-6. Guidelines for dispensing a self-administered hormonal contraceptive.
(a) A pharmacist who dispenses a self-administered hormonal contraceptive under this article:
(1) Shall obtain a completed self-screening risk assessment questionnaire that has been approved by the state health officer in collaboration with the Board of Pharmacy, the Board of Osteopathic Medicine, and the Board of Medicine from the patient before dispensing the self-administered hormonal contraceptive;
(2) Shall notify the patient?s primary care provider, if provided;
(3) If when dispensing within the guidelines it is unsafe to dispense a self-administered hormonal contraceptive to a patient then the pharmacist:
(A) May not dispense a self-administered hormonal contraceptive to the patient; and
(B) Shall refer the patient to a health care practitioner or local health department;
(4) May not continue to dispense a self-administered hormonal contraceptive to the patient for more than 12 months after the date of the initial prescription without evidence that the patient has consulted with a health care practitioner during the preceding 12 months; and
(5) Shall provide the patient with:
(A) Written and verbal information regarding:
(i) The importance of seeing the patient?s health care practitioner to obtain recommended tests and screening; and
(ii) The effectiveness and availability of long-acting reversible contraceptives and other effective contraceptives as an alternative to self-administered hormonal contraceptives; and
(B) A copy of the record of the encounter with the patient that includes:
(i) The patient?s completed self-assessment tool; and
(ii) A description of the contraceptives dispensed, or the basis for not dispensing a contraceptive.
(b) If a pharmacist dispenses a self-administered hormonal contraceptive to a patient, the pharmacist shall, at a minimum, provide the patient counseling regarding:
(1) The appropriate administration and storage of the self-administered hormonal contraceptive;
(2) Potential side effects and risks of the self-administered hormonal contraceptive;
(3) The need for backup contraception;
(4) When to seek emergency medical attention;
(5) The risk of contracting a sexually transmitted infection or disease, and ways to reduce the risk of contraction; and
(6) Any additional counseling outlined in the protocol as prescribed in ?16-57-4 of this code.
(c) The Board of Pharmacy regulates a pharmacist who dispenses a self-administered hormonal contraceptive under this article.?
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. 699), and there were?yeas 90, nays 8, absent and not voting 2, with the nays and absent and not voting being as follows:
Nays: Fast, D. Jeffries, J. Jeffries, C. Martin, P. Martin, Pack, Porterfield and Worrell.
Absent and Not Voting: Cooper and Ellington.
So, a majority of the members elected to the House of Delegates having voted in the affirmative, the Speaker declared the bill (Com. Sub. for H. B. 2583) passed.
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, a bill of the House of Delegates, as follows:
Com. Sub. for H. B. 2670, Relating to damages for medical monitoring.
On motion of Delegate Kessinger, the House refused to concur in the following amendment of the bill by the Senate, and requested the Senate to recede therefrom:
On page one, by striking out everything after the enacting clause and inserting in lieu thereof the following:
?ARTICLE 7.? ACTIONS FOR INJURIES.
?55-7-32.? Limitations on medical monitoring damages.
(a) Increased risk of disease, whether or not accompanied by physiological or other changes in the human body, is not compensable through damages or any other form of relief under the law of this state, regardless of the legal theory being asserted.? In any civil action a defendant cannot be required to pay as damages or provide any other type of legal, injunctive, or equitable relief for a plaintiff?s future medical surveillance, screening tests, or monitoring procedures unless the plaintiff proves in addition to the other requirements for the underlying cause of action:? (1) That the future medical surveillance, screening tests, or monitoring procedures are directly related to a presently existing and diagnosable physical disease of the plaintiff; and (2) that the plaintiff?s presently existing physical disease was caused by the defendant?s conduct.?
(b) In any civil action in which a court orders a defendant to pay for a plaintiff?s future medical surveillance, screening tests, or monitoring procedures, a plaintiff shall not be awarded or paid any moneys to cover the cost of his or her future medical surveillance, screening tests, or monitoring procedures until they have been completed.? The court shall order that the liable defendant make periodic payments into a fund established to pay the cost of future medical surveillance, screening tests, or monitoring procedures that are required by the judgment of the court.? The court shall determine how the fund will be administered.? The court shall also determine the date after which the future medical surveillance, screening tests, or monitoring procedures are no longer required, and after that date any moneys remaining in the fund that are not needed to pay for medical surveillance, screening tests, or monitoring procedures completed prior to the termination date shall be repaid to the liable defendant who paid such amounts in the fund.? If there are multiple defendants, then repayments shall be made in proportion to the total contributions of each defendant into the fund.?
And,
By amending the title of the bill to read a follows:
Com. Sub. for H. B. 2670 - ?A Bill to amend the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, by adding thereto a new section, designated ?55-7-32, relating to damages for medical monitoring; establishing requirements for an order for payment of medical monitoring expenses; providing that an increased risk of disease is not a compensable basis for damages in any civil action; requiring proof that future medical surveillance, screening tests, or monitoring procedures are directly related to a presently existing and diagnosable physical disease caused by the defendant?s conduct; prohibiting payment for cost of future medical surveillance, screening tests, or monitoring procedures until they are completed; allowing court to order defendant to make periodic payments into a fund to pay future costs; and authorizing court to determine when future medical surveillance, screening tests, or monitoring procedures are no longer required and providing for disbursement of any moneys remaining in the fund.?
Ordered, That the Clerk of the House communicate to the Senate the action of the House of Delegates and request concurrence therein.
A message from the Senate, by
The Clerk of the Senate, announced that the Senate had passed, with amendment, a bill of the House of Delegates, as follows:
Com. Sub. for H. B. 2694, Relating to the state?s ability to regulate hemp.
On motion of Delegate Summers, the House of Delegates concurred in the following amendment of the bill by the Senate:
On page one, by striking out everything after the enacting clause and inserting in lieu thereof the following:
?article 12E. industrial hemp development act.
?19-12E-3. Definitions.
As used in this article:
(a) ?Cannabidiol? or ?CBD? means the compound by the same name derived from the hemp variety of the cannabis sativa L. plant;
(b) ?Commercial sales? means the sale of products in the stream of commerce, at retail, wholesale, and online;
(1) (c) ?Commissioner?
means the Commissioner of Agriculture or his or her designee;
(d) ?Cultivating? means planting, watering, growing, and harvesting a plant or crop;
(e) ?Department? means the West Virginia Department of Agriculture and its employees;
(f) ?Handling? means possessing or storing hemp plants for any period of time on premises owned, operated, or controlled by a person licensed to cultivate or process hemp. ?Handling? also includes possessing or storing hemp plants in a vehicle for any period of time other than during its actual transport from the premises of one licensed person to cultivate or process industrial hemp to the premises of another licensed person. ?Handling? does not mean possessing or storing finished hemp products;
(2)(g) ?Hemp? or ?Industrial
industrial hemp? means all parts and varieties of the plant Cannabis
sativa L. containing and any part of the plant, including the seeds
of the plant and all derivatives, extracts, cannabinoids, isomers, acids,
salts, and salts of isomers, whether growing or not with no greater than one
percent 0.3% tetrahydrocannabinol, or the THC concentration for
hemp defined in 7 U.S.C. ? 5940, whichever is greater; and
(h) ?Hemp products? means all products derived from, or made by, processing hemp plants or plant parts, that are prepared in a form available for commercial sale;
(i) ?Licensee? means an individual or business entity possessing a license issued by the Department to grow, handle, cultivate, or process hemp;
(3)(j) ?Marijuana?
means all plant material from the genus cannabis containing more than one
percent tetrahydrocannabinol or seeds of the genus capable of germination;
(k) ?Processing? means converting an agricultural commodity into a marketable form; and
(l) ?THC? means tetrahydrocannabinol. Notwithstanding any other provision of this code to the contrary, the THC found in industrial hemp shall not be considered to be THC for the purposes of qualifying as a controlled substance.
?19-12E-4. Industrial hemp authorized as agricultural crop; license required.
(a) Industrial hemp that
has not more than one percent tetrahydrocannabinol is considered an
agricultural crop in this state if grown for the purposes authorized by the
provisions of this article. Upon meeting the requirements of section three
?19-12E-5 of this article code, an individual in this
state may plant, grow, harvest, possess, process, sell or buy industrial hemp.
(b) A person shall not cultivate, handle, or process industrial hemp in this state unless the person holds an industrial hemp license issued by the department.
?19-12E-5. Industrial hemp ? licensing.
(a) A person growing
industrial hemp for commercial purposes shall apply to the commissioner
for a license on a form prescribed by the commissioner.
(b) The application for a license must include the name and address of the applicant and the legal description and global positioning coordinates of the land area to be used for the production of industrial hemp.
(c) The commissioner shall
require each first-time applicant, and may establish requirements for other
persons involved with the industrial hemp program, to submit to a for a
license to file a set of the applicant?s fingerprints, taken by a
law-enforcement officer, and any other information necessary to complete a
statewide and nationwide criminal history check with the criminal investigation
bureau of the department of justice for state processing and with the Federal
Bureau of Investigation for federal processing. All of the costs associated with
the criminal history check are the responsibility of the applicant. Criminal
history records provided to the department under this section are confidential.
The commissioner may use the records only to determine if an applicant is
eligible to receive a license for the production of industrial hemp. state
and national criminal history record check. The criminal history record check
shall be based on fingerprints submitted to the West Virginia State Police or
its assigned agent for forwarding to the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
(1) The applicant shall meet all requirements necessary to accomplish the state and national criminal history record check, including:
(A) Submitting fingerprints; and
(B) Authorizing the board, the West Virginia State Police, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation to use all records submitted and produced for the purpose of screening the applicant for a license.
(2) The results of the state and national criminal history record check may not be released to or by a private entity except:
(A) To the individual who is the subject of the criminal history record check;
(B) With the written authorization of the individual who is the subject of the criminal history record check; or
(C) Pursuant to a court order.
(3) The criminal history record check and related records are not public records for the purposes of ?29B-1-1 et seq. of this code.
(4) The applicant shall pay the actual costs of the fingerprinting and criminal history record check.
(d) If the applicant has
completed the application process to the satisfaction of the commissioner, the
commissioner shall issue the license, which is valid until December 31 of the
year of application: Provided, That an individual applying to renew a
current license may continue to operate under an existing license, as long as
his or her completed renewal application has been submitted to the department
on or before the deadline established by the department. An individual
licensed under this section is presumed to be growing industrial hemp for commercial
purposes.
