State Senate

Tuesday, February 25, 2025 – 14th Day of Session

The Senate will convene at 11 a.m.

THIRD READING

• Eng. Com. Sub. for SB 136: Increasing penalties and parole eligibility requirements for homicide (original similar to HB 2359)
• Eng. Com. Sub. for SB 270: Declaring sale and manufacture of firearms essential business during declared emergency
• Eng. Com. Sub. for SB 336: Authorizing Department of Homeland Security to promulgate legislative rules (original similar to HB 2256)

SECOND READING

• SB 92: Glucagon for Schools Act
• SB 291: Extending time frame for pharmacies to register from annually to biennially
• Com. Sub. for SB 358: Authorizing Department of Transportation to promulgate legislative rules (original similar to HB 2278)
• Com. Sub. for SB 443: Authorizing Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology Board of Examiners to conduct criminal background checks for licensing
• Com. Sub. for SB 462: Permitting Board of Occupational Therapy to require criminal history record checks

FIRST READING

• SB 103: Exempting certain records from public release

Scheduled Committee Meetings

9:30 a.m.: Government Organization (208W)

• Com. Sub. for SB 482: Certified Professional Midwife Licensing and Regulation
• SB 496: Removing reflexology and other energy-based work from definition of "massage therapy"
• Com. Sub. for SB 586: Relating to requirements for filling vacancies in certain elected federal, state, and county offices
• SB 483: Increasing civil penalties for failure to file required campaign finance reports

9:30 a.m.: Education (451M)

• Presentation: School Safety
• SB 450: Establishing WV Guardian Program
• SB 434: Requiring each public school building be equipped with at least one panic alarm for use in school security emergency

1 p.m.: Economic Development (208W)

• Com. Sub. for SB 552: Relating to Certified Business Industrial Expansion Development Program

1 p.m.: Health and Human Resources (451M)

• SB 30: Requiring medically necessary care and treatment to address congenital anomalies associated with cleft lip and cleft palate
• SB 169: Correlating Medicaid personal needs allowance with state poverty index
• SB 537: Establishing WV Mothers and Babies Pregnancy Support Program

3 p.m.: Judiciary (208W)

• SB 198: Prohibiting creation, production, distribution, or possession of artificially generated child pornography
• SB 124: Reducing statute of limitations on actions to recover on oral and written contracts
• SB 31: Relating to DNA maintained for law-enforcement purposes
• SB 456: Defining "men" and "women"

3 p.m.: Finance (451M)

• Budget Presentation: West Virginia School Building Authority
• Budget Presentation: West Virginia Department of Arts, Culture and History
• Budget Presentation: West Virginia Department of Tourism

** Committee times and agendas are subject to change **

Senate Bills to be Introduced Tuesday, February 25, 2025

• SB 589: Providing pay increases to members of judiciary (FN) (Woodrum; Judiciary then Finance)
• SB 590: Clarifying conditions for pretrial release and maximum bail amount for certain defendants (Deeds; Substance Use Disorder and Mental Health then Judiciary)
• SB 591: Creating Criminal Forfeiture Process Act to replace West Virginia Contraband Forfeiture Act (Deeds; Judiciary then Finance)
• SB 592: Relating generally to above ground storage tanks (Martin, Helton, Tarr; Energy, Industry, and Mining)
• SB 593: Relating to electronic voting and preserving voting data (Rucker, Boley; Government Organization)
• SB 594: Relating to right to try individualized treatments (Rucker; Health and Human Resources then Judiciary)
• SB 595: Creating Mountain Bike Responsibility Act (Woodrum, Jeffries, Maynard, Helton; Judiciary)
• SB 596: Relating to parents' Bill of Rights (Maynard; Judiciary)
• SB 597: Eliminating restriction to carry firearm on State Capitol Complex grounds (Maynard; Government Organization then Judiciary)
• SB 598: Permitting judges to refer parents to prosecuting attorney for making certain false allegations in child custody proceedings (Stuart; Judiciary)
• SR 12: Designating February 26, 2025, as Corrections Day (Clements)
• SR 13: Memorializing life of Wanda Porterfield Casto (Clements, Oliverio, Smith, Azinger, Barrett, Bartlett, Boley, Chapman, Charnock, Deeds, Fuller, Garcia, Grady, Hamilton, Hart, Helton, Jeffries, Martin, Maynard, Morris, Phillips, Queen, Roberts, Rose, Rucker, Stuart, Takubo, Tarr, Taylor, Thorne, Weld, Willis, Woelfel, Woodrum)
• SR 14: Recognizing Leadership Berkeley (Barrett, Rucker)

