WEST VIRGINIA LEGISLATURE

SENATE JOURNAL

SEVENTY-SIXTH LEGISLATURE

REGULAR SESSION, 2003

TWENTY-NINTH DAY

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Charleston, W. Va., Wednesday, February 5, 2003

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

     Prayer was offered by the Reverend Gene Pauley, Trinity Independent Baptist Church, South Charleston, West Virginia.
     Pending the reading of the Journal of Tuesday, February 4, 2003,
     On motion of Senator Minear, the Journal was approved and the further reading thereof dispensed with.
     The Senate proceeded to the second order of business and the introduction of guests.
     The Senate then proceeded to the third order of business.
     A message from The Clerk of the House of Delegates announced the concurrence by that body in the adoption of
     Senate Concurrent Resolution No. 22, Memorializing lives of seven heroes who perished in space shuttle Columbia.
     A message from The Clerk of the House of Delegates announced the passage by that body and requested the concurrence of the Senate in the passage of
     Eng. Com. Sub. for House Bill No. 2694--A Bill to repeal sections eight and ten, article thirteen, chapter nineteen of the code of West Virginia, one thousand nine hundred thirty-one, as amended; and to amend and reenact sections one, two, three, four, five, six, seven and eleven of said article, all relating to regulation of bees; removing pesticide poisoning and certain violations; adding, deleting and amending definitions; authorizing commissioner of agriculture to seize infected bees and bee equipment; establishing expiration date for certificates of registration; strengthening commissioner's inspection and quarantine powers; clarifying manner of dealing with abandoned apiaries and interstate movement of bees; making technical corrections; and modifying penalties.
     Referred to the Committee on Agriculture; and then to the Committee on the Judiciary.
     A message from The Clerk of the House of Delegates announced the passage by that body and requested the concurrence of the Senate in the passage of
     Eng. House Bill No. 2803--A Bill to amend article twenty- seven, chapter thirty of the code of West Virginia, one thousand nine hundred thirty-one, as amended, by adding thereto a new section, designated section seventeen, relating to continuation of the board of barbers and cosmetologists.
     Referred to the Committee on Government Organization.
     The Senate proceeded to the fourth order of business.
     Senator Kessler, from the Committee on the Judiciary, submitted the following report, which was received:
     Your Committee on the Judiciary has had under consideration
     Senate Bill No. 204, Relating to involuntary commitment generally.
     And reports back a committee substitute for same with the following title:
     Com. Sub. for Senate Bill No. 204 (originating in the Committee on the Judiciary)--A Bill to amend and reenact sections two and three, article five, chapter two of the code of West Virginia, one thousand nine hundred thirty-one, as amended, all relating to removing language which precludes incarcerated persons from being subjected to mental hygiene proceedings; and clarifying that licensed independent clinical social workers and advanced nurse practitioners with psychiatric certification may certify persons for purposes of mental health proceedings.
     With the recommendation that the committee substitute do pass; but under the original double committee reference first be referred to the Committee on Finance.
                              Respectfully submitted,
                               Jeffrey V. Kessler,
                               Chair.
     At the request of Senator Helmick, as chair of the Committee on Finance, unanimous consent was granted to dispense with the second committee reference of the bill contained in the foregoing report from the Committee on the Judiciary.
     Senator Helmick, from the Committee on Finance, submitted the following report, which was received:
     Your Committee on Finance has had under consideration
     Senate Bill No. 274, Authorizing division of health to promulgate legislative rule relating to medical examiner rule for postmortem inquiries.
     And,
     Senate Bill No. 321, Authorizing board of pharmacy to promulgate legislative rule relating to fees for pharmacist recovery networks.
     And reports the same back with the recommendation that they each do pass; but under the original triple committee references first be referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
                              Respectfully submitted,
                               Walt Helmick,
                               Chair.
     The bills, under the original triple committee references, were then referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
     Senator Prezioso, from the Committee on Health and Human Resources, submitted the following report, which was received:
     Your Committee on Health and Human Resources has had under consideration
     Senate Bill No. 276, Authorizing division of health to promulgate legislative rule relating to uniform credentialing of health care practitioners.
