WEST VIRGINIA LEGISLATURE
SENATE JOURNAL
SEVENTY-EIGHTH LEGISLATURE
REGULAR SESSION, 2008
THIRTY-SEVENTH DAY
____________
Charleston, W. Va., Thursday, February 14, 2008

The Senate met at 11 a.m.
(Senator Tomblin, Mr. President, in the Chair.)

Prayer was offered by
Dr. D. W. Cummings, Pastor, Bethlehem
Apostolic Temple, Wheeling,
West Virginia.

Pending the reading of the Journal of Wednesday, February 13,
2008,

On motion of Senator Sypolt, the Journal was approved and the
further reading thereof dispensed with.

The Senate proceeded to the second order of business and the
introduction of guests.

The Senate then proceeded to the third order of business.

A message from The Clerk of the House of Delegates announced
the concurrence by that body in the adoption of

Com. Sub. for Senate Concurrent Resolution No. 20, Urging
Congress pass legislation protecting public from toxic and
hazardous imports.

A message from The Clerk of the House of Delegates announced
the passage by that body and requested the concurrence of the
Senate in the passage of

Eng. Com. Sub. for House Bill No. 4329--A Bill to amend and
reenact §17A-3-16 of the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended;
and to amend and reenact §17A-10-3 of said code, all relating to
registration fees for vehicles; allowing a registrant to register
a Class G vehicle for a two-year period; requiring registration for
at least one full year; and providing for alternative methods of
payment of fees.

Referred to the Committee on Transportation and
Infrastructure; and then to the Committee on Finance.

A message from The Clerk of the House of Delegates announced
the passage by that body and requested the concurrence of the
Senate in the passage of

Eng. House Bill No. 4348--A Bill to amend and reenact §22A-1-4
of the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, relating to adding
language to the code for fees that are already imposed for tests
and certificates.

Referred to the Committee on the Judiciary; and then to the
Committee on Finance.

A message from The Clerk of the House of Delegates announced
the passage by that body and requested the concurrence of the
Senate in the passage of

Eng. Com. Sub. for House Bill No. 4423--A Bill to amend and
reenact §61-3-49 of the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended,
ensuring that beer kegs are not considered scrap metal unless
received directly from a beer manufacturer or an authorized
representative.

Referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.

A message from The Clerk of the House of Delegates announced
the passage by that body and requested the concurrence of the
Senate in the passage of

Eng. House Bill No. 4478--A Bill to amend and reenact §18A-5-8
of the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, relating to
authority of certain aides to exercise control over students;
compensation; transfers and limitations thereof; and expanding the
classifications of service personnel for which transfers during the
instructional term are limited.

Referred to the Committee on Education.

The Senate proceeded to the fourth order of business.

Senator White, from the Joint Committee on Enrolled Bills,
submitted the following report, which was received:

Your Joint Committee on Enrolled Bills has examined, found
truly enrolled, and on the 13th day of February, 2008, presented to
His Excellency, the Governor, for his action, the following bill,
signed by the President of the Senate and the Speaker of the House
of Delegates:

(S. B. No. 459), Authorizing rules of School Building
Authority and Higher Education Policy Commission.











Respectfully submitted,











C. Randy White,











Chair, Senate Committee.











John Doyle,











Chair, House Committee.

Senator Oliverio, from the Committee on the Judiciary,
submitted the following report, which was received:

Your Committee on the Judiciary has had under consideration

Senate Bill No. 145, Relating to reasonable force in defense
of self, real and personal property.

And reports back a committee substitute for same with the
following title:

Com. Sub. for Senate Bill No. 145 (originating in the
Committee on the Judiciary)--A Bill to amend and reenact §55-7-22
of the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, relating to
clarifying that reasonable and proportionate force may be used to
protect one's self or another from an intruder or attacker while
lawfully in one's residence or that of another; codifying the
common law doctrine that a lawful occupant within a home or
residence has no duty to retreat from an intruder or attacker;
clarifying that the use of reasonable and proportionate force,
including deadly force, may be used against an intruder or attacker
by one not engaged in unlawful activity in any place other than a
home or residence where the person reasonably believes the intruder
or attacker intends to kill or inflict serious bodily harm;
establishing that use of reasonable and proportionate force to
defend oneself is a full and complete defense civilly to an action
brought by an intruder or attacker based upon the use of such
force; and exceptions.

With the recommendation that the committee substitute do pass.