(e) Notwithstanding any
provision of this article, rule or the provisions of chapter sixty-a 60A
of this code to the contrary, the Commissioner of Agriculture may license
qualified persons and state institutions of higher learning to lawfully grow or
cultivate industrial hemp in this state, but institutions of higher learning
may only lawfully grow industrial hemp for research and educational purposes.
(e) Any person seeking to grow, cultivate, or process industrial hemp shall provide to the Department prior written consent allowing the Department, State Police, and other state and local law enforcement agencies to enter onto all premises where industrial hemp is grown, cultivated, processed, or stored to conduct physical inspections or otherwise ensure compliance with the requirements of this code and the legislative rules promulgated pursuant to this code.
(f) Sale of industrial hemp products ?
(1) Notwithstanding any provision of the code to the contrary, a person need not obtain a license to possess, handle, transport, or sell hemp products or extracts, including those containing one or more hemp-derived cannabinoids, including CBD.
(2) Hemp-derived cannabinoids, including CBD, are not controlled substances or adulterants.
(3) Products containing one or more hemp-derived cannabinoids, such as CBD, intended for ingestion are to be considered foods, not controlled substances or adulterated products.
(4) Applicable state agencies shall make available any and all customary registrations to the processors and manufacturers of hemp products.
(5) Retail sales of hemp products may be conducted when the products and the hemp used in the products were grown and cultivated legally in another state or jurisdiction and meet the same or substantially the same requirements for processing hemp products or growing hemp under this article and rules promulgated under ?19-2E-7 of this code.
(6) Notwithstanding any other provision of this code to the contrary, derivatives of hemp, including hemp-derived cannabidiol, may be added to cosmetics, personal care products, and products intended for animal or human consumption, and the addition is not considered an adulteration of the products.
(7) Hemp and hemp products may be legally transported across state lines, and exported to foreign nations, consistent with U. S. federal law and laws of respective foreign nations.
?19-12E-6. Industrial hemp production ? notification.
(a) Every licensee shall file with the commissioner:
(1) Documentation showing
that the seeds planted are of a type and variety certified to contain no more
than one percent 0.3% tetrahydrocannabinol; and
(2) A copy of any contract to grow industrial hemp; and
(3) Any other document required to be submitted by the commissioner.
(b) Each licensee shall notify the commissioner of the sale or distribution of any industrial hemp grown by the licensee, including, but not limited to, the name and address of the person or entity receiving the industrial hemp and the amount of industrial hemp sold.
?19-12E-7. Rule-making authority.
The commissioner shall promulgate
legislative rules propose legislative rules for promulgation in
accordance with ?29A-3-1 et seq. of this code that include, but are
not limited to:
(1) Licensing persons who wish to grow, cultivate, handle, or process industrial hemp;
(2) Sampling and Testing
testing of the industrial hemp during growth to determine
tetrahydrocannabinol levels;
(2) (3)
Supervision of the industrial hemp during its growth and harvest;
(3) (4)
Assessment of a fee fees that is are commensurate
with the costs of the commissioner?s activities in licensing, testing, and
supervising industrial hemp production;
(4) Promulgate
rules relating to the (5) The production and sale of
industrial hemp which are consistent with the rules of the United States
Department of Justice, Drug Enforcement Administration for the production,
distribution and sale of industrial hemp;
(6) The production, sale, possession, handling, or transport of hemp products and extracts, including those containing one or more hemp-derived cannabinoids, including CBD; and
(5) (7) Any
other rules and procedures necessary to carry out the purposes of this article.
?19-12E-8. Disposition of fees.
All fees assessed as provided
for in section five ?19-12E-5 of this article code
must be deposited with the state treasurer to the credit of the ?Agricultural
Fees Fund? established by the provisions of section four-c, ?19-1-4c
article one of this chapter code for the use of the
commissioner for administering and enforcing the provisions of this article.
?19-12E-9. Defense for possession or cultivation of marijuana.
(a) It is a complete defense
to a prosecution for the possession or cultivation of marijuana pursuant to the
provisions of article four, ?60A-4-401 et seq. chapter
sixty-a of this code that defendant was growing industrial hemp pursuant to
the provisions of this article.
(b) This section is not a defense to a charge of criminal sale or distribution of marijuana as defined in ?60A-1-101 et seq. of this code which does not meet the definition of industrial hemp.
?19-12E-10. State regulation of industrial hemp.
(a) The commissioner may submit to the Secretary of the United States Department of Agriculture, for his or her approval, a plan under which this state monitors and regulates the production of industrial hemp. The plan shall comply with the requirements of 7 U.S.C. ? 1621 et seq. and any other requirements established by the United States Department of Agriculture.
(b) Nothing in this section prohibits the production of industrial hemp in this state if the commissioner declines to submit a plan, or if a submitted plan is not approved by the United States Department of Agriculture in accordance with other federal laws and regulations.
?19-12E-11. Violations; negligent violations; notice.
(a) A licensee in this state that does not comply with any approved plan is subject to ?19-12E-11(b) of this code if the department determines the licensee has negligently violated the state plan by:
(1) Failing to provide a legal description of the land on which the licensee produces hemp;
(2) Failing to obtain a license or other required authorization from the West Virginia Department of Agriculture; or
(3) Producing industrial hemp containing more than 0.3% of tetrahydrocannabinol.
(b) A licensee described in subsection (a) of this section shall comply with any requirements established by the department to correct any negligent violation, including:
(1) A reasonable date by which the hemp producer shall correct the negligent violation; and
(2) In the discretion of the commissioner, any requirement that the licensee shall periodically report to the department the licensee?s compliance with the state plan for at least two calendar years from the date of the negligent violation.
(c) A licensee that negligently violates the provisions of this article, legislative rules promulgated pursuant to this article, or this state?s approved plan authorized pursuant to ?19-12E-10 of this code three times in a five-year period, is ineligible to produce hemp in this state for a period of five years beginning on the date of the third violation.
(d) If the department determines that a licensee in this state has intentionally violated the provisions of this article, legislative rules promulgated pursuant to this article, or this state?s approved plan authorized pursuant to ?19-12E-10 of this code, the provisions of ?19-12E-11(b) of this code shall not apply to the violation and the department shall report the licensee to:
(1) The attorney general;
(2) The sheriff of the county in which the hemp is being grown; and
(3) The local detachment of the West Virginia State Police.
(e) Absent a notification pursuant to subsection (d) of this section, a licensee that negligently violates state laws or rules is not subject to any criminal or civil enforcement action by any state, county, or municipal government.?
And,
By amending the title of the bill to read as following:
Com. Sub. for H. B. 2694 - ?A Bill to amend and reenact ?19-12E-3, ?19-12E-4, ?19-12E-5, ?19-12E-6, ?19-12E-7, ?19-12E-8, and ?19-12E-9 of the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, and to amend said code by adding thereto two new sections, designated ?19-12E-10 and ?19-12E-11, all relating generally to the Industrial Hemp Development Act; adding and modifying definitions; updating code to reflect changes in federal law; clarifying that no person may grow, cultivate, possess, or process industrial hemp without a license from the Department of Agriculture; requiring certain documentation requested by the commissioner to be submitted by licensees; authorizing commissioner to submit plan for state regulation of industrial hemp to United States Department of Agriculture; requiring licensee to provide prior written consent for law enforcement to enter the premises; providing that a license is not necessary to possess, handle, transport, or sell hemp products and extracts; setting standards regarding sale of industrial hemp products; requiring plan to comply with federal law; providing for continued legality of hemp production in absence of submitted plan; providing for handling negligent violations; addressing handling of non-negligent violations; requiring notification of attorney general and law enforcement under certain circumstances; and making technical corrections.?
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. 700), and there were?yeas 96, nays 3, absent and not voting 1, with the nays and absent and not voting being as follows:
Nays: Jennings, Malcolm and Porterfield.
Absent and Not Voting: Cooper.
So, a majority of the members elected to the House of Delegates having voted in the affirmative, the Speaker declared the bill (Com. Sub. for H. B. 2694) passed.
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, a bill of the House of Delegates, as follows:
H. B. 2828, Relating to Qualified Opportunity Zones.
Delegates Capito, Lovejoy and Hicks asked and obtained unanimous consent to be added as cosponsors of H. B. 2828.
On motion of Delegate Summers, the House of Delegates concurred in the following amendment of the bill by the Senate:
On page one, by striking out everything after the enacting clause and inserting in lieu thereof the following:
?CHAPTER 11. TAXATION.
ARTICLE 21. PERSONAL INCOME TAX.
?11-21-12j. Decreasing modification reducing federal adjusted gross income for the net income of Qualified Opportunity Zone Businesses; effective date.
(a) General. ? In addition to the amounts authorized to be subtracted from federal adjusted gross income pursuant to ?11-21-12(c) of this code, a modification reducing federal adjusted gross income is hereby authorized for taxable years beginning on and after January 1, 2020:
(1) For individuals: in an amount equal to and limited to that portion of net income included in federal adjusted gross income by a taxpayer in the taxable year that is directly derived from a qualified opportunity zone business located in a qualified opportunity zone which is located in West Virginia;
(2) For partners or members of limited liability companies that are treated as partnerships for federal income tax purposes, and other pass-through entities: in an amount equal to and limited to that portion of the distributive share of the partner or member that is attributable to the flow through income directly derived from the qualified opportunity zone business located in West Virginia. A similar rule applies to shareholders in corporations taxed under subchapter S of the Internal Revenue Code.
(b) Eligibility. ? To be entitled to modification provided for in subsection (a) of this section, the qualified opportunity zone business must be a newly registered business in West Virginia registered on or after January 1, 2020, or an existing West Virginia business that has qualified as a qualified opportunity zone business in West Virginia on or after that date. Limited liability companies that are treated as corporations for purposes of the federal income tax and West Virginia corporation net income tax and which otherwise qualify in accordance with the requirements and limitations of this section may qualify for the modification authorized under this section.
(c) Duration. ? The modification provided for in subsection (a) of this section shall apply with respect to a taxpayer for a 10-year period beginning with the first full taxable year during which the qualified opportunity zone business first qualifies as a qualified opportunity zone business, or the first year in which the qualified opportunity zone business reports net income: Provided, That the qualified opportunity zone business first qualifies as such on or after January 1, 2020.
(d) The following definitions apply to this section:
(1) ?Qualified Opportunity Zone Business? means ?Qualified Opportunity Zone Business? as that term is defined in 26 U.S.C. ?1400Z-2.
(2) ?Qualified Opportunity Zone? means ?Qualified Opportunity Zone? as that term is defined in 26 U.S.C. ?1400Z-1.
