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West Virginia Legislature

Journal of the House of Delegates

Eighty-Sixth Legislature

First Regular Session

 

Charleston, Wednesday, January 11, 2023

This being the day fixed by Section 18, Article VI of the Constitution of the State of West Virginia, for the annual assembly of the Legislature, the Members-elect of the House of Delegates met in their Chamber in the Capitol Building in the City of Charleston at 12:00 noon and the Clerk of the last House of Delegates, the Honorable Stephen J. Harrison, announced that the Honorable Bill Anderson, the Delegate-elect from the 10th Delegate District, was the oldest member in point of continuous service and, in accordance with Section 18, Article VI of the Constitution, would preside over the organization of the House of Delegates until a Speaker was chosen and shall have taken his seat.

Delegate-elect Anderson then assumed the Chair and called the House of Delegates to order.

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

Messages from the Executive

and Other Communications

The Honorable Mac Warner, Secretary of State presented a communication which was received and laid before the House, containing the official returns of the election held on the 8th day of November, 2022, covering the 100 seats in the House of Delegates, which returns were accompanied by certification for those appearing to have been elected by the voters of the 100 Delegate Districts.

DELEGATES ELECTED

The names of those whose credentials showed they were regularly elected members of the House of Delegates of the Eighty-sixth Legislature in accordance with the laws of West Virginia were as follows:

First District

Pat McGeehan

Second District

Mark Zatezalo

Third District

Jimmy Willis

Fourth District

Erikka Storch

Fifth District

Shawn Fluharty

Sixth District

Charlie Reynolds

Seventh District

Charles R Sheedy Sr

Eighth District

David L Kelly

Ninth District

Trenton Carl Barnhart

Tenth District

Bill Anderson

Eleventh District

Bob Fehrenbacher

Twelfth District

Vernon Criss

Thirteenth District

Scot Heckert

Twenty-seventh District

Ric Griffith

Twenty-eighth District

Mark A Ross

Twenty-ninth District

Henry Corbett Dillon

Thirtieth District

David “Flimsy” Adkins

Thirty-first District

Margitta Mazzocchi

Thirty-second District

    Josh Holstein

Thirty-third District

Jordan Bridges

Thirty-fourth District

Mark Dean

Thirty-fifth District

Adam Vance

Thirty-sixth District

Anita Hall

Thirty-seventh District

Marty Gearheart

Thirty-eighth District

Joe C Ellington Jr

Thirty-ninth District

Doug Smith

Fifty-third District

Chris Pritt

Fifty-fourth District

Mike Pushkin

Fifty-fifth District

Moore Capito

Fifty-sixth District

Kayla Young

Fifty-seventh District

Doug Skaff Jr

Fifty-eighth District

Walter Hall

Fifty-ninth District

Andy Shamblin

Sixtieth District

Dana Ferrell

Sixty-first District

Warren Dean Jeffries

Sixty-second District

Roger Hanshaw

Sixty-third District

Lori Cowger Dittman

Sixty-fourth District

Adam Burkhammer

Sixty-fifth District

Carl “Robbie” Martin

Seventy-nineth District

Evan Hansen

Eightieth District

John Williams

Eighty-first District

Danielle Walker

Eighty-second District

Debbie Warner

Eighty-third District

George Street

Eighty-fourth District

D. R. (Buck) Jennings

Eighty-fifth District

John Paul Hott II

Eighty-sixth District

Bryan C Ward

Eighty-seventh District

Gary Howell

Eighty-eighth District

Rick Hillenbrand

Eighty-nineth District

Darren J Thorne

Ninetieth District

    George Miller

Ninety-first District

Don Forsht

 

Fourteenth District

Dave Foggin

Fifteenth District

Riley Keaton

Sixteenth District

Steve Westfall

Seventeenth District

Jonathan Adam Pinson

Eighteenth District

Jim Butler

Nineteenth District

Kathie Hess Crouse

Twentieth District

Geoff Foster

Twenty-first District

Jarred Cannon

Twenty-second District

Daniel Linville

Twenty-third District

Evan Worrell

Twenty-fourth District

Patrick Lucas

Twenty-fifth District

Sean Hornbuckle

Twenty-sixth District

Matthew Rohrbach

Fortieth District

Roy G Cooper

Forty-first District

Jordan Maynor

Forty-second District

Brandon Steele

Forty-third District

Christopher W Toney

Forty-fourth District

Todd A Kirby

Forty-fifth District

Eric Brooks

Forty-sixth District

Mike Honaker

Forty-seventh District

Todd Longanacre

Forty-eighth District

Caleb L Hanna

Forty-ninth District

Heather Tully

Fiftieth District

David “Elliott” Pritt

Fifty-first District

Tom Fast

Fifty-second District

Larry L Rowe

Sixty-sixth District

William “Ty” Nestor

Sixty-seventh District

Elias Coop-Gonzalez

Sixty-eighth District

Chris Phillips

Sixty-nineth District

Keith Marple

Seventieth District

Mickey Petitto

Seventy-first District

Laura Kimble

Seventy-second District

Clay Riley

Seventy-third District

Amy Summers

Seventy-fourth District

Mike Devault

Seventy-fifth District

Phil Mallow

Seventy-sixth District

Joey Garcia

Seventy-seventh District

Joe Statler

Seventy-eighth District

Geno Chiarelli

Ninety-second District

Michael Hite

Ninety-third District

Michael Hornby

Ninety-fourth District

Larry D Kump

Ninety-fifth District

Charles “Chuck” Horst Sr

Ninety-sixth District

Eric L Householder

Ninety-seventh District

John Hardy

Ninety-eighth District

Paul Espinosa

Ninety-nineth District

Wayne Clark

One Hundredth District

William “Bill” Ridenour

In the absence of objection, the returns of the election of Delegates as presented by the Secretary of State were accepted and filed with the Clerk of the House.

* * * * * * *

The Clerk then called the roll (Quorum Call), and the following answered to their names:

Adkins

Anderson

Barnhart

Bridges

Brooks

Burkhammer

Butler

Cannon

Capito

Chiarelli

Clark

Cooper

Coop-Gonzalez

Criss

Crouse

Dean

DeVault

Dillon

Dittman

Ellington

Espinosa

Fast

Fehrenbacher

Ferrell

Fluharty

 

Foggin

Forsht

Foster

Garcia

Gearheart

Griffith

Hall, A.

Hall, W.

Hanna

Hansen

Hanshaw

Hardy

Heckert

Hillenbrand

Hite

Holstein

Honaker

Hornby

Horst

Hott

Householder

Howell

Jeffries

Jennings

Keaton

 

Kelly

Kimble

Kirby

Kump

Linville

Longanacre

Lucas

Mallow

Marple

Martin

Maynor

Mazzocchi

Miller

Nestor

Petitto

Phillips

Pinson

Pritt, C.

Pritt, E.

Pushkin

Reynolds

Ridenour

Riley

Rohrbach

Ross

 

Rowe

Shamblin

Sheedy

Skaff

Smith

Statler

Steele

Storch

Street

Summers

Thorne

Toney

Tully

Vance

Walker

Ward

Warner

Westfall

Williams

Willis

Worrell

Young

Zatezalo

The roll disclosing that 98 Delegates-elect had answered to their names, the Presiding Officer declared the presence of a quorum.

All the Delegates-elect present then took the several oaths of office as prescribed by Section 16, Article VI of the Constitution of the State of West Virginia, which oaths of office were administered by the Honorable Beth Walker, Chief Justice of the West Virginia Supreme Court of Appeals.

ELECTION OF SPEAKER

The Presiding Officer announced that the next order of business was the election of a Speaker of the House of Delegates for the Eighty-sixth Legislature and stated that nominations were now in order.

MAJORITY NOMINATION

Delegate Kelly, from the 8th Delegate District, nominated the Honorable Roger Hanshaw from the 62nd Delegate District, as follows:

Delegate Kelly. Thank you and good afternoon, everybody. It is my honor to stand here before you today to nominate for his third term as Speaker of the House, my good friend, Roger Hanshaw. Roger is a man of great conviction. He is a man of faith. He is a man who is committed to his family. He is probably one of the most disciplined men I have ever seen, and he is a servant. I have never seen Roger Hanshaw ask anyone to do anything that he is not willing to do himself. That is leadership. He is humble. He doesn’t boast about his status or his accomplishments, although he could. But he is more interested in boasting about our status and our accomplishments. He is a man of vision.

I was in the House when Roger was first elected. From the moment he assumed the role, he took control and he worked hard, and he worked diligently. I believe the evidence to support that speaks for itself and I just want to go through some of these things that we have done under Roger Hanshaw’s leadership. He has presided over the first GOP redistricting since the Great Depression. He is continually leading this body the issues of life and liberty. Under Roger’s leadership we have eliminated abortion in West Virginia. We have protected constitutional carries. We have seen significant justice reform. Speaker Hanshaw’s leadership has brought about nearly six pages, let that sink in, six pages of, six pages excuse me, of legislation to combat substance abuse in West Virginia. Seventeen million dollars in funding foster care and its reform and capping copays on insulin, but we’re not finished yet. We’ve got a long way to go and the leadership that Roger Hanshaw offers this body will take us to the next level. His leadership has paved the way through historic infrastructure improvements. We passed the road bond issue, or the road bond. Now I have heard it say, I have heard it said that someone else did that, be very certain that this body passed that. No tax increases during the 60-day session under his watch for the past four years. We slashed regulations and we have maintained a flat line budget for the past four years. That is quite a legacy. He is the voice of reason. Roger Hanshaw is not afraid to reach across the aisle and work. He is an example of what that means, and I am proud of that.

In closing I just want to do this, I read this some other time so some of you have heard this, but I think it is important to say it again. Let’s chat some boxes here today. Roger Hanshaw inspires others. I am a better man today because of Roger Hanshaw. Roger Hanshaw recognizes success. Roger Hanshaw demonstrates integrity. Roger Hanshaw communicates decisively, and he shares his vision. Ladies and gentlemen, in closing it is my honor and my privilege to nominate Roger Hanshaw to his third term as Speaker of the West Virginia House of Delegates. Thank you.

* * * * * * * *

The nomination of Delegate Hanshaw was seconded by the Honorable John Hardy from the 97th Delegate District, with the following remarks:

Delegate Hardy. Thank you all very much. I stand today to second the nomination of Roger Hanshaw for the Speaker of the House of Delegates for the 86th Legislature. If I am a little out of sorts here, I’ve only been preparing for this for about 35 minutes. Our colleague Pat McGeehan is sick today and is not able to perform this so I was asked to do this and in haste I have put this together and reached out to Delegate McGeehan for a few words he would like me to share with you guys too.

So, with that being said, I have known and serve Roger, uh, Speaker Hanshaw for the past four years and I have watched him navigate this body through some unprecedented times and be very successful at it. I have never met someone more qualified or more suited for this job. Roger is very giving of his time. He loves to share his successes and our successes we do all this together we are a team we are one. He always makes sure we work as a team, and we share their successes as a team.

Under Speaker Hanshaw’s leadership we have been successful moving West Virginia forward towards a more diverse 21st economy. Some of those accomplishments are and I am going to repeat some of the things that my good friend Delegate Kelly said but we have worked to right size government. We have worked very hard in this chamber to control government spending. We have also worked for transparency in government to see where the money is spent and how the money is spent. We have maintained a flat budget for the last four years. We have protected the 2nd Amendment Rights, protected the rights of the unborn and we have expanded school choice and we have expanded the economic growth of the state. All of this is underneath the leadership of Roger Hanshaw, and it is my honor and privilege to be the seconding nomination for his term as Speaker of the House.

I want to read a quote by Cirus it says, “Anyone can steer a ship and calm waters, but it takes a strong leader to navigate rough seas.” Roger has definitely navigated us through some rough seas. I have a quote that Delegate McGeehan wanted me to read, and we know that Delegate McGeehan is quite a philosopher, and this doesn’t really make sense to me but I’m sure it makes sense to Pat, and it may make sense to you guys, but I want to read this because Pat asked me to do it and he thought the Speaker would appreciate it. So, I am sure Pat, and the Speaker will understand this. “Tradition means giving a vote to most obscure of all classes, our ancestors. It is the democracy of the dead. Tradition refuses to submit to the small and arrogant oligarchs. Of those who merely happen to be walking about. All democrats object to men being disqualified by the ancient of birth. Tradition objects to being disqualified by the ancients of death. Democracy tells us not to neglect a good man’s opinion but if he is our groom. Tradition asks us not to neglect a good man’s opinion even if he is our father.”  It is my honor and privilege to second the nomination for Roger Hanshaw for Speaker of the House for the 86th Legislature. Thank you very much.

 

 

MINORITY NOMINATION

Delegate Griffith, from the 27th Delegate District, then nominated the Honorable Doug Skaff, the Delegate from the 57th Delegate District, as follows:

Delegate Griffith. Thank you, Mr. Speaker, I am sorry about that. This ceremony that we do each time is somewhat predetermined. We know coming in here how we are going to vote generally and just ask Kevin McCarthy if it is just ceremonial. It is a time when we make a decision about how we are going to conduct our business and there are many great things to say about Delegate Hanshaw. He has been my friend and helpful to me.

I stand today to nominate the Delegate from the 51st, Doug Skaff. He loves and serves West Virginia. He has been not just a friend to me in our delegation, but I too have seen him reach across the aisle. One of the things I think about is I think about how our vote sometimes when we come here is unchanging. The one thing I can say about Doug, his love and devotion to West Virginia and this process is never unchanging. I ask therefore that you consider this. He is a person who both served and a graduate of West Virginia University with a couple of degrees in Labor Relations and also in Marketing and he received an honorary doctorate for public service. One of the things that struck me about that is that our public service is sometimes so public that we don’t remember something that mother taught me and that is you do what is right in life for one reason only, because it is right, period. Not because anyone will notice, not because you’ll get credit. Just do what is right.

Doug has helped me through my journey through the legislature and I know that while your vote may not be unchanging as I say, his support for West Virginia and his love for West Virginia is totally unchanging. So, I nominate Doug Skaff for Speaker of the House. Thank you.

The nomination of Delegate Skaff was seconded by the Honorable Shawn Fluharty of the 5th Delegate District, with the following remarks:

Delegate Fluharty. Thank you. I was prepared to put together a laundry list of items related to Doug Skaff, but I was able to fit it all on this one little notebook, one little piece of notebook paper. You know, to know Doug is to like Doug.

If you know him, you like him. If you just read about him on social media, then you probably don’t.

You know, what he brings to the table for this vote today is opportunity. We constantly talk about businesses coming to West Virginia and the opportunity that brings. So, why not have an actual businessman run this house. From small businesses to large businesses to overseeing over 200 plus employees Doug has done that. Doug understands that and Doug provides the leadership necessary to move this House forward.

It is easy to see why he has been so successful in his businesses. The guy is never in a bad mood. No matter what has been said about him. No matter what kind of day he is facing, he is never in a bad mood. At least he never shows it to the caucus or anybody at large even if he is. That is leadership. That is the leadership we need. You know the other day we were here for the Bill Gates event with Senator Manchin and Doug was parading through as he does. All these business leaders from throughout the state stopping and talking to him and after he got his microchip from Bill Gates he stopped and talked with everybody. You could just see the power that comes with him. Just being in his presence is a present itself. That is how it felt that the people there knew Doug, they like Doug, they want to be around him, they want to work with him which is want we want other states and businesses to do with West Virginia is to work with us. He provides that.

One thing he has done throughout his tenure in the legislature, which I believe is providing leadership is proving that he can evolve with the times. Evolving as a person, evolving as a leader in the state and evolving as a legislator is something we should all strive to do, and he has proven that he can do that. There is one thing I have learned while serving this legislature is that we can use some evolution here. We need to evolve a little bit, right? We want to move forward, be progressive in our thoughts and our acts not regressive in how we govern, and I’ve seen that in the past few years in this body and in this state. I will be voting to move our state forward and supporting my friend and leader Doug Skaff. Thank you.

* * * * * * * * * * *

There being no further nominations, on motion of Delegate Kelly, nominations were closed.

Delegate-elect Hornbuckle then took the oath of office as prescribed by Section 16, Article VI of the Constitution of the State of West Virginia, which oath of office was administered by the Honorable Dan Greear, Chief Judge of the Intermediate Court of Appeals.

The question being the election of a Speaker, the Clerk then called the roll (Roll No. 1), the result of which was as follows:

Delegates voting for Delegate Hanshaw - 87, as follows:

Adkins

Anderson

Barnhart

Bridges

Brooks

Burkhammer

Butler

Cannon

Capito

Chiarelli

Clark

Cooper

Coop-Gonzalez

Criss

Crouse

Dean

DeVault

Dillon

Dittman

Ellington

Espinosa

Fast

Fehrenbacher

Ferrell

Foggin

Forsht

Foster

Gearheart

Hall, A.

Hall, W.

Hanna

Hardy

Heckert

Hillenbrand

Hite

Holstein

Honaker

Hornby

Horst

Hott

Householder

Howell

Jeffries

Jennings

Keaton

Kelly

Kimble

Kirby

Kump

Linville

Longanacre

Lucas

Mallow

Marple

Martin

Maynor

Mazzocchi

Miller

Nestor

Petitto

Phillips

Pinson

Pritt, C.

Reynolds

Ridenour

Riley

Rohrbach

Ross

Shamblin

Sheedy

Skaff

Smith

Statler

Steele

Storch

Street

Summers

Thorne

Toney

Tully

Vance

Ward

Warner

Westfall

Willis

Worrell

Zatezalo

 

 

Delegates voting for Delegate Skaff - 12, as follows:

Fluharty

Garcia

Griffith

Hansen

Hanshaw

Hornbuckle

Pritt, E.

Pushkin

Rowe

Walker

Williams

Young

The total number of votes cast was 99, of which the Honorable Roger Hanshaw of the 62nd Delegate District received 87, and the Honorable Doug Skaff of the 57th Delegate District received 12.  The Presiding Officer declared that the Honorable Roger Hanshaw, having received the majority of the votes cast, was duly elected Speaker of the House of Delegates.

Whereupon,

The Presiding Officer appointed Delegates Kelly, Hardy and Skaff as a committee to escort the Speaker-elect to the Clerk’s Desk.

Speaker-elect Hanshaw then took the oath of office as prescribed for the Speaker, which oath of office was administered by the Honorable Dan Greear, Chief Judge of the Intermediate Court of Appeals.

Delegate Skaff delivered the following remarks prior to presenting the Speaker to the House:

Delegate Skaff. That was a close one. We won’t need a recount that is for sure but no, in all seriousness before we officially turn this over to Speaker Hanshaw, our Speaker, I would like to say a few words. Thank you, Delegate Griffith for those kind words. Thank you, Delegate Fluharty for those words. If you haven’t met Delegate Fluharty, you will get to know him real well pretty soon don’t worry.

I will be brief. I wanted to say it is an honor and privilege to be here and stand next and work with Speaker Hanshaw. You will quickly realize that he wears it on his sleeve that he will do everything in his power and work tirelessly for every West Virginian can live, work and raise a family and be proud of where they are from. I have got a chance to meet and met him a long time ago in school but got a chance to travel the country, travel the country with your Speaker Hanshaw to tell the world and tell the nation and everybody we could from airport to airport and everything in between how great and special West Virginia is and it is because of people like you that he says we will literally move mountains to have you come here and invest in West Virginia, start your business here, have your east coast headquarters here, whatever it takes. But it is because we are ready, he says this “I don’t care if it is a Democratic idea or Republican idea, I just want good ideas and we are going to work together put party politics aside to move West Virginia forward.”

He means that. It is an honor to stand here today to be the first one to officially introduce someone who I not only call a friend, a colleague but a mentor and I am so excited to work for two more years under his leadership in the House of Delegates Speaker Roger Hanshaw.

At the conclusion of Delegate Skaff’s remarks, the Speaker then addressed the House as follows:

Mr. Speaker, Mr. Hanshaw.  Friends please be seated, please be seated. Thank you so very much. It was quite an honor in 2018 the very first time this body gave me the opportunity to occupy this podium, but I think it is a higher honor each time this body has given me that opportunity again since then and it is certainly a high honor today, so from the bottom of my heart, I do thank you for the opportunity.

The highest privilege is not to occupy the podium, but it is to occupy one of the 100 seats that we collectively share here in this house. As I said to our new members at orientation yesterday and as so many of you have heard me say before there are only 100 of us and there are 1.8 million West Virginians so it is an incredible honor for anyone, any of us to ever occupy a seat in this chamber and it is an honor and it is a privilege and it is a responsibility that we ought not ever take lightly because the decisions that we make literally change the lives for 1.8 million West Virginians, 1.8 million West Virginians depend on the decisions that we make here to provide for their families, to operate their businesses, to educate their children and to provide their atmosphere and an environment here in which families can grow and thrive and develop.

I said four years ago that it would be my priority as a Speaker of this House to make our state the best place we possibly could to live and work and raise a family and collectively we’ve been doing those things. This body, actions taken by this body have made it possible for over six billion dollars of investment to have been made in our state in the last five years. Those are decisions that we collectively made here together. Those are jobs that are paying above market wage, well above minimum wage jobs. We aren’t talking about minimum wage jobs here ladies and gentlemen, we are talking about economy transforming jobs into communities across our state. We did that. We did that together. In that time, we have made decisions and taken steps that have protected the culture and values of our state that have made it an attractive place for those around the country who are choosing to leave the high-rise towers of Manhattan and Houston and Chicago and Los Angeles and seek new opportunities to come here to choose West Virginia as their home, as their destination. That is what I said last time, two years ago I said that it would be my priority then to make West Virginia the easy choice to make it easy to choose West Virginia and as the gentleman from the 57th district said, we have had that opportunity together, all of us. Many of us together have been travelling around the country talking about what it means to choose our state and why it is the right choice to make, why the things we are doing together here in this body are the right choice for every other state and for every other person, every other family, every other company who might be looking to leave where they have been forever and come and choose West Virginia.

We want to double down on that. We want to continue that because there are things that we have done. There are things that we ought to be proud of, things we ought to be fiercely proud of as a state and there are things, we know we need to do. We have absolutely passed six pages of substance abuse prevention legislation in the past four years, but we still have far too many men and women, too many family members, too many friends and neighbors who are crippled and gripped by substance abuse addiction. We have too much work that remains to still be done there. We have invested hundreds of millions of dollars in economic development across our state. We have recruited over six billion dollars of new economic activity here but there are still too many West Virginians who struggle to provide for their families, who struggle to be able to earn a living wage to provide for their children at home. We have a lot more work to do there. We have invested billions of dollars in infrastructure in our state. That is undeniable and that is true and that is our job, we have done that and I’m proud that we have done it. Too many of us drive to work, too many of our children ride to school, on school busses that traverse roads and bridges and highways that are in some places are still unsafe and certainly where they are safe, they need greater attention. So, we have more work to do there, we have lots more work to do there. We have invested hundreds of millions of dollars in broadband connectivity around our state, we have connected homes and schools and businesses that never were connected to each other before, that were never connected to the world-wide market place beyond the borders of West Virginia, beyond our 1.8 million citizens, but we still have far too many homes, far too many small businesses, far too many communities that aren’t able to access the educational opportunities, the market opportunities, the greater world beyond the borders of West Virginia. So, we have more work to do there in making sure that our citizens are fully connected.

We have done much to safeguard values that West Virginians hold dear. We have done much to maintain who we are as a culture, who we are as a people. But the responsibility of maintaining of what we have done and the responsibility of maintaining the quality of life in West Virginia and maintaining it is as a destination for those who are looking to leave Manhattan and Chicago and Houston and Los Angeles remain strong. That responsibility is ours; it is ours to bear. It needs to weigh on every decision that we make, it needs to weigh on every bill we introduce, it needs to weigh on every appropriation we make and every resolution we draft because, make no mistake, the world watches us. The world watches what we do. Not necessarily on our live streaming, live on television but the world watches what we do. We speak through our votes, we speak through our bills, we speak through our bills, we speak through our resolutions and the world pays attention. When we travel elsewhere, when we meet with leaders of companies elsewhere when we meet with those who are considering West Virginia as a place to make investment, as a place to come and employ our family members and our citizens they will speak often to us about the things we have done here in this body and the decisions we have made and why we have made decisions that we have and why we have chosen the direction we have as opposed to the alternatives.

I am very proud to say the work we have done here has helped put us on the right path to make it easier to choose West Virginia. We have a lot more opportunity ahead of us, we have a lot more responsibility on our shoulders now that what we have done has been working, we simply now need to keep our foot on the accelerator. I am deeply honored for the opportunity you have given me today to continue to lead this House for the next two years. It is the highest honor of my professional lifetime. Thank you very much.

The Speaker then assumed the Chair.

* * * * * * * * * * * *

ELECTION OF CLERK

The next order of business being the election of the Clerk, the Speaker stated that nominations were now in order.

Delegate Fast, a Delegate from the 51st District, nominated Stephen J. Harrison, of the County of Kanawha, as follows:

Delegate Fast. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Ladies and gentlemen, it is my honor and pleasure to nominate Stephen J. Harrison for Clerk of the West Virginia House of Delegates-86th Legislature. Stephen was elected to his fourth two-year term as Clerk in 2021. Prior to being elected to Clerk of this body, he served as a member of the West Virginia House of Delegates from 1992 through 2002. In 2002, he was elected to the West Virginia State Senate serving in that body until 2006 when he did not seek re-election.

Stephen Harrison is a graduate of Sissonville High School and Brown University. At Brown he was selected District I Academic All-American in football and graduated with a triple concentration in Economics, Political Science and Organizational Behavior and Management. He played in the Epson Ivy Bowl in Japan as a member of the Ivy All Stars.

He worked in the banking industry for more than 24 years until he resigned his position as a Poca Valley Bank Vice-President before being elected to the 23rd Clerk…as the 23rd Clerk of the West Virginia House of Delegates.

Stephen is a devoted husband to his wife Kristen having been married to her for more than 30 years. Stephen and Kristen are the parents of their 12-year-old twins Benjamin and Maggie. Stephen Harrison is a principled man and a solid Christian.

He knows his job and he knows it well. As Clerk of the House of Delegates he holds a wealth of knowledge, experience, and information. He is the go-to person if you have a question regarding House policy or rules. He is so important to the West Virginia House of Delegates process. Ladies and gentlemen, it is my distinct honor to nominate Stephen J. Harrison for Clerk of the West Virginia House of Delegates-86th Legislature. Thank you.

The nomination for Clerk was seconded by Delegate Ferrell of the 60th Delegate District, with the following remarks:

Delegate Ferrell. Ladies and gentlemen, it is my honor to nominate Stephen J. Harrison for position of Clerk for the House of Delegates and after Delegate Fast just spoke, I mean he covered a lot of things there, but I am going to come at it from a different angle because I am not sure there is anybody in this Chamber that has known Stephen J. Harrison longer than I have.

We grew up together in Sissonville and, you know, you get to know somebody over a period of time when you see them outside of this Chamber, their actions and things. His family, he is a person, their position in the community, what they have done for our community, the church that they attend, is just remarkable. They are leaders, they are people…and he grew up in a family like that. He went on as mentioned to Sissonville High School where he was a standout academic athlete and then went on to Brown University where he earned triple degrees, come back worked in the banking industry, was president of the bank there in Sissonville where he helped our community in many, many ways. I served on the advisory board with him there.  

He is just…again he served as our Delegate there, he was my Delegate, he was my Senator and now he serves here as the Clerk of the House of Delegates and as mentioned before, as mentioned earlier about you’ve never seen the person in a bad mood. I am not sure anybody in here could say they have seen Steve Harrison in a bad mood in anything. You go there, he’s attentive to get…take care of your needs whatever they be and do that in professional fashion.  

But more than anything I want to speak to his integrity. The man as I know, like I said, from his upbringing, through school and now serving as a professional you will not find anybody with any more integrity, his Christian values, his position as a father and a husband as mentioned.  He is just a good person and we have seen here, those of you that have been here and are returning to this position you already know, and those of you that are coming in let me tell you, you’ve got I think one of the best United States’ Clerks serving the House of Delegates. Again, I nominate Stephen J. Harrison for Clerk of the House of Delegates for the State of West Virginia.

On motions of Delegate Fast, nominations were closed, and the Honorable Stephen J. Harrison of the County of Kanawha was elected Clerk of the House by acclamation.  

Mr. Harrison then took the oath of office as prescribed for the Clerk, which oath of office was administered by the Honorable Dan Greear, Chief Judge of the Intermediate Court of Appeals.

ELECTION OF SERGEANT-AT-ARMS

The next order of business being the election of Sergeant-at-Arms, nominations were now in order.

Delegate Cooper, the Delegate from the 40th Delegate District, nominated Marshall Clay of the County of Fayette, as follows:

Delegate Cooper.  It is my honor and privilege to place the name of Marshall Clay into the nomination of Sergeant at Arms in this great hall. Marshall has five plus years of experience already in the job and he has demonstrated time and time again his dedication to this state and to this institution called the West Virginia Legislature over and over. Marshall before he came here, before he became involved in the Legislature over 14 years ago I think it has been, he was a member of the US Military, he is a retired Navy Chief Petty Officer, and his dedication still lingers with him today to serve and to serve well.

If any of you have been here and watched the proceedings around here, you don’t see Marshall move too fast, but it seems like we don’t have much of a commotion going on even when there is a great commotion maybe out in the hall. It seems like Marshall just very quietly in a very dedicated and smooth manner gets things done. Over where I sit, I look over where I sit and if there is someone up there wearing a hat or something or doing something that doesn’t follow our rules Marshall doesn’t make a big deal out of it, he just goes fixes it and walks away. That is a good reason to have him continue in his service to us.

Finally, as a Navy Veteran, Marshall knows the difference between a sea story and a fairy tale, and he will have to explain that to you. But I can guarantee you he knows the difference between a sea story and a fairy tale. I am again, very honored to place his name in nomination for this position. I believe we will be very proud of how well he serves us in the next two years. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

The nomination was seconded by Delegate Miller of the 90th Delegate District, with the following remarks:

Delegate Miller.  Mr. Speaker, Mr. Harrison, Mr. Billings, fellow Delegates, I stand here today to second the nomination for Marshall Clay. He is a man of integrity, honesty and he is a veteran of the Navy, a retired veteran of the Navy I should say. So, with that I would be honored that the House accept this nomination, Marshall Clay. Thank you…..as Sergeant at Arms.

On motion of Delegate Cooper, nominations were closed and the Honorable Marshall Clay of the County of Fayette, was elected Sergeant-at-Arms by acclamation.  

Mr. Clay then took the oath of office as prescribed for the Sergeant-at-Arms, which oath of office was administered by the Honorable Dan Greear, Chief Judge of the Intermediate Court of Appeals.

ELECTION OF DOORKEEPER

The next order of business being the election of Doorkeeper, nominations were now in order.

Delegate Ellington, the Delegate from the 38th Delegate District, nominated Robert Stewart of the County of Kanawha, as follows:

Delegate Ellington. Thank you, Mr. Speaker, and congratulations. Ladies and gentlemen, I have the distinct honor and privilege to nominate a gentleman for the office of House Doorkeeper. I would like to share a little bit of history and a little bit of humor with that. This is a gentleman that has been raised in, born, and raised in Kentucky. He is a family man, married for the past 40 years to his bride Tressa. They have a legacy of six children, 26 grandchildren and eight great grandchildren. He has also demonstrated loyalty and a work ethic by working in the private sector for over 36 years at PraxAir. He has honored our country and served in the United States Army at the rank of Sergeant previously. He has also served this Chamber over the past several years.

Now please forgive me if I embellish or even exaggerate some of his accomplishments but it has been known and the stories have been told over the years that this gentleman has been known to tackle members trying to barge through the chamber doors at the moment of our prayer and pledge to our God and country. There have been numerous attempts in the still night where he has thwarted efforts by ninjas trying to destroy our beautiful voting block of course past years we have had couple of times he was asleep at the wheel, but nobody is perfect. There have been efforts if you have noticed in the past recent summer during special session where he and his colleagues have protected our chamber, our members and our public from unruly protestors dropping bombs on our members over the summer.

Kidding aside, this gentleman has demonstrated a lot of honor, integrity, he is one of those unsung heroes in our chamber and I am deeply honored to endorse him and nominate him for the House Doorkeeper. He is the man, the present the legend and the Doorkeeper, Mr. Robert Stewart and I hope you all join me in nominating him. Thank you.

The nomination was seconded by Delegate Westfall of the 16th Delegate District, with the following remarks:

Delegate Westfall.  Thank you Mr. Speaker. It is my honor and privilege to second the nomination for Robert Stewart for Doorkeeper for the 86th Legislature. Robert has been Doorkeeper since 2019 Legislature. You would think sometimes wow we need a doorkeeper, but you all new ones will find out soon we do need doorkeepers to keep rule. Robert is not a lifetime West Virginian. He chose West Virginia, he is from Kentucky like Chairman Ellington said but he chose West Virginia to be his home. He is a Kanawha County resident. It is my honor and privilege to second the nomination for Robert Stewart as doorkeeper.

On motion of Delegate Ellington, nominations were closed and the Honorable Robert Stewart of the County of Kanawha, was elected Doorkeeper by acclamation.  

Mr. Stewart then took the oath of office as prescribed for the Doorkeeper, which oath of office was administered by the Honorable Dan Greear, Chief Judge of the Intermediate Court of Appeals.

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On motion of Delegate Householder, the Clerk was authorized to notify the Senate and the Governor that the House of Delegates had assembled in the First Regular Session of the Eighty-sixth Legislature as provided by Section 18, Article VI of the Constitution of the State, with a quorum present, had organized by the election of Roger Hanshaw, 62nd Delegate District, as Speaker; Stephen J. Harrison of the County of Kanawha, as Clerk; Marshall Clay of the County of Fayette, as Sergeant-at-Arms; and Robert Stewart of the County of Kanawha, as Doorkeeper, and was ready to proceed to the business of the session.

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Resolutions Introduced

Delegate Hanshaw (Mr. Speaker) offered the following resolution, which was reported by the Clerk:

H. C. R. 1 - "Extending an invitation to His Excellency, the Governor, to deliver an address to the Legislature and raising a Joint Assembly therefor."

At the respective requests of Delegate Householder, and by unanimous consent, reference of the resolution (H. C. R. 1) to a committee was dispensed with, and it was taken up for immediate consideration and adopted.

Whereupon,

In accordance with the provisions of the resolution, the Speaker appointed as members of the committee to wait upon His Excellency, the Governor, the following:

Delegates Storch, Smith and Rowe.

Ordered, That the Clerk of the House communicate to the Senate the action of the House of Delegates and request concurrence therein.

Delegate Hanshaw (Mr. Speaker) offered the following resolution, which was reported by the Clerk:

H. R. 1 - "Adopting Rules of the House of Delegates."

At the respective requests of Delegate Householder, and by unanimous consent, reference of the resolution (H. R. 1) to a committee was dispensed with, and it was taken up for immediate consideration.

Delegates Griffith, Skaff, Fluharty, Rowe, Walker, Hansen, Williams, Young, E. Pritt, Pushkin, Garcia and Hornbuckle moved to amend the resolution on page 48, Rule 93, lines 1 and 2, by striking out the first sentence of the rule and inserting in lieu thereof the following: “All bills for introduction shall be introduced without the name or names of the member or members sponsoring the bill.”

And,

By on page 48 by striking out Rule 94 in its entirety;

And,

On page 49 by striking out the second sentence of Rule 94a;

And,

On page 49 by striking out Rule 94b in its entirety;

And,

By renumbering subsequent rules numbers accordingly.

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

The yeas and nays having been ordered, they were taken (Roll No. 2), and there were--yeas 13, nays 86, with the yeas being as follows:

Yeas: Fluharty, Garcia, Griffith, Hansen, Hornbuckle, Petitto, E. Pritt, Pushkin, Rowe, Skaff, Walker, Williams and Young.