Respectfully submitted,











Michael A. Oliverio II,











Vice Chair.

Senator Helmick, from the Committee on Finance, submitted the
following report, which was received:

Your Committee on Finance has had under consideration

Com. Sub. for Senate Bill No. 201 (originating in the
Committee on Pensions), Providing terms for certain retirement
benefits disqualification.

And reports back a committee substitute for same with the
following title:

Com. Sub. for Com. Sub. for Senate Bill No. 201 (originating
in the Committee on Finance)--A Bill to amend and reenact §5-10A-2,
§5-10A-3, §5-10A-4, §5-10A-5, §5-10A-6, §5-10A-7 and §5-10A-8 of
the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, all relating to
disqualification for public retirement benefits; adding the
definition of "former participant"; providing for termination of
retirement benefits in all public retirement plans of former and
present participants who have rendered less than honorable service;
and providing for retention of vested employer contributions for
members of the Teachers' Defined Contribution Retirement System
whose benefits are terminated for less than honorable service.

With the recommendation that the committee substitute for
committee substitute do pass.











Respectfully submitted,











Walt Helmick,











Chair.

Senator Helmick, from the Committee on Finance, submitted the
following report, which was received:

Your Committee on Finance has had under consideration

Senate Bill No. 207, Relating to Deputy Sheriff Retirement
System Act.

And reports back a committee substitute for same with the
following title:

Com. Sub. for Senate Bill No. 207 (originating in the
Committee on Finance)--A Bill to amend and reenact §7-14D-7, §7-
14D-9c, §7-14D-14, §7-14D-15, §7-14D-16, §7-14D-23, §7-14D-24 and
§7-14D-30 of the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, all
relating to the Deputy Sheriff Retirement System Act; correcting
errors; permitting rollovers of any dollar amount; providing for an
onset date for disability retirement benefits; providing for
termination of disability retirement benefits of a retirant who
refuses to submit to a medical examination or provide a
certification statement by his or her physician of continued
disability; removing option for term insurance to repay loan;
providing for subsequent loan on repayment of prior loan;
clarifying eligibility requirements of certain sheriffs; and
permitting collection of fees for late payment from employers.

And,

Senate Bill No. 301, Relating to State Police Retirement Fund.

And reports back a committee substitute for same with the
following title:

Com. Sub. for Senate Bill No. 301 (originating in the Committee on Finance)--A Bill to amend and reenact §15-2A-2,
§15-2A-3, §15-2A-4, §15-2A-5, §15-2A-6, §15-2A-6a, §15-2A-6c,
§15-2A-6d, §15-2A-7, §15-2A-8, §15-2A-9, §15-2A-10, §15-2A-11,
§15-2A-11a, §15-2A-11b, §15-2A-12, §15-2A-13, §15-2A-14, §15-2A-15,
§15-2A-17 and §15-2A-19 of the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as
amended, all relating to the West Virginia State Police Retirement
Fund; adding, deleting and modifying definitions; specifying the
title of West Virginia State Police Retirement System; clarifying
the usage of the terms "employee", "member" and "retirant or
retiree" as defined; clarifying the usage of the terms "fund",
"plan", "system" or "retirement system" as defined; clarifying the
usage of the term "base salary" as defined; clarifying the usage of
the term "agency" as defined; eliminating minimum required eligible
direct rollover distributions paid directly to an eligible
retirement plan; allowing distributions totaling less than two
hundred dollars within the definition of "eligible rollover
distribution"; clarifying the usage of the term "surviving spouse"
as defined; clarifying surviving spouse payments when calculating
the pro rata share of annuity adjustments; specifying the time
frame that a retirant may receive deferred annuity payments;
clarifying the age requirement for a retirant receiving a duty
disability annuity; requiring the base salary of a member receiving
a duty disability annuity to be annualized until the member has
worked twelve months; specifying the title of the West Virginia
Insurance Commission; clarifying the time frame for which a duty
disability retirant receives a retirement benefit; specifying that disability petitions certify the job description of an employee
applying for a disability retirement; specifying the time frame for
receipt of awards and benefits to dependents of deceased employees;
clarifying that death awards and benefits be calculated for the
last full twelve-month employment period; requiring that death
awards and benefits be paid to a named beneficiary or to the estate
of the deceased member if there is no surviving spouse or
dependents; eliminating duplicate language referring to a single
receipt of state retirement benefits; and adding provisions
specifying the time frame for receipt of beneficiary payments.