(e) The Tax Commissioner may propose rules necessary to carry out the provisions of this section and to provide guidelines and requirements to ensure uniform administrative practices statewide to effect the intent of this section, all in accordance with the provisions of ?29A-3-1 et seq. of this code.
ARTICLE 24. CORPORATION NET INCOME TAX.
?11-24-6b. Decreasing modification reducing federal taxable income for the income of Qualified Opportunity Zone Businesses; effective date.
(a) General. - In addition to the amounts authorized to be subtracted from federal taxable income pursuant to ?11-24-6(c) of this article, there shall be subtracted from federal taxable income, an amount equal to net income included in federal taxable income by a corporate taxpayer in a taxable year that is ordinary income derived from a qualified opportunity zone business located in a qualified opportunity zone located in West Virginia: Provided, That In any case in which a consolidated or combined return is filed, or required to be filed, the amount subtracted from federal taxable income under this section may not exceed that member?s proportionate share of the affiliated, combined or unitary group?s tax liability under this article, that is ordinary income derived from a qualified opportunity zone business located in a qualified opportunity zone located in West Virginia for the taxable year. The provisions of this section are effective for taxable years beginning on and after January 1, 2020.
(b) Eligibility. - To be entitled to modification provided for in subsection (a), the qualified opportunity zone business must be a newly registered business in West Virginia registered on or after January 1, 2020, or an existing West Virginia business that has qualified as a qualified opportunity zone business in West Virginia on or after that date. Limited liability companies that are treated as corporations for purposes of the federal income tax and West Virginia corporation net income tax and which otherwise qualify in accordance with the requirements and limitations of this section may qualify for the modification authorized under this section.
(c) Duration. - The modification provided for in subsection (a) of this section shall apply with respect to a taxpayer during the 10-year period beginning with the first full taxable year during which the qualified opportunity zone business first qualifies as a qualified opportunity zone business, or the first year in which the qualified opportunity zone business reports net income: Provided, That the qualified opportunity zone business first qualifies as such on or after January 1, 2020.
(d) The following definitions apply to this section:
(1) ?Qualified Opportunity Zone Business? means ?Qualified Opportunity Zone Business? as that term is defined in 26 U.S.C. ?1400Z-2.
(2) ?Qualified Opportunity Zone? means ?Qualified Opportunity Zone? as that term is defined in 26 U.S.C. ?1400Z-1.
(e) The Tax Commissioner may propose rules necessary to carry out the provisions of this section and to provide guidelines and requirements to ensure uniform administrative practices statewide to carry out the intent of this section, all in accordance with the provisions of ?29A-3-1 et seq. of this code.
CHAPTER 31. CORPORATIONS.
Article 15D. West Virginia Business Growth in low-income communities tax credit.
The provisions of this article shall be known as, and may be cited as, the ?West Virginia New Markets Jobs Act?.
?31-15D-2. Definitions.
(a) Any term used in this article has the meaning ascribed by this section unless a different meaning is clearly required by the context of its use or by definition in this article.
(b) For purposes of this article, the term:
(1) ?Affiliate? means an entity that directly or indirectly through one or more intermediaries controls, is controlled by, or is under common control with the entity specified;
(2) ?Aggregate offset? shall mean the sum of the West Virginia New Market Jobs offset reported in each annual report to the authority pursuant to.? 31-15D-6(a)(10).
(3) ?Annual jobs retained? means the number of full-time equivalent employees that existed before the initial qualified low-income community investment in the qualified active low-income community business that are paid a high wage and for which:
(A) The qualified active low-income community business?s chief executive officer or similar officer certifies that the full-time equivalent employee positions would have been eliminated but for the initial qualified low-income community investment; and
(B) The qualified community development entity receives approval from the authority of the satisfaction of this definition;
(4) ?Applicable percentage? means zero percent of the qualified equity investment for the first two credit allowance dates, five percent of the qualified equity investment for the third credit allowance date, and ten percent of the qualified equity investment for each of the final four credit allowance dates;
(5) ?Authority? means the West Virginia Economic Development Authority as provided in ?31-15-4 of this code;
(6) ?Credit allowance date? means with respect to any qualified equity investment:
(A) The date on which the investment is initially made; and
(B) Each of the six anniversary dates of such date thereafter;
(7) ?Full-time equivalent employee? means the quotient obtained by dividing the total number of hours for which employees were compensated for employment over the preceding 12 month period by 2,080;
(8) ?High wage? means an hourly wage rate of at least 150 percent of the federal minimum wage;
(9) ?Insurance Commissioner? means the Insurance Commissioner of West Virginia or his or her designee as provided in ?33-2-1 of this code;
(10) ?Investor allocation? means the allocation of tax credits to insurance companies pursuant to ?31-15D-3.
(11) ?Long-term debt security? means any debt instrument issued by a qualified community development entity with an original maturity date of at least seven years from the date of its issuance, with no repayment, amortization or prepayment features prior to its original maturity date. The qualified community development entity that issues the debt instrument may not make cash interest payments on the debt instrument during the period beginning on the date of issuance and ending on the final credit allowance date in an amount that exceeds the cumulative operating income, as defined by regulations adopted under 26 U. S. C. ? 45D, as amended, of the qualified community development entity for that period prior to giving effect to the interest expense of the long-term debt security. The foregoing shall in no way limit the holder?s ability to accelerate payments on the debt instrument in situations where the qualified community development entity has defaulted on covenants designed to ensure compliance with this 26 U. S. C. ? 45D, as amended;
(12) ?New annual jobs? means the difference, provided that if such difference is less than zero, the new annual jobs shall be zero, between:
(A)(i) The monthly average of full-time equivalent employees that are paid a high wage at a qualified low-income community business for the preceding calendar year; or
(ii) If the preceding calendar year contains the initial low-income community investment, the monthly average of full-time employees that are paid a high-wage at a qualified active low-income community investment, the monthly average of full-time employees that are paid a high wage at a qualified low-income community business for the months including and after the initial low-income community investment and before the end of the preceding calendar year;
(B) The number of full-time equivalent employees at the qualified active low-income community business on the day of the initial qualified low-income community investment;
(13) ?Opportunity zone? means the low-income census tracts located in West Virginia receiving such designation from the U.S. Treasury Department;
(14) ?Principal business operations? of business is the location or locations where at least 60 percent of the business?s employees work or where the employees who are paid at least 60 percent of the business?s payroll are located. A business that agrees to relocate or hire new employees using the proceeds of a qualified low-income community investment to establish its principal business operations at a location is deemed to have its principal business operations in the new location provided it satisfies this definition within 180 days after receiving the qualified low-income community investment, unless the authority agrees to a later date;
(15) ?Purchase price? means the amount paid to the qualified community development entity for a qualified equity investment, which may not exceed the amount of qualified equity investment authority certified pursuant to ?31-15D-4 of this code;
(16) ?Qualified active low-income community business? has the meaning given the term in 26 U. S. C. ? 45D, as amended, and 26 C. F. R. ? 1.45D-1 (2012). Any business that is nonprofit or derives, or projects to derive, 15 percent or more of its annual revenue from the rental or sale of real estate is not considered to be a qualified active low-income community business. The real estate exception does not apply to a business that is controlled by or under common control with another business if the second business: (A) Does not derive or project to derive 15 percent or more of its annual revenue from the rental or sale of real estate; and (B) is the primary tenant of the real estate leased from the initial business. A business shall be considered a qualified active low-income community business for the duration of the qualified community development entity?s investment in, or loan to, the business if the entity reasonably expects, at the time it makes the investment or loan, that the business will continue to satisfy the requirements of being a qualified active low-income community business, other than the size and net income standards, throughout the entire period of the investment or loan;
(17) ?Qualified community development entity? has the meaning given the term in 26 U. S. C. ? 45D, as amended: Provided, That the entity has entered into an allocation agreement with the Community Development Financial Institutions Fund of the U. S. Treasury Department with respect to credits authorized by 26 U. S. C. ? 45D, as amended, which includes the State of West Virginia within the service area set forth in the allocation agreement. An entity may not be deemed to be controlled by another entity solely as a result of the entity having made a direct or indirect equity investment in the other entity that earns tax credits under 26 U.S.C. ? 45D, as amended, or similar state program. The term shall include subsidiary qualified community development entities of any qualified community development entity and transferees of qualified equity investment authority pursuant to ?31-15D-4 of this code;
(18) ?Qualified equity investment? means any equity investment in, or long-term debt security issued by, a qualified community development entity that:
(A) Is acquired after the effective date of this act at its original issuance solely in exchange for cash;
(B) Has 100 percent of its cash purchase price used by the qualified community development entity to make qualified low-income community investments in qualified active low-income community businesses located in this state by the first anniversary of the initial credit allowance date; and
(C) Is designated by the qualified community development entity as a qualified equity investment hereunder and is certified by the authority pursuant to ?31-15D-4 of this code. This term shall include any qualified equity investment that does not meet the provisions of paragraph (A) of this subdivision if the investment was a qualified equity investment in the hands of a prior holder;
(19) ?Qualified low-income community investment? means any capital or equity investment in, or loan to, any qualified active low-income community business: Provided, That with respect to any one qualified active low-income community business, the maximum amount of qualified low-income community investments made in the business, on a collective basis with all of the businesses? affiliates, with the proceeds of qualified equity investments certified under ?31-15D-4 of this code, shall be $5 million, exclusive of qualified low-income community investments made with repaid or redeemed qualified low-income community investments or interest or profits realized thereon;
(20) ?State premium tax liability? means any liability incurred by any entity under ?33-3-14, ?33-3-14a, ?33-3-15, ?33-3-16 or ?33-3-17 of this code: Provided, That if the tax liability imposed under these sections is eliminated or reduced, the term ?state premium tax liability? shall also include any tax liability imposed by this state on an insurance company or other person that had premium tax liability under the laws of this state for the purpose of making up tax revenue lost by the state as a result of the elimination or reduction of the taxes imposed under these sections: Provided, however, That the issuance of tax credits pursuant to ?33-3-14e of this code shall in no way affect the funding of any fire department or volunteer fire department that receives any moneys from revenues generated by any of the taxes for which credits are issued pursuant to ?33-3-14e of this code.