So, a majority of the members present not having voted in the affirmative, the amendment was rejected.

Delegates Griffith, Skaff, Fluharty, Rowe, Walker, Hansen, Williams, Young, D. Pritt, Pushkin, Garcia and Hornbuckle moved to amend the resolution on page 41, Rule 83, line 3, following the words “at such meeting.” by inserting the following sentence: “No bill may be considered by a committee unless it has been published on an agenda 24 hours prior to consideration by the committee.”

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

The yeas and nays having been ordered, they were taken (Roll No. 3), and there were--yeas 12, nays 86, absent and not voting 1, with the yeas and the absent and not voting being as follows:

Yeas: Fluharty, Garcia, Griffith, Hansen, Hornbuckle, E. Pritt, Pushkin, Rowe, Skaff, Walker, Williams and Young.

Absent and Not Voting: Riley.

So, a majority of the members present not having voted in the affirmative, the amendment was rejected.

Delegates Young, Rowe, Skaff, Fluharty, Griffith, Walker, Hansen, Williams, D. Pritt, Pushkin, Garcia and Hornbuckle move to amend the resolution on page 45, Rule 89, following the period on line 2, by inserting the following:

“All meetings of committees shall be broadcast in a manner consistent with floor sessions of the House.”

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

The yeas and nays having been ordered, they were taken (Roll No. 4), and there were--yeas 12, nays 84, absent and not voting 3, with the yeas and the absent and not voting being as follows:

Yeas: Fluharty, Garcia, Griffith, Hansen, Hornbuckle, E. Pritt, Pushkin, Rowe, Skaff, Walker, Williams and Young.

Absent and Not Voting: Bridges, Riley and Smith.

So, a majority of the members present not having voted in the affirmative, the amendment was rejected.

Delegates Rowe, Skaff, Fluharty, Griffith, Walker, Hansen, Williams, Young, D. Pritt, Pushkin, Garcia and Hornbuckle moved to amend the resolution on page 16, Rule 38, lines 1 and 7, by striking out the word “once” and inserting in lieu thereof the word “twice”.

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

The yeas and nays having been ordered, they were taken (Roll No. 5), and there were--yeas 17, nays 79, absent and not voting 3, with the yeas and the absent and not voting being as follows:

Yeas: Fast, Fluharty, Foster, Garcia, Griffith, Hansen, Hornbuckle, Kirby, Petitto, E. Pritt, Pushkin, Rowe, Skaff, Vance, Walker, Williams and Young.

Absent and Not Voting: A. Hall, Martin and Steele.

So, a majority of the members present not having voted in the affirmative, the amendment was rejected.

There being no further amendments, the resolution was then adopted.

Delegate Hanshaw (Mr. Speaker) offered the following resolution, which was reported by the Clerk:

H. R. 2 - "Authorizing the printing and distribution of Acts of the Legislature, Journals of the House of Delegates, the publication of a Legislative Manual, and authorizing payment of travel and other expenses of the House."

At the respective requests of Delegate Householder, and by unanimous consent, reference of the resolution (H. R. 2) to a committee was dispensed with, and it was taken up for immediate consideration, and adopted.

Delegate Hanshaw (Mr. Speaker) offered the following resolution, which was reported by the Clerk:

H. R. 3 - "Authorizing the appointment of employees for this, the First Regular Session of the Eighty-sixth Legislature, Two Thousand Twenty-three'."

At the respective requests of Delegate Householder, and by unanimous consent, reference of the resolution (H. R. 3) to a committee was dispensed with, and it was taken up for immediate consideration, and adopted.

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

By Delegate Steele:

H. J. R. 1 - " Proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the State of West Virginia amending article III thereof by adding thereto a new section, designated section twenty-three, relating to the right to hunt, fish, and harvest wildlife; numbering and designating such proposed amendment; and providing a summarized statement of the purpose of such proposed amendment"; to the Committee on Agriculture and Natural Resources then the Judiciary.

By Delegate Hanna:

H. J. R. 2 - " Proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the State of West Virginia, amending section four, article IV thereof, relating to the age of elected officials and providing that Senators may be eligible to run if age 21 at the beginning of their term of office"; to the Committee on the Judiciary.

By Delegate McGeehan:

H. J. R. 3 - " Proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the State of West Virginia, amending section fifty-one, article VI thereof, relating to the establishment of a general fund expenditure limit; numbering and designating such proposed amendment; and providing a summarized statement of the purpose of such proposed amendment"; to the Committee on Finance then the Judiciary.

By Delegate Horst:

H. J. R. 4 - " A Bill Proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the State of West Virginia,  amending section one, article VI thereof; amending section two, article XIV thereof; and amending said Constitution by adding a new article, designated article XV, all relating to the legislative powers held by the people of the state and the Legislature; the power of the registered voters and the power of the Legislature to propose amendments to this Constitution; and the reservation by and to the people and registered voters of this state the powers of initiative, referendum, and recall at all levels of government in this state; numbering and designating such proposed amendment; and providing a summarized statement of the purpose of such proposed amendment"; to the Committee on the Judiciary.

By Delegate Skaff:

H. J. R. 5 - " Proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the State of West Virginia amending section 13, article VI thereof, relating to allowing elected state official to be a government employee or employee of a public school, college, or university; and providing a summarized statement of the purpose of such proposed amendment"; to the Committee on Government Organization then the Judiciary.

By Delegate Mallow:

H. J. R. 6 - " Proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the State of West Virginia, amending section one-b, article X thereof, relating to homestead exemption increase; numbering and designating such proposed amendment; and providing a summarized statement of the purpose of such proposed amendment"; to the Committee on Finance then the Judiciary.

By Delegate Mallow:

H. J. R. 7 - " Proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the State of West Virginia, amending section §1b, article X thereof; relating to permitting increase in homestead exemption for persons with yearly income that does not exceed $20,000; numbering and designating such proposed amendment; and providing a summarized statement of the purpose of the proposed amendment"; to the Committee on Finance then the Judiciary.

By Delegate Steele:

H. J. R. 8 - " Proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the State of West Virginia amending section 1b, article X thereof, relating to exempting honorably discharged veterans of the Armed Forces of the United States who have been determined to have a 100 percent disability from ad valorem property taxation on the full amount of assessed value of a primary residence and all personal property; numbering and designating the proposed amendment; and providing a summarized statement of the purpose of such proposed amendment"; to the Committee on Finance then the Judiciary.

By Delegate Hansen:

H. J. R. 9 - " Proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the State of West Virginia amending article three thereof by adding thereto a new section, designated section 23, relating to the Bill of Rights; proving for the right to clean air and pure water; preservation of our natural resources and public estate; and providing a summarized statement of the purpose of such proposed amendment"; to the Committee on Agriculture and Natural Resources then the Judiciary.

By Delegate Howell:

H. J. R. 10 - " Proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the State of West Virginia, amending section one-b, article ten thereof, relating to ad valorem property tax rates for citizens of the age of 65 or older; locking the value of a homestead property, for the purpose of calculating property taxes, at the assessed value when the owner-occupier turned 65 or purchased the property, whichever occurred later; and providing a summarized statement of the purpose of such proposed amendment"; to the Committee on Finance then the Judiciary.

By Delegate Kimble:

H. J. R. 11 - " Proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the State of West Virginia amending section one, article VI thereof; amending section two, article XIV thereof; and amending said Constitution by adding a new article, designated article XV, all relating to the legislative powers held by the people of the state and the Legislature; the power of the registered voters and the power of the Legislature to propose amendments to this Constitution; and the reservation by and to the people and registered voters of this state the powers of initiative, referendum, and recall at all levels of government in this state; numbering and designating such proposed amendment; and providing a summarized statement of the purpose of such proposed amendment"; to the Committee on the Judiciary.

By Delegate Walker:

H. J. R. 12 - " Proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the State of West Virginia, by adding section twenty-three, article three thereof, relating to the Bill of Rights; providing for the right to food, food sovereignty and freedom from hunger; and providing a summarized statement of the purpose of such proposed amendment"; to the Committee on Health and Human Resources then the Judiciary.

By Delegate Fast:

H. J. R. 13 - " Proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the State of West Virginia to add section one-d, article X thereof, relating to legislative authority to repeal all business and inventory ad valorem property taxation on tangible personal property and providing a summarized statement of the purpose of such proposed amendment"; to the Committee on Finance then the Judiciary.

Bills Introduced

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

By Delegates Summers, Tully and Rohrbach:

H. B. 2016 - “A Bill to amend and reenact §49-5-101 of the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, relating to releasing information to facilitate care of a child"; to the Committee on Health and Human Resources then the Judiciary.

By Delegates Summers, Tully and Rohrbach:

H. B. 2017 - “A Bill to amend and reenact §49-4-601 of the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, relating to requiring the sheriff to serve child abuse and neglect petitions without additional compensation"; to the Committee on Health and Human Resources.

By Delegates Summers, Tully and Rohrbach:

H. B. 2018 - “A Bill to amend and reenact §49-4-406 of the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, relating to permitting the managed care case coordinator to attend the multidisciplinary team meeting"; to the Committee on Health and Human Resources.

By Delegates Clark, Fast, Crouse, Ferrell, Hite, Honaker, Cannon, Keaton, Pinson, Kelly and Willis:

H. B. 2019 - “A Bill to amend and reenact §60A-1-101 of the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended; by adding thereto a new section, designated §60A-1-101a; to amend and reenact §60A-2-204 of this code; and to amend and reenact §60A-4-401 of this code, all relating to defining synthetic controlled substances; providing legislative findings; prohibiting synthetic controlled substances; adding to Schedule I List of controlled substances delta-8 Cis or trans tetrahydrocannabinol, and their optical isomers and delta-7 Cis or trans tetrahydrocannabinol, and their optical isomers; and to provide criminal penalties for the manufacture, deliver, or possess with intent to manufacture or deliver synthetic controlled substances"; to the Committee on Health and Human Resources then the Judiciary.

By Delegate Foster:

H. B. 2020 - “A Bill to amend the Code of West Virginia,1931, as amended, by adding thereto a new section, designated §17C-3-11, relating to requiring a warning light to be erected on certain roads to warn of a traffic light ahead"; to the Committee on Technology and Infrastructure then the Judiciary.

By Delegate Hansen:

H. B. 2021 - “A Bill to amend and reenact §22-6-2 and §22-6-29 of the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, relating to funding of the Office of Oil and Gas of the Department of Environmental Protection and to the plugging of orphaned oil and gas wells by an annual fee on each well that is not plugged"; to the Committee on Energy and Manufacturing then Finance.

By Delegate Hansen:

H. B. 2022 - “A Bill to amend and reenact §22-6A-12 of the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, relating to well location restrictions for natural gas wells; and providing that the limit of disturbance of a well site may not be closer to an occupied building than 2,500 feet"; to the Committee on Energy and Manufacturing then the Judiciary.

By Delegate Griffith:

H. B. 2023 - “A Bill to amend the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, by adding thereto a new article, designated §18-34-1, relating to funding school safety design; creating Safety in Schools fund; and setting forth award procedure"; to the Committee on Finance.

By Delegate Statler:

H. B. 2025 - “A Bill to amend and reenact §23-4-1f of the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended; relating to who may diagnose post-traumatic stress disorder as a compensable injury or disease under workers compensation"; to the Committee on Fire Departments and Emergency Medical Services then Health and Human Resources then Finance.

By Delegates Clark, Horst, Honaker, Barnhart and Worrell:

H. B. 2026 - “A Bill to amend the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, by adding thereto two new sections, designated §8-22A-33a and §8-22A-33b, relating to additional opportunity for municipal police officers to transfer into the Municipal Police Officers and Firefighters Retirement System; providing for a phased transition into the plan on the basis of the class of the municipality; providing for transfer of assets pertaining to municipal police officers; requiring certain computations to be made by the Consolidated Public Retirement Board; and terminating liability of the Public Employees Retirement System"; to the Committee on Pensions and Retirement then Finance.

By Delegate Mallow:

H. B. 2027 - “A Bill to amend and reenact §37-6-5 of the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended; and to amend said code by adding thereto a new section, designated §37-6-31, all relating to termination of leaseholds, requiring law enforcement participation in eviction notice service, and requiring eviction notices expressly state tenant rights under this section"; to the Committee on the Judiciary.

By Delegate Mallow:

H. B. 2028 - “A Bill to amend the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, by adding thereto a new section, designated §16-5T-7, relating to establishing quick response teams under the Office of Drug Control Policy to act as first responders in narcotic related medical emergencies"; to the Committee on Health and Human Resources.

By Delegates Summers, Tully and Rohrbach:

H. B. 2029 - “A Bill to repeal §33-4A-1, §33-4A-2, §33-4A-3, §33-4A-4, §33-4A-5, §33-4A-6, §33-4A-7, and §33-4A-8 of the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, all relating to repealing the creation of an all-payer claims database"; to the Committee on Health and Human Resources.

By Delegate Hornbuckle:

H. B. 2030 - “A Bill to amend the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, by adding thereto a new section, designated §5B-1-11, relating to creating the West Virginia Small Business COVID Relief Act to be established under the West Virginia Department of Commerce; providing legislative findings; creating the act and providing qualifications for relief; and providing an effective date"; to the Committee on Education then Finance.

By Delegate Hornbuckle:

H. B. 2031 - “A Bill to amend and reenact §18-5-45 of the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, relating to modifying the school calendar; setting the school year to 170 days of instruction; establishing limits on the start and end of the school year; and modifying the number and purposes of noninstructional days"; to the Committee on Education.

By Delegate Dean:

H. B. 2032 - “A Bill to amend and reenact §23-4-15 of the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, relating to clarifying that the time limitations provided for filing occupational pneumoconiosis claims do not apply or otherwise limit the ability of a claimant to obtain an evaluation from the Occupational Pneumoconiosis Board"; to the Committee on Health and Human Resources then the Judiciary.

By Delegate Dean:

H. B. 2033 - “A Bill to amend the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, by adding thereto a new article, designated §7-28-1 and §7-28-2; and to amend said code by adding thereto a new article, designated §8-20B-1, all relating to unsafe real property; providing a process by which county commissions and municipalities may compel the cleanup of hazardous real property conditions; directing each assessor to identify obviously dilapidated, unsafe, or defective condition that renders it unfit for the intended use of the property or the structures upon it; providing that assessors staff receive training; directing the Division of Emergency Management establish a training course; providing a power to assert a lien if a real property owner fails to comply with a county commission’s or municipality’s hazardous condition resolution; providing notice, hearing, and an appeals process regarding unsafe condition determinations made; providing a process by which local governing bodies may compel the cleanup of hazardous real property conditions; providing a power to assert a lien if a real property owner fails to comply with a local governing body’s hazardous condition resolution; and providing a hearing appeals process on unsafe condition determinations made by local governing bodies"; to the Committee on Political Subdivisions then the Judiciary.

By Delegate Dean:

H. B. 2034 - “A Bill to amend the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, by adding thereto a new section, designated §18-2-44; to amend said code by adding thereto a new article, designated §18-21A-1, §18-21A-2, §18-21A-3, §18-21A-4, §18-21A-5, §18-21A-6, and §18-21A-7; and to amend said code by adding thereto a new article, designated §18-34-1 and §18-34-2, all relating to vocational and technical education programs; requiring the State Board and Commerce Department to create lists of apprenticeships and certifications and credentials to provide to students; creating a career and technical education pilot program to introduce middle school students career and technical education opportunities in the state; allowing for non-certified persons provide student instruction; providing state board authorize and establish conditions thereto and promote the pilot program;  directing local public education institutions participation;  requiring county school districts to provide certain information to students; and establishing the Governor’s Workforce Credential"; to the Committee on Education then Finance.

By Delegate Holstein:

H. B. 2035 - “A Bill to amend the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, by adding thereto a new article, designated §11-13MM-1, relating to establishing a tax credit for employers who hire qualified employees in a program of recovery from substance abuse; authorizing tax credit; defining terms; specifying the application process for tax credit; determining the amount of the credit; restricting disclosure of diagnosis and treatment information; establishing maximum allowable credits; and providing that unused credits do not carry over to subsequent years"; to the Committee on Health and Human Resources then Finance.

By Delegate Kimble:

H. B. 2036 - “A Bill to amend and reenact §5A-1-3 of the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended; to amend and reenact §16-3-4 of said code; and to amend said code by adding thereto a new section, designated §18B-1-12, all relating to exemptions from mandated immunizations for religious reasons"; to the Committee on Health and Human Resources then the Judiciary.

By Delegate Gearheart:

H. B. 2037 - “A Bill to amend the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, by adding thereto a new article, designated §62-11G-1, §62-11G-2, §62-11G-3, §62-11G-4, §62-11G-5, §62-11G-6, and §62-11G-7, all relating to creating a pilot work/incarceration prison; providing a short title; specifying offenders who are eligible to participate; establishing one work/incarceration prison; authorizing the Division of Corrections to propose rules for the operation and reporting of the work/incarceration prison; allowing a reduction in the sentence of an offender sentenced to the work/incarceration prison; providing that a serious violation of the rules result in an additional sentence; specifying a suggested appropriation; allowing the admittance of offenders from other counties; and requiring the evaluation of the work/incarceration prison"; to the Committee on Jails and Prisons then the Judiciary.

By Delegate Kimble:

H. B. 2038 - “A Bill to amend and reenact §3-1A-6 of the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, relating to requiring the Secretary of State to refer potential election fraud to the Attorney General for prosecution instead of a county prosecuting attorney"; to the Committee on Political Subdivisions then the Judiciary.

By Delegate Reynolds:

H. B. 2039 - “A Bill to amend and reenact §22-1-16 of the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, relating to requiring the West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection to pay back fines to towns and cities if they make required upgrades or fixes to their communities in relation to those fines"; to the Committee on Jails and Prisons then Finance.

By Delegate Hott:

H. B. 2040 - “A Bill to amend the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, by adding thereto a new section, designated §11-21-12n, relating to allowing a personal income tax exemption for first responders"; to the Committee on Finance.

By Delegate Reynolds:

H. B. 2041 - “A Bill to amend and reenact §8-10-2b of the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended; and to amend and reenact §17B-3-3a of said code, all relating to providing a municipal court clerk the ability to suspend the driver's license if a person has failed to enter into a payment plan or pay towards his or her of costs, fines, forfeitures, restitution, or penalties in a certain time period following judgment"; to the Committee on Government Organization then the Judiciary.

By Delegate Fast:

H. B. 2042 - “A Bill to amend the Code of West Virginia,1931, as amended, by adding thereto a new section, designated §16-13A-9c, relating to public service districts' laying of water or sewer lines on state rights-of-way; limiting the onsite time required supervision by a state engineer; and requiring payment and performance bonds to cover a reasonable length of time for defects to be discovered"; to the Committee on Government Organization.

By Delegate Rowe:

H. B. 2043 - “A Bill to amend and reenact §31-15-3 of the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, relating to the West Virginia Economic Development Authority; creating a small business and minority populations economic and workforce development taskforce to assist the Director of the Economic Development Authority in developing and implementing a procedure to address employment, labor force participation and economic development problems of small business and low income and minority populations of West Virginia; and developing a pilot project that can be used as a model to promote the growth and development of small business to increase employment and labor force participation across West Virginia"; to the Committee on Education.

By Delegate Rowe:

H. B. 2044 - “A Bill to amend the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, by adding thereto a new section, designated §30-30-14a, relating to social workers and creating a litigation practice license for social workers"; to the Committee on the Judiciary.

By Delegate Steele:

H. B. 2045 - “A Bill to amend and reenact §15A-2-1 of the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, relating to dividing pretrial detention jail costs between arresting authorities"; to the Committee on Jails and Prisons then Finance.

By Delegate Steele:

H. B. 2046 - “A Bill to amend and reenact §16-3-4 of the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, relating to permitting a licensed physician to grant a medical exemption from the required immunizations for a child to enter a school or a state-regulated child care center; removing the Commissioner of the Bureau for Public Health from the responsibility of granting immunization certificates and medical exemptions from immunization; providing for written statements of medical exemption; and providing for the statewide acceptance of the medical exemption"; to the Committee on Health and Human Resources then the Judiciary then Finance.

By Delegate McGeehan:

H. B. 2047 - “A Bill to amend and reenact §11-3-9 of the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, relating to personal property tax; exempting motor vehicles from personal property tax"; to the Committee on Finance.

By Delegate Hanna:

H. B. 2048 - “A Bill to amend the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, by adding thereto a new article, designated §18-2L-1, §18-2L-2, §18-2L-3, §18-2L-4, §18-2L-5, §18-2L-6, §18-2L-7, §18-2L-8, §18-2L-9, §18-2L-10, §18-2L-11, and §18-2L-12; and to amend said code by adding thereto a new article, designated §18C-10-1, §18C-10-2, §18C-10-3, §18C-10-4, and §18C-10-5, all relating generally to the establishment of the Katherine Johnson Academy as magnet school programs at colleges and universities in West Virginia; defining terms; creating a board of trustees to govern the Katherine Johnson Academy; providing for membership of the board of trustees, the selection of a chair, terms of the trustees, duties and responsibilities, setting of meetings, and establishing trustees to serve without compensation; authorizing the board of trustees to perform certain duties; providing for the appointment of a president; providing for collaboration agreements for the establishment of magnet school programs; providing for restrictions on the amount that may be charged for tuition, fees, room, board, and books; authorizing the establishment of residential programs and commuter programs at colleges and universities; establishing the Academy of Mathematics and Science and the Academy for the Performing Arts; requiring the board of trustees to select certain host institutions pursuant to a competitive bidding process; establishing certain minimum eligibility requirements for students; authorizing a host institution to determine admission and enrollment; requiring students accepted and admitted into a magnet school program to receive the PROMISE scholarship; providing for students to receive a scholarship from the Katherine Johnson Scholarship Fund; providing that no county board or college or university will be required to participate in this program; requiring the Katherine Johnson Academy, the State Board of Education, and the Higher Education Policy Commission to promulgate a joint rule for the administration of the Katherine Johnson Academy; establishing the Katherine Johnson Scholarship Fund; providing for state and county support for the Katherine Johnson Scholarship Fund based upon per-pupil allocations; defining terms; and providing for rulemaking"; to the Committee on Education then Finance.

By Delegate Hanna:

H. B. 2049 - “A Bill to amend and reenact §17A-10-3a of the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, relating to the registration of antique vehicles"; to the Committee on Technology and Infrastructure.

By Delegate Howell:

H. B. 2050 - “A Bill to amend and reenact §11-6F-2 of the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended; to amend and reenact §11-13S-4 of said code; to amend said code by adding thereto a new article, designated §11-13MM-1, §11-13MM-2, §11-13MM-3, §11-13MM-4, §11-13MM-5, §11-13MM-6, §11-13MM-7, §11-13MM-8, §11-13MM-9, §11-13MM-10, §11-13MM-11, §11-13MM-12, §11-13MM-13, §11-13MM-14, §11-13MM-15, §11-13MM-16, and §11-13MM-17; and to amend said code by adding thereto a new section, designated §11-15-9v, all relating generally to taxation for the manufacturing, sale, and use of certain defined products to encourage economic growth; amending the definition of manufacturing for purposes of special method for appraising qualified capital additions to manufacturing facilities for property tax purposes; amending the formula for calculating the manufacturing investment tax credit amount allowed for manufacturing investment to include tire manufacturing, sport fishing equipment manufacturing, bow, quiver, broadhead, and point manufacturing, arrow shaft manufacturing, vaccine manufacturing, feed stock manufacturing, and fuel refinery manufacturing; increasing the amount of such allowable credit for said industries; creating the West Virginia Economic Diversification Act; providing for administration and enforcement of the tax credit; making legislative findings; stating legislative purpose; defining terms; specifying an amount of credit allowable based upon the amount of federal excise tax paid, providing limitations based upon qualified investment amount; providing conditions for qualification and use; defining in service or use; providing for the application of the credit to the corporate net income tax and the personal income tax, as appropriate; providing for methods of calculation of the qualified investment; providing for carry over and forfeiture of unused tax credits; providing limitations for credits being carried over; allowing transfer of qualified investment property without forfeiture under certain circumstances; requiring identification of qualified investment property and record keeping; providing penalties for failure to keep required records; providing for interpretation and construction; requiring timely filing of application for credit; specifying burden of proof; requiring periodic tax credit review and accountability reports; authorizing rulemaking; making credit subject to West Virginia Tax Procedure and Administration Act and West Virginia Tax Crimes and Penalties Act; and providing for severability; providing effective dates; and providing for certain exemptions"; to the Committee on Education then Finance.

By Delegate Rohrbach:

H. B. 2051 - “A Bill to amend and reenact §16-9A-1, §16-9A-2, §16-9A-3, §16-9A-4, §16-9A-7, and §16-9A-8 of the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended; and to amend said code by adding thereto a new section, designated §16-9A-11, all relating to tobacco usage restrictions;  modifying legislative intent; modifying definitions; prohibiting persons under the age of 21 from purchasing tobacco products, tobacco derived products, or alternative nicotine products; making it a misdemeanor to use tobacco products, tobacco derived products, or alternative nicotine products in a building used for school instruction; prohibiting sales of tobacco products, tobacco derived products, or alternative nicotine products by firm, corporation, or entity to person under age 21; providing criminal penalties for sales of tobacco products, tobacco derived products, or alternative nicotine products; providing employer authority to terminate employment of employee who violates section; making the sale of tobacco products, tobacco derived products, or alternative nicotine products permissible reason for dismissal of employee; establishing that an employee’s sale of tobacco products, tobacco derived products, or alternative nicotine products to persons under 21 be considered gross misconduct for purposes of unemployment compensation; designating the Bureau for Behavioral Health of the Department of Health and Human Resources as the entity responsible to enforce tobacco laws and conduct compliance inspections; and prohibit sales of tobacco products, tobacco derived products, or alternative nicotine products in a display independently accessible by individuals under the age of 21"; to the Committee on Health and Human Resources then the Judiciary.

By Delegate C. Pritt:

H. B. 2052 - “A Bill to amend the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, by adding thereto a new section, designated §11-12-3a, ensuring that all businesses in West Virginia have their respective business licenses and registrations protected from revocation for refusing to comply with any mask requirement issued during a declared state of emergency by the Governor of West Virginia or otherwise; providing for a cause of action; establishing a two-year statute of limitations to file suit; and providing an effective date"; to the Committee on Education then the Judiciary.

By Delegate C. Pritt:

H. B. 2053 - “A Bill to amend and reenact §6-9A-3 of the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, relating to publication of notice of a public meeting and meeting agenda at least three days prior to the date of the meeting by governing bodies of county and local government entities"; to the Committee on Government Organization.

By Delegate Statler:

H. B. 2054 - “A Bill to amend the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, by adding thereto a new article, designated §17-31-1, §17-31-2, §17-31-3, §17-31-4, and §17-31-5, all relating to requiring the Commissioner of Highways to develop a formula for allocating road funds among districts, for the benefit of the counties; making legislative findings; requiring the commissioner to solicit and consider public comments; requiring the commissioner to include certain factors in the formula; and requiring the commissioner to submit the formula to the Legislature for approval as a legislative rule"; to the Committee on Technology and Infrastructure then Finance.

By Delegate Mazzocchi:

H. B. 2055 - “A Bill to amend and reenact §11-4-9 of the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended; to amend said code by adding thereto a new article, designated §11-13LL-1; and to amend and reenact §22-3-32 of said code, all relating to exempting unmined rare earth metals and rare earth elements from taxation in West Virginia; and defining terms of unmined rare earth metals and unmined rare earth elements"; to the Committee on Energy and Manufacturing then Finance.

By Delegate Rohrbach:

H. B. 2056 - “A Bill to amend and reenact §62-12-6 and §62-12-17 of the Code of West Virginia, 1931, all relating to requiring a parolee or probationer found to have suffered with addiction to participate in a support service upon release for a certain period of time"; to the Committee on Jails and Prisons then the Judiciary.

By Delegate Rohrbach:

H. B. 2057 - “A Bill to amend and reenact §16-5Y-7 of the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, relating to requiring the Office of Health Facility Licensure and Certification to inspect office-based medication-assisted treatment programs at least every 24 months"; to the Committee on Health and Human Resources then Finance.

By Delegate Rohrbach:

H. B. 2058 - “A Bill to amend and reenact §49-4-604 of the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, relating to requiring a court to verify certain conditions are met before a child who has been removed from a home may be returned to that home"; to the Committee on Health and Human Resources then the Judiciary.

By Delegate Keaton:

H. B. 2059 - “A Bill to amend and reenact §24-2-1n of the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, relating to the West Virginia Business Ready Sites Program; removing minimum size restrictions and maximum number of sites permitted together with requirement that the program be pilot program; and providing that a potential site may be identified by an economic development agency"; to the Committee on Education.

By Delegate Keaton:

H. B. 2060 - “A Bill to amend the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, by adding thereto a new section, designated §31-15A-25, relating to the reallocation of all Business and Occupation tax revenue, unless otherwise allocated, to a special revenue fund of the Infrastructure and Jobs Development Council; and providing for a three-year fiscal year phase-in date"; to the Committee on Education then Finance.

By Delegate Keaton:

H. B. 2061 - “A Bill to amend the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, by adding thereto a new article, designated §11-5A-1, §11-5A-2, and §11-5A-3, all relating to business personal property tax, and allowing a tax to be assessed at salvage value for business located in economically distressed areas"; to the Committee on Education.

By Delegate Tully:

H. B. 2062 - “A Bill to amend and reenact §17C-1-70 of the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended; and to amend and reenact §17C-11-8 of said code, all relating to modifying e-bike regulations to more closely comport to federal law; creating new definitions of e-bikes in West Virginia; permitting Class 2 e-bikes to use throttles; allowing e-bikes to be operated on public lands to as to increase their usage and accessibility; and stating that users of e-bikes will not be given special privileges not otherwise given to similarly situated riders"; to the Committee on Agriculture and Natural Resources then the Judiciary.

By Delegate Howell:

H. B. 2063 - “A Bill to amend the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, by adding thereto a new article, designated §11-13MM-1, §11-13MM-2, §11-13MM-3, §11-13MM-4, §11-13MM-5, §11-13MM-6, §11-13MM-7, §11-13MM-8, §11-13MM-9, and §11-13MM-10, all relating to the Distribution Center Tax Credit Act; providing for a short title; providing legislative findings and purpose; creating definitions, including specific definitions for both small and large distribution centers; establishing the Distribution Center tax credit; providing for restrictions on investment; providing for a penalty; providing for disclosure of tax credits; providing for tax credit review and accountability; creating rules; and providing for an effective date"; to the Committee on Education.

By Delegate Howell:

H. B. 2064 - “A Bill to amend the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, by adding thereto a new article, designated §11-13PP-1, §11-13PP-2, §11-13PP-3, §11-13PP-4, §11-13PP-5, §11-13PP-6, §11-13PP-7, §11-13PP-8, §11-13PP-9, and §11-13PP-10, all relating to the Commercial Opportunity Zone Tax Credit Act; providing for a short title; providing legislative findings and purpose; creating definitions; establishing the Commercial Opportunity Zone tax credit; providing for restrictions on investment; providing for a penalty; providing for disclosure of tax credits; providing for tax credit review and accountability; creating rules; and providing for an effective date"; to the Committee on Education.

By Delegate Howell:

H. B. 2065 - “A Bill to amend and reenact §11-6F-2 and §11-13S-4 of the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended; and to amend said code by adding thereto a new article, designated §11-13MM-1, §11-13MM-2, §11-13MM-3, §11-13MM-4, §11-13MM-5, §11-13MM-6, §11-13MM-7, §11-13MM-8, §11-13MM-9, §11-13MM-10, §11-13MM-11, §11-13MM-12, §11-13MM-13, §11-13MM-14, §11-13MM-15, §11-13MM-16, §11-13MM-17, all relating generally to taxation for the manufacturing, sale, and use of heavy duty trucks and products associated therewith to encourage economic growth; amending the definition of manufacturing for purposes of special method for appraising qualified capital additions to manufacturing facilities for property tax purposes; amending the formula for calculating the manufacturing investment tax credit amount allowed for manufacturing investment to include heavy duty truck manufacturing; increasing the amount of such allowable credit for said industries; creating the West Virginia Heavy Duty Truck Excise Tax Elimination Act; providing for administration and enforcement of the tax credit; making legislative findings; stating legislative purpose; defining terms; specifying an amount of credit allowable based upon the amount of federal excise tax paid, providing limitations based upon qualified investment amount; providing conditions for qualification and use; defining in service or use; providing for the application of the credit to the corporate net income tax and the personal income tax, as appropriate; providing for methods of calculation of the qualified investment; providing for carry over and forfeiture of unused tax credits; providing limitations for credits being carried over; allowing transfer of qualified investment property without forfeiture under certain circumstances; requiring identification of qualified investment property and record keeping; providing penalties for failure to keep required records; providing for interpretation and construction; requiring timely filing of application for credit; specifying burden of proof; requiring periodic tax credit review and accountability reports; authorizing rulemaking; making credit subject to West Virginia Tax Procedure and Administration Act and West Virginia Tax Crimes and Penalties Act; and providing for severability; providing effective dates; and providing for certain exemptions"; to the Committee on Education.

By Delegate Fluharty:

H. B. 2066 - “A Bill to repeal §55-9-1, §55-9-2, and §55-9-3 of the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, all relating to repealing antiquated provisions relating to void gaming contracts, recovery and loss of money in gaming, and recovery of gaming losses by bill in equity"; to the Committee on the Judiciary.

By Delegate Hanna:

H. B. 2067 - “A Bill to amend the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, by adding thereto a new section, designated §61-7-18, relating to creating the ‘Firearm Protection Act’; providing that any federal law which attempts to ban semiautomatic firearms or to limit the size of a magazine of a firearm or other limitation on firearms in this state is unenforceable in West Virginia; and providing an effective date"; to the Committee on the Judiciary.

By Delegate Hanna:

H. B. 2068 - “A Bill to amend the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, by adding thereto a new section, designated §11-21-12n, relating to providing taxpayers repaying their own student loans a modification reducing federal adjusted gross in the amount of the interest paid, for personal income tax purposes"; to the Committee on Education then Finance.

By Delegate Hanna:

H. B. 2069 - “A Bill to amend and reenact §17-16A-29 of the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, relating to including emergency response vehicles in the single fee program for EZ Pass transponders"; to the Committee on Fire Departments and Emergency Medical Services then Finance.

By Delegate Hanna:

H. B. 2070 - “A Bill to amend and reenact §18-2-42 of the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended; to amend said code by adding thereto a new article, designated §18-21A-1, §18-21A-2, §18-21A-3, §18-21A-4, §18-21A-5, §18-21A-6, and §18-21A-7; and to amend said code by adding thereto a new article, designated §18-34-1 and §18-34-2, all relating to vocational and technical education programs; requiring the State Board and Commerce Department to create lists of apprenticeships and certifications and credentials to provide to students; creating a career and technical education pilot program to introduce middle school students career and technical education opportunities in the state and requiring county school districts to provide certain information to students; establishing the Governor’s Workforce Credential; establishing requirements for the Governor’s Workforce Credential; and mandating graduation recognition for recipients of credential"; to the Committee on Education.

By Delegate Hanna:

H. B. 2071 - “A Bill to amend the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, by adding thereto a new article, designated §8-5A-1, relating to creating the Taxation With Representation Act whereby nonresidents of a municipality who work in that municipality and who pay user fees pursuant to a municipal ordinance may vote in municipal elections"; to the Committee on Political Subdivisions then the Judiciary.