With the recommendation that the two committee substitutes do
pass.











Respectfully submitted,











Walt Helmick,











Chair.

Senator Helmick, from the Committee on Finance, submitted the
following report, which was received:

Your Committee on Finance has had under consideration

Senate Bill No. 208, Clarifying all Consolidated Public
Retirement Board systems are included in employer pick-up
provisions.

And reports back a committee substitute for same with the
following title:

Com. Sub. for Senate Bill No. 208 (originating in the
Committee on Finance)--A Bill to amend and reenact §5-10C-3, §5-
10C-4 and §5-10C-5 of the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, all relating to government employees retirement plans; adding the
West Virginia Emergency Medical Services Retirement System to, and
clarifying that all other retirement systems administered by the
Consolidated Public Retirement Board are included in, the
definition of retirement systems for purposes of the employer pick-
up provisions; clarifying that all participating public employers
in retirement systems covered by this article are included in the
definition of participating public employer; and setting forth
requirements for member contributions to be picked up for federal
tax purposes by participating public employers in retirement
systems covered by this article in accordance with revised guidance
relating to same from the Internal Revenue Service.

With the recommendation that the committee substitute do pass.











Respectfully submitted,











Walt Helmick,











Chair.

Senator Hunter, from the Committee on
Energy, Industry and
Mining
, submitted the following report, which was received:

Your Committee on
Energy, Industry and Mining
has had under
consideration

Senate Bill No. 216, Eliminating coalbed methane tax exemption
under Severance and Business Privilege Tax Act.

And reports back a committee substitute for same with the
following title:

Com. Sub. for Senate Bill No. 216 (originating in the
Committee on
Energy, Industry and Mining
)--A Bill
to amend and reenact §11-13A-3d and §11-13A-20a of the Code of West Virginia,
1931, as amended; to amend said code by adding thereto a new
section, designated §11-13V-4a; and to amend and reenact §31-15A-16
of said code, all relating to equalization of natural gas and
coalbed methane taxation; terminating the severance and business
privilege tax exemption for production of coalbed methane with
certain limited exceptions; specifying that coalbed methane is
taxed as natural gas for purposes of the Severance and Business
Privilege Tax Act and the Workers' Compensation Debt Reduction Act
with limited exceptions; authorizing Tax Commissioner to promulgate
rules; requiring portion of tax be used for infrastructure
projects; providing that seventy-five percent of dedicated funds be
used in counties producing coalbed methane; providing that
remaining twenty-five percent of dedicated funds be shared equally
by counties not producing coalbed methane; and providing effective
dates.

With the recommendation that the committee substitute do pass;
but under the original double committee reference first be referred
to the Committee on Finance.











Respectfully submitted,











Jon Blair Hunter,











Vice Chair.

The bill (Com. Sub. for S. B. No. 216), under the original
double committee reference, was then referred to the Committee on
Finance.

Senator Oliverio, from the Committee on the Judiciary, submitted the following report, which was received:

Your Committee on the Judiciary has had under consideration

Senate Bill No. 291, Appointing additional circuit court judge
to Pendleton, Hardy and Hampshire counties.

And reports back a committee substitute for same with the
following title:

Com. Sub. for Senate Bill No. 291 (originating in the
Committee on the Judiciary)--A Bill
to amend and reenact §51-2-1 of
the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, relating to
authorizing additional circuit court judges to the ninth,
twenty-second and twenty-fourth judicial circuits.

With the recommendation that the committee substitute do pass;
but under the original double committee reference first be referred
to the Committee on Finance.











Respectfully submitted,











Michael A. Oliverio II,











Vice Chair.

The bill (Com. Sub. for S. B. No. 291), under the original
double committee reference, was then referred to the Committee on
Finance.

Senator Helmick, from the Committee on Finance, submitted the
following report, which was received:

Your Committee on Finance has had under consideration

Senate Bill No. 465, Eliminating Business Franchise Tax.

And has amended same.

And,

Eng. Com. Sub. for House Bill No. 4327, Relating to charitable
bingo and updating the maximum wage allowed to reflect changes in
state minimum wage.

And has amended same.

And reports the same back with the recommendation that they
each do pass, as amended.











Respectfully submitted,











Walt Helmick,











Chair.

Senator Helmick, from the Committee on Finance, submitted the
following report, which was received:

Your Committee on Finance has had under consideration

Senate Bill No. 545, Relating to tax administration
efficiency.