(21) ?State reimbursement amount? means the difference, provided that if such difference is less than zero, the state reimbursement amount shall be zero, between:
(A) The product of the amount of qualified equity investment authority certified and 45 percent; and
(B) The aggregate offset;
(22) ?Tier One Job? means a new annual job held by an employee who served in the active military, naval or air service and who was discharged or released under conditions other than dishonorable, suffers from a disability, was found guilty of a crime and sentenced by a court to a prison term, or was a non-West Virginia resident within the prior 12 months;
(23) ?Tier Two Job? means a new annual job held by an employee who received or had a family member receive, with neither still receiving, benefits under West Virginia Medicaid, West Virginia Unemployment Insurance, the West Virginia Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, the West Virginia Children?s Health Insurance Program, and West Virginia Head Start;
(24) ?Tier Three Job? means all new annual jobs that are not Tier One Jobs or Two Tier Jobs.
?31-15D-3. Transferability.
No tax credit earned under this article is transferrable to another entity other than an affiliate subject to state premium tax liability or saleable on the open market: Provided, That tax credits earned by or allocated to a partnership, limited liability company or S-corporation may be further allocated to the partners, members or shareholders of the entity in accordance with the provisions of any agreement among the partners, members or shareholders. The allocation shall not be considered a sale for purposes of this article.
?31-15D-4. Certification of qualified equity investments.
(a) A qualified community development entity that seeks to have an equity investment or long-term debt security designated as a qualified equity investment and eligible for tax credits under this article shall first file a credit application with the authority. The authority shall begin accepting applications on July 1, 2019. The application filed by the qualified community development entity shall include the following:
(1) The amount of qualified equity investment authority requested;
(2) The amount of qualified equity investment authority requested that the applicant agrees to designate as a federal qualified equity investment with the Community Development Financial
Institutions Fund;
(3) Evidence of the applicant?s certification as a qualified community development entity, including evidence of the service area of the entity that includes this state;
(4) A copy of an allocation agreement executed by the applicant, or its controlling entity, and the Community Development Financial Institutions Fund;
(5) A certificate executed by an executive officer of the applicant attesting that the allocation agreement remains in effect and has not been revoked or canceled by the Community
Development Financial Institutions Fund;
?(6) A business plan that includes a revenue impact assessment projecting state and local tax revenue to be generated by the applicant?s proposed qualified low-income community investments prepared by a nationally recognized third-party independent economic forecasting firm using a dynamic economic forecasting model that analyzes the applicant?s business plan over the 10 years following the date the application is submitted to the authority; and
(7) A signed affidavit from each insurance company stating the amount of investor allocation the insurance company commits to receiving;
(8) A nonrefundable application fee of $10,000. This fee shall be paid to the authority and shall be required of each application submitted.
(b) Within 30 days of receipt of a completed application containing the information set forth in subsection (a) of this section, the authority shall grant or deny the application in full or in part. The authority shall deny an application if the business plan submitted with the application does not project revenue neutrality against the proposed tax credit utilization or if the applicant does not submit affidavits committing to the allocations equal to 45 percent of the amount of qualified equity authority requested. If the authority denies any part of the application, the authority shall inform the qualified community development entity of the grounds for the denial. If the qualified community development entity provides any additional information required by the authority or otherwise completes its application within days of the notice of denial, the application shall be considered complete as of the original date of submission. If the qualified community development entity fails to provide the information or complete its application within the 15 day period, the application remains denied and must be resubmitted in full with a new submission date.
(c) If the application is complete, the authority shall certify the proposed equity investment or long-term debt security as a qualified equity investment that is eligible for tax credits under this article, subject to the limitations contained in subsection (f) of this section. The Tax Commissioner shall provide written notice of the certification to the qualified community development entity.
(d) The authority shall certify qualified equity investments in the order applications are received by the authority. Applications received on the same day shall be deemed to have been received simultaneously.
(e) For applications that are complete and received on the same day, the authority shall first certify applications by applicants that agree to designate qualified equity investments as federal qualified equity investments in proportionate percentages based on the ratio of the amount of qualified equity investments requested in an application to be designated as a federal qualified equity investment to the total amount of qualified equity investments to be designated as federal qualified equity investments in all applications in which applicants agree to designate qualified equity investments. Thereafter, the authority shall certify the qualified equity investments of all other applicants, including the remaining qualified equity investment authority requested by applicants not designated as federal qualified equity investments, in proportionate percentages based on the ratio of the amount of qualified equity investments not requested in an application to be designated as a federal qualified equity investment to the total amount of qualified equity investments not requested in applications to be designated as federal qualified equity investments.
(f) The authority shall certify no more than $60 million in qualified equity investments pursuant to this article.
(g) An approved applicant may transfer all or a portion of its certified qualified equity investment authority to its controlling entity or any subsidiary qualified community development entity of the controlling entity: Provided, That the applicant and the transferee notify the authority of the transfer with the notice set forth in ?31-15D-4(h) of this code and include the information required in the application with respect to such transferee with such notice.
(h) Within one calendar year of the applicant receiving notice of certification, the qualified community development entity shall issue the qualified equity investment and receive cash in the amount of the certified amount and, if applicable, designate the required amount of qualified equity investment authority as a federal qualified equity investment. The qualified community development entity must provide the authority with evidence of the receipt of the cash investment and designation as a federal qualified equity investment, if applicable and the allocation of tax credits to insurance companies that submitted affidavits in the qualified community development entity?s application at least equal to 45 percent of the amount of qualified equity investment authority certified by the authority, within one calendar year and five days of the applicant receiving notice of certification. If the qualified community development entity does not receive the cash investment, issue the qualified equity investment and, if applicable, designate the qualified equity investment as a federal qualified equity investment and make such allocation of tax credits to insurance companies within such time period following receipt of the certification notice, the certification shall lapse and the entity may not issue the qualified equity investment without reapplying to the authority for certification.
(i) Lapsed certifications revert to the authority and shall be reissued:
(1) First, pro rata to applicants whose qualified equity investment allocations were reduced pursuant to ?31-15D-4(e) of this code with a preference to applicants who have agreed to designate qualified equity investments as federal qualified equity investments; and
(2) Thereafter, in accordance with the provisions of this article.
(j) Recaptured tax credits and the related qualified equity investment authority are eligible for reissuance to qualified community development entities under the provisions of this article and recaptured tax credits shall be reissued:
(1) First, pro rata to applicants whose qualified equity investment allocations were reduced pursuant to ?31-15D-4(e) of this code, with a preference to applicants who agreed to designate qualified equity investments as federal qualified equity investments; and
(2) Thereafter, in accordance with the provisions of this article.
(k) The authority must notify the Insurance Commissioner of the names of the entities that are eligible to use tax credits provided under ?31-15D-3 of this code, pursuant to an allocation of tax credits or change in allocation of tax credits or due to a transfer of a qualified equity investment upon the allocation, change or transfer.
?31-15D-5. New capital requirement.
No qualified active low-income community business that receives a qualified low-income community investment from a qualified community development entity that issues qualified equity investments under this article, or any affiliates of such a qualified active low-income community business, may directly or indirectly: (1) Own or have the right to acquire an ownership interest in a qualified community development entity or member or affiliate of a qualified community development entity, including, but not limited to, a holder of a qualified equity investment issued by the qualified community development entity; or (2) loan to or invest in a qualified community development entity or member or affiliate of a qualified community development entity, including, but not limited to, a holder of a qualified equity investment issued by a qualified community development entity, where the proceeds of such loan or investment are directly or indirectly used to fund or refinance the purchase of a qualified equity investment hereunder. For purposes of this section, a qualified community development entity shall not be considered an affiliate of a qualified active low-income community business solely as a result of its qualified low-income community investment in such business.
?31-15D-6. Reporting.
Qualified community development entities shall submit a report to the authority within the first five business days after each anniversary of the initial credit allowance date. The report due for the second anniversary of the credit allowance date shall provide documentation as to the investment of 100 percent of the purchase price of the qualified equity investment in qualified low-income community investments in qualified active low-income community businesses located in West Virginia. Each report shall include:
(1) The location of the qualified active low-income community business;
(2) A bank statement of the qualified community development entity evidencing each qualified low-income community investment if such qualified low-income community investment occurred after the prior annual report;
(3) Evidence that the business was a qualified active low-income community business at the time of the qualified low-income community investment if evidence was not submitted in a prior annual report;
(4) Any information regarding the recapture under 26 U. S. C. ? 45D, as amended, of a federal tax credit available with respect to a qualified equity investment that is eligible for a credit under this article;
(5) Any information regarding the qualified community development entity redeeming or making principal repayment with respect to a qualified equity investment prior to the seventh anniversary of the issuance of such qualified equity investment;
(6) Any information that the qualified community development entity failed to invest an amount equal to 100 percent of the purchase price of the qualified equity investment in qualified low-income community investments in West Virginia within 24 months of the issuance of the qualified equity investment and maintain the level of investment in qualified low-income community investments in West Virginia until the last credit allowance date for the qualified equity investment. For purposes of this article, an investment shall be considered held by a qualified community development entity even if the investment has been sold or repaid, if the qualified community development entity reinvests an amount equal to the capital returned to or recovered by the qualified community development entity from the original investment, exclusive of any profits realized, in another qualified low-income community investment within 12 months of the receipt of the capital. Periodic amounts received as repayment of principal pursuant to regularly scheduled amortization payments on a loan that is a qualified low-income community investment shall be treated as continuously invested in a qualified low-income community investment if the amounts are reinvested in one or more qualified low-income community investments by the end of the following calendar year. A qualified community development entity shall not be required to reinvest capital returned from qualified low-income community investments after the sixth anniversary of the issuance of the qualified equity investment, and the qualified low-income community investment shall be considered held by the qualified community development entity through the seventh anniversary of the qualified equity investment?s issuance;
(7) Number of new annual jobs and annual jobs retained as a result of qualified low-income community investments;
(8) Average annual salary of employment positions described in this subsection;
(9) In the event the authority is provided any information required by subdivision (4), (5) or (6) of this subsection, the authority shall provide that information to the insurance commissioner; and
(10) A qualified community development entity shall calculate the West Virginia New Market Jobs offset annually and include such amount in its annual report. A qualified community development entity may include new annual jobs and annual jobs retained at qualified active low-income community businesses that have repaid or redeemed their qualified low-income community investment. The West Virginia New Markets Job offset shall equal the sum of the following:
(A) The product of the number of new annual jobs that are Tier 1 Jobs and $50,000;
(B) The product of the number of new annual jobs that are Tier 2 Jobs and $40,000;
(C) The product of the number of new annual jobs that are Tier 3 Jobs and $25,000;
(D) The product of the number of annual jobs retained and $10,000; and
(E) A $10,000 bonus added to the West Virginia New Markets offset of each of the following:
(I) Each new annual job at qualified active low-income community businesses whose principal business operations are in an opportunity zone; and
(II) Each new annual job held by an employee who has received workforce training either internally or externally, provided such training is verified by the president or similar officer of the qualified low-income community business and approved by the authority.