     Senate Bill No. 280, Authorizing division of human services to promulgate legislative rule relating to tel-assistance program.
     And,
     Senate Bill No. 285, Authorizing division of human services to promulgate legislative rule relating to family day care home registration requirements.
     And reports the same back with the recommendation that they each do pass; but under the original double committee references first be referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
                              Respectfully submitted,
                               Roman W. Prezioso, Jr.,
                               Chair.
     The bills, under the original double committee references, were then referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
     Senator Minard, from the Committee on Banking and Insurance, submitted the following report, which was received:
     Your Committee on Banking and Insurance has had under consideration
     Senate Bill No. 291, Authorizing insurance commissioner to promulgate legislative rule relating to tail insurance covering certain medical and allied health care providers.
     Senate Bill No. 292, Authorizing insurance commissioner to promulgate legislative rule relating to group accident and sickness insurance minimum policy coverage standards.
     Senate Bill No. 293, Authorizing insurance commissioner to promulgate legislative rule relating to continuing education for individual insurance producers.
     Senate Bill No. 294, Authorizing insurance commissioner to promulgate legislative rule relating to quality assurance.
     Senate Bill No. 295, Authorizing insurance commissioner to promulgate legislative rule relating to medical malpractice insurance consent to rate and guide "A" rate agreements.
     Senate Bill No. 296, Authorizing insurance commissioner to promulgate legislative rule relating to credit personal property insurance.
     Senate Bill No. 297, Authorizing insurance commissioner to promulgate legislative rule relating to standards for safeguarding consumer information.
     And,
     Senate Bill No. 298, Authorizing insurance commissioner to promulgate legislative rule relating to standard motor vehicle policy provisions.
     And reports the same back with the recommendation that they each do pass; but under the original double committee references first be referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
                              Respectfully submitted,
                               Joseph M. Minard,
                               Chair.
     The bills, under the original double committee references, were then referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
     Senator Prezioso, from the Committee on Health and Human Resources, submitted the following report, which was received:
     Your Committee on Health and Human Resources has had under consideration
     Senate Bill No. 336, Relating to uniform application forms for credentialing, recredentialing and updating information for health care practitioners.
     And reports the same back with the recommendation that it do pass.
                              Respectfully submitted,
                               Roman W. Prezioso, Jr.,
                               Chair.
     Senator Kessler, from the Committee on the Judiciary, submitted the following report, which was received:
     Your Committee on the Judiciary has had under consideration
     Senate Bill No. 424, Authorizing commissioner of corrections to consent to transfer of convicted offenders under federal treaty.
     And reports back a committee substitute for same with the following title:
     Com. Sub. for Senate Bill No. 424 (originating in the Committee on the Judiciary)--A Bill to amend article one, chapter twenty-five of the code of West Virginia, one thousand nine hundred thirty-one, as amended, by adding thereto a new section, designated section sixteen-a, relating to governor's authority to authorize the commissioner of corrections to consent to transfers of convicted offenders under a federal treaty; requiring consent of inmate; and requiring inmate be informed of rights and procedures in a language he or she understands.
     With the recommendation that the committee substitute do pass.
                              Respectfully submitted,
                               Jeffrey V. Kessler,
                               Chair.
     Senator Helmick, from the Committee on Finance, submitted the following report, which was received:
     Your Committee on Finance has had under consideration
     Eng. Com. Sub. for House Bill No. 2122, Relating to medical professional liability generally.
     With amendments from the Committee on the Judiciary pending;
     And has amended same.
     And reports the same back with the recommendation that it do pass as last amended by the Committee on Finance.
                              Respectfully submitted,
                               Walt Helmick,
                               Chair.
     The Senate proceeded to the sixth order of business.
     On motions for leave, severally made, the following bills were introduced, read by their titles, and referred to the appropriate committees:
     By Senators Tomblin (Mr. President) and Sprouse (By Request of the Executive):
     
Senate Bill No. 448--A Bill to amend article two, chapter sixty of the code of West Virginia, one thousand nine hundred thirty-one, as amended, by adding thereto a new section, designated section twenty-two, relating generally to powers of alcohol beverage control commissioner; and allowing commissioner to enter into contracts for sale and promotion of certain proprietary scanner technology.
     Referred to the Committee on the Judiciary; and then to the Committee on Finance.
     By Senators Tomblin (Mr. President) and Sprouse (By Request of the Executive):
     
Senate Bill No. 449--A Bill to amend article twenty-two, chapter twenty-nine of the code of West Virginia, one thousand nine hundred thirty-one, as amended, by adding thereto a new section, designated section eighteen-c, relating to transfers of unappropriated net profit between state lottery fund and state excess lottery fund.
     Referred to the Committee on Finance.
     By Senators Tomblin (Mr. President) and Sprouse (By Request of the Executive):
     
Senate Bill No. 450--A Bill to amend chapter eleven of the code of West Virginia, one thousand nine hundred thirty-one, as amended, by adding thereto a new article, designated article ten-c, relating to creation and development of an automated tax administration system and funding thereof; setting forth legislative finding; specifying short title and purpose; authorizing benefits-funded automated tax administration system purchasing program; authorizing benefits' funding of the automated tax administration system and payment of costs and compensation on the basis of a percentage of the increase in the amount of taxes, interest and penalties collected which is attributable to implementation of the automated tax administration system, as may be described in detail by contract or on a fixed fee contract basis, such fees to be paid from the increase in the amount of taxes, interest and penalties collected which is attributable to implementation of the automated tax administration system, as may be described in detail by contract; requiring the tax commissioner to make an annual determination of increased revenue attributable to implementation of the automated tax administration system; specifying deposit of moneys and treatment of local and municipal moneys; creating automated tax administration system development fund; specifying uses of moneys in the automated tax administration system development fund and operation of automated tax administration system development fund; specifying an annual report; and specifying other contracts and purchases are not prohibited or hindered by the article.
     Referred to the Committee on Finance.
     By Senators Tomblin (Mr. President) and Sprouse (By Request of the Executive):
     
Senate Bill No. 451--A Bill to amend and reenact section one, article two, chapter twenty-four of the code of West Virginia, one thousand nine hundred thirty-one, as amended; and to further amend said article by adding thereto a new section, designated section eleven-c, all relating to specifying the jurisdiction of the public service commission over, and the application of said chapter twenty-four to, owners or operators of, and persons, corporations or other entities that intend to construct or construct and operate, certain described electric-generating facilities, the output of which is not sold directly to retail customers in West Virginia; and requiring persons, corporations and other entities that intend to construct or construct and operate such electric- generating facilities, or that intend to make or construct a material modification thereof, to obtain from the public service commission a siting certificate, in lieu of a certificate of public convenience and necessity, for each such facility or material modification thereof pursuant and subject to certain new provisions and requirements which, among other things, allow the public service commission, under specified circumstances, to seek the imposition of civil or criminal penalties, or both such civil and criminal penalties.
     Referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
     By Senator McKenzie:
     
Senate Bill No. 452--A Bill to amend and reenact section seven-a, article four, chapter eighteen-a of the code of West Virginia, one thousand nine hundred thirty-one, as amended, relating to removing the requirement that a substitute teacher work at least one hundred thirty-three days in a school year to count that employment toward seniority for full-time employment hiring purposes.
     Referred to the Committee on Education.
     By Senators Hunter, Rowe, McCabe, Unger, Oliverio, Minard, Caldwell, Kessler, Bowman, Fanning, Bailey, Love, Facemyer, Ross, Weeks, Smith, Sharpe, Dempsey, Minear, Sprouse, Edgell, Plymale, Prezioso, Helmick, Chafin, White, Jenkins and Tomblin (Mr. President):
     
Senate Bill No. 453--A Bill to amend chapter forty-eight of the code of West Virginia, one thousand nine hundred thirty-one, as amended, by adding thereto a new article, designated article twenty-seven-a, relating to establishing the domestic violence fatality review team.
     Referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
     By Senators Rowe, Hunter, Caldwell, Unger, Dempsey and Smith:
     
Senate Bill No. 454--A Bill to amend and reenact section twenty-two, article five, chapter eighteen of the code of West Virginia, one thousand nine hundred thirty-one, as amended, relating to requiring county boards of education to employ one school nurse for every one thousand three hundred pupils based upon net enrollment in all grades; and allowing counties to enter into agreement to employee nurses jointly on a shared-time basis in order to comply with staffing ratios.
     Referred to the Committee on Education; and then to the Committee on Finance.
     By Senators Minard and Unger:
     
Senate Bill No. 455--A Bill to amend article ten, chapter five of the code of West Virginia, one thousand nine hundred thirty-one, as amended, by adding thereto a new section, designated section fifteen-b, relating to authorizing service credit toward retirement to public employees for public employment in another state.
     Referred to the Committee on Pensions; and then to the Committee on Finance.
     By Senators Tomblin (Mr. President) and Sprouse (By Request of the Executive):
     
Senate Bill No. 456--A Bill to amend and reenact sections one and two, article seventeen-a, chapter seventeen of the code of West Virginia, one thousand nine hundred thirty-one, as amended, all relating to construction financing for surface transportation improvements through federal grant anticipation notes.
     Referred to the Committee on Transportation; and then to the Committee on Finance.
     By Senators Rowe, McCabe and Caldwell:
     