And reports back a committee substitute for same with the
following title:

Com. Sub. for Senate Bill No. 545 (originating in the
Committee on Finance)--A Bill to amend the Code of West Virginia,
1931, as amended, by adding thereto two new sections, designated
§11-10-5z and §11-10-7d; to amend and reenact §11-12-5 of said
code; to amend said code by adding thereto a new section,
designated §11-15-9j; to amend and reenact §11-15-16 of said code;
and to amend and reenact §11-21-74 of said code, all relating to
tax administration efficiency and technical advancements; requiring
electronic filing of tax returns when the taxpayer meets a certain
threshold amount of taxes due; authorizing combined tax assessments; authorizing promulgation of rules to determine the
application of partial payments of taxes; authorizing the
limitation on assessments to apply separately to each tax in a
combined assessment; authorizing the recordation of one lien for
all taxes in a combined assessment; allowing assertion of the
consumers sales and use tax exemptions authorized under section
nine-i, article fifteen, chapter eleven of the Code of West
Virginia to be asserted by use of a direct pay permit; prohibiting
filing incomplete business registration certificate; specifying the
time period for which the business registration certificate is
granted; specifying authority of the Tax Commissioner to suspend or
cancel certificate; eliminating the periodic biennial business
registration certificate renewal requirement; specifying a penalty
applied upon issuance, renewal or reinstatement of the business
registration certificate pursuant to involuntary cancellation,
revocation or suspension of the business registration certificate;
prohibiting filing incomplete returns for consumers sales and
service tax and use tax; requiring the Tax Commissioner to design
a combined reporting form; requiring taxpayers to use the form
specified by the Tax Commissioner; authorizing the Tax Commissioner
to promulgate necessary rules; and prohibiting filing incomplete
filing of withholding tax returns.

And,

Senate Bill No. 596, Relating to Streamlined Sales and Use Tax
Agreement.

And reports back a committee substitute for same with the following title:

Com. Sub. for Senate Bill No. 596 (originating in the
Committee on Finance)--A Bill to repeal §11-15B-16 of the Code of
West Virginia, 1931, as amended; and to amend and reenact
§11-15B-2, §11-15B-2a, §11-15B-2b, §11-15B-10, §11-15B-11,
§11-15B-12, §11-15B-14, §11-15B-14a, §11-15B-15, §11-15B-18,
§11-15B-19, §11-15B-20, §11-15B-24, §11-15B-25, §11-15B-26,
§11-15B-27, §11-15B-28, §11-15B-30 and §11-15B-32 of said code, all
relating to Streamlined Sales and Use Tax Agreement and the West
Virginia consumers sales and service tax and use tax; defining
terms; specifying applicable dates; specifying procedures;
providing relief from liability in specified circumstances;
specifying certain sourcing rules; specifying interpretation;
specifying discovery criteria; specifying monetary allowance
criteria; and specifying effective date.

With the recommendation that the two committee substitutes do
pass.











Respectfully submitted,











Walt Helmick,











Chair.

Senator Unger, from the Committee on Transportation and
Infrastructure, submitted the following report, which was received:

Your Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure has had
under consideration

Senate Bill No. 567, Regulating all-terrain vehicles.

And reports back a committee substitute for same with the following title:

Com. Sub. for Senate Bill No. 567 (originating in the
Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure)--A Bill
to amend
and reenact §17F-1-1, §17F-1-3, §17F-1-7 and §17F-1-9 of the Code
of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, all relating to the regulation
of all-terrain vehicles; prohibiting operation on paved roads or
highways; and providing for regulation of all-terrain vehicles by
local government authorities.

With the recommendation that the committee substitute do pass;
but under the original double committee reference first be referred
to the Committee on Finance.











Respectfully submitted,











John R. Unger II,











Chair.

The bill (Com. Sub. for S. B. No. 567), under the original
double committee reference, was then referred to the Committee on
Finance.

The Senate proceeded to the sixth order of business.

On motions for leave, severally made, the following bills were
introduced, read by their titles, and referred to the appropriate
committees:

By Senators Edgell, Unger and Love:

Senate Bill No. 663--A Bill to amend and reenact §18A-4-8a of
the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, relating to school
service personnel; and increasing the pay grade of cafeteria
managers.

Referred to the Committee on Education; and then to the
Committee on Finance.