? 31-15D-7. Penalty for Job Creation Underperformance.
?(a) At any time after the seventh anniversary of the initial credit allowance date and prior to making any distributions or payments that exceed the qualified community development entity?s qualified equity investment authority, the qualified community development entity shall calculate the state reimbursement amount and submit such calculation to the authority.
(b) Thereafter, prior to any distribution or payment, the qualified community development entity must remit the state reimbursement amount to the authority.
(c) All amounts received by the authority under this section shall be submitted to the general revenue fund.
CHAPTER 33. INSURANCE.
ARTICLE 3. LICENSING, FEES AND TAXATION OF INSURERS.
?33-3-14e. Credits against premium tax for investment pursuant to the West Virginia New Market Jobs Acts.
(a) For the purpose of this section, the term:
(1) ?Applicable percentage? means zero percent of the qualified equity investment for the first two credit allowance dates, five percent of the qualified equity investment for the third credit allowance date, and ten percent of the qualified equity investment for each of the final four credit allowance dates;
?(2) ?Credit allowance date? means with respect to any qualified equity investment:
(A) The date on which the investment is initially made; and
(B) Each of the six anniversary dates of the date thereafter;
(3) ?Insurance Commissioner? means the Insurance Commissioner of West Virginia or his or her designee as provided in ?33-2-1 of this code;
(4) ?Long-term debt security? means any debt instrument issued by a qualified community development entity with an original maturity date of at least seven years from the date of its issuance, with no repayment, amortization or prepayment features prior to its original maturity date. The qualified community development entity that issues the debt instrument may not make cash interest payments on the debt instrument during the period beginning on the date of issuance and ending on the final credit allowance date in an amount that exceeds the cumulative operating income, as defined by regulations adopted under 26 U. S. C. ? 45D, as amended, of the qualified community development entity for that period prior to giving effect to the interest expense of the long-term debt security. The foregoing shall in no way limit the holder?s ability to accelerate payments on the debt instrument in situations where the qualified community development entity has defaulted on covenants designed to ensure compliance with 26 U. S. C. ? 45D, as amended;
(5) ?Purchase price? means the amount paid to the qualified community development entity for a qualified equity investment, which may not exceed the amount of qualified equity investment authority certified pursuant to ?31-15D-4 of this code;
(6) ?Qualified active low-income community business? has the meaning given the term in 26 U. S. C. ? 45D, as amended, and 26 C. F. R. ? 1.45D-1 (2012). Any business that is a nonprofit or derives or projects to derive 15 percent or more of its annual revenue from the rental or sale of real estate is not considered to be a qualified active low-income community business. The real estate exception does not apply to a business that is controlled by or under common control with another business if the second business: (A) Does not derive or project to derive 15 percent or more of its annual revenue from the rental or sale of real estate; and (B) is the primary tenant of the real estate leased from the initial business. A business shall be considered a qualified active low-income community business for the duration of the qualified community development entity?s investment in, or loan to, the business if the entity reasonably expects, at the time it makes the investment or loan, that the business will continue to satisfy the requirements for being a qualified active low-income community business, other than the size and net income standards, throughout the entire period of the investment or loan;
(7) ?Qualified community development entity? has the meaning given the term in Section 26 U. S. C ? 45D, as amended: Provided, That the entity has entered into an allocation agreement with the Community Development Financial Institutions Fund of the U. S. Treasury Department with respect to credits authorized by 26 U. S. C ? 45D, as amended, which includes the State of West Virginia within the service area set forth in the allocation agreement. An entity may not be deemed to be controlled by another entity solely as a result of the entity having made a direct or indirect equity investment in the other entity that earns tax credits under 26 U. S. C ? 45D, as amended, or similar state program. The term shall include subsidiary community development entities of any such qualified community development entity and transferees of qualified equity investment authority pursuant to ?31-15D-4 of this code;
(8) ?Qualified Equity Investment? means any equity investment in, or long-term debt security issued by, a qualified community development entity that:
(A) Is acquired after the effective date of this act at its original issuance solely in exchange for cash;
(B) Has 100 percent of its cash purchase price used by the qualified community development entity to make qualified low-income community investments in qualified active low-income community businesses located in this state by the first anniversary of the initial credit allowance date; and
(C) Is designated by the qualified community development entity as a qualified equity investment hereunder and is certified by the Economic Development Authority pursuant to ?31-15D-4 of this code. This term shall include any qualified equity investment that does not meet the provisions of ?33-3-14e(a)(9) of this code if the investment was a qualified equity investment in the hands of a prior holder;
(9) ?Qualified low-income community investment? means any capital or equity investment in, or loan to, any qualified active low-income community business: Provided, That with respect to any one qualified active low-income community business, the maximum amount of qualified low-income community investments made in the business, on a collective basis with all of the businesses? affiliates, with the proceeds of qualified equity investments certified under ?31-15D-4 of this code, shall be $5 million, exclusive of qualified low-income community investments made with repaid or redeemed qualified low-income community investments or interest or profits realized thereon;
(10) ?State premium tax liability? means any liability incurred by any entity under ?33-3-14, ?33-3-14a, ?33-3-15, ?33-3-16 or ?33-3-17 of this code: Provided, that if the tax liability imposed under these sections is eliminated or reduced, the term ?state premium tax liability? shall also include any tax liability imposed by this state on an insurance company or other person that had premium tax liability under the laws of this state for the purpose of making up tax revenue lost by the state as a result of the elimination or reduction of the taxes imposed under said sections.
(b) Any entity that makes a qualified equity investment pursuant to ?31-15D-4 of this code shall be allowed an earned and vested tax credit against the entity?s state premium tax liability that may be used as follows:
(1) The amount of tax credit allowable on each credit allowance date to an entity that makes a qualified equity investment, or to a subsequent holder of the qualified equity investment, shall be annually computed by multiplying the purchase price paid to the qualified community development entity for the qualified equity investment by the applicable percentage for the credit allowance date;
(2) The annual credit allowance, computed pursuant to ?33-3-14e(a)(1) of this code, may be used to offset the entity?s state premium tax liability for tax periods ending on or after the credit allowance date; and
(3) The amount of the credit claimed by an entity shall not exceed the amount of the entity?s state premium tax liability for the tax year for which the credit is claimed. Any amount of tax credit remaining, after the credit is used as provided in this section, may be carried forward for use in any subsequent taxable year.
(c) The Insurance Commissioner may recapture, from the entity that claimed the credit on a return, the tax credit allowed under this article if:
(1) Any amount of a federal tax credit available with respect to a qualified equity investment that is eligible for a credit under this article is recaptured under 26 U. S. C. ? 45D, as amended. In such case the Insurance Commissioner?s recapture shall be proportionate to the federal recapture with respect to such qualified equity investment;
(2) The qualified community development entity redeems or makes principal repayment with respect to a qualified equity investment prior to the seventh anniversary of the issuance of the qualified equity investment. In such case the Insurance Commissioner?s recapture shall be proportionate to the amount of the redemption or repayment with respect to the qualified equity investment;
(3) The qualified community development entity fails to invest an amount equal to 100 percent of the purchase price of the qualified equity investment in qualified low-income community investments in West Virginia within 24 months of the issuance of the qualified equity investment and maintain that level of investment in qualified low-income community investments in West Virginia until the last credit allowance date for the qualified equity investment. For purposes of this article, an investment shall be considered held by a qualified community development entity even if the investment has been sold or repaid, if the qualified community development entity reinvests an amount equal to the capital returned to or recovered by the qualified community development entity from the original investment, exclusive of any profits realized, in another qualified low-income community investment within 12 months of the receipt of such capital. Periodic amounts received as repayment of principal pursuant to regularly scheduled amortization payments on a loan that is a qualified low-income community investment shall be treated as continuously invested in a qualified low-income community investment if the amounts are reinvested in one or more qualified low-income community investments by the end of the following calendar year. A qualified community development entity may not be required to reinvest capital returned from qualified low-income community investments after the sixth anniversary of the issuance of the qualified equity investment, and the qualified low-income community investment shall be considered held by the qualified community development entity through the seventh anniversary of the qualified equity investment?s issuance; or
(4) As a result of any violation of ?31-15D-5 of this code.
(d) Recaptured tax credits and the related qualified equity investment authority are eligible for reissuance to qualified community development entities under the provisions of this article and recaptured tax credits shall be reissued:
(1) First, pro rata to applicants whose qualified equity investment allocations were reduced pursuant to ?31-15D-4(e) of this code, with a preference to applicants who agreed to designate qualified equity investments as federal qualified equity investments; and
(2) Thereafter, in accordance with the provisions of this article.
(e) Enforcement of the recapture provisions set forth in this section shall be subject to a six-month cure period. No recapture shall occur until the qualified community development entity shall have been given notice of noncompliance and afforded six months from the date of such notice to cure the noncompliance.
(f) In rendering letter rulings and making other determinations under this section, to the extent applicable, the Insurance Commissioner shall look for guidance in 26 U. S. C. ? 45D, as amended, and the rules and regulations issued thereunder.?
And,
By amending the title of the bill to read as follows:
H. B. 2828? ?A Bill to amend the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, by adding thereto a new section designated ?11-21-12j; and to amend said code by adding thereto a new section, designated ?11-24-6b; and to amend said code by adding thereto a new article, designated ?31-15D-1, ?31-15D-2, ?31-15D-3, ?31-15D-4, ?31-15D-5, ?31-15D-6, and ?31-15D-7; and to amend said code by adding thereto a new section, designated ?33-3-14e; all relating to promoting investment and business growth in low-income communities in West Virginia; providing title; defining terms; providing for transferability; certification of qualified equity investment; providing for recapture of tax credits; requiring notice of noncompliance; letter rulings; new capital requirement; reporting; providing penalty for job creation underperformance; establishing amount of credit allowed; providing mechanism to exempt corporate net income tax and personal income tax for new businesses in Qualified Opportunity Zones located in West Virginia; providing effective date; authorizing rulemaking in Commissioner.?
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. 701), and there were?yeas 96, nays 2, absent and not voting 2, with the nays and absent and not voting being as follows:
Nays: Hanna and Phillips.
Absent and Not Voting: Cooper and Rodighiero.
So, a majority of the members elected to the House of Delegates having voted in the affirmative, the Speaker declared the bill (H. B. 2828) passed.
