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Senate passes bill allowing WVU Tech to relocate

CHARLESTON, W.Va. — The Senate on Monday passed what has come to be known as the West Virginia University Institute of Technology relocation bill, despite one lawmaker’s pleas to defer action until the Legislature can study how closing the 120-year-old campus will affect the Upper Kanawha Valley economy.

The bill, which removes from state code language that says WVU Tech shall remain headquartered in Montgomery and repeals an entire article outlining campus revitalization requirements, passed on a 22-12 vote.

If signed into law, the bill clears a major legal hurdle for West Virginia University, which operates Tech, as it plans to move the college to Beckley over the next 18 months.

The legislation now goes back to the House, where it passed late last month, 67-23.

After criticizing WVU for failing to address millions in deferred maintenance needs on the Montgomery campus, Sen. William Laird, D-Fayette, urged lawmakers to vote against the bill…

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