By Senators Bailey, Love, Oliverio, Kessler and Minard:

Senate Bill No. 664--A Bill to amend and reenact §61-7-6 of
the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, relating to exempting
family court judges and magistrates from the licensing requirements
for carrying a concealed weapon.

Referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.

By Senators Wells, Bowman, Oliverio, Sypolt, Prezioso, McCabe,
McKenzie, Yoder, Facemyer, Bailey, Green, Hall, Fanning, Love,
Stollings, Caruth, Tomblin (Mr. President), Minard, Deem and
Plymale:

Senate Bill No. 665--A Bill to amend and reenact §6-7-1 of the
Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, relating to payment of
salaries to state employees.

Referred to the Committee on Finance.

By Senators Bailey, Yoder, Chafin, Minard and Hunter:

Senate Bill No. 666--A Bill to amend and reenact §47-21-15 of
the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, relating to permitting
a fraternal organization to use proceeds from charitable raffles in
any manner consistent with its charter and not contrary to law.

Referred to the Committee on Finance.

By Senators Foster, Plymale, Jenkins and Minard:

Senate Bill No. 667--A Bill to amend and reenact §8-22-16, §8-
22-17, §8-22-19, §8-22-20, §8-22-20a, §8-22-22, §8-22-22a, §8-22-
23a, §8-22-25, §8-22-26a and §8-22-27 of the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended; to amend said code by adding thereto three new
sections, designated §8-22-18a, §8-22-18b and §8-22-19b; and to
amend and reenact §33-3-14d and §33-3-33 of said code, all relating
to municipal policemen's and firemen's pension and relief funds;
amending calculation of overtime for compensation and average
adjusted salary for new employees; requiring additional duties of
fund trustees; creating the West Virginia Municipal Pensions
Oversight Board; specifying powers, duties, liabilities and
compensation of oversight board members; requiring reporting on
local pension funds' investment returns; creating the West Virginia
Municipal Pensions Security Fund; transferring certain duties from
the State Treasurer to the oversight board and providing for
efficient transition; requiring municipal contributions on a
monthly basis; requiring deposits of certain revenues within five
days of receipt; increasing employee contributions to the pension
and relief funds for new employees to nine and one-half percent of
salary and permitting voluntary, irrevocable increases over two
years for existing active members; requiring increased volunteer
contributions to receive certain insurance premium tax revenues;
setting times for deposits; requiring certain payments by
electronic funds transfer; providing for education, notice and
agreement to increase member contributions over two years; reducing
time to qualify for insurance premium tax revenues from three years
to eighteen months; providing for annual actuarial report, for
periodic review of the actuarial process and for periodic actuarial
audit; setting minimum standards for annual municipality contributions to pension funds; establishing target funding ratios
of eighty, ninety and one hundred percent of unfunded liabilities;
requiring municipal contributions based on demographic and
investment experience; eliminating alternative funding method;
defining terms; providing for contract actuary; requiring report;
authorizing local pension boards of trustees to investment with the
state Investment Management Board and Board of Treasury
Investments; requiring compliance with the Uniform Prudent Investor
Act; amending authorized investments; requiring reporting of
municipal board's investment policy; requiring reporting of fees
and transactions costs; providing for disability examinations;
restricting access by examining physician to prior disability
examination reports; requiring completion of investigation of
charge and implementation of disciplinary action by board of
trustees prior to consideration of disability retirement;
authorizing light-duty work at discretion of the municipality and
the employee; requiring reports on disability retirements;
providing for vesting after ten years; clarifying supplemental
benefits; defining solvency; clarifying military service credit;
reallocating revenues from the additional fire and casualty
insurance premium tax and returning surcharge on fire and casualty
insurance policies to one percent to benefit municipal policemen's
and firemen's pension and relief funds; providing for deposits into
Municipal Pensions Security Fund and for transfer of duties to
Municipal Pensions Oversight Board; providing for interest;
requiring information sharing; establishing minimum standards for employer contributions to plans funded at one hundred ten percent
or more; restricting premium tax revenue to plans funded less than
one hundred ten percent of accrued liability; providing for
disbursement by Insurance Commissioner; providing for interest;
providing for retention and investment of certain funds from
insurance policy surcharge for five years for the benefit of
municipal policemen's and firemen's pension and relief funds;
setting requirements to qualify for insurance premium surcharge
proceeds; providing for distribution; and setting dates.