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, a bill of the House of Delegates, as follows:
H. B. 3020, Relating to sole source contracts for goods and services with nonprofit corporations affiliated with the respective education institutions.
On motion of Delegate Kessinger, the House of Delegates concurred in the following amendment of the bill by the Senate:
On page one, section three, lines ten through seventeen, by striking out all of subsection (b) and inserting in lieu thereof the following:
?(b) When a governing board, the commission, or the council determines that a contract for financial services is necessary and proper, it may enter into such a contract with an affiliated nonprofit corporation under such financial terms as the governing board, commission, or council determines are reasonable and proper in the sound administration of their financial responsibilities to the state. In so doing, the affiliated nonprofit corporation shall be deemed a sole source in respect to any applicable law or regulation relating to expenditures of public funds.?
And,
By amending the title of the bill to read as follows:
H. B. 3020 - ?A Bill to amend and reenact ?18B-5-3 of the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, relating to the authority of the Higher Education Policy Commission, the Council for Community and Technical College Education, and institutional governing boards to enter into contracts for financial services; and providing for specified flexibility entering into agreements with certain affiliated nonprofit corporations.?
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. 702), and there were?yeas 94, nays 5, absent and not voting 1, with the nays and absent and not voting being as follows:
Nays: S. Brown, Campbell, Hardy, Lavender-Bowe and Rowe.
Absent and Not Voting: Cooper.
So, a majority of the members elected to the House of Delegates having voted in the affirmative, the Speaker declared the bill (H. B. 3020) passed.
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:
Com. Sub. for H. B. 3024, West Virginia Business Ready Sites Program.
On motion of Delegate Summers, the House of Delegates concurred in the following amendment of the bill by the Senate:
On page four, section one-n, line seventy-six, after the word ?section?, by changing the period to a colon and inserting the following proviso: ?Provided further, That if the number of congressional districts is reduced to two, that no more than five Industrial Development Sites shall be located in any one congressional district.?
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. 703), and there were?yeas 99, nays none, absent and not voting 1, with the absent and not voting being as follows:
Absent and Not Voting: Cooper.
So, a majority of the members elected to the House of Delegates having voted in the affirmative, the Speaker declared the bill (Com. Sub. for H. B. 3024) passed.
Delegate Summers moved that the bill take effect from its passage.
On this question, the yeas and nays were taken (Roll No. 704), and there were?yeas 99, nays none, absent and not voting 1, with the absent and not voting being as follows:
Absent and Not Voting: Cooper.
So, two thirds of the members elected to the House of Delegates having voted in the affirmative, the Speaker declared the bill (Com. Sub. for H. B. 3024) 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, a bill of the House of Delegates, as follows:
H. B. 3044, Requiring the Commissioner of Highways to develop a formula for allocating road funds.
On motion of Delegate Summers, the House refused to concur in the following amendment of the bill by the Senate, and requested the Senate to recede therefrom:
On page one, by striking out everything after the enacting clause and inserting in lieu thereof the following:
?ARTICLE 30. Allocation of Funds.
?17-30-1. Findings.
The Legislature finds that:
(1) According to an independent audit report submitted to the Joint Committee on Government and Finance on January 10, 2016, the West Virginia Division of Highways currently has no formula in place to allocate and distribute road funds among districts and counties. The audit report recommended that in order to more effectively distribute funds, the division should create a framework to allocate and distribute road funds to each of the districts and county organizations; that a baseline maintenance capital plan should be reexamined and revised periodically; and that metrics for the allocation process should be transparent.
(2) A transparent process to develop an official formula for allocating road funds among districts in the state is crucial to ensure that funds are distributed in an effective and efficient manner, based on the needs of the counties within the districts.
?17-30-2. Definitions.
For the purposes of this article:
?Commissioner? means the West Virginia Commissioner of Highways.
?District? means one of the management areas of the state, which include one or more counties, established by the West Virginia Division of Highways, with each district headed by a separate district engineer or manager.
?Heavy truck? means an on-road vehicle with a gross vehicle weight rating of 50,000 pounds or more.
?Road funds? means state funds appropriated or otherwise available to the West Virginia Division of Highways for the purpose of:
(A) New construction;
(B) Maintenance; or
(C) New capacity improvements.
?17-30-3. Formula for allocation of funds.
(a) Prior to the beginning of the regular legislative session in 2020, the commissioner shall develop and propose a formula for the effective and efficient allocation of state road funds among the districts and counties in this state, to be promulgated as a legislative rule.
(b) The commissioner shall include, but not be limited to, the following factors in the formula developed pursuant to this section:
(1) The amount of population growth in each county according to the most recent United States Census projection;
(2) The number of total lane miles in a county;
(3) The approximate number of vehicle miles travelled within a county;
(4) The approximate number of heavy truck miles travelled within a county; and
(5) The number of bridges in a county and their condition.
(c) Before developing the formula required by this section, the commissioner shall review and consider all public comments submitted to the commissioner pursuant to ?17-30-4 of this code.
?17-30-4. Public comment period.
(a) On or before October 1, 2019, the commissioner shall develop and implement a mechanism to proactively seek public comments and recommendations regarding the division?s current allocation of road funds.
(b) In developing and implementing a mechanism to seek public comments, the commissioner shall, at a minimum:
(1) Use multimedia resources to publicize the public comment period;
(2) Allow a period of six weeks for members of the public to submit comments to the commissioner through written and electronic forms of communication; and
(3) Make all public comments received by the commissioner available for the public to view on the department?s website.
(c) The commissioner shall issue targeted communications to the following entities to encourage representatives of those entities to participate in the public comment period required by this subsection:
(1) Division of Highways district offices;
(2) County commissions; and
(3) Metropolitan planning organizations.
?17-30-5. Legislative rule.
(a) For approval during the regular legislative session of 2021, the commissioner shall propose rules for legislative approval in accordance with the requirements of ?29A-3-1 et seq. of this code, including the formula developed pursuant to this section.
(b) The proposed legislative rule shall allow districts to exercise discretion over how to distribute funds among counties within the district over a period of five years: Provided, That at the end of the five-year period, all counties within the district shall have received the funds apportioned to them by the formula developed pursuant to this article.
(c) On or before June 30, 2020, the commissioner shall present the proposed legislative rule containing the formula developed pursuant to this section to the Joint Legislative Oversight Commission on Department of Transportation Accountability.?
Ordered, That the Clerk of the House communicate to the Senate the action of the House of Delegates and request concurrence therein.?
A message from the Senate, by
The Clerk of the Senate, announced that the Senate had passed, with amendment, a bill of the House of Delegates, as follows:
H. B. 3141, Requiring capitol building commission authorization for certain renovations.
The amendment by the Senate being as follows:
On page one, by striking out everything after the enacting clause and inserting in lieu thereof the following:
?ARTICLE 8. CAPITOL BUILDING COMMISSION.
?4-8-4. Powers and duties generally.
The capitol
building commission Capitol Building Commission shall review and
approve or reject all plans recommending substantial physical changes inside or
outside the state Capitol capitol building or surrounding
complex, including the public meeting rooms, hallways and grounds, which
affect the appearance thereof. In all instances constituting a substantial
physical change, the approval of the commission is mandatory before a contract
may be let or before changes are started if the work is not done under a
contract and includes all areas occupied by the Legislature, the Governor, and
the Supreme Court of Appeals. As used in this article, the surrounding
complex shall include the Governor?s mansion and other buildings used by the
Governor as part of his or her residence, the state science and cultural
center, all state office buildings located in the immediate vicinity of the
state Capitol capitol, and the roadways, structures and
facilities which are incidental to such buildings. As used in this article,
substantial physical change shall include, but not be limited to, permanent
physical changes that alter the appearance of the public all
areas of the capitol building and surrounding complex. The secretary of the
Department of Administration shall promulgate rules and regulations, pursuant
to the provisions of ?29A-1-1 et seq. of this code, which rules and
regulations shall be subject to the approval of the capitol building
commission Capitol Building Commission, to implement the provisions
of this article.
On motion of Delegate Kessinger, the House concurred in the Senate amendment with the following further amendment, on page one, section four, line six, after the word ?contract?, by inserting ?or before work on a change order in excess of $40,000 is begun?.
The bill, as amended by the Senate, and further amended by the House, was then put upon its passage.
On the passage of the bill, the yeas and nays were taken (Roll No. 705), and there were?yeas 99, nays none, absent and not voting 1, with the absent and not voting being as follows:
Absent and Not Voting: Cooper.
So, a majority of the members elected to the House of Delegates having voted in the affirmative, the Speaker declared the bill (H. B. 3141) passed.
Ordered, That the Clerk of the House communicate to the Senate the action of the House of Delegates and request concurrence therein.
A message from the Senate, by
The Clerk of the Senate, announced that the Senate had passed, with amendment, a bill of the House of Delegates, as follows:
H. B. 3142, Relating to reducing the severance tax on thermal or steam coal.
On motion of Delegate Summers, the House of Delegates concurred in the following amendment of the bill by the Senate:
On page one, section three, lines ten through fourteen, by striking out the provisos and inserting in lieu thereof a new proviso to read as follows:
?Provided, That effective July 1, 2019, the tax rate imposed by this subsection on the gross value of thermal or steam coal produced shall be reduced incrementally over the next three tax years for a total reduction of two percent by July 1, 2021. That on July 1, 2019, the reduction shall occur at the rate of 35 percent of the two percent reduction, on July 1, 2020, the reduction shall occur at the rate of 65 percent of the two percent reduction, and on July 1, 2021, at the rate of 100 percent of the two percent reduction.?
On page three, section three, after line sixty-one, by inserting the following:
?(i) Termination and expiration of the privilege tax on limestone or sandstone. ? The taxes imposed under this section for persons exercising the privilege of engaging or continuing within this state in the business of severing, extracting, reducing to possession and producing for sale, profit or commercial use limestone or sandstone shall cease, terminate and be of no further force or effect on and after July 1, 2019. Termination of the taxes imposed under this section do not relieve any person of any liability or duty to pay tax imposed under this article with respect to privileges exercised before the effective date of the termination.?
And,
On pages ten and eleven, section six-a, lines fifty-one through eighty, by striking out all of subsection (f) and inserting in lieu thereof a new subsection (f) to read as follows:
??(f) (1) No distribution made to a county under this section may be deposited into the county?s general revenue fund. The county commission of each county receiving a distribution under this section shall establish a special account to be known as the ?(Name of County) Coal County Reallocated Severance Tax Fund? into which all distributions made to that county under this section shall be deposited.
