The Legislature continues to work diligently on key pieces of legislation as we near the last three weeks of the regular session.
To date, a total of 1,670 bills have been introduced in both chambers; 1,111 in the House and 559 in the Senate. The last day to introduce bills is Monday.
A total of 36 bills have passed the House and 44 have passed in the Senate. The last day a bill can be considered in its house of origin is February 26.
The Senate passed Senate Bill 90, which would create a criminal offense of interfering or preventing a call for assistance of emergency service personnel.
The House passed House Bill 4283 which would raise the minimum wage from $7.25 an hour to $7.85 an hour after June 30th. The bill would then raise the minimum wage again to $8.15 an hour next year.
The House also passed House Bill 4343, also known as the “West Virginia Project Launchpad Act,” which would set aside land for businesses The selected areas would be home to businesses in the extraction, chemical, and manufacturing industries.
Committees continue to consider a number of bills before the February 23rd deadline date when all bills must be reported out of their originating committee.
House Health and Human Resources has held numerous meetings on Senate Bill 373 which would regulate the West Virginia’s water resources. This bill is in response to the chemical spill that affected central West Virginia last month.
The House’s newly formed Small Business, Entrepreneurship and Economic Development committee began their listening tour this week in Harrison County.
These tours allow lawmakers to hear from communities and small businesses from all around the state talk about their successes and their concerns as small business owners in West Virginia.
Senate Judiciary began considering a bill this week that is aimed at reducing meth manufacturing in West Virginia.
The bill would require a doctor’s prescription for cold medications containing pseudoephedrine, a main ingredient in meth.
The governor has announced that an independent team will conduct home water testing for those affected by the chemical leak last month.
He has also stated that he will appeal FEMA’s decision to deny West Virginia’s requests for reimbursement funds.
If you have any concerns or questions, feel free to call my office at 340-3337 or write Delegate David Perry at the State Capitol, Building 1, Room 442M, Charleston, WV, 25305.