* (FN) indicates the bill has a Fiscal Note

* (IB) indicates the bill is an Interim Bill

Committee Action on Bills from Monday, February 24, 2025

9:30 a.m.: Government Organization

• SB 234: Increasing value at which municipal property must be sold through public auction
• Bill reported to the full Senate with the recommendation it do pass

• Com. Sub. for SB 459: Requiring county economic development committee members be state residents
• Committee substitute reported to the full Senate with the recommendation it do pass

1 p.m.: Workforce

• Com. Sub. for SB 427: Permitting certain teenagers to work without obtaining work permit
• Committee substitute reported to the full Senate with the recommendation it do pass

• Com. Sub. for SB 534: Relating to requirements to administer polygraphs
• Committee substitute reported to the full Senate with the recommendation it do pass

1 p.m.: Transportation and Infrastructure

• Com. Sub. for SB 5: Authorizing Adopt-A-Road volunteer programs under jurisdiction of DOT
• Committee substitute, as amended, reported to the full Senate with the recommendation it do pass

• SB 67: Allowing motor vehicle racing on county or municipal roads under certain circumstances
• Bill not taken up

2 p.m.: Energy, Industry, and Mining

• Com. Sub. for SB 448: Creating credit against severance tax for certain infrastructure improvements
• Committee substitute reported to the full Senate with the recommendation it do pass; second reference to Finance

2 p.m.: Pensions

• SB 100: Allowing members of State Police retirement system to use accrued leave as credit toward retirement
• Bill reported to the full Senate with the recommendation it do pass; second reference to Finance

• SB 105: Updating retirement eligibility for certain sheriffs
• Bill reported to the full Senate with the recommendation it do pass; second reference to Finance

3 p.m.: Judiciary

• Com. Sub. for SB 50: Requiring municipal elections to be held on same day as statewide election
• Committee substitute, as amended, reported to the full Senate with the recommendation it do pass

• SJR 2: Incorporating of Churches or Religious Denominations Amendment
• Resolution reported to the full Senate with the recommendation it be adopted; second reference to Finance

• Com. Sub. for SB 369: Miscellaneous Bundle – Includes: SB 363, Department of Agriculture rule relating to state aid for fairs and festivals; SB 364, Department of Agriculture rule relating to inspection of meat and poultry; SB 365, Department of Agriculture rule relating to licensing and other fees; SB 366, Department of Agriculture rule relating to WV manufacture-grade milk; SB 367, Department of Agriculture rule relating to employment references, employment inquiries, and background checks; SB 368, Department of Agriculture rule relating to WV fish processing; SB 369, Department of Agriculture rule relating to select plant-based derivatives and select plant-based derivative products; SB 370, Department of Agriculture rule relating to Rural Rehabilitation Program; SB 371, Department of Agriculture rule relating to raw milk; SB 372, Board of Architects rule relating to registration of architects; SB 373, Board of Architects rule relating to fees for registration of architects; SB 374, State Auditor rule relating to Local Government Purchasing Card Program; SB 375, State Auditor rule relating to private trust companies; SB 376, Board of Barbers and Cosmetologists rule relating to operation of certain salons and schools; SB 377, Board of Barbers and Cosmetologists rule relating to schedule of fees; SB 378, Board of Barbers and Cosmetologists rule relating to schedule of fines; SB 379, Board of Chiropractic Examiners rule relating to consideration of prior criminal convictions in initial licensure determinations; SB 380, Board of Dentistry rule relating to continuing education requirements; SB 381, Board of Dentistry rule relating to mobile dental facilities and portable dental units; SB 382, Election Commission rule relating to regulation of campaign finance; SB 383, Board of Funeral Service Examiners rule relating to funeral director, embalmer, apprentice, courtesy card holders, and funeral establishment requirements; SB 384, Massage Therapy Licensure Board rule relating to general provisions; SB 385, Board of Medicine rule relating to waiver of initial licensing fees for certain applicants; SB 386, Board of Occupational Therapy rule relating to fees for services rendered by board; SB 387, Board of Occupational Therapy rule relating to competency standards for advanced practice by occupational therapists and occupational therapy assistants; SB 388, Board of Occupational Therapy rule relating to request for waiver of licensing fees for certain individuals; SB 389, Board of Occupational Therapy rule relating to consideration of prior criminal convictions in initial licensure determinations; SB 390, Board of Occupational Therapy rule relating to telehealth practice requirements and definitions; SB 391, Board of Osteopathic Medicine rule relating to waiver of initial licensing fees for certain applicants; SB 392, Board of Pharmacy rule relating to licensure and practice of pharmacy; SB 393, Board of Pharmacy rule relating to Uniform Controlled Substances Act; SB 394, Board of Pharmacy rule relating to regulations governing pharmacy permits; SB 395, Board of Pharmacy rule relating to application of waiver of initial licensing fees for certain individuals; SB 396, Board of Examiners of Psychologists rule relating to consideration of prior criminal convictions in initial licensures and fee waivers; SB 397, Real Estate Appraiser Licensing and Certification Board rule relating to requirements for licensure and certification; SB 398, Real Estate Appraiser Licensing and Certification Board rule relating to renewal of licensure or certification; SB 399, Real Estate Appraiser Licensing and Certification Board rule relating to requirements for registration and renewal of appraisal management companies; SB 400, Real Estate Commission rule relating to licensing real estate brokers, associate brokers, and salespersons and conduct of brokerage business; SB 401, Real Estate Commission rule relating to application of waiver of initial licensing fees for certain individuals; SB 402, Real Estate Commission rule relating to consideration of prior criminal convictions in initial license eligibility determination; SB 403, Board of Registered Nurses rule relating to requirements for registration, licensure, and professional misconduct; SB 404, Board of Respiratory Care rule relating to criteria for licensure; SB 405, Board of Respiratory Care rule relating to consideration of prior criminal convictions in initial licensure determinations; SB 406, Board of Respiratory Care rule relating to telehealth practice requirements and definitions; SB 407, Board of Sanitarians rule relating to practice of public health sanitation; SB 408, Board of Examiners for Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology rule relating to speech-language pathology and audiology assistants; SB 409, Hope Scholarship Board rule relating to Hope Scholarship Program; SB 410, State Conservation Committee rule relating to State Conservation Committee grant program.
• Committee substitute reported to the full Senate with the recommendation it do pass

Resolutions that Have Been Adopted by the Senate as of Monday, February 24, 2025 (3)

• SCR 1: Adopting Joint Rules of Senate and House of Delegates (Adopted, 01-08)
• SCR 2: Authorizing payment of joint expenses (Adopted, 01-08)
• SCR 4: Amending Joint Rules of Senate and House of Delegates (Adopted, 02-12)

Action on House Bills in the Senate as of Monday, February 24, 2025 (3)

• HB 2024: Updating the meaning certain terms used in West Virginia Personal Income Tax Act (Signed, 02-24)
• HB 2025: Updating terms in the Corporation Net Income Tax Act (Signed, 02-24)
• HB 2053: Relating to including the United States Space Force in the definition armed forces (Pending Senate introduction)

Action on House Resolutions in the Senate as of Monday, February 24, 2025 (1)

• HCR 49: Resolution relating to use of industrial sites and the potential impacts on downstream facilities (Natural Resources)

Bills that Have Completed Legislation as of Monday, February 24, 2025 (2 – 2 House)

• HB 2024: Updating the meaning certain terms used in West Virginia Personal Income Tax Act (Signed, 02-24)
• HB 2025: Updating terms in the Corporation Net Income Tax Act (Signed, 02-24)

Resolutions that Have Completed Legislation as of Monday, February 24, 2025 (7 – 3 Senate; 4 House)

• SCR 1: Adopting Joint Rules of Senate and House of Delegates (Adopted, 01-08)
• SCR 2: Authorizing payment of joint expenses (Adopted, 01-08)
• SCR 4: Amending Joint Rules of Senate and House of Delegates (Adopted, 02-12)
• HCR 1: Raising a Joint Assembly to open and publish election returns (Adopted, 01-08)
• HCR 2: Extending an invitation to His Excellency, the Governor, to deliver an address to the Legislature and raising a Joint Assembly therefor (Adopted, 01-08)
• HCR 3: Providing for an adjournment of the Legislature until February 12, 2025 (Adopted, 01-08)
• HCR 4: Raising a Joint Assembly to hear remarks of the Governor (Adopted, 01-12)

Bills Signed by the Governor as of Monday, February 24, 2025 (2 – 2 House)

• HB 2024: Updating the meaning certain terms used in West Virginia Personal Income Tax Act (Signed, 02-24)
• HB 2025: Updating terms in the Corporation Net Income Tax Act (Signed, 02-24)

Committee times and agendas are subject to change. Follow @WVSenClerk on X for updates.

All Senate Committee meetings and floor sessions are available for both live streaming and to watch again in our archives. The link to the Senate’s archived video page can be found here:http://sg001-armony.sliq.net/00289/Harmony/en/View/UpcomingEvents.