(2) Moneys in the county?s coal county reallocated severance tax fund shall be expended by the county commission solely for economic development projects and infrastructure projects.
(3) For purposes of this section:
(A) ?Economic development project? means a project in the state which is likely to foster economic growth and development in the area in which the project is developed for commercial, industrial, community improvement or preservation or other proper purposes.
(B) ?Infrastructure project? means a project in the state which is likely to foster infrastructure improvements including, but not limited to, post-mining land use, any water or wastewater facilities or any part thereof, storm water systems, steam, gas, telephone and telecommunications, broadband development, electric lines and installations, roads, bridges, railroad spurs, drainage and flood control facilities, industrial park development or buildings that promote job creation and retention.
(4) A county commission may not expend any of the funds available in its coal county reallocated severance tax fund for personal services, for the costs of issuing bonds, or for the payment of bond debt service, and shall direct the total funds available in its coal county reallocated severance tax fund to project development, which may include the costs of architectural and engineering plans, site assessments, site remediation, specifications and surveys, and any other expenses necessary or incidental to determining the feasibility or practicability of any economic development project or infrastructure project.
(5) On or before December 31, 2013, and December 1 of each year thereafter, the county commission of each county receiving a distribution of funds under this section shall deliver to the Joint Committee on Government and Finance a written report setting forth the specific projects for which those funds were expended during the next preceding fiscal year, a detailed account of those expenditures, and a showing that the expenditures were made for the purposes required by this section.?
And,
By amending the title of the bill to read as follows:
H. B. 3142 - ?A Bill to amend and reenact ?11-13A-3, ?11-13A-6 and ?11-13A-6a of the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, all relating to severance taxes; reducing the severance tax on thermal or steam coal to incrementally over three years; providing for a total reduction of two percent of the coal severance tax at the conclusion of the three year period; providing for a reduction of thirty-five percent of the two percent reduction in the first year; providing for a reduction of sixty-five percent of the two percent reduction in the second year; providing for a the full two percent reduction in the third year; providing for an elimination of the severance tax on limestone or sandstone; and establishing minimum amounts of distribution of portion of severance taxes on coal dedicated for use and benefit of coal-producing counties.?
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. 706), and there were?yeas 82, nays 17, absent and not voting 1, with the nays and absent and not voting being as follows:
Nays: Bates, S. Brown, Cowles, Doyle, Estep-Burton, Fleischauer, Hansen, Hornbuckle, Miley, Pushkin, Pyles, Robinson, Rowe, Sponaugle, C. Thompson, Walker and Williams.
Absent and Not Voting: Cooper.
So, a majority of the members elected to the House of Delegates having voted in the affirmative, the Speaker declared the bill (H. B. 3142) passed.
A message from the Senate, by
The Clerk of the Senate, announced that the Senate had passed, with amendment, a bill of the House of Delegates, as follows:
H. B. 3143, Relating to requirements for consumer loans in West Virginia.
On motion of Delegate Kessinger, the House refused to concur in the following amendment of the bill by the Senate, and requested the Senate to recede therefrom:
On page one, by striking out everything after the enacting clause and inserting in lieu thereof the following:
?ARTICLE 4. REGULATED CONSUMER LENDERS.
?46A-4-107. Loan finance charge for regulated consumer lenders.
(1) With respect to a regulated consumer loan, including a revolving loan account, a regulated consumer lender may contract for and receive a loan finance charge not exceeding that permitted by this section.
(2) On a loan of $2,000
$3,500 or less which is unsecured by real property, the loan finance
charge, calculated according to the actuarial method, may not exceed 31 percent
per year on the unpaid balance of the principal amount.
(3) On a loan greater than $2,000
$3,500 but less than or equal to $15,000, or which is secured by real
property, the loan finance charge, calculated according to the actuarial
method, may not exceed 27 percent per year on the unpaid balance of the
principal amount: Provided, That the loan finance charge on any loan
greater than $10,000 $15,000 may not exceed 18 percent per year
on the unpaid balance of the principal amount. Loans made by regulated consumer
lenders shall be subject to the restrictions and supervision set forth in this
article irrespective of their rate of finance charges.
(4) Where the loan is
nonrevolving and is greater than $2,000 $3,500, the permitted
finance charge may include a charge of not more than a total of two percent of
the amount financed for any origination fee, points, or investigation fee: Provided,
That where any loan, revolving or nonrevolving, is secured by real estate, the
permitted finance charge may include a charge of not more than a total of five
percent of the amount financed for any origination fee, points, or
investigation fee. In any loan secured by real estate, the charges may not be
imposed again by the same or affiliated lender in any refinancing of that loan
made within 24 months thereof, unless these earlier charges have been rebated
by payment or credit to the consumer under the actuarial method or the total of
the earlier and proposed charges does not exceed five percent of the amount
financed. Charges permitted under this subsection shall be included in the
calculation of the loan finance charge. The financing of the charges may be
is permissible and may does not constitute charging
interest on interest. In a revolving home equity loan, the amount of the credit
line extended shall is, for purposes of this subsection, constitute
the amount financed. Other than herein provided, no points, origination fee,
investigation fee, or other similar prepaid finance charges attributable to the
lender or its affiliates may be levied. Except as provided for by ?46A‑3‑109
of this code, no additional charges may be made; nor may any charge permitted
by this section be assessed unless the loan is made. To the extent that this
section overrides the preemption on limiting points and other charges on first
lien residential mortgages contained in Section 501 of the United States
Depository Institutions Deregulation and Monetary Control Act of 1980, the
state law limitations contained in this section shall apply. If the loan is
precomputed:
(a) The loan finance charge may be calculated on the assumption that all scheduled payments will be made when due; and
(b) The effect of prepayment, refinancing, or consolidation is governed by the provisions on rebate upon prepayment, refinancing, or consolidation contained in ?46A-3-111 of this code.
(5) For the purposes of this section, the term of a loan commences on the date the loan is made. Differences in the lengths of months are disregarded and a day may be counted as one thirtieth of a month. Subject to classifications and differentiations the licensee may reasonably establish, a part of a month in excess of 15 days may be treated as a full month if periods of 15 days or less are disregarded and if that procedure is not consistently used to obtain a greater yield than would otherwise be permitted.
(6) With respect to a revolving loan account:
(a) A charge may be made by a regulated consumer lender in each monthly billing cycle which is one-twelfth of the maximum annual rates permitted by this section computed on an amount not exceeding the greatest of:
(i) The average daily balance of the debt; or
(ii) The balance of the debt at the beginning of the first day of the billing cycle, less all payments on and credits to such debt during such billing cycle and excluding all additional borrowings during the billing cycle.
For the purpose of this subdivision, a billing cycle is monthly if the billing statement dates are on the same day each month or do not vary by more than four days therefrom.
(b) If the billing cycle is not monthly, the maximum loan finance charge which may be made by a regulated consumer lender is that percentage which bears the same relation to an applicable monthly percentage as the number of days in the billing cycle bears to 30.
(c) Notwithstanding subdivisions (a) and (b) of this subsection, if there is an unpaid balance on the date as of which the loan finance charge is applied, the licensee may contract for and receive a charge not exceeding 50 cents if the billing cycle is monthly or longer or the pro rata part of 50 cents which bears the same relation to 50 cents as the number of days in the billing cycle bears to 30 if the billing cycle is shorter than monthly, but no charge may be made pursuant to this subdivision if the lender has made an annual charge for the same period as permitted by the provisions on additional charges.
(7) As an alternative to the
loan finance charges allowed by subsections (2) and (4) of this section, a
regulated consumer lender may on a loan not secured by real estate of $2,000
$3,500 or less contract for and receive interest at a rate of up to 31
percent per year on the unpaid balance of the principal amount, together with a
nonrefundable loan processing fee of not more than two percent of the amount
financed: Provided, That no other finance charges are imposed on the
loan. The processing fee permitted under this subsection shall be included in
the calculation of the loan finance charge and the financing of the fee shall
be permissible and may not constitute charging interest on interest.
(8) Notwithstanding any contrary provision in this section, a licensed regulated consumer lender who is the assignee of a nonrevolving consumer loan unsecured by real property located in this state, which loan contract was applied for by the consumer when he or she was in another state, and which was executed and had its proceeds distributed in that other state, may collect, receive, and enforce the loan finance charge and other charges, including late fees, provided in the contract under the laws of the state where executed: Provided, That the consumer was not induced by the assignee or its in-state affiliates to apply and obtain the loan from an out-of-state source affiliated with the assignee in an effort to evade the consumer protections afforded by this chapter. Such charges may not be considered to be usurious or in violation of the provisions of this chapter or any other provisions of this code.?
Ordered, That the Clerk of the House communicate to the Senate the action of the House of Delegates and request concurrence therein.
Conference Committee Report Availability
At 4:09 p.m., the Clerk announced that the report of the Committee of Conference on Com. Sub. for S. B. 241, Permitting county court clerks scan certain documents in electronic form, shall be available in the Clerk?s Office.
Delegate Summers asked and obtained unanimous consent to return to further consideration of Com. Sub. for S. B. 352, Relating to Division of Corrections and Rehabilitation acquiring and disposing of services, goods, and commodities.
Delegate Summers moved that the bill take effect from its passage.
On this question, the yeas and nays were taken (Roll No. 707), and there were?yeas 99, nays none, absent and not voting 1, with the absent and not voting being as follows:
Absent and Not Voting: Cooper.
So, two thirds of the members elected to the House of Delegates having voted in the affirmative, the Speaker declared the bill (Com. Sub. for S. B. 352) takes effect from its passage.
Ordered, That the Clerk of the House communicate to the Senate the action of the House of Delegates.
At 4:19 p.m., the House of Delegates recessed until 6:30 p.m.
* * * * * * * *
Evening Session
* * * * * * * *
The House of Delegates was called to order by the Honorable Roger Hanshaw, Speaker.
Conference Committee Report Availability
At 6:50 p.m., the Clerk announced that the report of the Committee of Conference on Com. Sub. for S. B. 317, Authorizing three or more adjacent counties form multicounty trail network authority, shall be available in the Clerk?s Office.
Messages from the Senate
A message from the Senate, by
The Clerk of the Senate, announced that the Senate had refused to concur in the amendment of the House of Delegates and requested the House to recede from its amendment to
Com. Sub. for S. B. 522, Creating Special Road Repair Fund.
On motion of Delegate Summers, the House of Delegates refused to recede from its amendment and requested the Senate to agree to the appointment of a Committee of Conference of three from each house on the disagreeing votes of the two houses.