Senate Bill No. 457--A Bill to amend and reenact section three-v, article one, chapter seven of the code of West Virginia, one thousand nine hundred thirty-one, as amended, relating to allowing counties adopting a floodplain ordinance to designate a floodplain enforcement agency.
     Referred to the Committee on Government Organization.
     By Senators White, Rowe, Bailey, Dempsey, Fanning, Helmick, Kessler, Jenkins, Love, Unger, Hunter, Bowman, Ross, Plymale, Minard and Sharpe:
     
Senate Bill No. 458--A Bill to amend article five-b, chapter sixteen of the code of West Virginia, one thousand nine hundred thirty-one, as amended, by adding thereto a new section, designated section four-a, relating to requiring hospitals to implement a plan to eliminate or substantially reduce medication-related errors.
     Referred to the Committee on Health and Human Resources; and then to the Committee on Finance.
     By Senator Sprouse:
     
Senate Bill No. 459--A Bill to amend article three, chapter ten of the code of West Virginia, one thousand nine hundred thirty- one, as amended, by adding thereto a new section, designated section three, relating to prohibiting the renaming or rededication of certain monuments and memorials.
     Referred to the Committee on Government Organization.
     By Senators Tomblin (Mr. President), Chafin, Plymale, Bailey, Kessler, Ross, Dempsey, Sharpe, Minard, Caldwell, Unger, Fanning, White, Rowe, Prezioso, Snyder, Bowman, Helmick, Sprouse, Minear, Guills, Weeks, Hunter, McKenzie, Facemyer, Smith, Edgell and Love:
     
Senate Bill No. 460--A Bill to amend chapter sixty-a of the code of West Virginia, one thousand nine hundred thirty-one, as amended, by adding thereto a new article, designated article ten, relating to the substance abuse prevention act; establishing the "substance abuse prevention fund"; authorizing sources of funding and revenue for the fund; providing for mandatory costs to be collected from persons convicted of certain crimes which are divided evenly between the county wherein the cost is collected and the fund; designating purposes to be promoted by the fund; creating the substance abuse prevention commission; designating members of the commission; listing commission duties; and requiring the commission to enlist and receive assistance from the partnership for a drug-free West Virginia, a program under the auspices of the West Virginia prevention resource center at Marshall university graduate college.
     Referred to the Committee on the Judiciary; and then to the Committee on Finance.
     Senators Caldwell, Fanning, Chafin, Guills, Ross, Dempsey, Unger, Sharpe and Oliverio offered the following resolution:
     Senate Concurrent Resolution No. 23--Requesting the Division of Highways name the intersection of U. S. Route 123 and the King Coal Highway (I-73/74 Corridor) in Mercer County the "Nelson Walker Interchange".
     Whereas, Nelson Walker has dedicated his time, energy, leadership and funds toward building and upgrading the King Coal Highway (I-73/74 Corridor) and other roadways in West Virginia; and
     Whereas, Nelson Walker served without pay as the Executive Director of the I-73/74 Corridor Association and the King Coal Highway Authority; and
     Whereas, Nelson Walker has given his time and money traveling the proposed corridor to garner support from social and governmental organizations, as well as from local officials and state and federal legislators; and
     Whereas, It is fitting that a lasting tribute be made to such an outstanding public servant as Nelson Walker whose dedication and commitment to the people of West Virginia have spanned so many years; therefore, be it
     Resolved by the Legislature of West Virginia:
     That the Legislature hereby requests the Division of Highways name the intersection of U. S. Route 123 and the King Coal Highway (I-73/74 Corridor) in Mercer County the "Nelson Walker Interchange"; and, be it
     Further Resolved, That the Division of Highways is requested to have made and be placed signs identifying the interchange as the "Nelson Walker Interchange"; and, be it
     Further Resolved, That the Clerk of the Senate is hereby directed to forward a copy of this resolution to the Secretary of the Department of Transportation, the I-73/74 Corridor Association and Nelson Walker.
     Which, under the rules, lies over one day.
     The Senate proceeded to the seventh order of business.
     Senate Concurrent Resolution No. 13, Requesting Division of Highways name bridge crossing Kermit to Kentucky "Herbert 'Hub' Cline Bridge".
     On unfinished business, coming up in regular order, was reported by the Clerk.
     The question being on the adoption of the resolution, the same was put and prevailed.
     Ordered, That The Clerk communicate to the House of Delegates the action of the Senate and request concurrence therein.
     Senate Concurrent Resolution No. 21, Requesting Division of Highways name bridge on Route 28 near Romney "John Blue Bridge".
     On unfinished business, coming up in regular order, was reported by the Clerk.
     The question being on the adoption of the resolution, the same was put and prevailed.
     Ordered, That The Clerk communicate to the House of Delegates the action of the Senate and request concurrence therein.
     The Senate proceeded to the ninth order of business.
     Eng. Com. Sub. for House Bill No. 2121, Establishing the "All-Terrain Vehicle Safety Act" and the reasons therefor.
     On second reading, coming up in regular order, was reported by the Clerk.
     At the request of Senator Kessler, unanimous consent being granted, the bill was laid over one day, retaining its place on the calendar.
     The Senate proceeded to the tenth order of business.
     Com. Sub. for Senate Joint Resolution No. 6, Proposing amendment to Constitution designated Legislative Pay Raise Reform Amendment.
     On first reading, coming up in regular order, was read a first time and ordered to second reading.
     Com. Sub. for Com. Sub. for Senate Bill No. 170, Requiring informed consent for abortion; other provisions.
     On first reading, coming up in regular order, was read a first time and ordered to second reading.
     Senate Bill No. 342, Limiting time driver's license may be issued to certain noncitizens.
     On first reading, coming up in regular order, was read a first time and ordered to second reading.
     Senate Bill No. 381, Adding professional surveyors to professional limited liability companies.
     On first reading, coming up in regular order, was read a first time and ordered to second reading.
     Senate Bill No. 388, Modifying requirements for titling and registration of imported vehicles.
     On first reading, coming up in regular order, was read a first time and ordered to second reading.
     Senate Bill No. 390, Removing requirement social security number appear on commercial driver's license.
     On first reading, coming up in regular order, was read a first time and ordered to second reading.
     Senate Bill No. 414, Authorizing real estate commission to enter into license reciprocity agreements with other states.
     On first reading, coming up in regular order, was read a first time and ordered to second reading.
     Senate Bill No. 447, Allowing reciprocal agreements with Ohio regarding hunting and fishing.
     On first reading, coming up in regular order, was read a first time and ordered to second reading.
     The Senate proceeded to the twelfth order of business.
     Remarks were made by Senators Sprouse, Helmick and Plymale.
     At the request of Senator Chafin, unanimous consent being granted, the Senate returned to the fourth order of business.
     Senator Sharpe, from the Committee on Energy, Industry and Mining, submitted the following report, which was received:
     Your Committee on Energy, Industry and Mining has had under consideration
     Senate Bill No. 249, Authorizing department of environmental protection to promulgate legislative rule relating to oil and gas conservation commission.
     And reports the same back with the recommendation that it do pass; but under the original triple committee reference first be referred to the Committee on Finance; and then to the Committee on the Judiciary.
                              Respectfully submitted,
                               William R. Sharpe, Jr.,
                               Chair.
     The bill, under the original triple committee reference, was referred to the Committee on Finance; and then to the Committee on the Judiciary.
     Senator Minard, from the Committee on Banking and Insurance, submitted the following report, which was received:
     Your Committee on Banking and Insurance has had under consideration
     Senate Bill No. 356, Relating to insurance company holding systems and federal Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act.
     And has amended same.
     And reports the same back with the recommendation that it do pass, as amended; but under the original double committee reference first be referred to the Committee on Finance.
                              Respectfully submitted,
                               Joseph M. Minard,
                               Chair.
     At the request of Senator Helmick, as chair of the Committee on Finance, unanimous consent was granted to dispense with the second committee reference of the bill contained in the foregoing report from the Committee on Banking and Insurance.
     Senator Minard, from the Committee on Banking and Insurance, submitted the following report, which was received:
     Your Committee on Banking and Insurance has had under consideration
     Senate Bill No. 358, Relating to redomestication of domestic insurance companies.
     And reports the same back with the recommendation that it do pass; but under the original double committee reference first be referred to the Committee on Finance.
                              Respectfully submitted,
                               Joseph M. Minard,
                               Chair.
     At the request of Senator Helmick, as chair of the Committee on Finance, unanimous consent was granted to dispense with the second committee reference of the bill contained in the foregoing report from the Committee on Banking and Insurance.
     Pending announcement of meetings of standing committees of the Senate,
     On motion of Senator Chafin, the Senate adjourned until tomorrow, Thursday, February 6, 2003, at 11 a.m.
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