By Delegate Pushkin:

H. B. 2072 - “A Bill to repeal §60A-7-704, §60A-7-705a, §60A-7-706, §60A-7-707, and §60A-7-708 of the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended; to amend said code by adding thereto a new section, designated §60A-7-702a; to amend and reenact §60A-7-703 of said code; to amend said code by adding thereto two new sections, designated §60A-7-703a and §60A-7-703b; to amend and reenact §60A-7-705 of said code; and to amend said code by adding thereto nine new sections, designated §60A-7-709, §60A-7-710, §60A-7-711, §60A-7-712, §60A-7-713, §60A-7-714, §60A-7-715, §60A-7-716, and §60A-7-717, all relating generally to forfeiture of contraband; establishing criminal forfeiture and the items and property subject to forfeiture; setting forth additional procedures for forfeiture; establishing dates; permitting a court to waive a conviction requirement; protecting innocent owners; permitting seizure of personal property with and without process; providing that there are no additional remedies and no joint and severable liability; establishing title; setting forth the disposition of forfeited property and proceeds; establishing prohibition on retaining property; establishing sales restrictions, return of property, damages, and costs; permitting the transfer of forfeited property to the federal government; providing for preemption; and defining terms"; to the Committee on the Judiciary.

By Delegate Toney:

H. B. 2073 - “A Bill to amend and reenact §12-1-1, §12-1-2, §12-1-3, §12-1-6, §12-1-7, §12-1-9, §12-1-10, §12-1-11, and §12-1-12 of the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended; and to amend said code by adding thereto a new article, designated §12-10-1, §12-10-2, §12-10-3, §12-10-4, §12-10-5, §12-10-6, §12-10-7, §12-10-8, §12-10-9, §12-10-10, §12-10-11, §12-10-12, §12-10-13, §12-10-14, §12-10-15, §12-10-16, §12-10-17, §12-10-18, §12-10-19, §12-10-20, §12-10-21, §12-10-22, §12-10-23, §12-10-24, and §12-10-25, all relating to creating the Bank of West Virginia as a state bank; transferring the banking authorities of the State Treasurer to the State Bank; designating the Bank of West Virginia be the depositor of all state funds; providing the Bank of West Virginia provide or contract for banking services; authorizing contracting with state and federal credit unions; establishing the mission of the Bank of West Virginia; providing for a Citizens Advisory Commission; providing for the selection of an Advisory Board of Directors; describing the authority of the board of directors; providing for a bank president; establishing powers of the bank; providing for partnering with local financial institutions to create access to capital loans for community development; requiring annual audits; requiring reporting; authorizing the electronic transfer of funds; authorizing the bank to promulgate legislative rules; providing for  the confidentiality of bank records; and prohibiting conflicts of interest"; to the Committee on Banking and Insurance then the Judiciary.

By Delegate C. Pritt:

H. B. 2074 - “A Bill to amend the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, by adding thereto a new section, designated §15-5-31, relating to ensuring that religious services and houses of worship remain open during any declared state of emergency by the Governor of West Virginia; providing for a cause of action; establishing a two-year statute of limitations to file suit; and providing an effective date"; to the Committee on the Judiciary.

By Delegate Griffith:

H. B. 2075 - “A Bill to amend the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, by adding thereto a new article, designated §30-5A-1, relating to requiring medication status information be provided to a patient’s pharmacy when updating prescriptions or changing medications; and authorizing the Board of Pharmacy to propose a legislative rule"; to the Committee on Health and Human Resources.

By Delegate Griffith:

H. B. 2076 - “A Bill to amend the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, by adding thereto a new article, designated §30-5A-1, relating to requiring documentation of changes to patient prescriptions and notification to patient’s pharmacy"; to the Committee on Health and Human Resources.

By Delegate Martin:

H. B. 2077 - “A Bill to amend and reenact §18B-4-5a of the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, relating to permitting the carrying of concealed weapons on the campus of a state institution of higher education"; to the Committee on Education then the Judiciary.

By Delegate Statler:

H. B. 2078 - “A Bill to amend the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, by adding thereto a new section, designated §17-2A-25, relating to performance metrics for the West Virginia Division of Highways; requiring the division to develop performance standards and criteria to measure agency performance in all essential operations; requiring the division to employ a management information system that will track the division’s past and current progress toward meeting performance standards; and requiring the division to report to the Joint Committee on Infrastructure"; to the Committee on Technology and Infrastructure then Government Organization.

By Delegate Walker:

H. B. 2079 - “A Bill to amend the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, by adding thereto a new article, designated §11-13MM-1, §11-13MM-2, §11-13MM-3, and §11-13MM-4, relating to school personnel, providing for a housing tax credit for teachers residing in West Virginia for five years or greater"; to the Committee on Education then Finance.

By Delegate Toney:

H. B. 2080 - “A Bill to amend and reenact §17C-12-7 of the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, relating to providing that when a registered owner or lessee of a motor vehicle that is involved in the overtaking and passing of a stopped school bus is charged for a violation and misdemeanor offense, the state is not relieved of its burden of proof"; to the Committee on Technology and Infrastructure then the Judiciary.

By Delegate Walker:

H. B. 2081 - “A Bill to amend the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, by adding thereto a new section, designated §37-6-31, relating to creating a Renter’s Bill of Rights and Tenant Protection Act; limiting rental rate increases under certain circumstances; setting forth exclusions; providing definitions; and providing an effective date"; to the Committee on the Judiciary.

By Delegate Walker:

H. B. 2082 - “A Bill to amend and reenact §7-1-3 of the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended; to amend said code by adding thereto a new section, designated §8-11-3a; to amend said code by adding thereto a new section, designated §19-20-3a; and to amend and reenact §33-6-14 of said code, all relating to prohibiting the enactment or enforcement of any statute, ordinance, legislative rule, policy or law that applies specifically to a particular dog breed or dog breed mix"; to the Committee on Agriculture and Natural Resources then the Judiciary.

By Delegate Walker:

H. B. 2083 - “A Bill to amend and reenact §19-1-4a of the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, relating to requiring the Commissioner of Agriculture to provide grant money for pollinator friendly gardening and horticulture habitats"; to the Committee on Agriculture and Natural Resources then Finance.

By Delegate Walker:

H. B. 2084 - “A Bill to amend the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, by adding thereto a new section, designated §14-2-12a, relating to claims against the state for damages due to the condition of a road or highway; providing that during a state of emergency lasting 6 months or more, awards to vehicle owners for damages resulting from the design or condition of a roadway shall include the amount that would otherwise be excluded as auto insurance deductibles"; to the Committee on Banking and Insurance then Finance.

By Delegate Walker:

H. B. 2085 - “A Bill to amend and reenact §31G-1A-2 of the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, relating to powers and duties of the Office of Broadband; and requiring broadband operators to offer reduced rates to persons receiving social security supplemental security income (SSI), aid to families with dependent children (AFDC), aid to families with dependent children-- unemployed (AFDC-U), or food stamps, if such food stamp recipients are 60 years of age or older"; to the Committee on Technology and Infrastructure then Finance.

By Delegate Walker:

H. B. 2086 - “A Bill to amend and reenact §16-54-8 of the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, relating to increasing the number of pain management visits insurance companies must cover under the opioid reduction act"; to the Committee on Banking and Insurance then the Judiciary.

By Delegate Walker:

H. B. 2087 - “A Bill to amend and reenact §21-6-3 of the Code of West Virginia, 1931 as amended, relating to authorizing children age 12 or older to referee youth sporting events; and establishing conditions for eligibility"; to the Committee on Education.

By Delegate Walker:

H. B. 2088 - “A Bill to amend the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, by adding thereto a new section, designated §11-21-80, relating to providing an exemption for state income tax for West Virginia public school teachers and personnel; and providing for guidelines"; to the Committee on Finance.

By Delegate Walker:

H. B. 2089 - “A Bill to amend and reenact §2-2-1a of the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, relating to the establishment of a special memorial day to be known as Juneteenth honoring human rights and the end of slavery in the United States; and encouraging all counties and municipalities in the state to do the same"; to the Committee on Government Organization.

By Delegate Walker:

H. B. 2090 - “A Bill to amend the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, by adding thereto a new section, designated §5-6-18; and to amend and reenact §17-2A-21 of said code, all relating to requiring sharps containers in all state buildings and facilities where the public is allowed and at welcome centers and rest areas on public highways"; to the Committee on Health and Human Resources then Finance.

By Delegate Walker:

H. B. 2091 - “A Bill to amend the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, by adding thereto a new article, designated §16A-17-1, §16A-17-2, §16A-17-3, §16A-17-4, §16A-17-5, and §16A-17-6, all relating to the decriminalization and legalization of cannabis; providing for a legislative purpose and findings; defining certain terms; legalizing the possession of one ounce or less of cannabis and cannabis products by adults; authorizing a special excise tax on cannabis; creating a new fund and dedicating proceeds of the fund, including funding for PEIA, for orphan roads, and for the Herbert Henderson Office of Minority Affairs; providing current laws relating to employment, vehicle operation, underage use or private property use preserved; and that the operation of this article is not intended to alter the West Virginia Medical Cannabis Act"; to the Committee on Health and Human Resources then the Judiciary then Finance.

By Delegate Walker:

H. B. 2092 - “A Bill to amend the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, by adding thereto a new section, designated §5-11-22, relating to discrimination, prohibiting discrimination on the basis of hairstyle or texture"; to the Committee on Government Organization then the Judiciary.

By Delegate Howell:

H. B. 2093 - “A Bill to amend and reenact §11A-1-3 of the Code of West Virginia, as amended, relating to allowing for monthly payments on current real and personal property taxes, with a mechanism to allow for minor charges for those that take advantage of spreading these taxes out over many months"; to the Committee on Finance.

By Delegate Walker:

H. B. 2094 - “A Bill to amend the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, by adding thereto a new section, designated §31A-8B-6, relating to requiring an audit to be made of the compliance of Commissioner of Banking and the Board of Banking and Financial Institutions to assess their compliance with the West Virginia Community Reinvestment Act; requiring the Legislative Auditor to conduct the audit; specifying essential issues to review; and requiring report to be submitted to the Joint Committee on Government and Finance"; to the Committee on Government Organization then Finance.

By Delegate Walker:

H. B. 2095 - “A Bill to amend the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, by adding thereto a new article, designated §22-34-1, relating to creating a quasi-public corporation to be known as the Wild and Wonderful Restoration Task Force Corporation; purposes; duties; and providing for legislative rules to prescribe the organization, powers, and duties of the corporation"; to the Committee on Agriculture and Natural Resources then Government Organization.

By Delegate Walker:

H. B. 2096 - “A Bill to repeal §21-1A-1, §21-1A-2, §21-1A-3, §21-1A-4, §21-1A-5, §21-1A-6, §21-1A-7, and §21-1A-8 of the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, all relating to the Labor- Management Relations Act For The Private Sector"; to the Committee on Workforce Development then the Judiciary.

By Delegate Walker:

H. B. 2097 - “A Bill to amend the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, by adding thereto a new article, designated §25-8-1, §25-8-2, §25-8-3, §25-8-4, and §25-8-5, all relating to creating the West Virginia Higher Education Prison Task force; providing legislative findings; providing for the creation of the task force; providing for the makeup and composition of the task force; providing for a pay and meeting schedule, as well as a reporting requirement; and detailing the goal of the task force"; to the Committee on Jails and Prisons then Education then Finance.

By Delegate Walker:

H. B. 2098 - “A Bill to amend and reenact §48-19-105 of the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, relating to increasing minimum salaries for Bureau for Child Support Enforcement attorneys"; to the Committee on Finance.

By Delegate Walker:

H. B. 2099 - “A Bill to amend and reenact §37-6A-2 of the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, relating to requiring landlords to provide renters with the full amount of their security deposit if the landlord has failed any dwelling unit inspections on the property where the tenant is renting or leasing"; to the Committee on the Judiciary.

By Delegate Walker:

H. B. 2100 - “A Bill to amend the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, by adding thereto a new section, designated §61-6-15, relating to establishing the misdemeanor crime of obstructing access to medical facilities; prohibiting the use of force, physical detention, obstruction, or other physical hinderance of another person to prevent that person from entering or exiting a medical facility; defining the term medical facility; providing certain exceptions and limitations; and establishing criminal penalties"; to the Committee on Health and Human Resources then the Judiciary.

By Delegate Walker:

H. B. 2101 - “A Bill to amend and reenact §16-5-18 of the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended; to amend and reenact §17B-2-8 and §17B-2-13 of said code; and to amend said code by adding thereto a new article, designated §55-22-1, §55-22-2, §55-22-3, §55-22-4, and §55-22-5, all relating to obtaining an appropriate gender marker for state documents; to providing an avenue by which persons may petition the courts to change their gender; providing for an objection process; providing guidelines for when judges may or may not grant the request; and providing for a joint petition process"; to the Committee on Health and Human Resources then the Judiciary.

By Delegate C. Pritt:

H. B. 2102 - “A Bill to amend the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, by adding thereto a new section designated §55-2-23, relating to the Protecting Everyone’s Constitutional Rights Act; ending qualified immunity; providing legislative findings and definitions; clarifying respondeat superior liability and recognizing a civil action for injury by the act or omission of a government employee under the color of law; addressing the judicial process and state court jurisdiction; providing for attorney fees; providing for termination of a contract, agreement or employment; providing a three-year statute of limitations; addressing judicial and legislative immunity, and public information; and providing an effective date"; to the Committee on the Judiciary.

By Delegate C. Pritt:

H. B. 2103 - “A Bill to amend and reenact §48-9-501 of the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, relating to making a de facto parenting plan an affirmative defense to the violation of a parenting plan"; to the Committee on the Judiciary.

By Delegate McGeehan:

H. B. 2104 - “A Bill to amend the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, by adding thereto a new article, designated §5-30-1, §5-30-2, §5-30-3, §5-30-4, and §5-30-5, all relating to providing that all future federal, state and local statutes, ordinances, laws, orders, rules, and any other actions which attempt to restrict, tax, or regulate the possession, use, discharge in lawful self-defense, transportation, purchase, acquisition, sale, transfer, ownership, carrying, manufacture, or repair of firearms, firearm accessories, ammunition and their accouterments are invalid and unenforceable; making it a felony to attempt to enforce a federal, state or local statute, ordinance, law, order, rule, or any other action which attempts to restrict, tax, or regulate possession, use, discharge in lawful self-defense, transportation, purchase, acquisition, sale, transfer, ownership, carrying, manufacture, or repair of firearms, firearm accessories, ammunition, or their accouterments; prohibiting such laws, orders, rules, policies, and other actions by executive departments and state agencies, and providing a felony for violation; providing definitions; making findings; providing penalties; requiring the Attorney General to defend citizens of West Virginia who are prosecuted by the United States government for violation of a federal law relating to the possession, use, discharge in lawful self-defense, transportation, purchase, acquisition, sale, transfer, ownership, carrying, manufacture, or repair of a firearm, a firearm accessory, or ammunition; providing exemptions; providing for retroactivity; and providing that ex post facto laws are not created"; to the Committee on the Judiciary.

By Delegate C. Pritt:

H. B. 2105 - “A Bill to amend and reenact §15-5-6 of the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, relating to prohibit the emergency powers of the Governor from restricting the ability of West Virginia citizens to enter or exit the State of West Virginia; and providing right to injunctive relief"; to the Committee on the Judiciary.

By Delegate C. Pritt:

H. B. 2106 - “A Bill to amend and reenact §49-4-701 of the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, relating to authorizing family courts to certify a juvenile to the jurisdiction of a circuit court for proceedings"; to the Committee on the Judiciary.

By Delegate Martin:

H. B. 2107 - “A Bill to amend and reenact §60A-9-5 of the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, relating to adding to the persons who have access to the Controlled Substances Monitoring Database maintained by the Board of Pharmacy"; to the Committee on Health and Human Resources.

By Delegate C. Pritt:

H. B. 2108 - “A Bill to amend and reenact §18-5F-4 of the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, relating to prohibiting county boards of education from restricting parents from monitoring virtual instruction programs; and providing for injunctive relief"; to the Committee on Education then the Judiciary.

By Delegate Pushkin:

H. B. 2109 - “A Bill to amend the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended by adding thereto a new section, designated §5-16-7h; to amend said code by adding thereto a new section, designated §33-15-4x; to amend said code by adding thereto a new section, designated §33-16-3ii; to amend said code by adding thereto a new section, designated §33-24-7x, to amend said code by adding thereto a new section, designated §33-25-8u; and to amend said code by adding thereto a new section, designated §33-25A-8x, all relating to requiring the Public Employees Agency and other health insurance providers to provide mental health parity between behavioral health, mental health, substance use disorders and medical and surgical procedures; providing definitions; providing mandatory coverage; providing for mandatory annual reporting; providing for rulemaking; and setting forth an effective date"; to the Committee on Banking and Insurance then Finance.

By Delegate Pushkin:

H. B. 2110 - “A Bill to amend and reenact §15-2C-1 of the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended; to amend said code by adding thereto a new section, designated §15-2C-2a; and to amend and reenact §15-2C-3, §15-2C-4 and §15-2C-8 of said code, all relating to creating a domestic violence registry; providing a purpose; directing the Criminal Identification Bureau of the West Virginia State Police to establish and maintain the registry; providing for confidential inquiry of persons on the registry; establishing criteria for placement on and releasing information from the registry; requiring prosecuting attorneys to provide certain information; and defining terms"; to the Committee on the Judiciary then Finance.

By Delegate Pushkin:

H. B. 2111 - “A Bill to repeal §33-16E-1 of the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended; and to amend and reenact §33-16E-2, §33-16E-4, §33-16E-5, §33-16E-6 and §33-16E-7, all relating to increasing access to contraceptive drugs, devices, and procedures"; to the Committee on Banking and Insurance then Health and Human Resources.

By Delegate Mallow:

H. B. 2112 - “A Bill to amend the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, by adding thereto a new article, designated §29B-2-1, §29B-2-2, §29B-2-3, §29B-2-4, §29B-2-5, §29B-2-6, §29B-2-7, §29B-2-8, §29B-2-9, §29B-2-10, §29B-2-11, §29B-2-12, and §29B-2-13, all relating to creating a Law-Enforcement Officers’ Bill of Rights; providing definitions; general rights of officers; general procedure in investigation or interrogation by a law-enforcement agency of a law-enforcement officer; right to hearing by a hearing board; disposition of administrative action; judicial review expungement of record of formal complaint; summary punishment; emergency suspension; and  misdemeanor offense for false statement, report, or complaint, with penalty"; to the Committee on the Judiciary.

By Delegate Smith:

H. B. 2113 - “A Bill to amend and reenact §61-8D-3 and §61-8D-4 of the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, all relating to modifying the criminal penalties imposed on a parent, guardian or custodian for child abuse resulting in injury and child abuse or neglect creating risk of injury; providing that a prior conviction under this section subjects a person to increased penalties; and providing a definition for a prior conviction"; to the Committee on the Judiciary.

By Delegate Smith:

H. B. 2114 - “A Bill to amend and reenact §61-6-19 of the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, relating to allowing the concealed carry of firearms on and in Capitol grounds"; to the Committee on the Judiciary.

By Delegate McGeehan:

H. B. 2115 - “A Bill to amend and reenact §11-3-9 of the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended; and to amend and reenact §11-21-12 of said code, all relating to exempting law-enforcement officers who are members of a municipal paid police department, county sheriff’s office or the State Police from payment of income and personal property taxes"; to the Committee on Political Subdivisions then Finance.

By Delegate McGeehan:

H. B. 2116 - “A Bill to amend the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, by adding thereto a new section, designated §11-21-26, relating to allowing a taxpayer a personal income tax credit for each dependent that participated in home educational instruction for the most recent academic year"; to the Committee on Education then Finance.

By Delegate McGeehan:

H. B. 2117 - “A Bill to amend and reenact §20-2-5 of the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, relating to the hunting of coyotes; permitting year-round hunting of coyotes using artificial light or night vision technology and permitting hunting of coyotes at any hour"; to the Committee on Agriculture and Natural Resources then the Judiciary.

By Delegate McGeehan:

H. B. 2118 - “A Bill to repeal §47-11A-1, §47-11A-2, §47-11A-3, §47-11A-4, §47-11A-5, §47-11A-6, §47-11A-7, §47-11A-8, §47-11A-9, §47-11A-11, §47-11A-12a, and §47-11A-14 of the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, all relating to repealing the article on unfair trade practices"; to the Committee on the Judiciary.

By Delegate Anderson:

H. B. 2119 - “A Bill to amend the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, by adding thereto a new article, designated §5B-2N-1, §5B-2N-2, §5B-2N-3, §5B-2N-4, §5B-2N-5, §5B-2N-6, and §5B-2N-7, all relating to authorizing local units of government to adopt local energy efficiency partnership programs and to create districts to promote use of energy efficiency improvements by owners of certain real property; providing for financing of programs through voluntary property assessments, commercial lending and other means; authorizing local unit of government to issue bonds, notes and other evidences of indebtedness and to pay the cost of energy efficiency improvements from the proceeds thereof; providing for repayment of bonds, notes and other evidences of indebtedness; authorizing certain fees; prescribing the powers and duties of certain governmental officers and entities; and  providing remedies"; to the Committee on Energy and Manufacturing then Finance.

By Delegate Anderson:

H. B. 2120 - “A Bill to amend and reenact §24-2-1l of the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, relating to coal fired power plants, regarding environmental pollution controls for coal-fired power plant findings; allowing utilities to file with the commission an application for the expedited recovery of costs for the installation and operation and maintenance of environmental pollution control equipment"; to the Committee on Energy and Manufacturing.

By Delegate Anderson:

H. B. 2121 - “A Bill to amend and reenact §22-15A-3a of the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, relating to the Adopt-A-Stream program; requiring volunteers aged 17 or under be accompanied by adult; allowing department to approve or deny applications at its discretion; lengthening period of adoptions from one to three years; and requiring one cleanup of river prior to road signs being erected"; to the Committee on Government Organization.

By Delegate Steele:

H. B. 2122 - “A Bill to amend the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended by adding thereto a new section designated §62-1A-12; relating to custodial interrogation of a child; requiring the child have contact with legal counsel by certain means; requiring the child have contact with a parent, guardian, legal custodian, or other legally recognized equivalent by certain means; permitting a law-enforcement officer to ask questions reasonably believed to be necessary to protect life or property without requiring contact with counsel, parents, guardians, or other recognized persons; and requiring questions of a child be limited to obtaining such information reasonably believed to be necessary to protect life or property"; to the Committee on the Judiciary.

By Delegate Steele:

H. B. 2123 - “A Bill to amend and reenact §48-10-203 of the Code of West Virginia, 1931, relating to persons who may apply for grandparent visitation, providing for an expanded definition of ‘grandparent"; to the Committee on Senior, Children, and Family Issues then the Judiciary.

By Delegate Steele:

H. B. 2124 - “A Bill to amend and reenact §16-3-4 of the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, relating to removing Hepatitis B vaccine from the list of from compulsory immunizations"; to the Committee on Health and Human Resources then Education.

By Delegate Steele:

H. B. 2125 - “A Bill to repeal §5-11-5, §5-11-6, §5-11-7, §5-11-8, §5-11-11, §5-11-12, §5-11-13, §5-11-14, and §5-11-17 of the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended; to amend and reenact §5-11-3, §5-11-4, §5-11-10, and §5-11-18 of said code; and to amend said code by adding thereto a new section, designated §5-11-22, all relating to the termination of the Human Rights Commission; providing for the courts of this state to hear claims relating to discrimination or other jurisdiction of the commission; providing for the courts the powers and objectives to carry out the provisions; providing for the courts to receive complaints, conduct hearings, and issue orders relating to discriminatory practices; providing for the right of a plaintiff or defendant to request a jury trial; providing for the courts of this state to issue injunctions relating to certain housing complaints; providing for termination of the Human Rights Commission; providing for 180 days for the commission to wind up its affairs; providing for other mechanisms persons in this state may seek redress for complaints filed with the commission; providing for any remaining funds outstanding the day the commission ceases to exist to be used for any outstanding financial obligations; and providing for any remaining funds from the commission after paying financial obligations be transferred to the General Revenue Fund"; to the Committee on Government Organization.

By Delegate Steele:

H. B. 2126 - “A Bill to amend and reenact §15A-3-14 of the Code of West Virginia 1931, as amended, relating to increasing the amount of money for which a purchase may be made without obtaining three bids to $10,000"; to the Committee on Finance.

By Delegate Steele:

H. B. 2127 - “A Bill to amend and reenact §48-8-101 of the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended; and to repeal §48-8-102, §48-8-103, §48-8-104, §48-8-105, and §48-8-106 of said code, all relating to abolishing spousal support"; to the Committee on the Judiciary.

By Delegate Steele:

H. B. 2128 - “A Bill to amend and reenact §23-4-1 of the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, relating to compensable diseases of certain firefighters covered by workers’ compensation; establishing rebuttable presumption of injury arising out of and in the course of employment for certain covered firefighters that develop bladder cancer, mesothelioma, and testicular cancer; and providing that the rebuttable presumption expires on July 1, 2027, unless extended by the Legislature"; to the Committee on Fire Departments and Emergency Medical Services then the Judiciary.

By Delegate Steele:

H. B. 2129 - “A Bill to amend the Code of West Virginia, as amended, by adding thereto a new section, designated §62-12-30, relating to extended supervision for certain drug offenders; establishing supervised release penalty of up to 10 years for certain drug offenders; establishing when period of supervised release begins; providing for supervision by multijudicial circuit probation officers; clarifying terms of supervised release same as those for probation; establishing a fee for supervised release; establishing that court may modify or revoke supervised release; providing court required probation officer provide written conditions; providing for supervised release following revocation; providing for delayed revocation"; to the Committee on the Judiciary.

By Delegate Steele:

H. B. 2130 - “A Bill to amend and reenact §48-13-201 of the Code of West Virginia,1931, as amended; and to amend said code by adding thereto a new section, designated §48-13-403a, all relating to allowing as a deduction to determine adjusted gross income for either parent student loan payments and mortgage payments not to exceed 25 percent of gross income"; to the Committee on Senior, Children, and Family Issues then the Judiciary.

By Delegate Steele:

H. B. 2131 - “A Bill to amend the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, by adding thereto a new section, designated §6-7-9, relating to prohibiting payroll deductions to electioneering organizations"; to the Committee on the Judiciary.

By Delegate Steele:

H. B. 2132 - “A Bill to amend and reenact §8-13-13 of the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, relating to providing that a municipal services user fee may not be imposed on employees of the state because of their employment status"; to the Committee on Political Subdivisions then Finance.

By Delegate Steele:

H. B. 2133 - “A Bill to amend the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, by adding thereto a new section, designated §11-21-24a, relating to establishing tax credits for parents and legal guardians whose children are in a home schooling program or private school; and providing rule-making authority"; to the Committee on Finance.

By Delegate Toney:

H. B. 2134 - “A Bill to amend and reenact §5-16-13 of the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, relating to the use of accrued annual and sick leave for retirement service credit in the Teachers Retirement System"; to the Committee on Pensions and Retirement then Finance.

By Delegate Toney:

H. B. 2135 - “A Bill to amend and reenact §18-5-4 of the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, relating to county board of education compensation; increasing compensation to $250 per meeting"; to the Committee on Education then Finance.

By Delegate Toney:

H. B. 2136 - “A Bill to amend the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, by adding thereto a new section, designated §5-10-37; and to amend said code by adding thereto a new section, designated §18-7A-26x, all relating to providing a cost-of-living provision for certain persons retired under the Public Employees Retirement System and the Teachers Retirement System"; to the Committee on Pensions and Retirement then Finance.

By Delegate Toney:

H. B. 2137 - “A Bill to amend the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, by adding thereto a new section, designated §18A-4-10b, relating to providing an optional lump sum payment of accrued personal leave to full-time employees of a county school board upon termination of full-time employment"; to the Committee on Education then Finance.

By Delegate Toney:

H. B. 2138 - “A Bill to amend and reenact §18-7A-28 of the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, relating to the State Teachers Retirement System; options to beneficiaries; and authorizing a change of options because of death of beneficiary with a joint life annuity, within the first five years of retirement"; to the Committee on Pensions and Retirement then Finance.

By Delegate Toney:

H. B. 2139 - “A Bill to amend the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, by adding thereto a new section, designated §5-10-55, relating to a one-time cost-of-living supplement to retirement benefits under $60,000 a year"; to the Committee on Pensions and Retirement then Finance.

By Delegate Hornbuckle:

H. B. 2140 - “A Bill to amend the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, by adding thereto a new section, designated §5-16-7h; to amend said code by adding thereto a new section, designated §16-5A-6; to amend said code by adding thereto a new section, designated §33-15-4x; to amend and reenact §33-16-3g of said code; to amend said code by adding thereto a new section, designated §33-16-3pp; to amend and reenact §33-24-7b of said code; to amend said code by adding thereto a new section, designated §33-24-7x; to amend said code by adding thereto a new section, designated §33-25-8u; and to amend said code by adding thereto a new section, designated §33-25A-8x, all relating to insurance coverage for breast cancer screening"; to the Committee on Banking and Insurance then Finance.

By Delegate Hornbuckle:

H. B. 2141 - “A Bill to amend the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, by adding thereto a new section, designated §30-29-15, relating to the establishment of the Police Partnering With Communities Act; providing for a short title; providing for legislative findings; defining a ‘distressed area;’ providing for the establishment of the Police Partnering With Communities Fund; and providing for an effective date"; to the Committee on the Judiciary then Finance.

By Delegate Hornbuckle:

H. B. 2142 - “A Bill to amend and reenact §15A-3-4 of the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, relating to requiring correctional facilities to assist juvenile and adult offenders to obtain a Social Security number and card, a birth certificate, and a driver’s license"; to the Committee on Jails and Prisons then the Judiciary.

By Delegate Hornbuckle:

H. B. 2143 - “A Bill to amend the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, by adding thereto a new article, designated §16-25A-1, §16-25A-2, and §16-25A-3, all relating to screening for adverse childhood experiences; providing for a definition and setting forth legislative findings; and setting forth terms for mandatory insurance coverage and school coverage"; to the Committee on Banking and Insurance then Finance.

By Delegate Barnhart:

H. B. 2144 - “A Bill to amend the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, by adding thereto a new article, designated, §5-30-1, §5-30-2, §5-30-3, §5-30-4, §5-30-5, §5-30-6, §5-30-7, §5-30-8, §5-30-9, and §5-30-10, all relating to creating the ‘Council on Efficient Government;’ providing a purpose of ensuring that each state agency focuses on its core mission and delivers goods and services effectively and efficiently by leveraging resources and contracting with private sector vendors, if those vendors can more effectively and efficiently provide goods and services and reduce the cost of government; evaluating for feasibility, cost effectiveness, and efficiency business cases to be outsourced before a state agency proceeds with any outsourcing of goods or services; providing for a review process by the Governor’s office; defining applicability; and setting terms"; to the Committee on Government Organization.

By Delegate Hornbuckle:

H. B. 2145 - “A Bill to repeal §16A-5-10 of the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended; to amend said code by adding thereto a new article, designated §5B-11-1, §5B-11-2, §5B-11-3, §5B-11-4, §5B-11-5, §5B-11-6, §5B-11-7, §5B-11-8, §5B-11-9, §5B-11-10, §5B-11-11, §5B-11-12, §5B-11-13, §5B-11-14, §5B-11-15, and §5B-11-16; to amend and reenact §16A-15-4 of said code; and to amend said code by adding thereto a new section, designated §60A-7-709, all relating to decriminalizing cannabis; providing a short title; providing legislative purpose and findings; providing for definitions; permitting the possession of cannabis and cannabis products by adults; permitting production and adult use of cannabis; restricting public smoking of cannabis; prohibiting false identification to obtain cannabis; providing for the unlawful extraction of cannabis; providing for the lawful operation of a cannabis facility;  permitting growing and possession of cannabis by adults; providing procedure for municipalities to enact an ordinance to permit cannabis production and sales; regulating market activity for the production, sales, transfer, and transport of cannabis; establishing diversity licensing goals for minority, women, and veteran owned businesses; establishing mechanisms for permitting and licensing production and sales facilities by the Department of Commerce and localities; authorizing the department to promulgate rules, establish licensing, and administrative penalties relating to the production, sales, transfer, and transport cannabis in authorizing counties; authorizing the Department of Revenue to promulgate rules and administer tax collections; authorizing localities to regulate manufacturing and sales locations; providing for safety warning and inserts on cannabis products; authorizing a special excise tax on cannabis; creating a new fund and dedicating proceeds of the fund to additional funds; creating new funds for excise tax deposits; providing for a portion of tax collected benefit municipal governments where market activity occurs; providing current laws relating to employment, vehicle operation, underage use or private property use preserved; providing for background checks to employ anyone in a cannabis establishment; establishing certain conditions for employees to pass background checks; providing that no medical cannabis provisions are affected; expanding protections to employees relating to employment and the use of medical cannabis; and prohibiting asset forfeiture"; to the Committee on Health and Human Resources then the Judiciary then Finance.

By Delegate Hornbuckle:

H. B. 2146 - “A Bill to amend the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, by adding thereto a new article, designated §21-3F-1, §21-3F-2, §21-3F-3, §21-3F-4, and §21-3F-5, all relating to enacting a workplace violence prevention for health care and social service workers act; providing legislative findings, definitions, workplace violence prevention standard, and requirements for such"; to the Committee on Health and Human Resources then the Judiciary.

By Delegate Smith:

H. B. 2147 - “A Bill to amend and reenact §11-8-16 of the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, relating to allowing for surplus money collected above voter approved excess levy requests to remain with the county voting for the levy and placed in the county’s general fund"; to the Committee on Political Subdivisions then Finance.

By Delegate Hanna:

H. B. 2148 - “A Bill to repeal §18-9D-1, §18-9D-2, §18-9D-3, §18-9D-4, §18-9D-4a, §18-9D-4b, §18-9D-4c, §18-9D-4d, §18-9D-5, §18-9D-6, §18-9D-7, §18-9D-8, §18-9D-9, §18-9D-10, §18-9D-11, §18-9D-12, §18-9D-13, §18-9D-14, §18-9D-15, §18-9D-16, §18-9D-17, §18-9D-18, §18-9D-19, §18-9D-19a, §18-9D-20, and §18-9D-21 of the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended; and to amend said code by adding thereto a new article, designated §18-2L-1, §18-2L-2, §18-2L-3, §18-2L-4, §18-2L-4a, §18-2L-4b, §18-2L-4c, §18-2L-4d, §18-2L-5, §18-2L-6, §18-2L-7, §18-2L-8, §18-2L-9, §18-2L-10, §18-2L-11, §18-2L-12, §18-2L-13, §18-2L-14, §18-2L-15, §18-2L-16, and §18-2L-17, all relating to moving the duties of the School Building Authority (‘SBA’) to the State Department of Education under a new office, the Office of School Rehabilitation and Construction; providing definitions; creating powers and authority; allowing the Office of School Rehabilitation and Construction to sell bonds and act in the same manner as the School Building Authority does; and repealing the article creating the School Building Authority"; to the Committee on Education then Finance.

By Delegate Hanna:

H. B. 2149 - “A Bill to amend the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, by adding thereto a new article, designated §18-2L-1, §18-2L-2, §18-2L-3, §18-2L-4, §18-2L-5, §18-2L-6, §18-2L-7, §18-2L-8, §18-2L-9, §18-2L-10, §18-2L-11, and §18-2L-12; and to amend said code by adding thereto a new article, designated §18C-10-1, §18C-10-2, §18C-10-3, §18C-10-4, and §18C-10-5, all relating generally to the establishment of the Katherine Johnson Academy as magnet school programs at colleges and universities in West Virginia; defining terms; creating a board of trustees to govern the Katherine Johnson Academy; providing for membership of the board of trustees, the selection of a chair, terms of the trustees, duties and responsibilities, setting of meetings, and establishing trustees to serve without compensation; authorizing the board of trustees to perform certain duties; providing for the appointment of a president; providing for collaboration agreements for the establishment of magnet school programs; providing for restrictions on the amount that may be charged for tuition, fees, room, board, and books; authorizing the establishment of residential programs and commuter programs at colleges and universities; establishing the Academy of Mathematics and Science and the Academy for the Performing Arts; requiring the board of trustees to select certain host institutions pursuant to a competitive bidding process; establishing certain minimum eligibility requirements for students; authorizing a host institution to determine admission and enrollment; requiring students accepted and admitted into a magnet school program to receive the PROMISE scholarship; providing for students to receive a scholarship from the Katherine Johnson Scholarship Fund; providing that no county board or college or university will be required to participate in this program; requiring the Katherine Johnson Academy, the State Board of Education, and the Higher Education Policy Commission to promulgate a joint rule for the administration of the Katherine Johnson Academy; establishing the Katherine Johnson Scholarship Fund; providing for state and county support for the Katherine Johnson Scholarship Fund based upon per-pupil allocations; defining terms; and providing for rulemaking"; to the Committee on Education then Finance.

By Delegate McGeehan:

H. B. 2150 - “A Bill to amend and reenact §49-4-712 of the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended; and to amend said code by adding thereto a new section, designated §49-4-712a, all relating to requiring parents or guardians to participate in programs for juveniles in an out-of-home placement"; to the Committee on the Judiciary.

By Delegate Smith:

H. B. 2151 - “A Bill to amend and reenact §61-11-6 of the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, relating to certain persons who are accessories to a crime before or after the fact; providing that no person who is a domestic partner to a felony offender may be considered an accessory after the fact; removing prohibition that a servant of an offender may not be considered an accessory after the fact; providing that an accessory to a felony who is the brother or sister, parent or grandparent, or child or grandchild of the principal offender is guilty of a misdemeanor; providing that an accessory to a misdemeanor is a misdemeanor; and providing penalties"; to the Committee on the Judiciary.

By Delegate McGeehan:

H. B. 2152 - “A Bill to amend and reenact §11-21-12 of the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, relating to personal income tax; exempting social security benefits from personal income tax"; to the Committee on Finance.

By Delegate Rohrbach:

H. B. 2153 - “A Bill to repeal §5-3-5 of the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended; and to amend said code by adding thereto a new article, designated §5-3A-1, §5-3A-2, §5-3A-3, §5-3A-4, §5-3A-5, and §5-3A-6, all relating to creating the state Settlement and Recovered Funds Accountability Act; providing a short title; setting forth legislative findings; directing that recovered funds and assets to be deposited into the State Treasury in the General Revenue Fund of the state, and exceptions; directing that certain recovered funds and assets be held in trust to be deposited into a special revenue account in the State Treasury; prohibiting agreements to settlement or agreement terms that are contrary to the depositing of funds in the State Treasury; requiring quarterly transfer of funds from the Consumer Protection Recovery Fund into the General Revenue Fund; authorizing the deposit and expenditure of attorney fees, expenses and costs awarded to the Attorney General from the fund; prohibiting agreements to settlement or agreement terms that are contrary to the provisions of law; requiring quarterly reporting by the Attorney General as to the disposition of matters; and repealing provisions governing the disposition of certain fees of the Attorney General taxed as costs in legal proceedings"; to the Committee on the Judiciary then Finance.

By Delegate Anderson:

H. B. 2154 - “A Bill to amend and reenact §17C-15-49 of the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, relating to admissibility of certain evidence in a civil action for damages; and allowing the admission of the use or nonuse of a safety belt on the issues of negligence, contributory negligence, comparative negligence and failure to mitigate damages"; to the Committee on the Judiciary.

By Delegate McGeehan:

H. B. 2155 - “A Bill to amend the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, by adding thereto a new section, designated §15-1B-1a, relating to the West Virginia National Guard; requiring an official declaration of war or an action to call forth the state militia by the United States Congress before members of the West Virginia National Guard may be released from state control to participate in active duty combat"; to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs and Homeland Security then the Judiciary.

By Delegate McGeehan:

H. B. 2156 - “A Bill to amend and reenact §11-3-9 of the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended; and to amend and reenact §11-21-12 of said code, all relating to exempting firefighters and volunteer firefighters from payment of income and real and personal property taxes"; to the Committee on Fire Departments and Emergency Medical Services then Finance.

By Delegate McGeehan:

H. B. 2157 - “A Bill to amend the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, by adding thereto a new section, designated §18-1-5, relating to school curricular standards and assessments; discontinuing the use of common core standards and assessments in the state"; to the Committee on Education.

By Delegate McGeehan:

H. B. 2158 - “A Bill to amend and reenact §11-21-3 of the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, relating to abolishing the personal income tax"; to the Committee on Finance.

By Delegate Hansen:

H. B. 2159 - “A Bill to amend the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, by adding thereto a new article, designated §24-2I-1, §24-2I-2, §24-2I-3, and §24-2I-4, all relating to establishing a community solar program for subscribers to gain credits against their utility bills; providing legislative findings; defining terms; authorizing subscriber based solar projects that allow solar power production to be granted credit against electric power costs; providing that an authorized project  is not deemed as a utility; providing conditions and terms for operation for a facility; providing for regulation of the program by the Public Service Commission;  providing conditions for credits; providing requirements for subscriber organizations; and providing Public Service Commission rulemaking authority and directives"; to the Committee on Energy and Manufacturing then the Judiciary.

By Delegate Westfall:

H. B. 2160 - “A Bill to amend and reenact §17A-3-14 of the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, relating to the authority of the Division of Motor Vehicles to issue a special registration plate for autism awareness"; to the Committee on Technology and Infrastructure then Government Organization.

By Delegate Keaton:

H. B. 2161 - “A Bill to amend and reenact §15-2A-6 of the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, relating to increasing the West Virginia State Police 2023 Retirement annuity from three to four percent"; to the Committee on Pensions and Retirement then Finance.

By Delegate Keaton:

H. B. 2162 - “A Bill to amend and reenact §33-20B-9 of the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, relating to requiring insurers of physicians who perform abortions to establish a separate insurance pool"; to the Committee on Banking and Insurance then the Judiciary.

By Delegate Keaton:

H. B. 2163 - “A Bill to amend and reenact §11-13S-4 of the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, relating to the amount of tax credit allowed for manufacturing investment; and reducing the 40 percent limitation to 25 percent"; to the Committee on Energy and Manufacturing then Finance.

By Delegate Keaton:

H. B. 2164 - “A Bill to amend the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, by adding thereto a new article, designated §55-7L-1, §55-7L-2, and §55-7L-3, all relating to permitting civil actions by a social media website user for censorship or suppression of social media user’s speech; providing definitions; stating defenses to civil action; and authorizing the Attorney General to bring action on behalf of a social media user"; to the Committee on the Judiciary.

By Delegate Keaton:

H. B. 2165 - “A Bill to amend and reenact §33-3-14 of the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, relating to dedicating 25 percent of the annual insurance premium tax to the PEIA Rainy Day Fund"; to the Committee on Banking and Insurance then Finance.

By Delegate Keaton:

H. B. 2166 - “A Bill to amend and reenact §48-10-501 of the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, relating to making the best interest of the child the sole consideration in granting grandparent visitation"; to the Committee on Senior, Children, and Family Issues then the Judiciary.

By Delegate Pushkin:

H. B. 2167 - “A Bill to amend and reenact §18-9A-2 of the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, relating to calculation of the school aid formula based on net enrollment at alternative and year-round schools"; to the Committee on Education.

By Delegate Pushkin:

H. B. 2168 - “A Bill to amend the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, by adding thereto a new article, designated §11-14D-1, §11-14D-2, and §11-14D-3, all relating to providing tax credits to provide vehicles to certain persons; authorizing a tax credit for individual tax payers under certain conditions; authorizing a tax credit to license automobile dealers under certain conditions; providing for definitions; establishing the minimum criteria of a qualified charitable organization; establishing the minimum criteria for an eligible vehicle to be used as the basis of the tax credit; requiring that the Tax Commissioner track the number and amount of tax credits claimed; providing that multiple qualified charitable organizations may use a percentage of total allowable tax credits for the year; providing the Tax Commissioner can develop criteria for allocating percentages of the total allowable tax credits to qualified charitable organizations; establishing the maximum amount of tax credits for tax years 2021 through 2022 at $300,000; establishing the maximum amount of tax credits for subsequent years at $1 million; and providing for rule-making authority"; to the Committee on Finance.

By Delegate Criss:

H. B. 2169 - “A Bill to amend and reenact §11-6K-1 and §11-6K-3 of the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, all generally relating to the assessment and valuation of industrial property and natural resource property; for assessments made on or after July 1, 2024, providing that the arithmetic means for annual production and average coal price to value coal properties shall be based upon the full calendar year immediately preceding the July 1 assessment date; providing that the Tax Commissioner shall utilize an average coal density of 1800 tons per acre foot, unless clear and convincing evidence is submitted by a taxpayer establishing a lower density value; providing that density information reported on returns, due on or before May 1 of each year, shall be used to determine values for the immediately following July 1 assessments; providing that the Tax Commissioner shall take into consideration economic viability and engineering considerations when establishing values for coal properties; providing that coal beds which are of a thickness of less than 35 inches shall not be classified as mineable coal for valuation for property tax purposes unless there is clear and convincing evidence to the contrary; providing that no permitted coal seam may be classified for taxation as active until actual depletion of coal commences under a permit; providing that for any owner, operator, or producer which fails to make a return within the time required, any and all penalties imposed shall be equally and uniformly applied across all forms of industrial property and natural resources property; and specifying an effective date"; to the Committee on Education then Finance.

By Delegate Criss:

H. B. 2170 - “A Bill to amend and reenact §11-6K-1 and §11-6K-3 of the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, all generally relating to the assessment and valuation of industrial property and natural resource property; for assessments made on or after July 1, 2024, providing that the arithmetic means for annual production and average coal price to value coal properties shall be based upon the full calendar year immediately preceding the July 1st assessment date; providing that the Tax Commissioner shall utilize an average coal density of 1800 tons per acre foot, unless clear and convincing evidence is submitted by a tax payer establishing a lower density value; providing that density information reported on returns, due on or before May 1 of each year, shall be used to determine values for the immediately following July 1 assessments; providing that the Tax Commissioner shall take into consideration economic viability and engineering considerations when establishing values for coal properties; providing that coal beds which are of a thickness of less than 35 inches shall not be classified as mineable coal for valuation for property tax purposes unless there is clear and convincing evidence to the contrary; providing that no permitted coal seam may be classified for taxation as active until actual depletion of coal commences under a permit; providing that for any owner, operator, or producer which fails to make a return within the time required, any and all penalties imposed shall be equally and uniformly applied across all forms of industrial property and natural resources property; and specifying an effective date"; to the Committee on Energy and Manufacturing then Finance.

By Delegate Criss:

H. B. 2171 - “A Bill to amend and reenact §17C-15-37 of the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, relating to removing inoperative provisions requiring the Commissioner of Highways to set standards for studded snow tires"; to the Committee on Technology and Infrastructure then Government Organization.

By Delegate Mallow:

H. B. 2172 - “A Bill to amend the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, by adding thereto a new article, designated §7-28-1; and to amend said code by adding thereto a new article, designated §8-20B-1, all relating to unsafe real property conditions in counties or municipalities; providing a process by which county commissions may compel the cleanup of hazardous real property conditions; providing a power to assert a lien if a real property owner fails to comply with a hazardous condition resolution by a county commission; providing a hearing an appeals process regarding unsafe condition determinations made by county commissions; providing a process by which local governing bodies may compel the cleanup of hazardous real property conditions; providing a power to assert a lien if a real property owner fails to comply with a local governing body’s hazardous condition resolution; and providing a hearing an appeals process on unsafe condition determinations made by local governing bodies"; to the Committee on Political Subdivisions then the Judiciary.

By Delegate Mallow:

H. B. 2173 - “A Bill to amend the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, by adding thereto a new section, designated §11-5-16, relating to limiting the assessed value of antique or classic vehicles; and providing a justification requirement for any increase by the county tax assessor which must be presented to the vehicle owner before any increase may take effect"; to the Committee on Political Subdivisions then Finance.

By Delegate Mallow:

H. B. 2174 - “A Bill to amend and reenact §22-6-2 the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, relating to requiring the secretary of the Department of Environmental Protection to adopt rules relating to the standardization of leases, deeds or contracts relating to oil and gas, consistent in format with the purpose of making the terms of these documents less confusing to the landowners"; to the Committee on the Judiciary.

By Delegate Mallow:

H. B. 2175 - “A Bill to amend and reenact §5C-2-1 of the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended; to amend and reenact §11-6A-5a of said code; and to amend and reenact §11-13A-6 of said code, all relating to ensuring that coal remains the primary source of power in West Virginia during emergency weather events; limiting the new amount of permits to construct wind power plant, wind power farm, or ‘windmills’ for power generally in West Virginia; and providing that for each new wind powered facility built in West Virginia, there is an offset in the amount of taxes paid by new and existing coal fired power plants"; to the Committee on Energy and Manufacturing then Finance.

By Delegate Mallow:

H. B. 2176 - “A Bill to amend and reenact §11-6B-3 of the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, relating to property tax exemptions; providing for an exemption from increasing property tax for eligible individuals"; to the Committee on Finance.

By Delegate Mallow:

H. B. 2177 - “A Bill to amend the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, by adding thereto a new section, designated §11-1C-9a, relating to fair and equitable assessment of real property; providing Legislative findings; providing that it is unlawful to increase the assessed value of real property for no apparent reason than to establish a new or additional source of revenue; and providing that increased assessments may be made only upon the periodic evaluation of the property"; to the Committee on Finance.

By Delegate Mallow:

H. B. 2178 - “A Bill to amend and reenact §24-2A-5 of the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, relating to authorizing reduced rates for residential utility customers who are residents of a small community with fewer than 1000 residents"; to the Committee on the Judiciary then Finance.

By Delegate Mallow:

H. B. 2179 - “A Bill to amend and reenact §30-42-10 of the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, relating to requiring a written contract between a licensed contractor and owner or lessee of residential property and information to be contained in the written contract"; to the Committee on the Judiciary.

By Delegate Skaff:

H. B. 2180 - “A Bill to amend and reenact §18C-7-6 of the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended; and to amend said code by adding thereto a new section, designated §18C-7-8, all relating to the creation and administration of a scholarship program for college students who remain in-state after graduation; providing for awards upon agreement for repayment of an amount of the grant only if the recipient chooses not to live in the state after graduation; establishing eligibility requirements; providing program requirements; granting rulemaking authority; and creating a new special revenue account"; to the Committee on Education then Finance.

By Delegate Skaff:

H. B. 2181 - “A Bill to amend the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, by adding thereto a new article, designated §15-15-1, relating to establishing an animal abuser registry; establishing requirements for registration; directing the State Police to establish and maintain a state registry; providing what crimes require registration; requiring each law-enforcement agency to submit information relating to convicted animal abusers; and establishing a criminal penalty for failure to register"; to the Committee on Agriculture and Natural Resources then the Judiciary.

By Delegate Skaff:

H. B. 2182 - “A Bill to amend the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, by adding thereto a new article, designated §18B-21-1, §18B-21-2, §18B-21-3, §18B-21-4, §18B-21-5, §18B-21-6, §18B-21-7, §18B-21-8, §18B-21-9, and §18B-21-10, all relating to improving the mental health of higher education students; providing legislative findings; defining terms; developing the necessary training, peer support and local assistance collaboration within colleges and universities; directing the West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission and the Community and Technical College System of West Virginia to collaborate in establishing resources with the responsibility of collecting, analyzing, and disseminating data related to mental health in higher education; and providing funding recommendations"; to the Committee on Education then Finance.

By Delegate Skaff:

H. B. 2183 - “A Bill to amend the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, by adding thereto a new article, designated §11-13MM-1, §11-13MM-2, §11-13MM-3, §11-13MM-4, §11-13MM-5, §11-13MM-6, and, §11-13MM-7, all relating generally to creating a personal income tax credit for nurses in West Virginia; providing for definitions; providing for a tax credit for nurses for personal income tax in a taxable year; providing for a tax credit limitation of $5,000 for a single person; providing for a tax credit limitation of $10,000 of persons filing tax returns jointly under certain conditions; providing that the tax credit for nurses must be used in the taxable year and cannot be carried forward; providing for documentation of eligibility for the tax credit; providing for required contents of the documentation evidencing eligibility for the tax credit; providing that the form must be sent to the Tax Commissioner to receive the tax credit; providing for rule-making authority; providing for reporting at certain time; and providing for an effective date"; to the Committee on Health and Human Resources then Finance.

By Delegate Skaff:

H. B. 2184 - “A Bill to amend the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, by adding thereto a new section, designated §3-2-45, relating to permitting election day registration of voters"; to the Committee on Political Subdivisions then the Judiciary.

By Delegate Skaff:

H. B. 2185 - “A Bill to amend the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, by adding thereto a new section, designated §11-21-98, relating to a tax credit for any new teacher who remains in the state and works as a teacher five years after graduation"; to the Committee on Education then Finance.

By Delegate Mallow:

H. B. 2186 - “A Bill to amend the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, by adding thereto a new section, designated §16-5B-20, relating to requirements for smoke evacuation systems for health care facilities; defining terms; and creating penalties for violation of requirement"; to the Committee on Health and Human Resources.

By Delegate Horst:

H. B. 2187 - “A Bill to amend and reenact §61-7-2 of the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, relating to adding definition of ‘ammunition’ for purposes of obtaining state license to carry concealed deadly weapon"; to the Committee on the Judiciary.

By Delegates Horst and Kirby:

H. B. 2188 - “A Bill to amend and reenact §61-7-3, §61-7-6, and §61-7-7 of the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, all relating to allowing those persons 18 to 20 years old to be able to carry a concealed deadly weapon without a permit, as is presently allowed for those persons 21 years and older"; to the Committee on the Judiciary.

By Delegate Horst:

H. B. 2189 - “A Bill to amend the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, by adding thereto a new article, designated §62-17-1, §62-17-2, §62-17-3, §62-17-4, and §62-17-5, all relating to creating the Protection of Property from Warrantless Searches Act; short title; legislative findings; definitions; enumerating conditions for government to enter homes and private land; illegal searches and seizures; and providing right to sue for declaratory and injunctive relief, compensatory and nominal damages, and attorney’s fees"; to the Committee on the Judiciary.

By Delegate Burkhammer:

H. B. 2190 - “A Bill to amend the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, by adding thereto a new section, designated §23-4-2a, relating to eligibility for workers’ compensation benefits by persons that suffer a traumatic personal injury; requiring blood tests of persons being treated for a traumatic personal injury by the medical provider to determine whether the person is intoxicated under certain circumstances; requirements for testing; circumstances when a blood test may not be administered; exceptions; denial of benefits upon refusal to submit to a blood test; disclosure to certain persons of test information and results and of refusal of test; and limiting criminal and civil liability of persons administering tests"; to the Committee on the Judiciary.

By Delegate Burkhammer:

H. B. 2191 - “A Bill to amend and reenact §17A-3-2 of the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, relating to providing motor vehicle registrations and license plates free of charge to volunteer firefighters who have at least five years of service"; to the Committee on Fire Departments and Emergency Medical Services then Finance.

By Delegate Burkhammer:

H. B. 2192 - “A Bill to amend the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, by adding thereto a new section, designated §33-57-2, relating to health insurance; prohibiting certain actions and defining terms"; to the Committee on Health and Human Resources then Finance.

By Delegate Burkhammer:

H. B. 2193 - “A Bill to amend and reenact §11-21-12 of the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, relating to personal income tax; removing certain deductions for modification of social security income in adjusted gross income"; to the Committee on Finance.

By Delegate Jennings:

H. B. 2194 - “A Bill to amend and reenact §55-19-7 of the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, relating to the removing the protection of the Act from employers that require vaccinations as a condition of employment"; to the Committee on Workforce Development then Health and Human Resources.

By Delegate Jennings:

H. B. 2195 - “A Bill to amend and reenact §18-2E-10 of the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, relating to providing for a multi-tiered system of support intervention for grade level literacy and numeracy by end of third grade; making findings; replacing transformative intervention framework with multi-tiered system of support; addressing both reading and mathematics; requiring early learning reporting system and specifying uses; specifying minimum information and notice to parent or guardian; providing for professional learning for certain teachers and specifying subjects; ensuring certain training and instruction be provided by education preparation programs that prepare candidates seeking licensure for elementary education; removing redundant language; providing for data from the early learning reporting system to be used to inform classroom teacher’s recommendation regarding grade level retention; requiring county board implementation; requiring reports by state board; requiring certain legislative appropriation and other funds be used for implementation; requiring retention in third grade of public school and public charter school student who demonstrate minimal grade level understanding and ability upon recommendation of teacher and student assistance team; providing exceptions; requiring students starting in the fourth grade who score below proficient in English language arts or mathematics on general summative assessment to continue to be provided intervention until grade level proficient"; to the Committee on Education.

By Delegate Jennings:

H. B. 2196 - “A Bill to repeal §16-5Y-12 of the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended; and to amend and reenact §16-2D-9 and §16-2D-11; all relating to certificate of need; removing a health services from the list of services which may not be developed; and exempting health services from certificate of need"; to the Committee on Health and Human Resources.

By Delegate Barnhart:

H. B. 2197 - “A Bill to amend and reenact §52-1-17 of the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, relating to increasing the reimbursement for persons serving on petit jurors"; to the Committee on the Judiciary then Finance.

By Delegate Barnhart:

H. B. 2198 - “A Bill to amend and reenact §17C-1-70 of the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended; and to amend and reenact §17C-11-8 of said code, all relating to modifying the definition of ‘e-bikes’ in West Virginia generally; defining a Class 2 electric bicycle; and clarifying where an individual is permitted to operate a Class 2 electric bicycle"; to the Committee on Agriculture and Natural Resources then the Judiciary.

By Delegate Hornbuckle:

H. B. 2199 - “A Bill to amend and reenact §61-2-15a of the Code of West Virginia, as amended, relating to increasing the fines for conviction of assault or battery of athletic officials"; to the Committee on the Judiciary.

By Delegate Hornbuckle:

H. B. 2200 - “A Bill to amend the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, by adding thereto a new article, designated §9-11-1, §9-11-2, and §9-11-3, all relating to creating the Fair Chance Act; establishing certain benefits and services for persons convicted of any felony offense related to the possession, sale, or distribution of crack cocaine from 1980 to the present; and establishing that the benefits are prospective only"; to the Committee on the Judiciary.

By Delegate Hornbuckle:

H. B. 2201 - “A Bill to amend and reenact §33-13-25 of the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, to amend and reenact §33-14-8 of said code; to amend and reenact §33-15A-6 of said code; to amend and reenact §33-15-1b of said code; to amend said code by adding thereto new section, designated §33-16-11a; and to amend and reenact §33-25-8 of said code, all relating to prohibiting an insurer from declining or limiting coverage on a person under any life insurance policy, major medical coverage policy, disability insurance policy, or long-term care insurance policy solely due to the status of that person as a living organ donor"; to the Committee on Banking and Insurance then Health and Human Resources.

By Delegate Hornbuckle:

H. B. 2202 - “A Bill to amend and reenact §31-15-6 of the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, relating to the West Virginia Economic Development Authority; and its obligation to provide effective technical and business advisory services to African-Americans and minority-owned and-operated enterprises that are available under the Community Development and Financial Institutions Act of 1994 and the Federal emergency Capital Investment Program (ECIP) established by the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2021"; to the Committee on Economic Development and Tourism then Finance.

By Delegate Hornbuckle:

H. B. 2203 - “A Bill to amend and reenact §18-2-7c of the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, relating to requiring the State Board of Education to establish a Personal Finance Literacy pilot program to be implemented in at least five public high schools, for the duration of three years"; to the Committee on Education then Finance.

By Delegate Keaton:

H. B. 2204 - “A Bill to amend the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, by adding thereto a new section, designated §61-3-60, relating to crimes against houses of worship, increasing criminal penalties for crimes against houses of worship, as defined by this section"; to the Committee on the Judiciary.

By Delegate Fluharty:

H. B. 2205 - “A Bill to amend and reenact §6B-3-2 of the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, relating to prohibiting chairmen of state political parties during or up to one year after the termination of their employment as chairmen of those political parties from registering as lobbyists; and providing an effective date"; to the Committee on the Judiciary.

By Delegate Mallow:

H. B. 2206 - “A Bill to amend and reenact §18-2D-1, §18-2D-2, §18-2D-3, and §18-2D-4 of the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, all relating to require the implementation of community education programs throughout the state to facilitate the providing of educational, recreational, cultural, social, health, and other community services to all of the people of the community"; to the Committee on Education then Finance.

By Delegate Mallow:

H. B. 2207 - “A Bill to amend and reenact §17D-2A-6a of the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended; and to amend and reenact §33-6-31g of said code, all relating to requiring the commissioner of Motor Vehicles to develop and implement an electronic insurance verification program; and requiring the Insurance Commissioner to propose rules necessary to implement requirements of the electronic insurance verification program"; to the Committee on Banking and Insurance then Government Organization.

By Delegate Mallow:

H. B. 2208 - “A Bill to amend and reenact §24-2A-5 of the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, relating to authorizing reduced rates for residential utility customers who are residents of a small community with fewer than 1000 residents"; to the Committee on Government Organization then the Judiciary.

By Delegate Mallow:

H. B. 2209 - “A Bill to amend and reenact §33-3-33 of the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, relating to the surcharge on fire and casualty insurance policies; providing that the surcharge be increased to one percent; providing that the surcharge be used solely for volunteer fire departments; and deleting obsolete language"; to the Committee on Banking and Insurance then Finance.

By Delegate Mallow:

H. B. 2210 - “A Bill to amend and reenact §3-1-34 of the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, relating to requiring that in elections for candidates for public office, all registered voters shall produce a valid identifying document containing a photograph in order to vote"; to the Committee on the Judiciary.

By Delegate Mallow:

H. B. 2211 - “A Bill to amend and reenact §17A-3-14 of the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, relating to exempting honorably discharged veteran of any branch of the armed services of the United States from the payment of registration fees under the provisions of this chapter, except for a special initial application fee of $10"; to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs and Homeland Security then Finance.

By Delegate Mallow:

H. B. 2212 - “A Bill to amend and reenact §16-13A-3 of the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, relating to providing that if a public service board represents more than one community, there shall be one member from each such community on the service district board"; to the Committee on Political Subdivisions then Government Organization.

By Delegate Mallow:

H. B. 2213 - “A Bill to amend and reenact §5B-2I-4 of the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, relating to the West Virginia Tourism Office; and providing that the office may limit the number of visitor bureaus in the counties of the state in order to maximize effectiveness of one main visitors’ bureau in smaller populated counties"; to the Committee on Government Organization.

By Delegate Mallow:

H. B. 2214 - “A Bill to amend and reenact §3-1-31 of the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, relating to requiring all local and state special elections to be held on the days and hours of general or primary or state elections; and providing an exception for run-off elections"; to the Committee on Political Subdivisions then the Judiciary.

By Delegate Mallow:

H. B. 2215 - “A Bill to amend the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, by adding thereto a new section, designated §5-22-4, relating to requiring a public entity accepting a bid on a public construction contract or any other type of contract to notify every municipality and county in which the contractor or any of its subcontractors will be performing services under the contract of the existence of the contract; publishing terms of contract; and providing time for public comment"; to the Committee on Political Subdivisions then Government Organization.

By Delegate Crouse:

H. B. 2216 - “A Bill to amend the Code of West Virginia, 1931, by adding thereto a new section, designated §18-2-44, relating to the removal of standardized testing in public and private schools; and providing for an effective date"; to the Committee on Education.

By Delegate Crouse:

H. B. 2217 - “A Bill to amend the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, by adding thereto a new section, designated §16-3-14, relating to ensuring that all persons who have obtained natural immunity or antibodies from an infectious or communicable disease are considered to be vaccinated; and ensuring that those persons are given equal or preferred treatment as opposed to those who have vaccine induced immunity"; to the Committee on Health and Human Resources.

By Delegate Westfall:

H. B. 2218 - “A Bill to amend and reenact §17C-14-15 of the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, relating to distracted driving; increasing the scope of prohibitions on distracted driving by establishing the Distracted Driving Act; defining terms; providing exclusions from those terms; providing limitations for the use of wireless telecommunications devices; providing guidelines for safe operation of a vehicle; prohibiting certain actions by all drivers; prohibiting certain actions by commercial drivers; providing each violation of this code section shall constitute a separate offense; providing penalties for violations of these provisions; providing exceptions; providing that the provisions of this section do not supersede other provisions of this code or any more restrictive provisions for drivers of commercial motor vehicles; and establishing a naming provision for changes made in the 2023 Legislative session"; to the Committee on Technology and Infrastructure then the Judiciary.

By Delegate Westfall:

H. B. 2219 - “A Bill to amend and reenact §16A-3-2 and §16A-3-3 of the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, all relating to permitting medical cannabis to be dispensed in edible form; removing the restrictions that prevent medical cannabis from being incorporated into edible form; and providing restrictions related to the shape of the edible product"; to the Committee on Health and Human Resources then the Judiciary.

By Delegate Westfall:

H. B. 2220 - “A Bill to amend the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, by adding thereto a new article, designated §17-31-1, §17-31-2, §17-31-3, and §17-31-4, all relating to responsible driving, providing that a person who was an uninsured motorist and who sustained bodily injury or property damage as the result of a motor vehicle accident may not recover noneconomic damages for the person’s bodily injury or property damage"; to the Committee on Banking and Insurance then the Judiciary.

By Delegate Westfall:

H. B. 2221 - “A Bill to amend and reenact §38-10-4 of the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, relating to bankruptcy; correcting an erroneous term; excluding life insurance proceeds paid to the debtor as a beneficiary, not to exceed $100,000; excluding any annuities, other than those annuities included in §38-10-4(i)(5), which are paid to the debtor as a beneficiary, not to exceed $20,000 per year in value; and, excluding any annuities or life insurance policies owned by the debtor which are payable to someone other than the debtor, including any applicable cash surrender value, from attachment by creditors in a bankruptcy proceeding"; to the Committee on the Judiciary.

By Delegate Westfall:

H. B. 2222 - “A Bill to amend and reenact §17C-7-1 of the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, relating to requiring operators of vehicles to drive in rightmost portion or lane of roads or highways and exceptions thereto"; to the Committee on Technology and Infrastructure then the Judiciary.

By Delegate Keaton:

H. B. 2223 - “A Bill to amend the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, by adding thereto a new section, designated §11-21-98, relating to creating a personal refundable credit against personal income taxes"; to the Committee on Finance.

By Delegate Keaton:

H. B. 2224 - “A Bill to amend and reenact §11-21-14 of the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, all relating to reinstituting the standard deduction"; to the Committee on Finance.

By Delegate Westfall:

H. B. 2225 - “A Bill to amend and reenact §18-5-22 of the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, relating to requiring each county school board to employ at least one full time school nurse for each public school"; to the Committee on Education then Finance.

By Delegate Westfall:

H. B. 2226 - “A Bill to amend and reenact §61-8-28 of the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, relating to the offense of criminal invasion of privacy by visual portrayal; changing the offense from a misdemeanor to a felony and increasing the penalties for this offense"; to the Committee on the Judiciary.

By Delegate Foster:

H. B. 2227 - “A Bill to amend and reenact §7-11-3 of the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended; and to amend and reenact §7-12-3 and §7-12-3a of said code; and to amend and reenact §8A-2-3 of said code, all relating to limiting the maximum number of appointees to certain county and municipal bodies; and imposing quorum requirements on certain county and municipal bodies"; to the Committee on Political Subdivisions then Government Organization.

By Delegate Foster:

H. B. 2228 - “A Bill to amend and reenact §21-1C-5 of the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, relating to filing reports with the Division of Labor and removing the requirement for contactors to file payroll information on public improvement construction projects"; to the Committee on Workforce Development then the Judiciary.

By Delegate Hansen:

H. B. 2229 - “A Bill to amend the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, by adding thereto a new section, designated §1-2-2a, relating to increasing transparency in the apportionment process for congressional and legislative districts; defining procedures to enhance public access to and participation in the development of such districts; and establishing a period for public comment on district maps to be voted on by the Legislature prior to their adoption"; to the Committee on Political Subdivisions then Government Organization then the Judiciary.

By Delegate Foster:

H. B. 2230 - “A Bill to amend and reenact §48-9-601 of the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, relating to ensuring that legal or biological parents have equal access to any and all copies of birth registry forms submitted to the hospital by the mother, or any other person, for the purpose of registering the birth of the child with the West Virginia Vital Registration Office"; to the Committee on Health and Human Resources then the Judiciary.

By Delegate Foster:

H. B. 2231 - “A Bill to amend the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, by adding thereto two new sections, designated §18A-4-2d, and §18A-4-4a, all relating to teacher salary enhancement; requiring that to qualify for certain additional salary provisions, the teacher’s earned master’s degree or graduate work toward or following obtaining a master’s degree, shall be in the field in which the teacher is teaching"; to the Committee on Education.

By Delegate McGeehan:

H. B. 2232 - “A Bill to amend and reenact §29-22-18d of the Code of West Virginia, 1931; to repeal §29-22A-10d, §29-22A-10e, and §29-22A-10f of said code; to repeal §29-22C-27a of said code; and to repeal §29-25-22b of said code, all relating to the transfer of certain revenues derived from lottery activities generally, restoring distribution to the West Virginia Infrastructure Fund to 2013 rates and decreasing the funds available for grants therefrom; restoring the amount that may be transferred to the Racetrack Modernization Fund to 2013 rates; eliminating certain statutory distributions to the State Excess Lottery Revenue Fund; restoring statutory distributions to capital reinvestment, purse funds and development funds to 2013 rates; and eliminating the statutory authorization for distributions to be paid on a pro rata basis"; to the Committee on Finance.

By Delegate Toney:

H. B. 2233 - “A Bill to amend and reenact §17-5-1 of the Code of West Virginia,1931, as amended, relating to making all inmates regardless of sex eligible to work on a state convict road force"; to the Committee on Jails and Prisons then the Judiciary.

By Delegate Linville:

H. B. 2234 - “A Bill to amend and reenact §11-15-9 of the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, relating to exempting firearm safe storage products from the consumer sales tax"; to the Committee on Finance.

By Delegate Pushkin:

H. B. 2235 - “A Bill to amend and reenact §49-2-913 of the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended; to amend  said code by adding thereto a new section, designated §49-2-914; and to amend  and reenact §49-5-106 of said code, all relating to the juvenile justice reform oversight committee and averted costs reinvestment; creating a juvenile justice account and providing its purpose, funding and disbursements; requiring new data to be collected and compiled to allow calculation of juvenile recidivism and the outcome of programs and making this information available to the public"; to the Committee on the Judiciary then Finance.

By Delegate Pushkin:

H. B. 2236 - “A Bill to amend and reenact §61-11-26 of the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, relating to the removal of limitations on the expungement of certain criminal convictions"; to the Committee on the Judiciary.

By Delegate Pushkin:

H. B. 2237 - “A Bill to amend the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, by adding thereto a new article designated §46A-6O-1, §46A-6O-2, §46A-6O-3, §46A-6O-4, §46A-6O-5, §46A-6O-6, §46A-6O-7, §46A-6O-8, §46A-6O-9, and §46A-6O-10, all relating to placing upon the manufacturers of manufactured homes the duty to meet their obligations and responsibilities under the terms of the express warranties extended to the consumers in this state; and providing consumers additional remedies to enforce the warranties"; to the Committee on the Judiciary.

By Delegate Pushkin:

H. B. 2238 - “A Bill to amend and reenact §16A-3-2 and §16A-3-3 of the Code of West Virginia,1931, as amended; and to amend said code by adding thereto a new section, designated §16A-5-11, all relating to the cultivation of medical cannabis; allowing patients and their caregivers to cultivate medical cannabis for patients’ personal consumption"; to the Committee on Agriculture and Natural Resources then Health and Human Resources then the Judiciary.

By Delegate Pushkin:

H. B. 2239 - “A Bill to amend the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, by adding thereto a new section, designated §1-2-2a, relating to creating the Independent Redistricting Commission of the Joint Committee on Government and Finance; establishing the Redistricting Commission’s purpose and composition; providing qualifications and appointment procedure for commission members; establishing a process for filling commission vacancies; establishing that commission members are not to receive compensation; providing for approved reimbursement of commission member expenses; providing for payment of necessary equipment and materials; requiring the commission to acquire appropriate information; requiring the commission to develop programs and procedures to draw congressional and legislative redistricting plans on the basis of the federal census; to prepare congressional and legislative redistricting; requiring the commission  plan and propose congressional and legislative districts; providing specific criteria that the redistricting office must observe in proposing district mappings; requiring the redistricting office to advertise a proposed draft map of districts to the public; requiring  a period for public comment on the proposed redistricting plan; providing for members of the  Legislature to make inquiries about the commission’s methodology or proposed redistrict mapping; requiring the commission to publish a report and final proposals for district boundaries; requiring a recommended redistricting plan to the Legislature including identical bills for consideration by the House and Senate; requiring the full Legislature to vote on plan ratification; providing for subsequent submissions of plans and vote by Legislature; requiring that commission certify to the Secretary of State that its final proposal for district boundaries is in accordance with Constitutional and legal requirements; and prohibiting certain persons from influencing or attempting to influence district mapping proposals of the redistricting office; and providing for completion of the commission’s work with certain exceptions"; to the Committee on the Judiciary then Finance.

By Delegate Pushkin:

H. B. 2240 - “A Bill to amend and reenact §16-18-25 and §16-18-26 of the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, all relating to requiring urban renewal authorities to submit active, amended, and proposed urban renewal projects and plans to the affected local county boards of health for review and comment; requiring urban renewal authorities to meet with municipalities and communities regarding those projects and plans; and requiring urban renewal authorities to make reports and make them available to the affected local county boards of health and local residents"; to the Committee on Political Subdivisions then Government Organization.

By Delegate Pushkin:

H. B. 2241 - “A Bill to amend and reenact §18-20-5 of the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, relating to removing language requiring specific appropriations in order for the State Board of Education, State Department of Education, and the State Superintendent of Schools to provide education to children and adults housed in correctional facilities and regional jails"; to the Committee on Education then Finance.

By Delegate Martin:

H. B. 2242 - “A Bill to amend and reenact §18-2-7c of the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, relating to requiring each high school student to complete a one-half credit course of study in personal finance as a requirement for high school graduation"; to the Committee on Education.

By Delegate Martin:

H. B. 2243 - “A Bill to amend the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, by adding thereto a new section, designated §7-1-17, relating to creating a process by which voters may recall a county ordinance in a special election"; to the Committee on Political Subdivisions then the Judiciary.

By Delegate Martin:

H. B. 2244 - “A Bill to amend and reenact §8-12-4 of the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, relating to providing a process by which a city may hold an election to recall an ordinance"; to the Committee on Political Subdivisions then the Judiciary.

By Delegate Riley:

H. B. 2245 - “A Bill to amend and reenact §11-21-20 of the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, relating to the personal income tax; alleviating double taxation on foreign income at the state level; and sunsetting the credit for income tax paid on foreign income in 2070"; to the Committee on Finance.

By Delegate Hansen:

H. B. 2246 - “A Bill to amend and reenact §17C-14-15 of the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, relating to the Robin W. Ames Memorial Act which revises current law for unlawfully using electronic communication devices while driving; creating new penalties, including community service, misdemeanor jail time and creating a felony for serious injury or death; revising what constitutes a violation of unlawful use of an electronic communication device; and authorizing seizure of electronic communication devices in certain circumstances"; to the Committee on Technology and Infrastructure then the Judiciary.

By Delegate Rohrbach:

H. B. 2247 - “A Bill to amend and reenact §5F-1-2 of the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, and to amend and reenact §5F-2-1 of said code; all relating to reorganizing the Department of Health and Human Resources; separating the Department of Health and Human Resources into two departments; creating the Department of Health; creating the Department of Human Resources; establishing the organizational structure of the Department of Health; and establishing the organizational structure of the Department of Human Services"; to the Committee on Health and Human Resources then Finance.

By Delegate Steele:

H. B. 2248 - “A Bill to amend and reenact §50-1-8, §50-1-9, §50-1-9a, and §50-1-9b of the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, all relating to magistrate employee appointments; permitting the circuit court to appoint additional magistrate clerks as necessary based on workload; permitting the magistrate to appoint additional magistrate assistants; permitting the magistrate to request additional magistrate deputy clerks when workload requires it; eliminating any restrictions on the number of magistrate deputy clerks that may be employed in the state; increasing compensation of magistrate employees; and other technical corrections"; to the Committee on the Judiciary.

By Delegate Steele:

H. B. 2249 - “A Bill to amend and reenact §5-16-13 of the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, relating to specifying when a public employee’s spouse may be covered by Public Employee Insurance Act; providing for the premium cost and premium coverage associated with such coverage; and establishing an effective date"; to the Committee on Banking and Insurance then Finance.

By Delegate Steele:

H. B. 2250 - “A Bill to amend and reenact §5H-1-2 and §5H-1-3 of the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, all relating to adding Division of Corrections and Rehabilitation employees working at institutions managed by the commissioner to the Survivor Benefits Act; defining the qualifying acts for eligibility for payment of survivor benefits for Division of Corrections and Rehabilitation personnel to include but not be limited to, training functions, administrative meetings, corrections or parole incidents or activities, interactions with inmates, former inmates, inmates or former inmates’ family or associates, parolees, former parolees, former parolees’ family or associates, and travel to or from any of these activities; and creating a retroactive effective date of March 14, 2020"; to the Committee on Jails and Prisons then Finance.

By Delegate Steele:

H. B. 2251 - “A Bill to repeal §61-8B-18 of the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended; to amend and reenact §61-8B-3, §61-8B-4, §61-8B-5, §61-8B-7, §61-8B-8, §61-8B-9, §61-8B-9b, §61-8B-10, §61-8B-12; and to amend said code by adding thereto a new section, designated §61-8B-4a, all relating to sexual offenses; establishing criminal penalties for sexual offenses; and creating criminal penalties for certain sexual offenses"; to the Committee on the Judiciary.

By Delegate Steele:

H. B. 2252 - “A Bill to amend and reenact §61-14-2, §61-14-3, §61-14-4, §61-14-5, §61-14-6, §61-14-7, and §61-14-8 of the Code of West Virginia, all relating to increasing criminal penalties for human trafficking; establishing limitations on parole; and providing immunity from criminal liability for juvenile victims"; to the Committee on the Judiciary.

By Delegate Steele:

H. B. 2253 - “A Bill to amend and reenact §60A-9-4 of the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, relating to controlled substance monitoring; removing the reporting of an opioid antagonist and removing a dispensing prohibition"; to the Committee on Health and Human Resources.

By Delegate Steele:

H. B. 2254 - “A Bill to amend the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, by adding thereto a new article, designated §5B-2N-1, §5B-2N-2, §5B-2N-3 and §5B-2N-4; to amend said code by adding thereto a new section, designated §22-5-11b; and to amend and reenact §22B-1-7 of said code, all relating generally to the Natural Gas Fired Electricity Generation Development Act of 2023; providing for a short title; making legislative findings and declarations; requiring designation of suitable sites for natural gas electric generation and reporting to the Division of Air Quality of the West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection and the West Virginia Public Service Commission; requiring construction and operating permits for natural gas electric generation facilities, including expedited consideration; and requiring prompt consideration of appeals by the Air Quality Board concerning natural gas electric generation facility permits"; to the Committee on Energy and Manufacturing then Government Organization.

By Delegate Steele:

H. B. 2255 - “A Bill to amend and reenact §16A-7-4 of the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, relating to providing for no more than two licensed laboratories for medical cannabis testing in this state"; to the Committee on the Judiciary.

By Delegate Steele:

H. B. 2256 - “A Bill to amend the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, by adding thereto a new section, designated §29-1-15, relating to the restoration of the Holly Grove Mansion; providing for legislative findings and the background of the Holly Grove Mansion; explaining the restoration; providing for funding in a separate appropriations bill; providing for the establishment of a commission to oversee the restoration and designating representatives; providing for the disbanding of the commission upon completion of the project; and shifting control of the Holly Grove Mansion from General Services to the Division of Arts, Culture, and History upon completion of the restoration"; to the Committee on Government Organization then Finance.

By Delegate Hansen:

H. B. 2257 - “A Bill to amend the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, by adding thereto a new section, designated §22-11-22b, relating to allowing increased civil administrative penalties to be promulgated by legislative rules by the Department of Environmental Protection, for individual or general construction stormwater, West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System permits, and General Water Pollution Control Permits for larger acreage permits; providing for doubling penalties for projects of certain sizes; providing for projects at least 500 acres have larger penalties assessed for violations; providing for rulemaking; providing for additional penalties based on the number of violations; and providing for resolution of code conflict in favor of legislative rules promulgated according to this section"; to the Committee on the Judiciary then Finance.

By Delegate Hansen:

H. B. 2258 - “A Bill to amend the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, by adding thereto a new section, designated §24-2-1r; and to amend and reenact §24-2-4f of said code, all relating to power generating plant sites; revising consumer rate relief bonds; and enabling the use of securitization to refinance the unamortized investment in prematurely retired coal-fired generating plants"; to the Committee on Energy and Manufacturing then the Judiciary.

By Delegate C. Pritt:

H. B. 2259 - “A Bill to amend and reenact §48-5-701 and §48-5-704 of the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, all relating to modifications to child support or alimony shall be made retroactive to the date of a change of income or circumstances"; to the Committee on the Judiciary.

By Delegate Hansen:

H. B. 2260 - “A Bill to repeal §17A-10-3c of the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, relating to additional registration fees for alternative fuel vehicles"; to the Committee on Finance.

By Delegate Pushkin:

H. B. 2261 - “A Bill to amend and reenact §18-3-12 of the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, relating to modifying the special community development school pilot program"; to the Committee on Education.

By Delegate Pushkin:

H. B. 2262 - “A Bill to amend the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, by adding thereto a new section, designated §9-5-30, relating to permitting certain felons to work in licensed behavioral health facilities; setting conditions and limitations; and requiring rule-making"; to the Committee on Health and Human Resources then the Judiciary.

By Delegate Pushkin:

H. B. 2263 - “A Bill to amend and reenact §60-4-3a of the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended; and to amend and reenact §60-7-11 of said code, all relating to allowing a bar to purchase liquor from a distillery or a mini-distillery if it is within 10 miles of the distillery or mini-distillery and the liquor was made at the distillery or mini-distillery"; to the Committee on the Judiciary.

By Delegate Pushkin:

H. B. 2264 - “A Bill to amend the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, by adding thereto two new sections, designated §16-1-22 and §16-1-22a, all relating to social determinants of health; establishing the Minority Health Advisory Team, including its composition and duties; authorizing a Community Health Equity Initiative Demonstration Project; authorizing the Commissioner of the Bureau for Public Health to establish a Community Health Equity Initiative Demonstration Project; establishing eligibility requirements; providing for the administration of the demonstration project; establishing requirements for a demonstration project plan and the selection of communities for participation; establishing reporting requirements; and establishing the date on which the demonstration project terminates"; to the Committee on Health and Human Resources then the Judiciary.

By Delegate Pushkin:

H. B. 2265 - “A Bill to amend and reenact §25-5-5 of the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, relating to prohibiting the private ownership or operation of a prison in West Virginia"; to the Committee on the Judiciary.

By Delegate Pushkin:

H. B. 2266 - “A Bill to amend and reenact §5-11-2, §5-11-3, §5-11-4, §5-11-8, §5-11-9, and §5-11-13 of the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended; and to amend and reenact §5-11A-3, §5-11A-5, §5-11A-6, and §5-11A-7 of said code, all relating to unlawful discriminatory practices in categories covered by the Human Rights Act and the Fair Housing Act; prohibiting discrimination based upon age and sexual orientation, or gender identity; and defining ‘sexual orientation’ and ‘gender identity’"; to the Committee on Workforce Development then the Judiciary.

By Delegate Pushkin:

H. B. 2267 - “A Bill to amend and reenact §16A-3-2 and §16A-3-3 of the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, all relating to authorizing possession and smoking of medical cannabis by approved persons"; to the Committee on Health and Human Resources then the Judiciary.

By Delegate Pushkin:

H. B. 2268 - “A Bill to amend the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, by adding thereto a new section, designated §11-24-11c, relating to providing a tax credit for obtaining certain certifications by the United States Green Building Council Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design green building rating system or the Green Globes Building Initiative green building rating standard; setting forth the amount of the credit; establishing who may take the credit; establishing the amount of the credit; establishing the criteria for taking the credit; providing rule-making authority; and defining terms"; to the Committee on Energy and Manufacturing then Finance.

By Delegate Linville:

H. B. 2269 - “A Bill to amend and reenact §48-7-103 of the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, relating to domestic violence convictions and the division of marital property without a valid agreement"; to the Committee on the Judiciary.

By Delegate Fluharty:

H. B. 2270 - “A Bill to amend and reenact §17-16A-6 of the Code of West Virginia,1931, as amended, relating to exempting school buses with students on board from paying West Virginia Turnpike tolls"; to the Committee on Education then Finance.

By Delegate Fluharty:

H. B. 2271 - “A Bill to amend and reenact §17-16A-6 of the Code of West Virginia,1931, as amended, relating to exempting law enforcement and emergency vehicles from paying turnpike tolls"; to the Committee on Technology and Infrastructure then Finance.

By Delegate Fluharty:

H. B. 2272 - “A Bill to amend the Code of West Virginia, 1931, by adding thereto a new article, designated §11-13MM-1, §11-13MM-2, and §11-13MM-3; and to amend and reenact §55-7D-1 and §55-7D-3 of said code, all relating to Good Samaritan Food Donation Act; establishing a tax credit against corporation net income tax for retail food distributors that donate certain surplus food products to nonprofit organizations; providing for credit to apply to either personal income or corporate net income tax liabilities; placing limitations and qualifications for the tax; directing the Tax Commissioner to promulgate rules and forms; and directing the Department of Health and Human Resources to distribute certain information regarding tax credit availability"; to the Committee on Finance.

By Delegate Fluharty:

H. B. 2273 - “A Bill to amend and reenact §18C-7-6 of the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, relating to expanding the amount of PROMISE scholarship funds awarded to persons majoring in science, technology, engineering and mathematics fields"; to the Committee on Education then Finance.

By Delegate Gearheart:

H. B. 2274 - “A Bill to amend and reenact §17-22-4 of the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, relating to the removal of specific statutory restrictions on outdoor advertisement"; to the Committee on the Judiciary.

By Delegate Howell:

H. B. 2275 - “A Bill to amend the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, by adding thereto a new article, designated §22-34-1, §22-34-2, §22-34-3, and §22-34-4, all relating to creating the Intrastate Coal and Use Act; establishing that the environmental regulation of coal and certain coal products mined and used within the state are exclusively regulated by the West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection; stating the legislative authority; and defining terms"; to the Committee on Energy and Manufacturing then the Judiciary.

By Delegate Howell:

H. B. 2276 - “A Bill to amend the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, by adding thereto a new section, designated §17B-2-16, relating to issuing identification documents to homeless individuals residing at homeless shelters within this state at no cost; stating legislative intent; defining terms; creating a process by which a homeless individual may apply for certain identifying documents to be provided at no cost; requiring the division to issue certain identifying documents to eligible homeless individuals at no cost; and requiring the commissioner to develop forms"; to the Committee on the Judiciary then Finance.

By Delegate Howell:

H. B. 2277 - “A Bill to amend and reenact §5-16-23 of the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, relating to permitting former members of the Legislature to remain eligible for insurance plans offered to state officers or employees; providing for certain conditions to remain eligible; and providing that the former member’s continued participation in the insurance plans offered to state officers and employees does not require the state to bear, absorb or otherwise raise costs associated with a former member’s continued participation"; to the Committee on Banking and Insurance then the Judiciary.

By Delegate Howell:

H. B. 2278 - “A Bill to amend and reenact §16-5-5 and §16-5-29 of the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended; and to amend said code by adding thereto a new section, designated §16-5-39, all relating to authorizing the Division of Motor Vehicles to issue certain vital records in the custody of the State Registrar; to require the Division of Motor Vehicles to adhere to the State Registrar’s rules; authorize the Division of Motor Vehicles to collect a fee for issuing vital records and transmit those fees to the State Registrar monthly; and require the Commissioner of the Division of Health and Human Resources and Commissioner of the Division of Motor Vehicles to enter into a Memorandum of Understanding to implement a program that allows the Division of Motor Vehicles access to certain vital records to issue to customers"; to the Committee on Technology and Infrastructure then Finance.

By Delegate Statler:

H. B. 2279 - “A Bill to amend the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, by adding thereto a new section, designated §18B-10-1d, all relating to granting in-state resident status to economic development participants for the purpose of determining the rate of tuition to be charged for attendance at state institutions of higher education; establishing criteria that must be met to meet the definition of economic development participant; and setting forth time frame for recognition of resident status"; to the Committee on Education then Finance.

By Delegate Statler:

H. B. 2280 - “A Bill to amend and reenact §61-8-14 of the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, relating to the criminal offense of desecration of graves and vandalizing cemeteries and mandating that persons convicted thereof shall be required to perform 250 hours of community service to and for the cemetery involved"; to the Committee on the Judiciary.

By Delegate Statler:

H. B. 2281 - “A Bill to amend and reenact §17-22-13 and §17-22-15 of Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, all relating to exempting nonprofit organizations from the fee requirements for obtaining a license or permit for outdoor advertising"; to the Committee on Finance.

By Delegate Statler:

H. B. 2282 - “A Bill to amend and reenact §29-3E-7 of the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended; and to amend and reenact §33-3-14d and §33-3-33 of said code, all relating generally to the distribution of certain taxes and surcharges to benefit volunteer and part-volunteer fire departments; defining terms; providing the method of allocation and distribution for proceeds of the fireworks safety fee deposited in the Fire Protection Fund; eliminating obsolete language; requiring the State Fire Marshal to provide certain information to the State Treasurer; and clarifying the requirements for distribution of funds in the Fire Protection Fund"; to the Committee on Fire Departments and Emergency Medical Services then Finance.

By Delegate Statler:

H. B. 2283 - “A Bill to amend and reenact §8-15-8b of the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, relating to authorized expenditures of revenues from certain state funds for fire departments; clarifying and expanding categories of allowable expenditures; permitting state grant funds to be deposited into a state account and be transferred from the account for unrestricted use; and setting forth a 60-day time frame for fire departments receiving grant funds to transfer unrestricted funds from a restricted account"; to the Committee on Pensions and Retirement then Finance.

By Delegate Statler:

H. B. 2284 - “A Bill to amend the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, by adding thereto a new article, designated §55-7L-1, §55-7L-2, and §55-7L-3, all relating to standards of proof in civil actions where business structure sought to be disregarded; making findings; establishing clear and convincing evidence as standard for personal liability of business debts; adopting standards for determining personal liability for business debts; defining terms; and establishing safe harbor requirements"; to the Committee on the Judiciary.

By Delegate Statler:

H. B. 2285 - “A Bill to amend and reenact §20-1-7 of the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, relating to requiring that open hunting season for big game begin on a Saturday"; to the Committee on Agriculture and Natural Resources then the Judiciary.

By Delegate Walker:

H. B. 2286 - “A Bill to amend and reenact §61-11-25 of the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, relating to expungement of criminal records; making expungement of records for certain defendants found not guilty or have had charges dismissed to occur without petitioning the court; and allowing the prosecutor to petition the court to object because of lack of eligibility for expungement"; to the Committee on the Judiciary.

By Delegate Walker:

H. B. 2287 - “A Bill to amend the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, by adding thereto a new section, designated §5-6-18, relating to requiring sharps containers in all state buildings and facilities where the public is allowed"; to the Committee on Health and Human Resources then Finance.

By Delegate Walker:

H. B. 2288 - “A Bill to amend and reenact §20-5-3 of the Code of West Virginia, 1931 as amended, relating to allowing disabled persons to operate small electric vehicles on the Greenbrier Trail"; to the Committee on Agriculture and Natural Resources then Government Organization.

By Delegate Walker:

H. B. 2289 - “A Bill to amend the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, by adding thereto a new section, designated §55-7-32, relating to authorizing civil damages for any person who is subject to an intentionally false report made to law enforcement that results in harm to the person subject to the report"; to the Committee on the Judiciary.

By Delegate Walker:

H. B. 2290 - “A Bill to amend and reenact §5-11-2, §5-11-3, §5-11-4, §5-11-8, §5-11-9, and §5-11-13 of the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended; and to amend and reenact §5-11A-3, §5-11A-5, §5-11A-6, and §5-11A-7 of said code, all relating to unlawful discriminatory practices in categories covered by the Human Rights Act and the Fair Housing Act; prohibiting discrimination based upon age and sexual orientation, or gender identity; and defining ‘sexual orientation’ and ‘gender identity’"; to the Committee on Workforce Development then the Judiciary.

By Delegate Walker:

H. B. 2291 - “A Bill to amend and reenact §19-16-3 and §19-16-3a of the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended; to amend said code by adding thereto a new section, designated §19-16-3c; and to amend and reenact §60A-2-204 of said code, all relating to state certification of industrial hemp and medical cannabis seed; authorizing the Commissioner of Agriculture to issue special business and residential incubator permits; encouraging state research and development; providing rule-making authority; prohibiting civil asset forfeiture for permittees; and removing cannabis from Schedule 1 consistent with state law"; to the Committee on Agriculture and Natural Resources then the Judiciary.

By Delegate McGeehan:

H. B. 2292 - “A Bill to amend and reenact §11-21-12d of the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, relating to continuing personal income tax adjustment to gross income of certain retirees receiving pensions from defined pension plans that terminated and are being paid a reduced maximum benefit guarantee"; to the Committee on Pensions and Retirement then Finance.

By Delegate McGeehan:

H. B. 2293 - “A Bill to amend the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, by adding thereto a new article, designated §16-2S-1, §16-2S-2, and §16-2S-3, all relating to the creation of the Life at Conception Act of 2023; providing for the right to life to be guaranteed to all human beings, and providing for definitions"; to the Committee on the Judiciary.

By Delegate Martin:

H. B. 2294 - “A Bill to amend and reenact §61-6-19 of the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, relating to permitting persons who have been issued state licenses to carry concealed deadly weapons on the grounds of the State Capitol Complex, except for the third and fourth floors of the east wing of Building One"; to the Committee on the Judiciary.

By Delegate Smith:

H. B. 2295 - “A Bill to amend the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, by adding thereto a new article, designated §11-6M-1, §11-6M-2, §11-6M-3, §11-6M-4, §11-6M-5, §11-6M-6, §11-6M-7, §11-6M-8, and §11-6M-9, all relating to establishing an exemption from school excess levy tax for taxpayers with a household income at or below U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Poverty Guidelines"; to the Committee on Finance.

By Delegate Cooper:

H. B. 2296 - “A Bill to amend and reenact §20-2-35 of the Code of West Virginia,1931, as amended, relating to the beginning and expiration of hunting and fishing licenses"; to the Committee on Agriculture and Natural Resources then the Judiciary.

By Delegate Hanna:

H. B. 2297 - “A Bill to amend and reenact §18B-5-4 of the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, relating to requiring all higher education institutions use statewide contracts issued by the Purchasing Division for frequently purchased goods and services, when cost effective"; to the Committee on Education then Finance.

By Delegate McGeehan:

H. B. 2298 - “A Bill to amend and reenact §29-22A-10 and §29-22A-10b of the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, all relating to granting counties and municipalities a portion of the net terminal income from racetrack video lottery"; to the Committee on Government Organization then Finance.

By Delegate Anderson:

H. B. 2299 - “A Bill to amend the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, by adding thereto a new section, designated §7-1-17; and to amend said code by adding thereto a new section, designated §8-12-26, all relating to requiring that county commissions and municipalities who intend to approve a new or existing location for a limited video lottery retailer must first announce their intention to do so; and providing that those entities hold a public hearing before approval"; to the Committee on Political Subdivisions then the Judiciary.

By Delegate Walker:

H. B. 2300 - “A Bill to amend the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, by adding thereto a new section, designated §11-21-12n; to amend said code by adding thereto a new section, designated §11-24-23h; and to amend said code by adding thereto a new section, designated §16-35-4b, all relating to establishing tax credits for lead abatement in child occupied residences; establishing personal and corporate tax credit to owners or occupiers of these residences; providing for varying tax credits based on time periods when the credit is claimed;  and providing for rule-making authority"; to the Committee on Finance.

By Delegate Walker:

H. B. 2301 - “A Bill to amend and reenact §61-6-21 of the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, to provide civil rights protections to certain individuals"; to the Committee on the Judiciary.

By Delegate Walker:

H. B. 2302 - “A Bill to amend and reenact §18B-1-6 of the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, relating to rulemaking for healthcare plans; providing that the commission and council promulgate rules for healthcare plans offered to graduate students attending a college or university in this state; providing that the healthcare plans offered to graduate students permit adding dependents to the policy; providing that healthcare plans offered to graduate students not exclude any graduate student with a preexisting condition; and establishing an effective date"; to the Committee on Banking and Insurance then Education then Finance.

By Delegate Walker:

H. B. 2303 - “A Bill to amend the Code of West Virginia 1931, as amended, by adding thereto a new section, designated §11-21-12n, relating to tax exemption for funds from qualified retirement plans used for long-term care"; to the Committee on Health and Human Resources then Finance.

By Delegate Walker:

H. B. 2304 - “A Bill to amend the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, by adding thereto a new article, designated §16-66-1, §16-66-2, §16-66-3, §16-66-4, §16-66-5, §16-66-6, §16-66-7, and §16-66-8, all relating generally to prohibiting the use of polystyrene containers; definitions; and authorizing the West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources to impose civil fines for violations"; to the Committee on Health and Human Resources then the Judiciary.

By Delegate Howell:

H. B. 2305 - “A Bill to amend and reenact §17A-3-5 of the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, relating to allow foreign market vehicles over 25 years old to be exempted from title requirements and to be registered under this article for an additional $25 fee"; to the Committee on Technology and Infrastructure then Government Organization.

By Delegate Howell:

H. B. 2306 - “A Bill to amend the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, by adding thereto a new section, designated §46A-2-141, relating to exempting certain assets from collections by creditors"; to the Committee on the Judiciary.

By Delegate Howell:

H. B. 2307 - “A Bill to amend the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, by adding thereto a new article, designated §37-16-1, §37-16-2, and §37-16-3, all relating to the creation of the West Virginia Title Protection Act; providing for legislative findings; ensuring that rightful property owners retain title to their property free of all encumbrances when fraudulent or wrongful claims are listed against their property, or loans are taken out using fraudulent means; and providing for a mechanism for county clerks to provide notice to rightful landowners when property is transferred or when titles are filed or modified against property"; to the Committee on the Judiciary.

By Delegate Howell:

H. B. 2308 - “A Bill to amend and reenact §8-12-14 of the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, relating to prohibiting counties from charging for a building permit if the value of the improvement is less than that which is required for a contractor’s license"; to the Committee on Political Subdivisions then Government Organization.

By Delegate Howell:

H. B. 2309 - “A Bill to amend and reenact §11-1C-11 of the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, relating to the creation of an online renewal process for the Managed Timberland Program of the West Virginia Division of Forestry; creating a deadline for the Division of Forestry to maintain an online renewal application form; providing guidelines for initial information on the form; ensuring the submission of the form is of no cost to the individual; and preserving any costs for the initial application that is used by the West Virginia Division of Forestry"; to the Committee on Agriculture and Natural Resources then Government Organization.

By Delegate Howell:

H. B. 2310 - “A Bill to amend and reenact §17A-10-3a of the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as relating to authorizing the division of motor vehicles to issue an ‘Antique Fleet’ single registration plate for use on fleets of 5 or more antique vehicles; and relating to setting a fee for an ‘Antique Fleet’ plate"; to the Committee on Technology and Infrastructure then Government Organization.

By Delegate Keaton:

H. B. 2311 - “A Bill to amend and reenact §11-21-12 of the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, relating to allowing a surviving spouse one additional tax exemption of $20,000 beginning after December 31, 2023, for two taxable years after the death of the spouse; and defining surviving spouse"; to the Committee on Pensions and Retirement then Finance.

By Delegate Keaton:

H. B. 2312 - “A Bill to amend the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, by adding thereto a new article, designated §16-2S-1, §16-2S-2, §16-2S-3, §16-2S-4, §16-2S-5, §16-2S-6, §16-2S-7, §16-2S-8, §16-2S-9, §16-2S-10, §16-2S-11, §16-2S-12, and §16-2S-13, all relating to enacting the Heartbeat Protection Act; prohibiting abortions when a fetal heartbeat is detected; providing that the article applies only to intrauterine pregnancies; providing exceptions; making findings; providing for severability; establishing standards, requirements, and procedures; requiring documentation; requiring notice and acknowledgments; establishing criminal penalties; permitting civil actions; defining terms; and providing for rulemaking"; to the Committee on Health and Human Resources then the Judiciary.

By Delegate Keaton:

H. B. 2313 - “A Bill to amend and reenact §11-21-16 of the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, relating to modifying the amount of personal exemption for personal income tax in West Virginia"; to the Committee on Finance.

By Delegate Keaton:

H. B. 2314 - “A Bill to amend the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, by adding thereto a new article, designated §11-6M-1, §11-6M-2, §11-6M-3, §11-6M-4, and §11-6M-5, all relating to establishing the Rare Earth Property Tax Industrial Development Act; providing for definitions; creating valuation of certain rare earth business personal property; creating an initial determination with a process for protest and appeal; and creating an effective date"; to the Committee on Energy and Manufacturing then Finance.

By Delegate Fluharty:

H. B. 2315 - “A Bill to amend and reenact §18-8-1 of the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, relating to prohibiting the home schooling of children in certain circumstances; and prohibiting home schooling when a custodial parent or the person instructing the child is suspected or convicted of child abuse or neglect; and when either custodial parent or a person instructing the child has been convicted of domestic violence. This act shall be known as ‘Raylee’s Law"; to the Committee on Education then the Judiciary.

By Delegate Fluharty:

H. B. 2316 - “A Bill to amend  the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, by adding thereto a new section, designated §11-21-26; to amend said code by adding thereto a new section, designated §18-2-44; and to amend said code by adding thereto a new section, designated §18B-2A-9, all relating to establishing the Stay in State tax credit against personal income for higher education tuition of certain state residents; creating credit for student loan payments of all in-state community college, college, or university undergraduates and their in-state employers against personal income tax; establishing conditions and qualifications for the tax credit; providing methodology for calculating credit; providing for graduate and employer eligibility of payments against student loans for employees; defining terms; and providing for the board of education, State Board of Education, and governing boards of colleges’ promotion of the program"; to the Committee on Education then Finance.

By Delegate Fluharty:

H. B. 2317 - “A Bill to amend the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, by adding thereto a new section, designated §33-11-4c, relating to insurance unfair trade practices; prohibiting use of a person's credit history in certain insurance transactions"; to the Committee on Banking and Insurance then the Judiciary.

By Delegate Pushkin:

H. B. 2318 - “A Bill to amend and reenact §16A-2-1 of the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended; and to further amend §16A-11-1 of said code, all relating to certification of a patient’s eligibility for medical cannabis; amending a definition; and revising eligibility qualifications for patients to receive medical cannabis"; to the Committee on Health and Human Resources then the Judiciary.

By Delegate Fluharty:

H. B. 2319 - “A Bill to amend the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, by adding thereto a new section, designated §4-2A-5a, relating to drug testing of legislators"; to the Committee on the Judiciary then Finance.

By Delegate Toney:

H. B. 2320 - “A Bill to amend and reenact §18A-2-13 of the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, relating to changing the recommended guidelines for full-day and half-day cooks to the minimum ratio of one cook for every 110 meals prepared and served"; to the Committee on Education then Finance.

By Delegate C. Pritt:

H. B. 2321 - “A Bill to amend and reenact §16-2I-2 of the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, relating to mandating an ultrasound imaging procedure prior to an abortion"; to the Committee on Health and Human Resources then the Judiciary.

By Delegate C. Pritt:

H. B. 2322 - “A Bill to amend the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, by adding thereto a new section, designated §61-2-31, relating to creating a misdemeanor offense for the impersonation of a nonpublic figure on social media"; to the Committee on the Judiciary.

By Delegate C. Pritt:

H. B. 2323 - “A Bill to amend the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, by adding thereto a new article, designated §15-15A-1, §15-15A-2, §15-15A-3, §15-15A-4, and §15-15A-5, all relating to enacting the Refugee Information Act; including short title and definitions; requiring the state office within the Department of Health and Human Resources which deals with refugees to prepare and distribute fiscal impact assessment reports; and including administrative and severability provisions"; to the Committee on the Judiciary then Finance.

By Delegate C. Pritt:

H. B. 2324 - “A Bill to amend and reenact §48-18-205 of the Code of West Virginia, as amended, relating to expressly allowing for child support arrears agreements that a family court must accept"; to the Committee on the Judiciary.

By Delegate C. Pritt:

H. B. 2325 - “A Bill to amend the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, by adding thereto a new section, designated §49-4-112a relating to adoption attorneys; allowing the direct payment of state adoption attorneys, prohibiting state payment of adoptive parent’s attorney fees, and providing for an attorney referral list rather than direct attorney referral for adoptive parents"; to the Committee on the Judiciary then Finance.

By Delegate C. Pritt:

H. B. 2326 - “A Bill to amend the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, by adding thereto a new article, designated §16-2Q-1, relating to public health; and prohibiting state funding of abortions"; to the Committee on Health and Human Resources then Finance.

By Delegate C. Pritt:

H. B. 2327 - “A Bill to amend and reenact §18-5-1 and §18-5-1b of the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, all relating to modifying county school board elections to provide that the candidate’s party affiliation be displayed beside of the candidate’s name on the ballot"; to the Committee on the Judiciary.

By Delegate C. Pritt:

H. B. 2328 - “A Bill to amend and reenact §3-1-14 of the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, relating to prohibit presidential electors from voting for the presidential and vice presidential party that did not win the majority of votes; and creating a felony offense and penalty for violation of this provision"; to the Committee on the Judiciary.

By Delegate C. Pritt:

H. B. 2329 - “A Bill to amend the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, by adding thereto a new article, designated §62-17-1, §62-17-2, §62-17-3, §62-17-4, §62-17-5, §62-17-6, §62-17-7, §62-17-8, §62-17-9, §62-17-10, §62-17-11, §62-17-12, §62-17-13, §62-17-14, §62-17-15, §62-17-16, §62-17-17, §62-17-18, §62-17-19, §62-17-20, §62-17-21, §62-17-22, §62-17-23, §62-17-24, §62-17-25, §62-17-26, §62-17-27, §62-17-28, §62-17-29, §62-17-30, and §62-17-31, all relating to criminal forfeiture process act; titling the act; defining terms; establishing the process for seizure; defining jurisdiction; establishing restraints and exceptions for seizure; establishing process for property owned by innocent parties; establishing process for property covered by a lien; establishing process for payment of fees and costs"; to the Committee on the Judiciary.