Whereupon,
The Speaker appointed as conferees on the part of the House of Delegates the following:
Delegates Criss, Linville and Barrett.
Ordered, That the Clerk of the House communicate to the Senate the action of the House of Delegates and request concurrence therein.
A message from the Senate, by
The Clerk of the Senate, announced that the Senate had passed, without amendment, a bill of the House of Delegates as follows:
Com. Sub. for H. B. 2479, Corporate Governance Annual Disclosure Act.
A message from the Senate, by
The Clerk of the Senate, announced that the Senate had passed, without amendment, a bill of the House of Delegates as follows:
Com. Sub. for H. B. 2490, Preventing proposing or enforcing rules that prevent recreational water facilities from making necessary upgrades.
A message from the Senate, by
The Clerk of the Senate, announced that the Senate had passed, with amendment, a bill of the House of Delegates, as follows:
H. B. 2665, Supplemental appropriation for PEIA Rainy Day Fee.
On motion of Delegate Kessinger, the House of Delegates concurred in the following amendment of the bill by the Senate:
On page two, lines sixteen and seventeen, by striking out ?and ?5-16-28?.?
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. 708), and there were?yeas 99, nays none, absent and not voting 1, with the absent and not voting being as follows:
Absent and Not Voting: Cooper.
So, a majority of the members elected to the House of Delegates having voted in the affirmative, the Speaker declared the bill (H. B. 2665) passed.
Delegate Kessinger moved that the bill take effect from its passage.
On this question, the yeas and nays were taken (Roll No. 709), and there were?yeas 99, nays none, absent and not voting 1, with the absent and not voting being as follows:
Absent and Not Voting: Cooper.
So, two thirds of the members elected to the House of Delegates having voted in the affirmative, the Speaker declared the bill (H. B. 2665) 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, a bill of the House of Delegates, as follows:
Com. Sub. for H. B. 2673, Creating the Oil and Gas Abandoned Well Plugging Fund.
On motion of Delegate Kessinger, the House of Delegates concurred in the following amendment of the bill by the Senate:
On page one, by striking out everything after the enacting clause, and inserting in lieu thereof the following:
?CHAPTER 11. TAXATION.
ARTICLE 13A. SEVERANCE AND BUSINESS PRIVILEGE TAX ACT.
?11-13A-3a. Imposition of tax on privilege
of severing natural gas or oil; Tax Commissioner to develop a uniform
reporting form.
(a) Imposition
of tax. ? For the privilege of engaging or continuing within this
state in the business of severing natural gas or oil for sale, profit or
commercial use, there is hereby levied and shall be collected
from every person exercising such the privilege an
annual privilege tax at the rate and measure provided in subsection (b)
of this section: Provided, That effective for all taxable
periods beginning on or after January 1, 2000, there is an exemption from the
imposition of the tax provided in this article on the following: (1) Free
natural gas provided to any surface owner; (2) natural gas produced from any
well which produced an average of less than 5,000 cubic feet of natural gas per
day during the calendar year immediately preceding a given taxable period; (3) oil
produced from any oil well which produced an average of less than one-half
barrel of oil per day during the calendar year immediately preceding a given
taxable period; and (4) for a maximum period of 10 years, all natural gas
or oil produced from any well which has not produced marketable quantities of
natural gas or oil for five consecutive years immediately preceding the year in
which a well is placed back into production and thereafter produces marketable
quantities of natural gas or oil.
(b) Rate and
measure of tax. ? The tax imposed in subsection (a) of this
section shall be is five percent of the gross
value of the natural gas or oil produced by the producer as shown by the gross
proceeds derived from the sale thereof by the producer, except as otherwise provided
in this article: Provided, That effective for taxable periods
beginning on or after January 1, 2019:
(1) For all natural gas produced from any well which produced an average in excess of 60,000 cubic feet of natural gas per day during the calendar year immediately preceding a given taxable year, and for oil produced from any well which produced an average in excess of 10 barrels of oil per day, during the calendar year immediately preceding the beginning date of a given taxable year, the rate of tax is 5% of the gross value of the natural gas or oil produced as shown by the gross proceeds derived from the sale thereof by the producer; and
(2) For all natural gas produced from any well which produced an average between 5,000 cubic feet of natural gas per day and 60,000 cubic feet of natural gas per day during the calendar year immediately preceding the beginning date of a given taxable year, and for oil produced from any well which produced an average between ? barrel per day and 10 barrels per day, during the calendar year immediately preceding the beginning date of a given taxable year, the rate of tax is 2.5% of the gross value of the natural gas or oil produced as shown by the gross proceeds derived from the sale thereof by the producer.
(c) Tax in
addition to other taxes. ? The tax imposed by this section shall
apply applies to all persons severing gas or oil in this
state, and shall be is in addition to all other
taxes imposed by law.
(d)(1) The
Legislature finds that in addition to the production reports and financial
records which must be filed by oil and gas producers with the State Tax
Commissioner in order to comply with this section, oil and gas producers are
required to file other production reports with other agencies, including, but
not limited to, the office of oil and gas, the Public Service Commission and
county assessors. The reports required to be filed are largely duplicative, the
compiling of the information in different formats is unnecessarily time
consuming and costly, and the filing of one report or the sharing of
information by agencies of government would reduce the cost of compliance for
oil and gas producers.
(2) On or before
July 1, 2003, the Tax Commissioner shall design a common form that may be used
for each of the reports regarding production that are required to be filed by
oil and gas producers, which form shall readily permit a filing without
financial information when such information is unnecessary. The commissioner
shall also design such forms so as to permit filings in different formats,
including, but not limited to, electronic formats.
(3) Effective July
1, 2006, this subsection shall have no force or effect
(d) For purposes of this section, in determining the average amount of production of gas and oil in any given calendar year, a taxpayer must calculate the actual production of such well in the calendar year and divide the same by the number of days the well was in operation and producing gas or oil in such calendar year.
(e) The proceeds of the tax imposed at the rate prescribed under subdivision (2), subsection (b) of this section are dedicated to the Oil and Gas Abandoned Well Plugging Fund created under ?22-6-29a of this code: Provided, That if on June 1, 2021, or on June 1 of any year thereafter there exists in the Oil and Gas Abandoned Well Plugging Fund an amount equal to or exceeding the sum of $4 million then the special rate of tax imposed under subdivision (2), subsection (b) of this section is reduced to zero for the taxable year beginning on and after the next succeeding January 1. The Tax Commissioner shall issue an Administrative Notice by July 1 of each year indicating the balance in the fund as of the immediately preceding June 1 and the rate of tax on wells pursuant to this subsection.
CHAPTER 22. ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES.
ARTICLE 6. OFFICE OF OIL AND GAS; OIL AND GAS WELLS.
?22-6-29a. Oil and Gas Abandoned Well Plugging Fund.
(a)(1) This section may be referred to as the Oil and Gas Abandoned Well Plugging Fund Act. There is established within the Treasury of the State of West Virginia the special use fund known as the Oil and Gas Abandoned Well Plugging Fund.
(2) The Oil and Gas Abandoned Well Plugging Fund shall be administered by the secretary solely for the purposes of carrying out the provisions of this section.
(3) Any balance remaining in the Oil and Gas Abandoned Well Plugging Fund at the end of any state fiscal year does not revert to the General Revenue Fund but shall remain in the special revenue account and may be used only as provided in this section. The revenues deposited in the Oil and Gas Abandoned Well Plugging Fund may not be designated as nonaligned state special revenue funds under ?11B-2-32 of this code.
(b)(1) Using funds from the Oil and Gas Reclamation Fund and the Oil and Gas Abandoned Well Plugging Fund, the secretary shall plug and reclaim abandoned oil and gas wells without a responsible operator all in accordance with plans and specifications developed pursuant to the provisions of this article relating to the plugging and reclamation of wells, and the rules establishing well plugging standards adopted thereunder.
(2) Funds from the Oil and Gas Abandoned Well Plugging Fund may only be used to plug abandoned oil and gas wells without a responsible operator and to reclaim the property disturbed from the plugging.
(3) On or before July 1 of each year, the secretary shall make an annual report to the Governor and the Legislature as to the use of the Oil and Gas Abandoned Well Plugging Fund and the Oil and Gas Reclamation Fund. The report shall include the balance in both funds on June 1 of each year. The secretary?s annual report shall set forth the number of wells reclaimed or plugged through the use of the Oil and Gas Reclamation Fund and the Oil and Gas Abandoned Well Plugging Fund in the previous year. The report shall identify each reclamation and plugging project, state the number of wells plugged thereby, show the county in which the wells are located, and make a detailed accounting of all expenditures from the Oil and Gas Reclamation Fund and from the Oil and Gas Abandoned Well Plugging Fund. The annual report shall also include a 5-year plan detailing current and future projects and activities to plug and reclaim wells.
(4) Wells shall be plugged, and plugged wells reclaimed by contract entered into by the secretary on a competitive bid basis as provided for under the provisions of ?5A-3-1 et seq. of this code and the rules promulgated thereunder.?
And,
By amending the title of the bill to read as follows:
Com. Sub for H. B. 2673 - ?A Bill to amend and reenact ?11-13A-3a of the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended; and to amend said code by adding thereto a new section, designated ?22-6-29a, all relating to creating the Oil and Gas Abandoned Well Plugging Fund for use by the West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection to plug abandoned oil and gas wells without a responsible operator; providing for administration of the fund; requiring severance tax to be deposited in the fund; providing specific purposes and limitations for use of the fund; modifying imposition of the tax on the privilege of severing natural gas or oil by marginal oil and gas wells; providing exemptions from the severance tax; deleting a subsection of the code which expired by its own terms; providing reporting requirements for the Oil and Gas Reclamation Fund and the Oil and Gas Abandoned Well Plugging Fund; providing rulemaking authority; and providing a short title.?
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. 710), and there were?yeas 91, nays 8, absent and not voting 1, with the nays and absent and not voting being as follows:
Nays: S. Brown, Doyle, Fleischauer, Hansen, Pushkin, Pyles, Walker and Williams.
Absent and Not Voting: Cooper.
So, a majority of the members elected to the House of Delegates having voted in the affirmative, the Speaker declared the bill (Com. Sub. for H. B. 2673) passed.
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, a bill of the House of Delegates, as follows:
Com. Sub. for H. B. 2674, Creating a student loan repayment program for a mental health provider.
On motion of Delegate Summers, the House of Delegates concurred in the following amendment of the bill by the Senate:
On page one, by striking out everything after the enacting clause and inserting in lieu thereof the following: