By ANDREA LANNOM The Register-Herald CHARLESTON, W.Va. – A bill to break up the West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources into three separate agencies passed the House Tuesday in a 62-36 vote. Under House Bill 4014, the Office of Inspector General and the Department of health Care Facilities would[Read More…]
Government
Senate Judiciary Committee passes co-tenancy bill
By DAVID BEARD The Dominion Post CHARLESTON, W.Va. — The Senate Judiciary Committee approved the cotenancy bill HB 4268 — unamended Tuesday evening and sent it to the full Senate. Industry representatives and House Energy Committee members were there to watch. Many expressed relief because the governor had minutes before[Read More…]
West Virginia House bill outlaws using drugs during pregnancy
By TAYLOR STUCK The Herald-Dispatch CHARLESTON, W.Va. — The West Virginia House of Delegates on Tuesday passed a bill that would make it a misdemeanor to use drugs while pregnant if the mother does not seek treatment. Opponents to the legislation say the bill will have unintended consequences by dissuading mothers[Read More…]
West Virginia House OKs bill to expand gun rights onto private property
By PHIL KABLER Charleston Gazette-Mail CHARLESTON, W.Va. — A National Rifle Association-backed bill to make private businesses let employees and visitors have guns in vehicles parked on private property passed the House of Delegates Tuesday on an 85-14 vote, but with some opposition from both sides of the aisle. That[Read More…]
Around the Rotunda: Legislative, committee schedule for Wednesday, Feb. 28
Watch WV Legislature Live each day at http://www.legis.state.wv.us/live.cfm Wednesday, Feb. 28, 2018 50th Day of the Legislative Session Rotunda and social activities: Buckhannon/Upshur County Day: Upper House, Upper Senate Rotundas and Upper Well Area. SENATE: Senate Convenes at 11 a.m. On the Agenda: RESOLUTIONS SR 56: Recognizing Michael Todd Paynter for[Read More…]
Justice calls for special session to address co-tenancy, says he’d veto the bill
By KATE MISHKIN Charleston Gazette-Mail CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Gov. Jim Justice took a swing at the oil and gas industry’s biggest bill of the session Monday morning, saying he might veto the measure if it continues through the Senate. Justice, speaking at a town hall meeting with teachers at Wheeling Park[Read More…]
Bill to legalize sports betting at casinos advances to West Virginia House floor
By PHIL KABLER Charleston Gazette-Mail CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Legislation to legalize sports betting at state casinos — pending a favorable U.S. Supreme Court ruling overturning a federal law banning it — advanced to the full House of Delegates Monday after winning approval in House Finance. Finance Committee members made no[Read More…]
WVONGA, Senate President react to governor’s suggestion of special session to address oil and gas
By ANDREA LANNOM The Register-Herald CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Following Gov. Jim Justice suggesting he would like to see a special session to deal with energy issues and would likely veto a co-tenancy bill as it stands, the West Virginia Oil and Gas Association (WVONGA) voiced its concerns with the governor’s[Read More…]
Around the Rotunda: Legislative, committee schedule for Tuesday, Feb. 27
Watch WV Legislature Live each day at http://www.legis.state.wv.us/live.cfm Tuesday, Feb. 27, 2018 49th Day of the Legislative Session Rotunda and social activities: DEP Day at the Legislature, Upper House + Upper Senate Rotundas + Upper Well Area; Mercer County Day at the Legislature, Lower Rotunda (Subject to Approval) SENATE: Senate Convenes at 11 a.m. [Read More…]
At State Capitol, WV teachers, service personnel looking for solutions, friends and heroes
By Jim Workman West Virginia Press Association CHARLESTON, W.Va. — On the third day of teachers and service personnel strike in West Virginia, classrooms remain empty and the State Capitol remains filled with protesters. During the three days strikers have visited the Capitol, legislators as a group have not been popular among[Read More…]