By Delegate C. Pritt:

H. B. 2330 - “A Bill to repeal §3-4A-1, §§3-4A-2, §3-4A-3, §3-4A-4, §3-4A-5, §3-4A-6, §3-4A-7, §3-4A-8, §3-4A-9, §3-4A-10, §3-4A-11, §3-4A-12, §3-4A-13, §3-4A-14, §3-4A-15, §3-4A-16, §3-4A-17, §3-4A-18, §3-4A-19, §3-4A-20, §3-4A-21, §3-4A-22, §3-4A-23, §3-4A-24, §3-4A-25, §3-4A-26, §3-4A-27, §3-4A-28, §3-4A-29, §3-4A-30, §3-4A-31, §3-4A-32, §3-4A-33, and §3-4A-34 of the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, relating to electronic voting systems"; to the Committee on the Judiciary.

By Delegate C. Pritt:

H. B. 2331 - “A Bill to repeal §51-2A-2 of the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, relating to family court jurisdiction, exceptions, and limitations"; to the Committee on the Judiciary.

By Delegate C. Pritt:

H. B. 2332 - “A Bill to amend and reenact §59-1-10 of the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, to prohibit the clerks of the county commissions from changing fees to the public to photograph public records; providing injunctive relief for violations of the prohibition; and providing an award of attorney’s fees to a prevailing plaintiff"; to the Committee on the Judiciary.

By Delegate C. Pritt:

H. B. 2333 - “A Bill to amend the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, by adding thereto a new article, designated §11-29-1, §11-29-2, §11-29-3, and §11-29-4, all relating to creating the ‘Legal Tender Act;’ establishing gold and silver as legal tender in West Virginia; creating a nonrefundable tax credit for the use of gold and silver in West Virginia; and creating a sales tax credit for the use of gold and silver as legal tender"; to the Committee on Banking and Insurance then Finance.

By Delegate C. Pritt:

H. B. 2334 - “A Bill to amend and reenact §18-8-1 of the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, relating to homeschooling requirements"; to the Committee on Education.

By Delegate Martin:

H. B. 2335 - “A Bill to amend the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, by adding thereto a new section, designated §61-1-10, relating to prohibiting the establishment of a constitution or legal system superior or parallel to the West Virginia Constitution and the West Virginia Code; and providing a criminal penalty"; to the Committee on the Judiciary.

By Delegate Martin:

H. B. 2336 - “A Bill to amend the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, by adding thereto a new article, designated §7-28-1, §7-28-2, §7-28-3, §7-28-4, §7-28-5, §7-28-6, and §7-28-7, all relating to requiring local entities to enforce immigration laws; providing for definitions; providing for applicability; requiring that a local entity not prohibit the enforcement of immigration laws or the cooperation with other governmental agencies to enforce immigration laws; prohibiting discrimination; providing for a complaint procedures; providing for notice of noncompliance to the local entity; providing for actions to ensure compliance; providing for the denial of state funds to local entities in a final judicial determination; providing for exceptions under certain circumstances; and providing for severability"; to the Committee on the Judiciary.

By Delegate Statler:

H. B. 2337 - “A Bill to amend and reenact §6B-2B-2 of the Code of West Virginia of 1931, as amended, relating to use of public funds to display a public official’s name or likeness and prohibiting such display on public road signs"; to the Committee on Technology and Infrastructure then the Judiciary.

By Delegate Griffith:

H. B. 2338 - “A Bill to amend the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, by adding thereto a new section, designated §61-8-19d, relating to the restraint of dogs"; to the Committee on the Judiciary.

By Delegate Griffith:

H. B. 2339 - “A Bill to amend and reenact §46A-6F-112 of the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, relating to telemarketing; and requiring that telemarketers telephone calls include the area code and correct point of origin"; to the Committee on the Judiciary.

By Delegate Griffith:

H. B. 2340 - “A Bill to amend and reenact §18-7A-38 of the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, relating to providing that the Consolidated Public Retirement Board may not set forth in a rule a maximum number of days in which a retired teacher may accept employment prior to having his or her retirement benefit reduced that is less than 180 days"; to the Committee on Pensions and Retirement then Finance.

By Delegate Griffith:

H. B. 2341 - “A Bill to amend and reenact §9-2-6 of the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, relating to authorizing the Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Resources to implement a state-wide nutrition incentive program that encourages citizens who receive Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits to consume fresh, healthy, and locally grown food from eligible food items purchased at local farmer’s markets and participating grocers: and providing for an equal SNAP credit for the use of additional farmer market purchases up to $40 a month"; to the Committee on Finance.

By Delegate Griffith:

H. B. 2342 - “A Bill to amend the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, by adding thereto a new article, designated §30-5A-1, relating to requiring the purpose of a prescription to be clearly stated on the label"; to the Committee on Health and Human Resources.

By Delegate C. Pritt:

H. B. 2343 - “A Bill to amend the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, by adding thereto a new section, designated §61-11-26c, relating to providing for the automatic expungement of certain criminal convictions and records that are eligible for expungement"; to the Committee on the Judiciary.

By Delegate C. Pritt:

H. B. 2344 - “A Bill to amend and reenact §11-1A-3 of the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended; and to amend and reenact §11-3-1 of said code, all relating to providing definitions for ‘market value’ and ‘true and actual value’; and that property taxes may not be appraised and assessed higher than the value in 2019"; to the Committee on Finance.

By Delegate C. Pritt:

H. B. 2345 - “A Bill to amend and reenact §3-2-13 of the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, relating to prohibit an agency of state or local government, including an employer, or contractor, from automatically registering to vote any eligible person without first obtaining an explicit, written consent to be registered to vote, and an appropriate state or federal registration form"; to the Committee on the Judiciary.

By Delegate Toney:

H. B. 2346 - “A Bill to amend and reenact §18A-4-15 of the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, relating to declaring a shortage of qualified bus operators and allowing retired bus operators to accept employment as substitute bus operators without effect on their retirement benefit"; to the Committee on Education then Finance.

By Delegate C. Pritt:

H. B. 2347 - “A Bill to amend of the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, by adding thereto a new article, designated §18-2L-1, §18-2L-2, §18-2L-3, and §18-2L-4; and to amend and reenact §18-5G-3 of said code, all relating to prohibiting anti-stereotyping in state public schools and public charter schools; establishing the Anti-Stereotyping Act; providing that training, instructional or curricula materials be displayed on the public school, county board, or public charter school website provided that reproduction does not infringe copyrights; providing that county boards, public schools, public charter schools, and employees thereof, shall not, in the course or scope of employment, promote, embrace, or endorse stereotypes; ensuring that the county board, public school or charter school does not require or compel a student, teacher, administrator, or other employee to affirm, adopt, or adhere to any certain beliefs or concepts and preserving free speech protections"; to the Committee on Education then the Judiciary.

By Delegate Pushkin:

H. B. 2348 - “A Bill to amend the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, by adding thereto a new section, designated §9-5-29, relating to the West Virginia Medicaid program; requiring West Virginia Medicaid managed care organizations to contract with any otherwise qualified provider"; to the Committee on Health and Human Resources then Finance.

By Delegate Hornbuckle:

H. B. 2349 - “A Bill to amend and reenact §11-16-10 of the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, relating to authorizing a temporary foreign brewers import license"; to the Committee on Government Organization then Finance.

By Delegate Hornbuckle:

H. B. 2350 - “A Bill to amend and reenact §18A-4-10 of the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, relating to granting full time employees of county boards of education three months of paid leave following the birth of a child, or the placement of a child in the home through adoption or foster care; and providing that the leave is in addition to any other leave available to the employee"; to the Committee on Education then Finance.

By Delegate Hornbuckle:

H. B. 2351 - “A Bill to amend the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, by adding thereto a new section, designated §11-21-98; and to amend said code by adding thereto a new section, designated §11-24-45, all relating to establishing personal or corporate income tax credit for businesses who hire, promote, and develop women and minorities into executive, professional, or administrative roles; findings; determination of eligibility for credit; providing for the amount of the credit; and providing for an effective date"; to the Committee on Workforce Development then Finance.

By Delegate Hornbuckle:

H. B. 2352 - “A Bill to amend and reenact §16-19-3, §16-19-4, and §16-19-5 of the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, all relating to living anatomical gifts; providing definition; establishing who may make a living anatomical gift and for what purposes; and establishing requirements for obtaining consent of the donor to make the gift"; to the Committee on Health and Human Resources then the Judiciary.

By Delegate Barnhart:

H. B. 2353 - “A Bill to amend the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, by adding thereto a new section, designated §7-1-3aa, relating to permitting counties to create a tax reduction fund; reduce taxes or fees on businesses and individuals; and use the savings funds for losses or shortfalls in the prior fiscal year"; to the Committee on Political Subdivisions then Finance.

By Delegate Hornbuckle:

H. B. 2354 - “A Bill to amend the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, by adding thereto a new article, designated §18-2L-1, §18-2L-2, §18-2L-3, and §18-2L-4, all relating to the establishment of the ‘Student Rescue Act;’ allowing for students of all grades in West Virginia to be able to attend these courses if they so desire, and if there is enough interest, in order to make up instructional time or educational opportunities lost for a pandemic, natural disaster, or other singular event lasting more than 21 days; providing for a source of funding; and providing an effective date"; to the Committee on Education then Finance.

By Delegate Hornbuckle:

H. B. 2355 - “A Bill to amend the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, by adding thereto a new section, designated §18A-5-9, relating to establishing a pilot program to develop school-based mental and behavioral health services as an alternative to disciplinary action for disruptive student behavior"; to the Committee on Education then Finance.

By Delegate Hornbuckle:

H. B. 2356 - “A Bill to amend the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, by adding thereto a new section, designated §17C-15-51, relating to prohibiting certain devices which enhance a diesel-powered vehicle’s capacity to emit soot, smoke, or other particulate emissions; and creating misdemeanor offense with penalty"; to the Committee on Technology and Infrastructure then the Judiciary.

By Delegate Hornbuckle:

H. B. 2357 - “A Bill to amend and reenact §18-2-25 and §18-2-25a of the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, all relating to granting jurisdiction to supervise youth sport league athletic events to county boards of education and the West Virginia Secondary School Activities Commission; requiring schools and youth sport leagues to implement certain safety measures during athletic events; authorizing fines; and requiring rulemaking"; to the Committee on Education then Government Organization then the Judiciary.

By Delegate Hornbuckle:

H. B. 2358 - “A Bill to amend the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, by adding thereto a new section, designated §61-8-32, relating to making it a misdemeanor for a person to knowingly allow a felony drug offense to be committed on his or her property; creating a duty to report; establishing criminal penalties; and allowing a private cause of action"; to the Committee on Health and Human Resources then the Judiciary.

By Delegate Hornbuckle:

H. B. 2359 - “A Bill to amend the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, by adding thereto a new article, designated §11-13MM-1, relating to creating ‘The Young Professional Tax Credits’ for student loans; and allowing tax credits for student loans for graduates between ages 18 and 40, together with a refundable child care credit"; to the Committee on Finance.

By Delegate Hornbuckle:

H. B. 2360 - “A Bill to amend the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, by adding thereto a new article, designated §11-29-1, relating to collecting a tax from all manufacturers and distributors of opioid drugs and their derivatives and substances included as Schedule II drugs in this state to fund drug addiction and prevention programs"; to the Committee on Health and Human Resources then Finance.

By Delegate Holstein:

H. B. 2361 - “A Bill to amend and reenact §48-22-702 of the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, relating to adoption records, providing a means for adoptees reaching 21 years of age to obtain an original birth certificate upon application and payment of fees"; to the Committee on the Judiciary.

By Delegate Holstein:

H. B. 2362 - “A Bill to amend and reenact §51-2-1 of the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended; and to amend and reenact §61-7-11a of said code, all relating to permitting circuit court judges to carry a concealed firearm for self-defense purposes"; to the Committee on the Judiciary.

By Delegate Holstein:

H. B. 2363 - “A Bill to amend the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, by adding thereto a new section, designated §18-2-44, relating to requiring a moment of silence at the beginning of each school day; providing legislative findings; forbidding teachers from making suggestions as to the nature of the reflection that students may engage in during the moment of silence; and encouraging parents to discuss with their children what they should consider during the moment of silence"; to the Committee on Education then the Judiciary.

By Delegate Holstein:

H. B. 2364 - “A Bill to amend and reenact §17-16A-13 of the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, relating to exempting school buses currently in operation from having to pay tolls otherwise charged to vehicles on West Virginia roadways"; to the Committee on Technology and Infrastructure then Finance.

By Delegate Holstein:

H. B. 2365 - “A Bill to amend the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, by adding thereto a new article, designated §20-2D-1, §20-2D-2, §20-2D-3, §20-2D-4, and §20-2D-5, all relating to establishing the Hunting and Fishing Access to Private Lands Act; short title; Legislative intent; establishing a program within the Division of Natural Resources to allow public access onto private lands for hunting and fishing; conditions and requirements of program participants; limitation of duties and liability of participating landowners; and providing for legislative rulemaking"; to the Committee on Agriculture and Natural Resources then the Judiciary.

By Delegate Crouse:

H. B. 2366 - “A Bill to amend the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, by adding thereto a new article, designated §18-9H-1, §18-9H-2, §18-9H-3, §18-9H-4, §18-9H-5, §18-9H-6, §18-9H-7, and §18-9H-8, all relating to video cameras in public classrooms; authorizing county boards to adopt a policy to install video cameras in public classrooms; defining the term ‘incident’; providing requirements for such cameras; requiring a written explanation if operation of such cameras is interrupted; requiring county boards to retain such explanation for a specified time period; requiring county boards to provide written notice of the installation of such cameras to certain individuals; providing requirements for retaining and deleting video recordings; prohibiting schools and county boards from certain actions regarding such recordings; providing that school principals are custodians of such cameras and recordings; specifying requirements for viewing such recordings; providing for an appeal process; setting forth limitations on liability; requiring the State Board of Education to collect specified information; and authorizing the State Board of Education to promulgate rules"; to the Committee on Education then Finance.

By Delegate Crouse:

H. B. 2367 - “A Bill to amend and reenact §16-3-4 of the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended; to amend said code by adding thereto a new section, designated §18B-1-12; and to amend and reenact §21-1A-3 of said code, all relating to providing parents the option to have their children vaccinated as a condition to entry of schools; forbidding schools from requiring masks on children under age 18; allowing those over 18 to make their own decisions regarding vaccinations as a condition of entry to colleges and trade schools in West Virginia; forbidding colleges and trade schools from requiring masks at their campuses for students 18 and over; and forbidding businesses from requiring vaccines or masks as a condition of employment or entry into an establishment"; to the Committee on Health and Human Resources then the Judiciary.

By Delegate Crouse:

H. B. 2368 - “A Bill to amend and reenact §16-39-8 of the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, relating to patient visitation requirements for certain healthcare facilities; providing that visitation requirements apply notwithstanding patient or facility quarantine; requiring allowance of visitation of at least one person at all times; license requirements of healthcare facilities subject to the requirements; and establishing a minimum fine for a violation thereof"; to the Committee on Health and Human Resources then the Judiciary.

By Delegate Gearheart:

H. B. 2369 - “A Bill to amend and reenact §20-2-15 of the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, relating to permit land owners or lessees of land whose land is damaged by deer or other wildlife to hire a third party to kill the deer or other wildlife by bow and arrow"; to the Committee on Agriculture and Natural Resources then the Judiciary.

By Delegate Gearheart:

H. B. 2370 - “A Bill to amend the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, by adding thereto a new section, designated §12-2-2a, relating to requiring a transfer from reappropriated revenue accounts to General Revenue Fund"; to the Committee on Finance.

By Delegate Gearheart:

H. B. 2371 - “A Bill to amend and reenact §17-16A-11 of the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, relating to ensuring that funding to counties named in this section from the State Road Construction Account does not affect any other funding received by those counties from the State Road Fund"; to the Committee on Technology and Infrastructure then Finance.

By Delegate Gearheart:

H. B. 2372 - “A Bill to amend and reenact §12-2-2 of the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, relating to the forfeiture of unencumbered funds in special revenue accounts and repayment of certain percentages of the special revenue accounts to the General Revenue Fund, if these accounts have been inactive for designated periods; and prohibiting expenditures from these accounts pending the forfeiture of the funds"; to the Committee on Finance.

By Delegate Gearheart:

H. B. 2373 - “A Bill to amend and reenact §17-16A-10 of the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, relating to requiring the approval of the Legislature and the Governor before additional bonds may be issued by the Parkways Authority; and requiring tolls to be removed six months following removal of encumbrances for the bonds"; to the Committee on Technology and Infrastructure then Finance.

By Delegate Gearheart:

H. B. 2374 - “A Bill to amend and reenact §3-10-4 of the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, relating to filling a vacancy occurring in the House of Representatives in the Congress of the United States in the same manner as a vacancy in the Senate of the United States Congress"; to the Committee on the Judiciary.

By Delegate Hott:

H. B. 2375 - “A Bill to amend the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, by adding thereto a new section, designated as §15-2-5a, relating to the West Virginia State Police; and providing additional salary and sign on incentive benefits to members of the state police"; to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs and Homeland Security then Finance.

By Delegate Hott:

H. B. 2376 - “A Bill to amend the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, by adding thereto a new section, designated §16-3-4d, relating to the prohibition of discrimination based upon the vaccine status of an individual"; to the Committee on Health and Human Resources then the Judiciary.

By Delegate Fluharty:

H. B. 2377 - “A Bill to amend the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, by adding thereto a new section, designated §11-21-12n, relating to taxation of gambling and lottery winnings; providing those winnings are taxable income; allowing taxpayers to deduct certain losses incurred the same year; and providing for recordkeeping of those losses"; to the Committee on Finance.

By Delegate Rowe:

H. B. 2378 - “A Bill to amend and reenact §21-5C-2 of the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, relating to increasing the minimum wage in West Virginia to the rate of $15 per hour, phased in over a six year period"; to the Committee on Workforce Development then Finance.

By Delegate Martin:

H. B. 2379 - “A Bill To amend and reenact §17-5-1 of the Code of West Virginia,1931, as amended, relating to making all inmates, regardless of gender, eligible to work on a state convict road force"; to the Committee on the Judiciary.

By Delegate Ellington:

H. B. 2380 - “A Bill to repeal §18-9D-5 of the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended; to amend and reenact §18-9A-10 of said code; and to amend and reenact §18-9D-2, §18-9D-3, §18-9D-4, §18-9D-6, §18-9D-7, §18-9D-8, §18-9D-9, §18-9D-13, §18-9D-15, and §18-9D-19 of said code, all relating to removing or revising obsolete, outdated, antiquated, inoperative, surplus or superseded provisions relating to defining terms; allowing funding directly to school construction fund instead of through school aid formula; providing duties and powers of school building authority; providing authority to issue revenue bonds; providing authority to offer higher education savings plans; closing certain fund; providing purposes and revenue sources for other funds; providing authority to collect rents; providing for the use of proceeds of bonds; providing for the issuance of revenue refunding bonds, use of proceeds, entry into escrow agreements and redemption of bonds; paying bonds; expending authority funds for projects; requirements for projects; and authorizing construction of comprehensive high schools"; to the Committee on Education.

By Delegate Ellington:

H. B. 2381 - “A Bill to amend and reenact §18C-3-3 of the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, relating to establishing the behavioral health workforce education initiative at the Higher Education Policy Commission"; to the Committee on Education then Finance.

By Delegate Ellington:

H. B. 2382 - “A Bill to repeal §18-5B-1, §18-5B-2, §18-5B-3, §18-5B-4, §18-5B-5, §18-5B-6, §18-5B-7, §18-5B-8, §18-5B-9, §18-5B-11, §18-5B-12, §18-5B-13, and §18-5B-14 of the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended; to amend and reenact §18-5B-10 of said code; and to amend and reenact §18-5E-3 of said code, all relating to repealing school innovation zones provisions superseded by Innovation in Education Act; updating exceptions to statutes granted to schools to reflect changes in underlying circumstances; updating provisions related to granted exceptions to accommodate exceptions which may be granted to innovation in education schools and school systems; and clarifying process for state board and legislative oversight commission on education accountability to approve and recommend exceptions to statutes"; to the Committee on Education.

By Delegate Ellington:

H. B. 2383 - “A Bill to amend and reenact §18-5-22 of the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, relating to school nurses; requiring counties to employ nurses in proportion to student population; requiring each county to have at least one school nurse; allowing licensed practical nurses supervised by a registered professional nurse to be counted as nurse; and requiring that registered professional nurse of a county complete needs assessment"; to the Committee on Education then Finance.

By Delegate Longanacre:

H. B. 2384 - “A Bill to amend the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, by adding thereto a new section, designated §11-14-9, relating to a 10 cent per gallon refund of tax paid gasoline, diesel, or gasohol gallonage, paid at the pump, by residents of West Virginia; and proof of payment and residency"; to the Committee on Technology and Infrastructure then Finance.

By Delegate Longanacre:

H. B. 2385 - “A Bill to amend and reenact §18-2-7b of the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, relating to clarifying the manner of instruction for comprehensive drug awareness and prevention programs for students in grades K through 12"; to the Committee on Health and Human Resources then Education.

By Delegate Longanacre:

H. B. 2386 - “A Bill to amend the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, by adding thereto a new article, designated §7-28-1, §7-28-2, §7-28-3, and §7-28-4, all relating to requiring local entities to enforce immigration laws; providing for definitions; requiring that a local entity not prohibit the enforcement of immigration laws or the cooperation with other governmental agencies to enforce immigration laws; protecting the taxpayers of West Virginia by ensuring that cities, towns, municipalities and counties in West Virginia are immediately required to contact the United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement to identify where noncitizen residents are residing, so that the matter of their illegal status is resolved in the courts; and prohibiting discrimination while enforcing existing immigration laws and prohibiting sanctuary cities in West Virginia"; to the Committee on Political Subdivisions then the Judiciary.

By Delegate Longanacre:

H. B. 2387 - “A Bill to amend and reenact §5-5-2 of the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, relating to requiring that all percentage salary increases shall be based upon merit and performance and not in equal amounts to all employees; the bill is to be known as the ‘Fair Advancements for State Employees Act"; to the Committee on Government Organization then Finance.

By Delegate Longanacre:

H. B. 2388 - “A Bill to amend and reenact §15A-11-9 of the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, relating to the Save Our Volunteer Fire Departments Act, requiring the State Fire Commission to review and revise certain rules for training of volunteer firefighters and certification of volunteer fire departments; removing provision for a pilot program to implement proposed changes to such requirements; and requiring the State Fire Commission to consider separate standards to fit the character and level of development of a volunteer fire department’s designated rum area"; to the Committee on Fire Departments and Emergency Medical Services then Government Organization.

By Delegate Longanacre:

H. B. 2389 - “A Bill to amend and reenact §17A-3-14 of the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended; and to amend said code by adding thereto a new article, designated §17B-2C-1, §17B-2C-2, §17B-2C-3, §17B-2C-4, §17B-2C-5, and §17B-2C-6, all relating to establishing a special plate with a medical condition diagnosis for persons with medical conditions affecting speech, mobility, or other motor functions; providing for a short title; providing for obtaining a medical condition designated driver’s license, providing for obtaining a medical condition designated license plate; providing for confidentiality of medical records; providing for rule-making authority; and providing for an effective date"; to the Committee on Technology and Infrastructure then Government Organization.

By Delegate Kimble:

H. B. 2390 - “A Bill to amend and reenact §18B-20-1, §18B-20-3, §18B-20-5, §18B-20-6, §18B-20-7, and §18B-20-9 of the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended; and to amend said code by adding thereto two new sections, designated §18B-20-10 and §18B-20-11, all relating to establishing the Forming Open and Robust University Minds (FORUM) Act through strengthening existing free expression on campus laws; providing for legislative findings regarding the exercise of First Amendment rights on public university campuses in this state as being critical components of the education experience for students; clarifying the definition of public forums; modifying certain time, place, and manner restrictions; strengthening development of policies and procedures; ensuring a reporting requirement and establishing the framework for reporting requirements; clarifying the statute of limitations; providing for immunity; and providing for severability"; to the Committee on Education then the Judiciary.

By Delegate Rowe:

H. B. 2391 - “A Bill to amend and reenact §2-2-1a of the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, relating to declaring February 3 as a special memorial day to be known as Freedom Day to memorialize the February 3, 1865, Act by the Legislature that abolished slavery in West Virginia"; to the Committee on Government Organization.

By Delegate Rowe:

H. B. 2392 - “A Bill to amend the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, by adding thereto a new section, designated §61-2-10c, relating to creating a misdemeanor crime of assault upon a person with bodily fluid"; to the Committee on the Judiciary.

By Delegate Rowe:

H. B. 2393 - “A Bill to amend and reenact §11-13J-6, §11-13J-8, and §11-13J-12 of the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, all relating to extending the Neighborhood Investment Program Act; increasing the aggregate limit for the tax credit authorized under the program; and extending duration of the program until July 1, 2028"; to the Committee on Finance.

By Delegate Rowe:

H. B. 2394 - “A Bill to amend and reenact §24-1-1 of the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, relating to the Public Service Commission; and requiring annual reports on ratepayer utility costs to the Joint Committee on Government and Finance, adjusted for inflation"; to the Committee on Government Organization.

By Delegate Rowe:

H. B. 2395 - “A Bill to amend the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, by adding thereto a new article, designated §24-9-1, §24-9-2, and §24-9-3, all relating to establishing the consumer advocate division as a separate, independent agency; providing for legislative findings; providing the purpose of the Consumer Advocate Division; providing for a report to the Joint Committee on Government and Finance and the Governor; and distinguishing the consumer advocate division as an independent agency that is separate from the Public Service Commission"; to the Committee on Government Organization then Finance.

By Delegate Fast:

H. B. 2396 - “A Bill to amend and reenact §47-15-1 and §47-15-2 of the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, all relating to pyramid promotional schemes; definitions, and unlawful acts"; to the Committee on the Judiciary.

By Delegate Fast:

H. B. 2397 - “A Bill to amend and reenact §61-8D-1 and §61-8D-4 of the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, all relating to modifying the definitions of child abuse and neglect to exclude accidents"; to the Committee on Senior, Children, and Family Issues then the Judiciary.

By Delegate Fast:

H. B. 2398 - “A Bill to amend and reenact §5-11-10 of the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, relating to requiring the Human Rights Commission, when investigating a complaint of discrimination, to specifically include an examination of the intent of the person or entity alleged to have committed the unlawful discriminatory practice"; to the Committee on the Judiciary.

By Delegate Fast:

H. B. 2399 - “A Bill to repeal §21-3-19 of the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, relating to employer discrimination for use of tobacco products"; to the Committee on the Judiciary.

By Delegate Fast:

H. B. 2400 - “A Bill to amend the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, by adding thereto a new section, designated §46A-6-109a, relating to allowing a home improvement transaction to be performed under an oral contract"; to the Committee on the Judiciary.

By Delegate Fast:

H. B. 2401 - “A Bill to amend the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, by adding thereto a new section, designated §18B-1B-14, relating to relocation or closure of state higher education institutions; establishing legislative findings; requiring an economic and educational accessibility impact study and plan be provided by a state institution of higher education to the Higher Education Policy Commission prior to closure or transfer of the physical presence in an existing location; requiring the commission to review, provide feedback and suggested changes to the institution desiring to close or transfer a physical presence; requiring the commission to make a recommendation to the Legislative Oversight Commission on Education Accountability (LOCEA); requiring the LOCEA to consider and take action within six months of submission; authorizing amendment of the recommended plan; authorizing transfer or closure pursuant to an approved LOCEA plan"; to the Committee on Education then the Judiciary.

By Delegate Hott:

H. B. 2402 - “A Bill to repeal §23-2-6a of the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended; to amend and reenact §23-2-6 of said code; and to amend and reenact §23-4-2 of said code, all relating to workers’ compensation; clarifying language regarding an employers’ exemption from liability; clarifying language regarding liability of employers who do not maintain mandatory workers’ compensation coverage; clarifying language regarding employers’ liability when an employees’ injury is self-inflicted or the result of intoxication; and providing that the employee may recover when the injury or death was caused by an employer’s deliberate intention"; to the Committee on Banking and Insurance then the Judiciary.

By Delegate Steele:

H. B. 2403 - “A Bill to amend and reenact §61-10-31 of the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, relating to defining criminal penalties for conspiracy to commit murder in the first degree, conspiracy to commit murder in the second degree, and conspiracy to commit voluntary manslaughter; and making other technical corrections"; to the Committee on the Judiciary.

By Delegate Steele:

H. B. 2404 - “A Bill to amend and reenact §29-21-16 of the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, relating to repayment of legal services when payment is made by the state for public defender services"; to the Committee on the Judiciary.

By Delegate Steele:

H. B. 2405 - “A Bill to amend and reenact §11-15-9 of the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, relating to providing an exemption from the consumer sales tax upon sales of administrative services of performing employee administration tasks, including, but not limited to, employee payroll and benefits administration, on behalf of an employer"; to the Committee on Finance.

By Delegate Steele:

H. B. 2406 - “A Bill to amend and reenact §21-5-5c and §21-5-5d of the Code of West Virginia, 1931, all relating to licensure for polygraph examiners, removing state licensure requirements for polygraph examiners; and updating criminal penalties associated with removing state licensure"; to the Committee on Government Organization.

By Delegate C. Pritt:

H. B. 2407 - “A Bill to amend and reenact §9-8-5 of the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, relating to requiring photo EBT cards to be used beginning July 1, 2023"; to the Committee on Health and Human Resources then the Judiciary.

By Delegate Hornbuckle:

H. B. 2408 - “A Bill to amend the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, by adding thereto a new article, designated §18B-21-1, §18B-21-2, §18B-21-3, and §18B-21-4, all relating to creating the Mountaineer Games Sports League; establishing findings; establishing board of directors; creating duties and objectives for the board; establishing league affiliates; creating structure for the divisions; and creating the Mountaineer Games Governor’s Cup"; to the Committee on Health and Human Resources then Government Organization.

By Delegate Hornbuckle:

H. B. 2409 - “A Bill to amend and reenact §22-15-2 of the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended; and to amend said code by adding thereto a new section, designated §22-15-25, all relating to the development and implementation of a program to regulate source-separated organic material waste; requiring permits for the facilities and general operation; providing for general handling of organic material waste; authorizing the secretary of the Department of Environmental Protection to promulgate rules; authorizing the secretary to provide exemptions; and to provide for curb-side pickup of composting"; to the Committee on Health and Human Resources then Government Organization.

By Delegate Hornbuckle:

H. B. 2410 - “A Bill to amend the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, by adding thereto a new section, designated §18-23-9b, relating to establishing the Commission on American History Enrichment; providing legislative findings relating to evaluating history lessons and materials for history courses that are more inclusive of the history of historic minorities; providing for appointment and membership of the commission; requiring commission to meet and submit reports; and providing for pay and expenses of commission"; to the Committee on Education then Finance.

By Delegate Hornbuckle:

H. B. 2411 - “A Bill to amend the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, by adding thereto a new section, designated §18A-3-13, relating to establishing the Cultural Competency in Education Act; providing expanded measures relating to teacher certification; and requiring teachers attaining their initial licensure or renewing their license to participate in cultural competency training"; to the Committee on Education.

By Delegate Hornbuckle:

H. B. 2412 - “A Bill to amend and reenact §2-2-1a of the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, relating to declaring November 14 every year, a special memorial day in remembrance of the Marshall University airplane crash"; to the Committee on Government Organization.

By Delegate C. Pritt:

H. B. 2413 - “A Bill to amend the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, by adding thereto a new section, designated §30-5-37, relating to permitting pharmacists to dispense ivermectin by means of a standing order; creating definitions; providing for guidelines, clarifying the role of the West Virginia Board of Medicine; and providing for an effective date"; to the Committee on Health and Human Resources.

By Delegate C. Pritt:

H. B. 2414 - “A Bill to amend the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, by adding thereto a new section, designated §17B-2-1d, relating to allowing an individual with a medical condition or conditions to have those conditions placed upon a driver’s license or permit so that an officer may be aware of the condition or conditions a driver may have"; to the Committee on Technology and Infrastructure then the Judiciary.

By Delegate C. Pritt:

H. B. 2415 - “A Bill to amend the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, by adding thereto a new article, designated §29-6A-1, §29-6A-2, §29-6A-3, §29-6A-4, and §29-6A-5, all relating to enacting the Ban-the-Box Act, prohibiting public employers from asking applicants for employment to disclose information concerning the applicant’s criminal record or history, under certain circumstances"; to the Committee on Workforce Development then the Judiciary.

By Delegate C. Pritt:

H. B. 2416 - “A Bill to amend the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, by adding thereto a new section, designated §16-39-9, relating to permitting parents or guardians visit a minor patient in a health care facility"; to the Committee on Health and Human Resources.

By Delegate Pushkin:

H. B. 2417 - “A Bill to amend and reenact §48-27-301 of the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, relating to directing the Supreme Court of Appeals to create a pilot domestic violence court in Kanawha County"; to the Committee on the Judiciary.

By Delegate Burkhammer:

H. B. 2418 - “A Bill to amend the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, by adding thereto a new article, designated §11-29-1, §11-29-2, §11-29-3, and §11-29-4, all related to creating a tax credit for living and deceased organ donors named the Organ Donation Tax Deduction Act; establishing Act’s purpose; establishing the amount of tax credit and eligible taxpayers; and providing for the applicability of the tax credit"; to the Committee on Finance.

By Delegate Pushkin:

H. B. 2419 - “A Bill to repeal §16-5Y-12 of the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, relating to removing the Certificate of Need moratorium on opioid treatment facilities"; to the Committee on Health and Human Resources.

By Delegate Pushkin:

H. B. 2420 - “A Bill to amend the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, by adding thereto a new article, designated §55-22-1, §55-22-2, §55-22-3, §55-22-4, §55-22-5, §55-22-6, §55-22-7 and §55-22-8, all relating to the establishing of the West Virginia Public Participation Act; providing legislative findings and declarations; defining terms; authorizing litigants to petition for dismissal of strategic lawsuits against public participation; establishing procedures for dismissal; setting burdens of proof; providing for judicial review of any decision on a petition for dismissal; providing for the award of attorneys’ fees, costs and other relief; and providing for exceptions and limitations on the applicability of the West Virginia Public Participation Act"; to the Committee on the Judiciary.

By Delegate C. Pritt:

H. B. 2421 - “A Bill to amend and reenact §18B-1-3 and §18B-1-6 of the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended; to amend and reenact §18B-1B-4 of said code; to amend and reenact §18B-2A-4 of said code; to amend and reenact §18B-2B-6 of said code; and to amend said code by adding thereto a new section, designated §18B-4-5b, all relating to denying institutions of higher education the authority to restrict or regulate the carrying of a concealed deadly weapon by a person who holds a current license to carry a concealed deadly weapon; providing exceptions as to when regulation may occur; and designating these amendments as ‘The Campus Self Defense Act’"; to the Committee on Education then the Judiciary.

By Delegate Keaton:

H. B. 2422 - “A Bill to amend the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, by adding thereto a new section, designated §11-13A-20b, relating to the reallocation of certain severance tax proceeds to the State Road Fund, rather than the General Revenue Fund; providing for a three-year fiscal year phase-in date; and providing exceptions for counties and municipalities who receive severance tax proceeds that are not otherwise intended for the General Revenue Fund"; to the Committee on Finance.

By Delegate Keaton:

H. B. 2423 - “A Bill to amend the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, by adding thereto a new section, designated §5-11-9b; to amend said code by adding thereto a new section, designated §11B-2-33; and to amend said code by adding thereto a new section, designated §18-2-44, all relating to prohibiting discriminatory ‘divisive acts’ in the workplace; adding to the definition ‘divisive acts’ of the Human Rights Act; prohibiting the teaching of ‘divisive acts’ in West Virginia schools; and prohibiting state funding to agencies who promote ‘divisive acts"; to the Committee on Workforce Development then Education then the Judiciary.

By Delegate Keaton:

H. B. 2424 -  “A Bill to amend the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, by adding thereto a new article, designated §55-19-1, §55-19-2, §55-19-3, §55-19-4, §55-19-5, §55-19-6, and §55-19-7, all relating to creating the ‘Unborn Infants Wrongful Death Act’, stating legislative findings and purposes; defining terms; creating a cause of action with exceptions; stating that article does not condone abortion, nor make abortion legal by this act; and right of intervention to defend constitutionality of this act"; to the Committee on the Judiciary.

By Delegate Keaton:

H. B. 2425 - “A Bill to amend the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, by adding thereto a new section, designated §5-1-31, relating to requiring regulatory agency heads have at least one year of experience within, or with a nexus to, the regulated industry"; to the Committee on Government Organization.

By Delegate Rohrbach:

H. B. 2426 - “A Bill to amend and reenact §33-4A-8 of the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, relating to authorizing the Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Resources to develop a submission procedures manual for the all-payer claims database and adopt the same as a procedural rule"; to the Committee on Health and Human Resources.

By Delegate Rohrbach:

H. B. 2427 - “A Bill to amend and reenact §16-2D-9, of the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, relating to certificate of need; establishing the status of beds when an intermediate care facility for individuals with intellectual disabilities closes"; to the Committee on Health and Human Resources.

By Delegate Rohrbach:

H. B. 2428 - “A Bill to amend and reenact §49-1-203 of the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended; to amend and reenact §49-2-110 and §49-2-111c of said code; to amend said code by adding thereto a new section, designated §49-2-111d; to amend and reenact §49-4-405, §49-4-501, and §49-4-601 of said code; and to amend and reenact §49-9-101, §49-9-103, §49-9-105, §49-9-106, and §49-9-107 of said code, all relating to foster care; creating new definitions; requiring child placement agencies provide services to kinship family; deleting outdated language; requiring bureau to use the PATH system and a web based portal, matching database, and dashboard database; requiring salaries of direct service employees be raised for recruitment and retention; requiring circuit court judges to issue scheduling order for multidisciplinary treatment team; including managed care case coordinator in multidisciplinary treatment team; allowing department to hire outside counsel; requiring sheriff’s office to serve notice of hearing; requiring foster care ombudsman to make recommendations in accordance with the Foster Child Bill of Rights and the Foster and Kinship Parent Bill of Rights; authorizing ombudsman to have access to kinship family; exempting foster care ombudsman from testifying about official duties; making investigation of complaint confidential except when imminent risk of harm reported to foster care ombudsman"; to the Committee on Health and Human Resources then Finance.

By Delegate Rohrbach:

H. B. 2429 - “A Bill to amend the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, by adding thereto a new article, designated §33-62-1, all relating to protecting patient access to physician-administered medications; and prohibiting certain actions"; to the Committee on Health and Human Resources.

By Delegate Rohrbach:

H. B. 2430 - “A Bill to amend and reenact §33-59-1 of the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, relating to diabetes; reducing copayments; adding coverage for devices; permitting testing equipment to be purchased without a prescription"; to the Committee on Health and Human Resources.

By Delegate Rohrbach:

H. B. 2431 - “A Bill to amend and reenact §16-53-1 and §16-53-2 of the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, relating to the Ryan Brown Fund; disposition and allocation of funds to health care facilities or offering health services for children under one year of age suffering from Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome"; to the Committee on Health and Human Resources then Finance.

By Delegate Rohrbach:

H. B. 2432 - “A Bill to amend and reenact §61-2-10b of the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, relating to increasing the penalties for exposure of governmental representatives, including emergency medical service personnel, to fentanyl or any other harmful drug or chemical agent"; to the Committee on the Judiciary.

By Delegate Toney:

H. B. 2433 - “A Bill to amend and reenact §18A-4-8 and §18A-4-8a of the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, all relating to creating three separate job titles for school bus operators; and establishing pay scales"; to the Committee on Education then Finance.

By Delegate Toney:

H. B. 2434 - “A Bill to amend and reenact §18A-4-8 of the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, relating to modifying the definitions and pay grades of certain school cafeteria personnel"; to the Committee on Education then Finance.

By Delegate Tully:

H. B. 2435 - “A Bill to repeal §18-2-33 of the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended; and to amend said code by adding thereto a new article, designated §18-16A-1, §18-16A-2, and §18-16A-3, and §18-16A-4 all relating to hazing in K-12 education; establishing the West Virginia Public School Anti-hazing Law; defining terms; prohibiting hazing and providing for penalties; and proving for legislative authority to promulgate rules required to enforce the article"; to the Committee on Education then the Judiciary.

By Delegate Tully:

H. B. 2436 - “A Bill to amend and reenact the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, by adding thereto a new section, designated §16-5B-20, relating to the implementation of an acuity-based patient classification system; defining terms; providing for legislative findings; establishing a process to develop a plan; requiring a staffing plan to be reported; providing an exemption from the Freedom of Information Act; and establishing a framework for the staffing plans to be sent"; to the Committee on Health and Human Resources then the Judiciary.

By Delegate Tully:

H. B. 2437 - “A Bill to amend the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, by adding thereto a new section, designated §61-2-17, relating to fetal body parts; defining terms; prohibiting buying, selling, receiving, transferring, acquiring, or transporting of fetal body parts resulting from an induced abortion; providing exceptions; and providing criminal penalties"; to the Committee on Health and Human Resources then the Judiciary.

By Delegate Cooper:

H. B. 2438 - “A Bill to amend and reenact §16-2D-10 of the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, relating to exemption for certificate of need for a long-term health care facility that increases the number of beds by five percent for occupation by veterans"; to the Committee on Health and Human Resources.

By Delegate Cooper:

H. B. 2439 - “A Bill to amend and reenact §11-15-3c of the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, relating to exempting from the sales tax all-terrain vehicles and utility terrain vehicles used as farm equipment"; to the Committee on Agriculture and Natural Resources then Finance.

By Delegate Kimble:

H. B. 2440 - “A Bill to amend the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, by adding thereto a new article, designated §16-4G-1, §16-4G-2, §16-4G-3, and §16-4G-4, all relating to protecting the genetic privacy of newborn infants; defining terms; requiring consent of parent or guardian for genetic screening, retention of blood samples, and retention of test results; mandating the proposal of legislative rules to limit the amount of blood that may be sampled or taken from newborn infants; limiting the purposes for which blood samples and test results may be used; and declaring that the requirement for informed, voluntary consent may not be abrogated"; to the Committee on Health and Human Resources then the Judiciary.

By Delegate Hornbuckle:

H. B. 2441 - “A Bill to amend the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, by adding thereto a new article, designated §25-8-1, §25-8-2, §25-8-3, §25-8-4, §25-8-5, §25-8-6, §25-8-7, §25-8-8, and §25-8-9; all relating to creation of a task force to provide comprehensive reentry transitional services to criminal offenders reentering communities; providing for a short title; providing for legislative findings; providing for membership of the task force; providing for no compensation to members; providing for staffing requirements; providing for duties of the task force; providing for funding; creating a fund; providing for the disposition of fund moneys; establishing requirements to apply for federal grant funding; requiring a strategic plan for funding; providing for standard reentry services; providing for family-based substance abuse services; providing for educational services; providing for drug treatment and mentoring services; providing for responsible reintegration services; providing for elderly and family reunification services; providing for children of incarcerated parents services; providing for reports to the Legislature; providing a severability clause; and providing for an effective date"; to the Committee on Jails and Prisons then the Judiciary then Finance.

By Delegate Cooper:

H. B. 2442 - “A Bill to amend and reenact §17E-1-18 of the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, relating to commercial driver's license; and requiring that a state employee with a commercial driver’s license have a current medical evaluation certification and may not have a medical waiver"; to the Committee on Technology and Infrastructure then the Judiciary.

By Delegate Toney:

H. B. 2443 - “A Bill to amend the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, by adding thereto a new section, designated §18A-4-23, relating to candidates for professional employee positions involving supervision of a county transportation department; making any service employee who is certified as a Director or Supervisor of Pupil Transportation by the National Association for Pupil Transportation Certification an eligible candidate and requiring county boards to consider such candidates"; to the Committee on Education.

By Delegate Toney:

H. B. 2444 - “A Bill to amend and reenact §15A-4-20 of the Code of West Virginia, 1931, relating to allowing inmates to perform the community service of providing upkeep to cemeteries"; to the Committee on Jails and Prisons then the Judiciary.

By Delegate Toney:

H. B. 2445 - “A Bill to amend and reenact §17-16A-6 of the Code of West Virginia,1931, as amended, relating to exempting emergency medical service vehicles from paying turnpike tolls"; to the Committee on Technology and Infrastructure then Finance.

By Delegate Walker:

H. B. 2446 - “A Bill to amend the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, by adding thereto a new section, designated §9-3-7, relating to establishing a tip line to the Department of Health and Human Resources for citizens to report instances of food insecurity and requiring appropriate personnel to follow up on tips to provide assistance to those individuals"; to the Committee on Health and Human Resources.

By Delegate Walker:

H. B. 2447 - “A Bill to amend the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, by adding thereto a new article, designated §16-65-1, relating to establishing a program to provide a CARE FOR ALL telephone referral number and website access to provide public access to resources for medical care, including resources and providers that are LGBTQ+, Black, and POC-friendly"; to the Committee on Health and Human Resources then Finance.

By Delegate Walker:

H. B. 2448 - “A Bill to amend the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, by adding thereto a new article, designated §16-5EE-1, relating to requiring primary care physicians to provide disclosures to patients regarding triple negative breast cancer"; to the Committee on Health and Human Resources.

By Delegate Walker:

H. B. 2449 - “A Bill to amend the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, by adding thereto a new section, designated §21-3-23, relating to prohibiting employers and agents from requiring an employee or applicant to provide any information about the person’s salary history or prior compensation; and providing criminal penalties"; to the Committee on the Judiciary.

By Delegate Dean:

H. B. 2450 - “A Bill to amend the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, by adding thereto a new article, designated §11-13MM-1, §11-13MM-2, and §11-13MM-3; to amend and reenact §20-2-28 of said code; and to amend and reenact §20-2B-7 of said code, all relating to tax credit offered to disabled veterans that have been honorably discharged from the military for the cost of their lifetime hunting, trapping and fishing license; defining ‘eligible veteran’; establishing amount of credit; setting procedures to claim credit; requiring that disabled veterans obtaining a hunting, trapping, and fishing license; and requiring proposal of appropriate legislative rule"; to the Committee on Agriculture and Natural Resources then Finance.

By Delegate Dean:

H. B. 2451 - “A Bill to amend and reenact §5-10-18 of the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, relating to providing an 11-month window to permit members of the Public Employees Retirement System to purchase credited service that had been previously forfeited"; to the Committee on Pensions and Retirement then Finance.

By Delegate Dean:

H. B. 2452 - “A Bill to amend the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, by adding thereto a new section, designated §18-2-30, relating to providing a supplemental year for West Virginia high school students who have been affected by COVID-19 in order to complete their studies and remain with their parents another year, so long as they satisfy other necessary requirements; and providing for an effective date"; to the Committee on Education then Finance.

By Delegate Dean:

H. B. 2453 - “A Bill to amend and reenact §30-2-1 of the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, relating to admission to the practice of law; permitting persons with master’s degrees, regardless of the course of study, to take an examination for admission to practice law in the courts of this state, and deleting obsolete language"; to the Committee on the Judiciary.

By Delegate Dean:

H. B. 2454 - “A Bill to amend the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, by adding thereto a new article, designated §23-4D-1, §23-4D-2, §23-4D-3, §23-4D-4, §23-4D-5, and §23-4D-6, all relating to creating the West Virginia Black Lung Program; granting entitlement for pain and suffering for occupational pneumoconiosis; providing that 10 years’ exposure as a miner is a conclusive presumption of entitlement to pain and suffering benefits; calculating benefits; providing tax credit for benefits; imposing additional severance tax and tax on generation of electricity by solar and wind devices; creating the State Black Lung Fund; requiring the Governor and Legislature to cooperate with other states to attempt to recoup the federal excise tax on coal; and proposing rules by the Insurance Commissioner and Tax Commissioner"; to the Committee on Health and Human Resources then the Judiciary.

By Delegate Martin:

H. B. 2455 - “A Bill to amend and reenact §18A-4-8 of the Code of West Virginia,1931, as amended, relating to defining a work day and a one-half work day for school service personnel and removing a provision relating to employment of licensed practical nurses"; to the Committee on Education.

By Delegate Martin:

H. B. 2456 - “A Bill to amend and reenact §24-3-2 of the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, relating to prohibiting a noninvestor-owned water or sewer public utility from prohibiting a customer from constructing, installing, or maintaining a connection or other infrastructure necessary for the customer to connect to the public utility to receive service"; to the Committee on Technology and Infrastructure then the Judiciary.

By Delegate Rohrbach:

H. B. 2457 - “A Bill to amend and reenact §18B-10-7a of the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, relating to tuition and fee waivers or adjustments for resident students and certain non-resident students; and by decreasing the eligibility age from 65 to 60 years of age or older"; to the Committee on Education then Finance.

By Delegate Clark:

H. B. 2458 - “A Bill to amend and reenact §18-20-1c of the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended; to amend said code by adding thereto a new section, designated §18A-2-3a; and to amend and reenact §18A-4-10 and §18A-4-14 of said code, all relating to public school personnel; prohibiting regular classroom teachers and special education classroom teachers required to participate an individualized education program committee from being required to prepare or reduce to writing the individualized education program plan; providing for contracted employment of substitute teachers for 180 instructional days; requiring employment in schools of certain size and describing duration, nature, qualifications and daily rate of pay of 180 day contract substitute teacher; increasing number of personal leave days an employee may use without regard to the cause for the absence; and requiring state board rule providing uniform procedure, prohibition, form and benefit regarding a teacher’s voluntary exchange of duty-free lunch recess to perform duties at the school"; to the Committee on Education then Finance.

By Delegate Clark:

H. B. 2459 - “A Bill to amend and reenact §8A-1-2 of the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended; and to amend and reenact §8A-7-3 of said code; all relating to zoning requirements for exempt wholesale generators; providing for the definition of ‘exempt wholesale generator’; and, providing that exempt wholesale generators are a permitted use in any zoning district"; to the Committee on the Judiciary.

By Delegate Clark:

H. B. 2460 - “A Bill to amend the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, by adding thereto a new article, designated §46A-9-1, §46A-9-2, §46A-9-3, §46A-9-4, and §46A-9-5, all relating to online privacy protection for children; defining terms; establishing actions prohibited; creating rulemaking authority; providing safe harbor for operators; and providing for enforcement by the Attorney General"; to the Committee on the Judiciary.

By Delegate Mazzocchi:

H. B. 2461 - “A Bill to amend and reenact §18-20-11 of the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, relating to increasing monitoring of special education classrooms; adding that an audio recording device be present in the restroom of a self-contained classroom; requiring video and audio recordings be maintained for 26 weeks; requiring county to monitor school video and audio recordings for at least 60 minutes each month; requiring incidents or issues discovered in recordings be reported to school principal or administrator"; to the Committee on Education then Finance.

By Delegate Mazzocchi:

H. B. 2462 - “A Bill to amend and reenact §55-7-22 of the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, relating to use of force, including deadly force, in defense of self, real, and personal property; providing immunity from civil and/or criminal prosecution against persons lawfully using force in defensive actions; when there is no duty to retreat; and providing for the receipt of court costs, fees, and expenses for persons acting to protect self, real, and personal property, another person or in other defined situations"; to the Committee on the Judiciary.

By Delegate Miller:

H. B. 2463 - “A Bill to amend and reenact §18-7A-38 of the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, relating to permitting retirees under the state Teachers Retirement System to work as substitute teachers for up to 180 days without loss of the payment of monthly retirement benefits; adding a legislative finding; changing the allowed period of employment; and providing that no additional retirement system contributions will be made from such employment"; to the Committee on Education then Finance.

By Delegate Walker:

H. B. 2464 - “A Bill to amend the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, by adding thereto a new section, designated §15A-4-22, relating to restricting the use of solitary confinement or administrative segregation to discipline inmates incarcerated with the division of corrections"; to the Committee on Jails and Prisons then the Judiciary.

By Delegate Walker:

H. B. 2465 - “A Bill to amend and reenact §18C-7-6 of the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, relating to increasing the PROMISE scholarship award to include all tuition costs regardless of the major, double majors, or courses of interest"; to the Committee on Education then Finance.

By Delegate Walker:

H. B. 2466 - “A Bill to amend and reenact §11-21-12 of the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, relating to excluding income from West Virginia retirement systems and social security from inclusion in adjusted gross income or resident individuals"; to the Committee on Pensions and Retirement then Finance.

By Delegate Walker:

H. B. 2467 - “A Bill to amend and reenact §51-1-4a of the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, relating to authorize the Supreme Court of Appeals to promulgate rules defining legal apprenticeships and designing and approving a plan for legal apprentices to work and study as apprentices in a law office with the goal to allow the apprentices to qualify to take the bar exam without attending law school"; to the Committee on Government Organization then the Judiciary.

By Delegate Walker:

H. B. 2468 - “A Bill to amend the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, by adding thereto a new article, designated §21-5A-1, §21-5A-2, §21-5A-3, §21-5A-4, §21-5A-5, §21-5A-6, §21-5A-7, §21-5A-8, and §21-5A-9, all relating to reestablishing prevailing wages for certain state government contracts; declaring policy; defining terms; requiring contractors to ascertain rates and to include rates in contract specifications; requiring annual determinations of prevailing wage rates; establishing procedures to file objections to prevailing wage rate determinations; providing for hearings, judicial review, and appeal; requiring mandatory provisions in contracts and sub-contracts; providing for posting of rates and record-keeping; establishing criminal penalties for violations of the act; and limiting the scope of the law to post-enactment contracts"; to the Committee on Workforce Development then Government Organization then the Judiciary.

By Delegate Walker:

H. B. 2469 - “A Bill to repeal §17C-17-11 of the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, relating to permits for excess size and weight"; to the Committee on Technology and Infrastructure then the Judiciary.

By Delegate Walker:

H. B. 2470 - “A Bill to amend the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, by adding thereto a new article, designated §18-21A-1, related to creating a state youth advisory council"; to the Committee on Education.

By Delegate Pinson:

H. B. 2471 - “A Bill to amend and reenact §8-10-2b of the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, relating to ensuring that if a person establishes a payment plan, but does not make at least one payment within 6 months from the date of setting up the payment plan, that person's driver's license will be suspended"; to the Committee on Technology and Infrastructure then the Judiciary.

By Delegate Fast:

H. B. 2472 - “A Bill to amend and reenact §62-12-12 of the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, relating to adding additional members to the West Virginia Parole Board"; to the Committee on Government Organization.

By Delegate Fast:

H. B. 2473 - “A Bill to amend and reenact §49-5-101 of the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, relating to permitting a current or former employee of the Division of Corrections and Rehabilitation access to relevant juvenile records for purposes of pursuing a grievance; permitting the release of such records only after a hearing to determine relevancy by the Public Employees Grievance Board; providing for the sealing of such relevant records from public view and the redaction of any identifying information related to the juvenile; placing certain limitations on the grieving party’s use of such records; permitting a grieving party’s representative access to such records; requiring a court order for any further use of such records outside of the grievance proceeding; subjecting the grievant and grievance representative to criminal penalties for violations of the section; and making technical corrections"; to the Committee on the Judiciary.

By Delegate Fast:

H. B. 2474 - “A Bill to amend the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, by adding thereto a new article, designated §5-11C-1, §5-11C-2, §5-11C-3, §5-11C-4, and §5-11C-5, all relating to establishing the West Virginia Religious Freedom Restoration Act to ensure that, in all cases where state action is alleged to substantially burden the exercise of religion, that a compelling interest test is mandated, and, strict scrutiny is applied; including a short title; providing definitions; and addressing applicability, construction, remedies, and severability"; to the Committee on the Judiciary.

By Delegate Fast:

H. B. 2475 - “A Bill to amend and reenact §29-21-13a of the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, relating to increasing the hourly rate of investigators working for Public Defender Services from $30 to $65"; to the Committee on Finance.

By Delegate Fast:

H. B. 2476 - “A Bill to amend and reenact §8A-12-12 of the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, relating to ending the authority of county farmland protection boards to acquire ownership of farm property or other properties for farmland protection"; to the Committee on Agriculture and Natural Resources then Government Organization.

By Delegate Fast:

H. B. 2477 - “A Bill to amend and reenact §15A-4-11 of the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, relating to the financial responsibility of inmates in relation to civil awards and previously entered court-ordered obligations, and requiring the division to subtract the moneys from civil judgments and settlements to be paid towards court ordered obligations even if a court of competent jurisdiction does not enter an order"; to the Committee on the Judiciary then Finance.

By Delegate Fast:

H. B. 2478 - “A Bill to amend the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, by adding thereto a new article, designated §5-11C-1, §5-11C-2, §5-11C-3, §5-11C-4, and §5-11C-5, all relating to establishing the West Virginia Religious Freedom Restoration Act to ensure that, in all cases where state action is alleged to substantially burden the exercise of religion, that a compelling interest test is mandated, and, strict scrutiny is applied; including a short title; providing definitions; and addressing applicability, construction, remedies, and severability"; to the Committee on the Judiciary.

By Delegate Hott:

H. B. 2479 - “A Bill to amend the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, by adding thereto a new section, designated §20-2-39, relating to rules for hunting antlered deer"; to the Committee on Agriculture and Natural Resources then Government Organization.

By Delegate Rowe:

H. B. 2480 - “A Bill to amend the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, by adding thereto a new section, designated §42-2-1; to amend and reenact §42-3-2 of said code, as amended; and to repeal §44-1-17 of said code, all relating to the creation of an exempt property allowance in the surviving spouse or minor children of a decedent"; to the Committee on the Judiciary.

By Delegate Rowe:

H. B. 2481 - “A Bill to amend and reenact §21-5C-2 of the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, relating to incrementally increasing the state minimum wage over a five-year period to $15 per hour in 2028"; to the Committee on Workforce Development then the Judiciary.

By Delegate Rowe:

H. B. 2482 - “A Bill to amend the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, by adding thereto two new sections, designated §16-1-22 and §16-1-22a, all relating to social determinants of health; establishing the Minority Health Advisory Team including its composition and duties; authorizing a Community Health Equity Initiative Demonstration Project; authorizing the Commissioner of the Bureau for Public Health to establish a Community Health Equity Initiative Demonstration Project; establishing eligibility requirements; providing for the administration of the demonstration project; establishing requirements for a demonstration project plan and the selection of communities for participation; establishing reporting requirements; and establishing the date on which the demonstration project terminates"; to the Committee on Health and Human Resources then Finance.

By Delegate Rowe:

H. B. 2483 - “A Bill to amend the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, by adding thereto a new section, designated §11-21-12n; and to amend said code by adding thereto a new section, designated §11-24-23h, all relating to creating a tax credit for improving facades in historic districts; providing that individuals and corporations are entitled to a 25 percent tax credit of the replacement cost of historic facades; and setting forth conditions"; to the Committee on Finance.

By Delegate Rowe:

H. B. 2484 - “A Bill to amend and reenact §17-4-18 of the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, relating to requiring paving contracts for state highways to have special requirements to prevent potholes"; to the Committee on Technology and Infrastructure then Finance.

By Delegate Rowe:

H. B. 2485 - “A Bill to amend and reenact §16-5S-9 of the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, relating to establishing reimbursement rates for congregate and in-home meals"; to the Committee on Senior, Children, and Family Issues then Finance.

By Delegate Rowe:

H. B. 2486 - “A Bill to amend the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, by adding thereto a new article, designated §5B-11-1, §5B-11-2, and §5B-11-3, all relating to establishment of an Economic and Community Development Task Force; establishing the composition of task force; and requiring a report of task force to Joint Committee on Government and Finance"; to the Committee on Government Organization then Finance.

By Delegate Rowe:

H. B. 2487 - “A Bill to amend the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, by adding thereto a new article, designated §49-10-101, relating to designation of social workers in the Department of Health and Human Resources to promote better student school attendance and performance, and the health and well-being of students at home; describing duties; and limiting use of information obtained"; to the Committee on Education then Finance.

By Delegate Rowe:

H. B. 2488 - “A Bill to amend the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, by adding thereto a new section, designated §18-5-15h, relating to requiring county boards of education to provide days prior to early voting during primary and general elections for registering eligible students to vote and being transported to vote"; to the Committee on Education then Finance.

By Delegate Rowe:

H. B. 2489 - “A Bill to amend the Code of West Virginia,1931, as amended, by adding thereto a new section, designated §11-21-23a, relating to allowing low-income senior citizens to receive certain tax credits without filing a state income tax return"; to the Committee on Senior, Children, and Family Issues then Finance.

By Delegate Rowe:

H. B. 2490 - “A Bill to amend the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, by adding thereto a new article, designated §44A-6-1, §44A-6-2, §44A-6-3, §44A-6-4, and §44A-6-5; and to amend and reenact §51-2A-2 of said code, all relating to establishing a procedure to name a kinship legal guardian; defining terms; establishing eligibility to file a petition; describing  required contents for a petition; bestowing family court jurisdiction; setting fee; providing for review of petition without hearing and entry of an order of approval; and describing the scope and effect of an order of approval"; to the Committee on Health and Human Resources then the Judiciary.

By Delegate Pinson:

H. B. 2491 - “A Bill to amend and reenact §7-14D-7 of the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended; and to amend said code by adding thereto a new section, designated §7-14D-11a, all relating to the Deputy Sheriff Retirement System Act; permitting the board to set the employer contribution rate; setting a maximum employer contribution rate upon payment of the first annual annuity adjustment; and providing an annual annuity adjustment of one percent for eligible deputy sheriff retirants and surviving spouses"; to the Committee on Pensions and Retirement then Finance.

By Delegate Pinson:

H. B. 2492 - “A Bill to amend the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, by adding thereto a new article, designated §35-1A-1, §35-1A-2, and §35-1A-3, all relating to forbidding excessive government limitations on exercise on religion; providing definitions; forbidding government to treat religious conduct more restrictively than any conduct of reasonably comparable risk; forbidding government to treat religious conduct more restrictively than comparable conduct because of alleged economic need or benefit; to ensure that, in all cases where state action is alleged to substantially burden the exercise of religion, that a compelling interest test is mandated, and strict scrutiny is applied; providing remedies; and addressing applicability, construction, and severability"; to the Committee on the Judiciary.

By Delegate Pinson:

H. B. 2493 - “A Bill to amend and reenact §7-14D-2 and §7-14D-14 of the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended; and to amend and reenact §7-14E-2 of said code, all relating to providing increased benefits for retired sheriff's deputies; adjusting the percentage factor for members retired after July 1, 2018; increasing the benefit amount for totally disabled retirees; and authorizing the increase of certain fees, paid by the county, for deposit into the Deputy Sheriff Retirement Fund"; to the Committee on Pensions and Retirement then Finance.

By Delegate Pinson:

H. B. 2494 - “A Bill to amend the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, by adding thereto a new section, designated §18-3-14, relating to requiring that students in high school are required to pass a test on the United States Constitution in order to graduate from high school; providing that the State Board of Education shall create the test; providing that the test require a high passage rate; providing a mechanism for students to re-take the test if necessary; and providing for an effective date"; to the Committee on Education.

By Delegate Pinson:

H. B. 2495 - “A Bill to amend and reenact §18-2-25 of the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, relating to the secondary schools activities commission and participation in commission activities by private and parochial school students whose schools are not members of the commission"; to the Committee on Education.

By Delegate Pinson:

H. B. 2496 - “A Bill to amend the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, by adding thereto a new article, designated §16-2Q-1, relating to abortion, requiring all abortions to be performed by a physician board-certified eligible in obstetrics and gynecology"; to the Committee on Health and Human Resources.

By Delegate Kimble:

H. B. 2497 - “A Bill to amend the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, by adding thereto a new section, designated §18B-14-12, relating to prohibiting colleges and universities in West Virginia from requiring the COVID-19 vaccine or booster shots associated with the COVID-19 vaccine as a prerequisite for attending in-person classes"; to the Committee on Health and Human Resources then Education.

By Delegate Kimble:

H. B. 2498 - “A Bill to amend and reenact §16-5Y-6 of the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, relating to requiring written policies of medication-assisted treatment programs"; to the Committee on Political Subdivisions then Health and Human Resources.

By Delegate Kimble:

H. B. 2499 - “A Bill to amend and reenact §61-8B-9a of the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended; to amend and reenact §61-8C-2 of said code; and to amend and reenact §61-14-2 of said code, all relating to dangerous crimes against children; and ensuring that stronger criminal penalties are associated with crimes against children"; to the Committee on the Judiciary.

By Delegate Kimble:

H. B. 2500 - “A Bill to amend the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, by adding thereto a new article, designated §4-2D-1, §4-2D-2, §4-2D-3, and §4-2D-4, all relating to the creation of the Privacy Protection Act; establishing definitions; defining the role of the State Auditor's Office in collaboration with the State Privacy Officer; creating the State Privacy Officer; and creating the Personal Privacy Oversight Committee"; to the Committee on the Judiciary then Finance.

By Delegate Kimble:

H. B. 2501 - “A Bill to amend the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, by adding thereto a new section, designated §33-24-7x, relating to requiring hospitals without an American Sign Language (ASL) interpreter on staff to provide technology to assist with communication for hearing or speech impaired patients and visitors"; to the Committee on Health and Human Resources.

By Delegate Kimble:

H. B. 2502 - “A Bill to repeal §17C-15-44 of the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, relating to safety equipment and requirements for motorcyclists"; to the Committee on Technology and Infrastructure then the Judiciary.

Motions

At the request of Delegate Householder, and by unanimous consent, the applicable provisions of House Rule 136, relating to privileges of the floor, were suspended for the Joint Assembly, and approved activities during the Session, to permit invited guests the privileges of the floor.

Messages from the Senate

A message from the Senate, by

The Clerk of the Senate, announced the adoption by the Senate and requested the concurrence of the House of Delegates in the adoption of the following concurrent resolution, which was reported by the Clerk:

S. C. R. 1 - “Adopting Joint Rules of the Senate and House of Delegates.”

At the respective requests of Delegate Householder, and by unanimous consent, reference of the resolution (S. C. R. 1) 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.

A message from the Senate, by

The Clerk of the Senate, announced the adoption by the Senate and requested the concurrence of the House of Delegates in the adoption of the following concurrent resolution, which was read by the Clerk:

S. C. R. 2 - “Relating to the payment of bills for supplies, services and printing and authorized contingent and other expenses of the eighty-sixth Legislature.”

At the respective requests of Delegate Householder, and by unanimous consent, reference of the resolution (S. C. R. 2) 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.

At 2:32 p.m., on motion of Delegate Householder, the House of Delegates recessed until 6:45 p.m.

* * * * * * *

Evening 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, informed the House that a quorum of the Senate had assembled and organized by the election of officers as provided by the Constitution, and was ready to proceed to the business of the session.

A message from the Senate, by

The Clerk of the Senate, announced the adoption by the Senate, without amendment, of a concurrent resolution of the House of Delegates as follows:

H. C. R. 1, Inviting the Governor to address the Legislature and raising a Joint Assembly therefor.

JOINT ASSEMBLY

The Sergeant-at-Arms announced members of the Board of Public Works; Chief Justice Beth Walker and Justices of the West Virginia Supreme Court of Appeals; United States Senator Shelly Moore Capito; and members of the Senate, who entered the Hall of the House of Delegates and took the seats reserved for them.

The Honorable Craig Blair, President of the Senate took his place to the right of the Speaker.

The Sergeant-at-Arms then announced the special committee to wait upon His Excellency, the Governor, and escort him into the Chamber.

Delegate Storch then announced that, pursuant to the invitation of the Legislature, His Excellency, the Governor, was present for the purpose of addressing the Joint Assembly of the Legislature.

The Committee escorted His Excellency, the Governor, to the Well of the House.  (Applause, the members and guests rising in ovation)

The Speaker then presented the Honorable Jim Justice, who addressed the assembly as follows:

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Address by the Governor

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Governor Justice. Okay, we’ve got a lot to talk about tonight. The first thing that I want to be sure that we're talking about, right off the get go is just this. I was early getting here tonight. Pretty good stuff. Now, think about this. We're honoring a great man, Bob Kiss. I got to tell you this is, full confession.

Literally, I was at the mansion. The last time I'd seen my speech, Cathy had it, and all of a sudden, I get over here and nobody's got it. And if we hadn't honored Bob Kiss, you would have been sitting waiting on me a long time. And so literally, it's an honor beyond belief to be with you. And there's so much, so much good going on in this state right now. It's hard. It's hard to get it all in. That's just all there is to it. Now, with all that being said, I've got to do this. I've got to say one thing. You know, Mr. Speaker, and Mr. President, Baby Dog says she's really sorry she couldn't make it tonight. But she's gonna get a tub of popcorn and watch it on TV. But thank you so much in every way.

 

And I absolutely if I could just say this. It is an incredible day to be a West Virginian. You know, I like to always honor our First Lady, my daughter Jill is with her. And my son and his and our daughter in law. Jay and Catherine. Catherine had a little bit of a blood pressure issue today and, and so they kind of bowed out. But nevertheless, thank you all so much for all you do all the time.

Now, I'm telling y'all, if y'all do all this clapping don't blame it on me how long we'll be here. Really appreciate that and, I've got to tell you just this girl just had us another grandbaby. A beautiful little granddaughter. Yes, not very long ago at all. Probably what, six weeks? Okay. And her husband Adam, who is a wonderful son in law, is now at home with three kids. Nevertheless, you know, a great family and, and just I'm so blessed. As always to just blessed beyond belief

If I could go through my Cabinet and I will go through quickly and hold your applause and then we'll get you to the end. But we have a new Cabinet Secretary for DHHR Dr. Jeff Coben, a new Secretary of Commerce James Bailey, our Secretary of Administration is Mark Scott, our Secretary of Homeland Security is Jeff Sandy, Secretary of Revenue Dave Hardy, our Secretary of Transportation Jimmy Wriston, our Secretary of Veterans Assistance Ted Diaz, our Secretary of Economic Development Mitch Carmichael, the Secretary of Arts, Culture, and History of this great state Randall Reid-Smith, our Secretary of Tourism Chelsea Ruby is not with us tonight because there's a good chance she's having a baby right as we speak now, but if not, it will be here very, very soon and the other person that is not here with us tonight is Harold Ward our Secretary of DEP and  Harold is doing a phenomenal job. Now you can give them a great round of applause.

We have our wonderful, wonderful Supreme Court of Appeals. With us tonight is Chief Justice Beth Walker. Justice John Hutchinson, Justice Haley Bunn, Justice Tim Armstead, and Justice Bill Wooton, thank you so much.

Now our Constitutional Officers, Attorney General Patrick Morrisey, our State Auditor J.B. McCuskey, our Secretary of State Mac Warner, our Commissioner of Agriculture Kent Leonhardt, our State Treasurer Riley Moore, and our State Superintendent of Schools David Roach.

We have, we have a beautiful young lady from our congressional delegation and that is our great Senator Shelley Moore.

Okay, we now have our Adjutant General of the West Virginia National Guard Brigadier General Bill Crane, and I don't know where Bill is wherever he is, you’ve got to cheer for him. That's our Command Sergeant Major James Jones and he's I think with our General. We have the Chancellor Higher Ed, you know, Sarah Tucker is with us tonight. We have our Commissioner of the Bureau for Senior Services Robert Roswell. Well, I'm gonna, let me get through these. We have our Director of the Herbert Henderson Office of Minority Affairs Jill Upson. And we have our WVU University President Gordon Gee, Marshall President Brad Smith and members of their staff. So now clap for them.

We have our COVID team. You just think about these people. These people literally never really took a dime, hardly. Didn't do anything but work, didn't have a playbook, didn't have anything to go by. And absolutely have guided us in every way imaginable. And a heck of a job they've done. Dr. Clay Marsh, General Hoyer, doctor Dr. Amjad, now Dr. Christiansen, and our Secretary Crouch and Dr. Coben, please give them a round of applause.

Okay, this is the seventh time I've been here in front of you. I can't, I can't imagine that time can go that quickly. You know, the first year I jumped all around and put things on whiteboards and did everything and I sweated like a dog the entire time. Absolutely. At that time, this state was in tough, tough shape, and you all knew it, and everything. We didn't really know where we're going or where to turn. And today is a bright day. You know, through that time, I would tell you just this I won't be your governor a whole lot longer. But I surely won't go away. You know, in fact, you're probably either be able to find me at home or you may find me in Washington. But one of the two places I'll be, and I'll be, I’ll try to watch as best I can and help as best I can. No matter what I'm doing in every single way. I will try to help continue to perpetuate this goodness that we've got going on right this minute.

So, if I could just add just this, if I could give you my best wisdom today and before we get into the nitty gritty of everything else. My best wisdom of the day would be just this: try as best you can to not want anything for yourself. Literally. This is an honor, beyond all comprehension. For every last one of you, do what our forefathers did, and did so admirably. They served, first and foremost they served, please don't put self in front of that. Always try to do what your voters and constituents are asking you to do. At the end of the day, we're here to do their work. We're here to do the people's wishes. Please remember that. And please try as best you can to not get in your own way. If there's ever a time in life right now, ever a time when we could get in our own way, it’s right now.

Think about this. I tell people all the time you know we've been in the ag business forever. And I have honestly probably harvested a million acres of corn myself. I probably have planted hundreds of thousands of acres. When did you always, always lose grain? It's when the harvest was plentiful. That's when you lost grain. When there was almost nothing there and it was a bad year, of drought or whatever, you never lost anything. Because you'd have to get every single grain. When things are wonderful as they are right now, we've got to be careful. And we've got to be prudent. We'll throw a lot of grain on the ground, and we'll never touch it.

You know, I want to tell you just this. You hear me say this all the time. I don't care if you're Republican or Democrat or Independent. Really what I'm really saying is just this, in my heart, I am dad-gum proud that I’m a Republican. But with all that, because I truly believe in very, very conservative values. I watch what's going on on this national scene right now with our President, and what's going on in DC, and for God's sakes, there can't be a rational human that thinks what's going on is right.

There's no way. So, for that, I couldn't be more proud to be a Republican but I would just warn you and just tell you just this. In this great state. There's enough people on the outside wanting to throw rocks at us and they have forever. They beat us down. They've made us feel like “you should know your place.” In the race with Mississippi all the time. Who's going to be dead last? And we're not, we're not that now.

Now there's jealousy. Because now, all of a sudden, we’re the diamond in the rough they missed. Really be proud of who you are. Be proud that you may be a Republican or a Democrat or an Independent, for God's sake, live and work together and try to help one another for the betterment of all in this great state.

Now, we got lots to talk about and I promise I will go as quickly as I possibly can go. There are so many exciting things. If we reflect back on the past just a second, and we were fair, we would say not many, many years ago we didn't have anywhere to turn. You can say what you want, but I'm a business guy and I got there. And with all of that, you know I can even go back further and further and further. Imagine this and I'm not casting rocks like I just said I wouldn't do but there was a time, believe it or not, that we cut a ribbon and celebrated a Taco Bell opening in downtown Charleston.

Think about what we're doing today. Think about the stuff that's going on today in this great state. You know, how did all this goodness happen? I believe with all my soul first and foremost it happened because of God above. I believe that with all in me. There's no way that any of us could have been smart enough to have written or written all this down and figured all this out. He wants us to work hard, and He wants us to do our job. But I believe He is guiding this incredible state every single step of the way.

We had to change our image. We had to make simple moves on the board in education. I mean, who in the world came up with the idea of grading our schools A through F? Think about this marketing plan. We're going to put them on a bell curve, and we'll have some “A’s” and we’re gonna have some “F’s” and in the middle, we're gonna have a lot of “C's”. So, here's what we can do. We can go out and tell the world “Come to West Virginia, most of our schools are C's.” How's that gonna work? We got rid of it. Literally, at the end of the day, we got a lot still to do in education, but we made a commitment to move it to the front and let it be our centerpiece.

Everybody that comes, that wants to come to West Virginia says how are your schools and how are your roads? It's just that simple all the time. We did a Roads to Prosperity program that created jobs and we were awarded and looked after and tried to appreciate our veterans. And then we let tourism explode right behind that. We diversified and we absolutely got on our way.

And then along came COVID and the cannonball hit us right dead in the stomach. And we then could have done what has happened in the past and, really, what those on the outside would have expected us to do, go to 50 again, you maybe had a blip on the screen but go back to 50th again.

We didn't do it, did we? We've dug in and shown exactly what our mettle is all about. And lo and behold, here we go. Now, I would say with all in me “Who would have thunk it?” Who would have ever thunk it?

Today in West Virginia, you'd have some processes that are so large, it's unbelievable. You would have Fortune 500, Fortune 100, whatever, companies that are coming to West Virginia, over and over and over. The roads are getting repaired everywhere. We're working on the water and sewer projects as fast as we possibly can. And they and we are that diamond. Now, get this, in 2022 alone, just think about this. We had 29 companies invest $6.19 billion in West Virginia. Now, absolutely get this. They brought us 3,300 new jobs and preserved 3,100 jobs. You know they gave us the opportunity to compete on a world stage. It is unbelievable the value of what we did and putting money aside in this impact development projects to bring more and more folks here. I'm gonna read a list of folks and I want you to stand please and let’s absolutely let this great body absolutely cheer and honor you.

Tonight, I am creating a different, you know we have a Distinguished West Virginian. But I don't know that we really have anything that is as honorable as a Distinguished West Virginian for our businesses. Tonight, I am creating the Business Knights of West Virginia. And what I want to do is let these great folks when I read their names be our first inductees. Then I'll reveal the name of a couple more folks that are coming to West Virginia. And then you know what I want to do? I want to go back and every single business in this state that contributes and helps in any way, I want them to, everyone be one of Business Knights of this state and we will send them a certificate they put it up on their wall. And then I'm going to ask of them one thing — is just as simple as this. I'm going to ask them to help all of us to absolutely perpetuate this great, great, great message of West Virginia.

Absolutely our new business knights and tonight our first inductees that I'm gonna go through you know from Berkshire Hathaway, Alicia Knapp, and if she can stand, I’m going to read through all of them and then we’re gonna clap for Alicia and all y’all.  From Precision Castparts, Steve Wright, from Hope Gas, Morgan O'Brien, from FORM Energy, Mateo Jamarillo, from Mountaintop Beverage, Jeff Sokal, from Omnis, Richard Kingan, from Veloxint, Brian Joseph, from Pure Watercraft, Dennis Frioni. From Commercial Metals, I don’t have, I don’t have the name from Commercial Metals, from Papier-Mettler, and there’s not a representative from them, and from Klöckner, and there’s not a representative from them. But if you could join me, just think, just think, when every single bit of this absolutely is done, think what you have done. Think what you have created. Forevermore you have created our grandchildren's jobs. That's what you have done. You have created the fact that over and over and over Edith and Toby wanted to have a picnic and they want their grandkids to be here. And they’re in Charlotte or Denver or Atlanta and now, now they're going to be in West Virginia. So please thank y'all so much. Thank you so, so much.

Well, just in the last little while, two more have come. TCL, which are based in India and is a chemical plant within Covestro plant that's in Marshall County. They're going to spend $150 million and create 50 jobs, making any ingredients that are found in food. The TCL Chairman, another new Knight of West Virginia, is with us right now. It's Mr. Parthasarsthy, if you can really give him a great round of applause.

CMI2 is with us tonight. You know I don't know if it's CM One Two or CM12. But CMI2, tonight I'm proud to announce that the Civil Military Innovation Institute, CMI2, based in Morgantown has stood up as a one-of-a-kind military capability that is coming and operating and going to operate in Clay County. It is un-flat-believable what they’re going to provide, 50 jobs. CMI2 has been awarded $100 million in a new contract from the defense people and literally they're promising more and more and more to come. And, and boy Zenovy Wowczuk is with us tonight. And if you could stand, please.

You know, there's been, there's been an awful lot. People never would have believed that West Virginia could have diversified. People never would have believed that you know, really a coal guy would welcome with open arms, you know, alternative sources or alternative energies. I'm a real believer. I'm a real believer that West Virginia needs to welcome all. There’s been many green and niche components to this admission initiative, but I want you to remember just one thing, and I know you will forevermore. Our coal, oil and gas folks today are supplying to West Virginia in this year or in years past, $891 million of severance income to this great state. They get up every day and get their dinner bucket and go. People are in 7000 feet underground and 32 inches of coal and can't sit up all day long.

And they do it for their families. And they do it for this nation. They do it for this great state and they do it for all of us. Never, never will I, and never should you ever forget the great work that the coal miners have done, the great work the gas workers do, and the oil workers in this great state. Never turn your back on the greatness of our natural resources. Thank you so much.

We will kind of keep moving here, okay? In regard to our budget, we again are going to have a budget presented by me that is relatively flat. You see, I don't believe in using the rainy-day fund to bail me out. I want to mind the store. Absolutely. I want to do with Right. Absolutely. From the business guys’ standpoint.

You know, we have funded projects out of surplus, one-time projects, we have not built base hardly at all. We have really looked after the store and we expect, and we should, return on investment. With all that being said. Absolutely. Before I go further, I want to just say just this, but our retirees, we’ve gotten a lot of them, we haven't really necessarily forgotten them, but today with inflation with what it's at, imagine this. What I am proposing, two things, but for folks over 70 years of age that worked for us for 25 years, we have a minimum salary that would that they'll receive of $1,000 really and truly, surely not much of nothing. And at the end of the day, I want to do a one-time bonus payment to them for $1,500. And I want you to work as hard as you can knowing that whatever you come up with, I'll be right. But many, many times we get running really, really fast. And we forget to please honor and help that wisdom.

Now, from the start, from the standpoint, I promised along the way, I promised, you know, that I would send a bill up in regard to the elimination of your car tax. You know, I said to Bill, I've done exactly what I promised, you know that I would just just, you gotta listen to me on this one. There's lots and lots and lots of things we can do. That if we want at this moment in time to grow the state of West Virginia, we're going to have to aggressively look at our personal income tax. It is an opportunity right now. Like none of us could ever imagine. This thing, we have the opportunity to do something that is monumental right at this moment.

Now with all that being said, all you gotta do is look at the publications, no matter what they may be, and they will all tell you the states that are on a pathway to getting rid of their personal income tax or really aggressively doing something, those states are winning the day. You got to know that you have to know that. A lot of people will say “well, we don't have an ocean.” You know, but we don't fry eggs on the street in the summertime. Literally we have been blessed with the four greatest seasons on the planet. Forever, the very best people who have the greatest location or within a rock throw two thirds of the population in this country. We abound in natural resources like crazy and all I would say to you, and I know I will get in trouble saying this, who in the world wants to move to South Dakota? I mean, literally just a few days ago when it got as cold as it was here. If you'd had been in South Dakota, you’d have been a South Dakota-sickle. You would. So, at the end of the day, just think how we're positioned.

You know, we're positioned in the absolute sweetest spot that we could possibly be. Now way up in the back you've got our Senate President, President Blair, and you've got our Speaker of the House, Speaker Hanshaw. And I've listened to them. I really have. They have said over and over and over that what we need to do in regard to the PIT is they wanted to think, either don’t do it or make a big splash. That's all there is to it. Either don’t do it or make a big splash. So here comes me, cannonballing into the pool.

By God, I'll make a big splash I'll promise you that.

But tonight, I'm proposing our West Virginia tsunami that the world will hear in every single way. They'll hear from every rooftop in every way. A tsunami that does nothing but benefit all everyone. Tonight, I am proposing the biggest tax cut in the history of this state. I'm proposing a 50% reduction in our PIT across the board now.

This thing, just saying if we do this, it will take us three years to pull it off. But absolutely it is that aggressive pathway that will absolutely put unbelievable monies right back into all of our pockets. With all that being said, just think of this, for God's sakes, and just think of just this. Right off the get-go, 30% The first year 10% The next year 10% The next year and then and then we step back and just see, with all that being said, think of how much if I were to walk into you and say I'm going to put a billion dollars back into our economy tomorrow and the people spend it. What will be the multiplier effect will be six times or 10 times tomorrow? You will become your own stimulus package with zero growth. Now has to be absolutely the word weighing all across the world and people will come. People really come. I have listened to the Senate. I have listened to the House.

And absolutely now, I hope and pray that we will move and move quickly to just show the people just how serious we are in West Virginia. And the fact that they, they have pulled the rope with us forever and ever and ever. You just think of the decades when they were in that race with Mississippi. And literally those folks absolutely today are hurting at the grocery store. Or the gas pump or whatever it may be. And we need to step up and help our folks and literally get on a pathway of doing something that's unflappable. There’s other business and there's other I budget items that I need to talk to you about.

Like I said, there's a bunch of this and I'm gonna go as quickly as I can but it is great stuff. You know, our hospitals are the lifeblood of all of our communities are they not? And literally like it or not like it but you know when they take a PEIA patient in and everything a lot of times it becomes a burden rather than a plus. We need to help them out. And so tonight, you know, I'm wanting us to put $40 million into an adjustment for the local hospitals and absolutely help them in every way.

On top of all that, we have a school aid formula increase of $35 million that I want to put in, and I can say this for the first time, forevermore, we are beginning, we're beginning to absolutely grow enrollment. The school aid the school aid situation is really designed for first grade aids to first grade teachers. And I think the exact amount is probably $37 million. And we'll start there.

We need our kids to be better educated. There's no question whatsoever about that. Absolute, you know, our Speaker, you know, because he campaigned this effort and he thought his effort was really good. And so, do I.

The other thing I want to do is just this all of us in here, I mean, all of us can leave here and go to Wendy's and hang out. We can. Baby Dog would love that.

And, and absolutely, but if you'll just step back and just think about it, the one thing that we should absolutely do, especially with us doing how well we're doing right now is put a stake in the sand to some way say we're going to stop hunger in West Virginia.

We need to do it.

I gotta tell you this, and I want I want to offer up for us to do the million dollars again to our big food banks. But I want to do one step more. Absolutely right behind that. There was a fellow that was my uncle. And I never would have thought of this in a million years, but I just did the other day. He was 94 years old and died about six months ago, maybe eight months ago now. I did the eulogy. At the funeral. He was one of 10 kids on my mom's side. At one time. Of course, they never had indoor plumbing at my grandparents’ house that I went to every time. His name was Posey Perry.

And literally he was such an unassuming guy, a Christian beyond belief. That's all there is to it. Though most people looked up to Posey Perry, well he died. You know what he did, he worked in the coal mines his whole life. And then when he retired from the coal mines, he went to the food bank nearly every single solitary day.

I want us to set aside $10 million in the Posey Perry Emergency Food Bank fund for all of our pantries or whomever it may be, can draw on that. And if at the end of the year we ended up with $4 million, next year we'll put six. If we drain it, the next year I would propose we put back 10. Absolutely. That's what we need to do. We need to try with all in us to say, by God we're not going to have hungry people in West Virginia today.

I'm proposing with our ARPA dollars that have been sitting there a long time. I'm proposing with those dollars that are a total of $677 million that we do with those dollars two things. We put $500 million of those dollars aside for the economic enhancement or impact fund.  We have now, and you see fruits, you see them. I mean we've now gotten to the place in time in West Virginia where we're competing. We're competing with others.

You see we could never do it before, could we? We couldn't ever, ever do it. But now we can compete. And now they want to come. And now we've got it going and those ARPA dollars to me, $500 million goes there. $177 million goes into a fund that Ann Urling has done marvelous work with all the water and sewer projects, and we keep them going on and on and on. That's my proposal in regard to that.

In regard to education, you know, like I said, we surely got rid of unnecessary testing and grades A through A through F stuff and all that. We now have programs that are out there like you know, grow your own pathway and we're making some inroads here and there.

There's a lot of good stuff going on in the classrooms. But absolutely, without any question we need to do one thing for absolute certain. We must ensure that schools have the responsibility to the students and the parents and not to a bunch of special interest groups. I believe that with all my soul. All of our parents deserve to know exactly what's going on in a classroom.  Without any question, our parents have always known what the best is for their kids.

Tonight, I am proposing a bill to direct school systems to make all curriculum taught be available online where we can see every single thing that's being put into our little kids' heads.

We have to make our schools safer, don't we?

We've got school safety officer programs and everything and we're trying. We got to absolutely step up in any and every way we possibly can to try to absolutely be vigilant in every way. A tragedy like we've seen many, many times across this country could happen tomorrow in West Virginia. But absolutely with all in us, we have done everything that I know we can do. But we still need to do much more. To ensure that, absolutely, our kids when they come to school, they feel safe, and they feel happy.

Absolutely to keep competing and to keep working on all of this. I am absolutely proposing also for the fourth time. Now many of you may think, well gosh, why do we need to keep doing this and everything.

But really when it really boils down to it. We've got to be able to compete. I am proposing for the fourth time, a 5% pay raise to every one of our state workers. We can afford to do this. And absolutely I think it gives us the opportunity to attract better and better and better.

At the same time our PEIA fund is going to get upside down and get upside down really quick. I want to put $100 million back into our PEIA fund and give every state worker a 5% pay raise.

Let me tell you about HOPE Scholarship, just one second. HOPE Scholarship and thank you guys, thank you guys for standing up for HOPE Scholarship. HOPE Scholarship gives choice. We should have choice. There's no question we should have choice. And as it continues to grow, why in the world do we need to hit these brick walls? You know what I want to do is bucket $15 million for the thousands of families that can absolutely select choice and take advantage of the HOPE Scholarship.

I want to put $75 million in higher ed to work on deferred maintenance. We’ve let it go too long. A building is about to fall down. Many many, many situations we've got to do something to help there.

A bunch of you, the majority undoubtedly here, a bunch of you as I we're so thankful by the reversal of how Roe v Wade was overturned.

I promised you and you did your job. You did your job. You absolutely vetted and took your time. You absolutely finally brought me a bill I promised you. I promised you the very second you brought me a bill I'd sign it. I did exactly that. And I did that very proudly. And I would tell you and I don't tell you this to grandstand, because I don't believe in that in any way. As long as I'm your governor, I will stand with life, period.

Additionally, I'm proposing that we take care of the moms.

This could very well expand. But I am proposing $1 million is going to go into the child pregnancy centers to make things better, and make things safer, and will help us in many ways there as well.

Ok, you know we came up with the nursing program, the Governor's Nursing Workforce Expansion Initiative. We put $48 million in it.

At one point in time during the COVID situation we had 2,000 beds in this state that we couldn't staff. Think about it, 2,000 beds we couldn't staff.

Probably we lost a bunch of people because of it. We had to do something. We started this initiative and it absolutely knocked it out of the park. It is absolutely amazing what's going on.

And we're absolutely on the threshold of being able to pump out nurses and bring so much more goodness to West Virginia it’s unbelievable.

I'll be asking you that we take an additional $20 million to keep this super program really going. And a special, special thanks to all the schools that are making all that happen. Thank you so much.

The EMS situation is the same thing. We put $10 million, actually $11 million dollars in it. We were, we were struggling like crazy to find an EMS. We couldn't find anybody to go to work.

Think about this story. And I'll read this very quickly. This is a story from a fella and his name is Darrin Crosier. He works in the Kanawha County EMT.  Now think about it he says, I'm so thankful to be a part of something like this. To see tax dollars for the betterment of West Virginians. We do this because we love West Virginia, and we love our communities. This training has helped me in so many ways. He gave me a career and great health benefits for myself, my wife and my three children. This has been very rewarding, and it taught me that I could learn again.

Unbelievable.

Really and truly, I am proposing that we put $10 million into this fund and keep this thing going.

We have two wonderful people with us. We have our teacher of the year and our service personnel of the year Amber Nichols and Jessica Grose. They’re here with us and where are they? Way to go!

They are from Eastwood Elementary in Morgantown and Hodgesville Elementary in Upshur County.

I gotta say something about this little lady sitting over here. Our First Lady started Communities in Schools. We started really in three counties: Berkeley, McDowell, Wyoming counties. It started out in nine schools and had 4,000 kids. Think about it. Today, they’re in 38 counties, 208 schools and they are touching 91,000 kids.

Now, I'm telling you this and then you could believe it or not believe it. I don't blow smoke at anybody. Not at my daughter, not at my wife, not at you, not at anybody. I don't have time to do it. All I know to do is tell the truth as best I can possibly do it. I'm in the schools a lot. And I'm in the schools a lot. I coach and I'm proud of it.

I've been in the schools forevermore, and I'm telling you, and you can say what you want. I've never seen a program that works any better. It is unbelievable. You know, I want to read this just very quickly but a 17-year-old from Wheeling Park. This is her first year, you know. This is the first year of the program in Ohio County. The site coordinator noticed some irregular type things going on with this kid.  Found out this kid was taking care of her granddad, a veteran.  Literally, they got involved from the, from the community side. This is exactly what Communities in Schools does. They got involved and they were able to get the veteran benefits and they were able to help the kid and the kid is doing really, really, really, really well.

One other thing they have done is they absolutely started this initiative with therapy dogs. I gotta tell you this. Tonight, there's a lady with us, her name is Sarah Linger. She is the site coordinator for Lewis County High School. She has with her one of the therapy dogs and Baby Dog is majorly jealous right now. Sarah if you would stand.

Let me just read this to you for just one second.

Jasper does an outstanding job with students and with their emotions. He goes on to say once a student was very worked up and struggling.  After spending a few minutes with Jasper, and we all know that dogs will do this.  Absolutely, the student calmed down and the student is doing better every day in school. Now, get this. At Pineville Elementary School, there's a dog there and its name is River.  There is a student there that is severely handicapped and for all practical purposes non-verbal.

Now, think about it.

And for most of this I'm gonna have to go real slow, because I'll get big tears in my eyes about this because, honest to Pete, I love kids.

When asked, “How did you like River?” The student that was partially, or for all practical purposes nonverbal. The student exclaimed, “Best day ever!”

Cathy, thanks and all I can say is just keep it up.

We got lots and lots and lots more dogs that are growing.  And, you know these dogs are expensive and everything.  But there's lots of good stuff.

We want all 55 counties. And I think Cathy is on a pathway that's gonna happen and happen really soon, probably within this year. So, lots of good stuff there.

Let me jump to something that you know I’ve talked about before and its drugs.

We all know. It can cannibalize us. We have made a lot of inroads. But we absolutely know we still have lots to do. I can't say this anymore bluntly, because I don't know how to say it.

If you look at what's going on at our Southern border of this country, and you just think, you just think why are we tolerating this? Why in the world are we continuing to allow drugs to flow all across this great country? And thousands and thousands and thousands die.

Why are we doing that? I just plain don’t get it.

But in West Virginia, just the other day, we had you know through Homeland Security or some other agency, I don't know exactly what it was. They seized some fentanyl and that, just that small amount, it was like six ounces. It would have been enough for a lethal dose for 90,000 people in West Virginia.

I don't know why in the world we continue on. It's a big problem.

We should absolutely continue to support and help and to try to help in every way our programs like Jobs and Hope or whatever it may be. That we should absolutely know we've got to all be in this.

Every last one of us has been touched by a terrible situation with drugs.

It hurts our state. It hurts our employment. It hurts us in every way. And I wish to God above we had some real live help, you know, from DC, in regard to this.  

In regard to corrections, you know, we have many, many vacancies.

You know, last the last go round you came really close on locality pay.

Some of our bordering counties we have a 70% vacancy.

You got to address that. Please address the locality pay. Because we have absolutely, we have an obligation to take care of our prisoners. And we're going to awaken to something not very good there if we don't watch out.

DHHR, a hot button right now. That's all there is to it. You know you asked me to make it better. And absolutely I have brought in a team like you can’t imagine. I can go into all kinds of specifics with you tonight.

But I can tell you, if you believe in what we did in COVID with Dr. Marsh and General Hoyer and literally now Dr. Coben. If you believe that, there's lots that we got to do, I want to listen to every one of your ideas. I want them to listen to your ideas. We all can do one thing. If we will do it.  We can make it better. It didn’t get in this mess over the last couple of years. This is a culmination of a problem that's been there many, many, many, many decades.

We can make it better. We need to listen to your ideas. You need to listen to ours. You need to absolutely bounce ideas off of Dr. Marsh and General Hoyer and Jeff Coben. Absolutely, I am as open minded as one could ever be.  I’ve got to tell you this though. Welch Hospital in McDowell County.

And many of you probably have never been to Welch Hospital. I've been there many times. Welch Hospital is kind of in an area of the world that got left way, way, way behind. If I'm right about this McDowell County at one time had about 110,000 people in it. And now they got less than 10,000.

That hospital and everything has surely been tough going for everybody. That's all there is to it. It's been a drain on the state. It's been a drain on the county. It's been a drain in many, many directions.

Through the great work, again, of Clay Marsh, General Hoyer, Jeff Coben. They have now today, today. The McDowell County Commission took over the Welch Hospital and WVU is going to take over the Welch Hospital and bring to the coalfields down there absolutely a shining light. We got it off our backs and this is an absolute accomplishment by those guys. That could not have happened without those guys. Please give them a big round of applause because they've worked really hard.

Let me tell you this. We have with us tonight one of our CPS workers. Her name is Aimee Stevens.

Aimee's been with DHHR for eight years now. You got a story that’s really neat. She walked in. She was a single mom. Walked into DHHR probably to sign up for benefits and found out the people that she was working with there, she liked them, and everything was all good. And lo and behold, one thing led to another, and then all of a sudden, she got off in trying to branch out into a new career of Social Work.  She became one of our CPS workers.

And she's been at it for eight years. And Jeff Pack who was right with you not many years ago, oversees that for us. And Jeff reports that she is outstanding, beyond belief. So, where's Aimee, if she's here with us if she is staying? Right there she is. Please give her a great round of applause.

Okay, we've still got lots to do. There's no question whatsoever. These are just isolated things and there's so much to do. Please remember what I said about the wisdom. Remember what I said about respect, literally, let’s work together with all of our ideas, and we'll solve it. We'll solve it or we'll make it a heck of a lot better.

Now, I would say just this. In this state we've got plus or minus 1,000 foster kids don’t we. And a bunch of them don't have a home. We can go to Wendy’s. And, absolutely Baby Dog can too. And we've got surpluses that are off the chart.

I'm challenging you right now. Find a way. Find a way to incentivize families to give these children a chance. A chance. They need it literally. I tell people all the time.

If you're not doing this, you should. Take time to get involved in some way in trying to help a kid.

The giver is always the winner. You will not believe what it will do in transforming your life.

These people need us, especially these wonderful kids.

Now if I could switch real quickly, to just this, our National Guard. Think about this. 250 in 2022 were overseas. 550 worked in the COVID response. 350 worked at 30 different hospitals. 300 worked in corrections for God's sakes a living they were even fighting fires. And then of all things they took helicopters when Andy Beshear called me and said, “Will you come and help?” I said you’re dadgum right we'll come. We'll bring the best of the best and they went there and saved people's lives and there's terrible floods in Kentucky.

Please give our great National Guard an incredible round of applause.

I'm gonna get you up again right now. I'm sorry, but not really.

Our veterans. And you just think what they've given us. And we lost an absolute American hero beyond belief. Not long ago in Woody Williams, for those of you who didn't have the opportunity to be with him, you really missed something. He was un-flat believable. That's all there is to it.

He could have sat here right here tonight and delivered this ten times better than I could.

Absolutely. Somebody that believed in his heart. No, the Medal of Honor recipient. Absolutely somebody that believed in his heart to continue to do more and more and more for our Gold Star Families. And it continues on right now.

And tonight, Tracy Ross, what his daughter and Bryan Casey, Woody’s grandson are with us and I don't know where they are either. Please, American hero, a hero beyond belief,

Okay, we're starting a program with not too much money. I think $500,000 and we'll start with 100 and see where it takes us.

We're starting a program called Welcome Home program. We're gonna have a $5,000 incentive to any veteran that wants to move back into West Virginia.

Really, with what all is going on right now. If we can get this VIP thing done, we're going to get every veteran that wants to come. And we will get veterans beyond belief and take absolutely their expertise and knowledge and make us all better.

So, this program is absolutely that I am proposing that we do this program one time and see what the results are. And then I hope and pray that we'll be able to expand it. When you stand this time, stretch just a little bit, because this is the seventh inning and I'm winding down.

Delegate Hornbuckle came to me the other day and Dr. Allan Letton. They want to do something at Marshall University and again, the size of the magnitude of this compared to all that's going on. Surely, we've got to step up in the African American community and try to help what in the world is wrong with us to not step up? They want a million dollars to go to Marshall University to be able to start the Center for Economic and Community Development in the African American community of Appalachia.

I don't, I don't know if they are with us. Well, I know Sean is somewhere, but nevertheless, Sean, if you'd stand, we'll give you a great big round of applause

Now. I gotta talk just about tourism and roads for just a second.

I mean, literally, whatever money you have. I don't care what it is. Put it in tourism.

It doesn't matter what it is. Whatever money you got, put it in tourism. You will instantaneously get a return on that money like you can't imagine that's all there is to it. It's happening everywhere all around us. Imagine these numbers. Imagine them. Last year travelers in West Virginia spent $5 billion. $5 billion travel guides all over the place. They're saying come to West Virginia. There's so much goodness going on in our parks and everywhere else under the sun. I could go on forever and ever in a day. You know, we spent $150 million upgrading our parks and you can't even get a place in our park because we're all sold out for all practical purposes.

Shows all they make the world see just how good we really are. You remember, back in the beginning I told you about image. It is so, so important.

Literally we know how good we are. But the world didn't know.

And they absolutely know now. They're getting it.

I want to talk just a second about roads.

Imagine this in 2022. We did 115,745 miles of work.

Think about that. Think about it. In the last four years we've done 364,500 miles of work in West Virginia.

Roads got in really bad shape.

You say what you want but not very many years back. I said for God's sakes a livin and we can't even go to the convenience store because we tear a car all the pieces go into the convenience store. And today is saying the Nitro World War One Memorial Bridge is on its way. The Beckley Bluestone travel plazas are underway. All the Wheeling bridges are for all practical purposes done. The streets in Wheeling are getting done. The Coalfield Expressway is making unbelievable inroads. Corridor H is absolutely on a path to be done.

In many, many, many, many more.

There's lots and lots and lots of goodness in many places.

There's a fund to IIJA. I commend Harold Board and Jimmy Wriston for tapping into this. Harold did something that was first in the nation, to deploy the IIJA funding for oil and gas plug in 25 million and abandoned mine lands for 145 million. Harold is not with us tonight. But you can give him a big round of applause too.

Jimmy is watching after this and taking full advantage of the infrastructure investment and jobs act and there will be billions, billions of dollars flowing into West Virginia.

Now we're on the homestretch now. You won't have to listen to me very much longer.

The pandemic was really tough, wasn’t it? No playbook. Through all that, and everything. Our labs and I'm hoping and praying that we do this because no governor should face this again.

Our labs have been on a burner but then shoved to the back burner and shoved to the back burner and shoved to the back burner over and over. Big ticket item. Very, very big-ticket item.

If there's ever a time that we can build a new consolidated lab and bring them all under one roof, and absolutely move into the century that we should be instead of the dark ages, we can do it now.

I'll never forget Vernon Criss. Just the other day he told me, he said, you know, our labs, in many ways reminded him of having two Dixie Cups and a string, to be able to communicate. Absolutely our labs can get us in a lot, a lot, a lot of trouble, and we need great labs to be able to respond.

The price tag to put them all together. And that's the state police forensic crime units. The Department of Agriculture, DHHR, the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner, DEP and Weights and Measures, the price tag, from what I know is $250 million.

I'm proposing that we quit kicking this down the road and put $125 million in this year $125 million next year out of surplus and get it done.

From a standpoint of broadband, I want to just tell you just this, we announced a billion-dollar program with the Senate with the House with all of y'all.

The billion-dollar program on broadband wanted to test 200,000 homes and new businesses for businesses rather I'm proud to announce now we spent $548 million dollars of that total investment so far, where we're halfway home. I know there's many, many, many, many of those dollars are still hooking up people and everything because they're not done. But absolutely I do believe by the time that I leave. We will have absolutely passed the billion dollars and that's good stuff.

Now, I'm gonna end with you on just this note.  I am going to end with you that your responsibilities and my responsibility is a daunting task. There's no question. I mean it when I tell you I love you with all my heart.

Now I’ll argue with you, but I'll be respectful to you in any way and in every way I possibly can be.

You have not only a daunting task, but you have a daunting opportunity right now, like nobody's business.

You got to listen, and you listen to me. You got to trust me on this.

The one thing I've done is I've run many, many, many businesses. I have created thousands and thousands of jobs. I can tell you opportunity flashes in your face. And if you don't grab it, that door closes. It's just as simple as that.

I would always remember without any doubt, you're here for Toby and Edith. You are. All of you are I am. In every way. You're here for our children. You're here for our seniors. You're here for our new and old residents and our new and old businesses as well.

You are here for all the generations to come. I mean this so profoundly I couldn't possibly say it any better than just this.

God bless each and every one of you for all you do, you give. You're away from your families. You're here 60 days. You work all the time. What you're compensated is next to nothing, for what you give.

And you should be loved, and you should be appreciated for it.

I would say an ending for all of us. God bless this incredible State of West Virginia. It is so wonderful. It is off the chart. And God bless this incredible country.

Thank you so much for having me. And God bless all of you.

Thank you.  (APPLAUSE)

* * * * * *

The committee to wait upon His Excellency, the Governor then escorted the Governor from the Chamber.

The business of the Joint assembly having been completed, the Speaker declared the Joint Assembly dissolved.

The Sergeant-at-Arms escorted the invited guests from the Chamber.

The members of the Senate retired from the Chamber.

The Speaker then called the House of Delegates to order and laid the following communication from His Excellency, the Governor before the House:

 

 

State of West Virginia

OFFICE OF THE GOVERNOR

Charleston, WV 25305

January 11, 2023

 

EXECUTIVE MESSAGE NO. 1

FIRST REGULAR SESSION

The Honorable Roger Hanshaw, Speaker

West Virginia House of Delegates

State Capitol

Charleston, West Virginia 25305

Dear Speaker Hanshaw:

I herewith submit, pursuant to the Constitution of the State of West Virginia, a budget and budget bill for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2023.

Sincerely,

Jim Justice

  Governor

Whereupon,

In compliance with Subdivision (4), Subsection B, Section 51, Article VI of the Constitution, the Speaker introduced the following bill, which was read by its title and referred to the Committee on Finance:

By Mr. Speaker, Mr. Hanshaw, and Delegate Skaff:

H. B. 2024 – “A Bill making appropriations of public money out of the Treasury in accordance with Section 51, Article VI of the Constitution.”

Miscellaneous Business

Pursuant to House Rule 94b, forms were filed with the Clerk’s Office to be added as a cosponsor of the following:

H. B. 2188: Delegates Kirby and Summers

At 8:26 p.m., on motion of Delegate Householder, the House of Delegates adjourned until 11:00 a.m., Thursday, January 12, 2023.

 

HOUSE OF DELEGATES

STEPHEN J. HARRISON, Clerk

Building 1, Room M-212

1900 Kanawha Blvd., East

Charleston, WV 25305-0470

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