Referred to the Committee on Pensions; and then to the
Committee on Finance.

By Senators Prezioso, Oliverio and Kessler:

Senate Bill No. 668--A Bill to amend and reenact §17C-5-2 of
the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, relating generally to
driving under the influence; requiring mandatory community service
for persons convicted of driving under the influence of alcohol,
controlled substances or drugs; and requiring a registry of persons
convicted to be maintained by the State Police.

Referred to the Committee on the Judiciary; and then to the
Committee on Finance.

By Senators Helmick, Love, Minard, Plymale and Edgell:

Senate Bill No. 669--A Bill to amend and reenact §20-5-16 of
the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, relating to allowing
the Director of the Division of Natural Resources to enter into
contracts granting long-term usage and related rights and
privileges to third parties sufficient to attract private investment for the financing, construction and operation of
additional lodging units at Stonewall Jackson Lake State Park; and
directing the Director of the Division of Natural Resources to file
emergency and legislative rules governing any such long-term usage
contracts and related rights and privileges.

Referred to the Committee on Natural Resources; and then to
the Committee on Finance.

By Senators Helmick and Love:

Senate Bill No. 670--A Bill to amend and reenact §7-22-12 of
the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended; to amend and reenact
§8-13B-11 of said code; and to amend and reenact §8-38-12 of said
code, all relating to special district excise tax authorization;
rates of such tax; electronic filing of returns and electronic
payment of such tax at the discretion of the Tax Commissioner; and
sharing of tax information and confidentiality of such information.

Referred to the Committee on Economic Development; and then to
the Committee on Finance.

By Senators Tomblin (Mr. President) and Deem:

Senate Bill No. 671--A Bill to amend and reenact §14-2-8 of
the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, relating to increasing
the compensation of the presiding judge of the Court of Claims.

Referred to the Committee on Finance.

By Senators Bowman, Prezioso, Jenkins, Kessler, Stollings,
Unger, Foster and Plymale:

Senate Bill No. 672--A Bill to amend the Code of West
Virginia, 1931, as amended, by adding thereto a new section, designated §17B-3-13, relating to motor vehicle driver's licenses
generally; providing for discretionary reporting by health care
providers of conditions or disorders rendering licensed individuals
incompetent to drive; and providing for health care provider
immunity from liability for such reporting.

Referred to the Committee on Health and Human Resources; and
then to the Committee on the Judiciary.

Senators Unger, Oliverio, Stollings, Foster, Hunter and
Kessler offered the following resolution:

Senate Concurrent Resolution No. 51--
Urging the United States
Congress declare an annual commemorative National Miner's Day.

Whereas, Around the clock, second by second, miners risk life
and limb during their labors; and

Whereas, The foundations and trappings of civilization are
constructed from, and sustained with, the materials procured with
their sweat and blood; and

Whereas, Without these selfless and dedicated miners human
society could never have progressed, nor continued to function; and

Whereas, Miners in the United States have labored long and
hard over the 231 years of our great country's existence and have
achieved, provided and sacrificed much in those two centuries; and

Whereas, On December 6, 2007, Miner's Day was observed in West
Virginia for the second time since its creation by the West
Virginia Legislature; therefore, be it

Resolved by the Legislature of West Virginia:

That the Legislature hereby urges the United States Congress to declare an annual commemorative National Miner's Day; and, be it

Further Resolved, That the Legislature expresses great thanks
to the miners that risk their lives everyday for the betterment of
our great state and country; and, be it

Further Resolved, That the Clerk of the Senate is hereby
directed to forward a copy of this resolution to the members of the
West Virginia delegation to the United States Congress.

Which, under the rules, lies over one day.

Senators Wells, Prezioso and Kessler offered the following
resolution:

Senate Concurrent Resolution No. 52--Requesting the Division
of Highways name bridge number 25-24-4.31 on Route 17 crossing the
Big Paw Paw Creek in Marion County the "Seaman 1st Class Clyde
Richard Wilson Memorial Bridge".

Whereas, Clyde Richard Wilson was born October 31, 1918, in
Marion County; and

Whereas, Clyde Richard Wilson served his country by enlisting
in the Navy; and

Whereas, Sadly, Clyde Richard Wilson lost his life in the
service of his country at Pearl Harbor when the battleship USS West
Virginia was sunk by the Japanese; and

Whereas, Clyde Richard Wilson was raised in a home that no
longer exists, which was located across from this bridge; and

Whereas, It is fitting, to honor Clyde Richard Wilson for
making the ultimate sacrifice to his state and country, by naming
bridge number 25-24-4.31, in Marion County, on Route 17, crossing the Big Paw Paw Creek, the "Seaman 1st Class Clyde Richard Wilson
Memorial Bridge"; therefore, be it

Resolved by the Legislature of West Virginia:

That the Division of Highways is hereby requested to name
bridge number 25-24-4.31 on Route 17 crossing the Big Paw Paw Creek
in Marion County the "Seaman 1st Class Clyde Richard Wilson
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 "Seaman 1st Class Clyde Richard Wilson 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 Secretary of
the Department of Transportation and to the family of Clyde Richard
Wilson.

Which, under the rules, lies over one day.
Petitions

Senator Unger presented a petition from Beth Anderson and six
second grade teachers at Opequon Elementary School, relating to
numerous salary and retirement concerns.

Referred to the Committee on Pensions.

At the request of Senator Chafin, and by unanimous consent,
the Senate returned to the fourth order of business.

Senator Helmick, from the Committee on Finance, submitted the
following report, which was received:

Your Committee on Finance has had under consideration

Senate Bill No. 673 (originating in the Committee on Finance)-
-A Bill making a supplementary appropriation of public moneys out
of the Treasury from the balance of moneys remaining as an
unappropriated surplus balance in the State Fund, General Revenue,
to the Department of Health and Human Resources - Division of Human
Services, fund 0403, fiscal year 2008, organization 0511, by
supplementing and amending the appropriations for the fiscal year
ending the thirtieth day of June, two thousand eight.

And,

Senate Bill No. 674 (originating in the Committee on Finance)-
-A Bill making a supplementary appropriation of public moneys out
of the Treasury from the balance of moneys remaining as an
unappropriated balance in the State Fund, General Revenue, to the
Department of Administration - Office of the Secretary, fund 0186,
fiscal year 2008, organization 0201, and to the Department of
Military Affairs and Public Safety - Department of Military Affairs
and Public Safety - Office of the Secretary, fund 0430, fiscal year
2008, organization 0601, by supplementing and amending chapter
twelve, Acts of the Legislature, regular session, two thousand
seven, known as the Budget Bill.

And reports the same back with the recommendation that they
each do pass.











Respectfully submitted,











Walt Helmick,











Chair.

The Senate proceeded to the seventh order of business.

Senate Concurrent Resolution No. 50, Requesting Joint
Committee on Government and Finance study recruitment and retention
of volunteer firefighters.

On unfinished business, coming up in regular order, was
reported by the Clerk and referred to the Committee on Government
Organization; and then to the Committee on Rules.

The Senate proceeded to the tenth order of business.

Com. Sub. for Senate Bill No. 9, Mandating firearm safety
program in public schools.

On first reading, coming up in regular order, was read a first
time and ordered to second reading.

Com. Sub. for Senate Bill No. 193, Allowing lenders' sale of
membership plans.

On first reading, coming up in regular order, was read a first
time and ordered to second reading.

Senate Bill No. 290, Creating felony offense of unauthorized
practice of certain health care professions.

On first reading, coming up in regular order, was read a first
time and ordered to second reading.

The Senate proceeded to the twelfth order of business.

Remarks were made by Senators Prezioso, Oliverio and Chafin.

Thereafter, at the request of Senator Oliverio, and by
unanimous consent, the remarks by Senator Prezioso were ordered
printed in the Appendix to the Journal.

At the request of Senator Hunter, unanimous consent being
granted, the remarks by Senator Chafin were ordered printed in the Appendix to the Journal.

At the request of Senator Oliverio, and by unanimous consent,
the Senate stood in observance of a moment of silence in
recognition of the passing of George Kessler, brother of the
Honorable Jeffrey V. Kessler, a senator from the second district,
and Patricia Guills Price, sister of the Honorable Jesse O. Guills,
a senator from the tenth district.

The Senate proceeded to the thirteenth order of business.

At the request of Senator Unger, the name of Senator Unger was
removed as a sponsor of Senate Bill No. 540 (Providing certain
volunteer emergency medical services' personnel license waiver).

Pending announcement of meetings of standing committees of the
Senate,

On motion of Senator Chafin, the Senate adjourned until
tomorrow, Friday, February 15, 2008, at 11 a.m.
____________