State Senate

Thursday, March 27, 2025 – 44th Day of Session

The Senate will convene at 11 a.m.

UNFINISHED BUSINESS

• SR 41: Designating March 27, 2025, as Local Food and Farm Day

THIRD READING

• Eng. Com. Sub. for SB 505: Ensuring Reliable and Affordable Electricity Act
• Eng. Com. Sub. for SB 529: Relating generally to liability insurance coverage for Board of Education
• Eng. Com. Sub. for Com. Sub. for SB 570: Requiring economic impact statements for certain legislative rules
• Eng. Com. Sub. for SB 820: Whistleblower Protection Fund Act
• Eng. Com. Sub. for SB 823: Clarifying and separating duties between Division of Emergency Management and DEP
• Eng. Com. Sub. for SB 825: Permitting higher education institutions enter agreements with non-profit organizations for economic development and job creation
• Eng. Com. Sub. for SB 829: Modifying classes of state of preparedness declared by Governor or Legislature
• Eng. SB 839: Requiring Division of Labor establish separate rules for residential or commercial plumbing
• Eng. SB 856: Removing certain reporting requirements to Joint Committee on Government and Finance
• Eng. Com. Sub. for SB 861: Updating references to reflect consolidation of Information Services and Communications Division into Office of Technology
• Eng. SB 862: Repealing antiquated language related to Voluntary Gilding Dome Check-Off Program
• Eng. SB 863: Removing reference to Information Services and Communications Division
• Eng. Com. Sub. for SB 864: Clarifying inference of criminal intent in burglary prosecution
• Eng. Com. Sub. for SB 871: Removing persons who perform drywall services from definition of “contractor” in Contractor Licensing Act
• Eng. SB 876: Terminating certain requirements for Tax Commissioner to submit reports, publish information, and provide notice

SECOND READING

• Com. Sub. for SB 225: Expanding powers of National Park Service law-enforcement officers
• Com. Sub. for Com. Sub. for SB 506: Relating to enhanced pay for certain teachers
• Com. Sub. for SB 576: Authorizing fixed odds racing in horse and dog racing (original similar to HB 3418)
• Com. Sub. for SB 690: Authorizing county commissions to increase compensation of elected county officials
• Com. Sub. for SB 707: Providing increase in salary to WV Birth-to-Three contracted therapists and employees
• Com. Sub. for SB 708: Providing state mine inspectors with raise
• Com. Sub. for SB 763: Creating Public Electrical Savings Act
• Com. Sub. for SB 833: Excluding pharmaceutical medication from prior authorization gold card process
• Com. Sub. for SB 844: Exempting non-native quail and partridge from game farm requirement if owned for agricultural purposes
• Com. Sub. for SB 850: Creating Protecting Shareholders Act
• SB 866: Requiring WV Board of Education to promulgate legislative rule in consultation with WV Board of Physical Therapy
• Com. Sub. for Com. Sub. for SB 874: Permitting current home confinement officers to participate in Emergency Medical Services Retirement System
• Com. Sub. for SB 934: Relating to low-proof spirit alcohol products
• Eng. HB 2387: To repeal the class A1 Pistol stamp for hunting
• Eng. HB 2402: Relating to providing access to medical records; providing access to a minor’s medical record - (com. amend. pending)
• Eng. Com. Sub. for HB 2411: To provide and change graduation requirements and change duties relating to academic content standards

FIRST READING

• Com. Sub. for SB 739: Relating to recovery residences

Scheduled Committee Meetings

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

• Com. Sub. for SB 593: Relating to electronic voting and preserving voting data
• Com. Sub. for SB 916: Creating Agritourism Modernization Act
• SB 917: Limiting civil liability for academic medical centers and teaching hospitals affiliated with medical and dental schools
• Com. Sub. for SB 890: Relating to auctioneers
• SB 921: Creating WV Medical Services Oversight and Support Act
• SB 892: Relating to property valuation
• SB 837: Eliminating WV Office of Equal Opportunity
• SB 790: Increasing oversight and regulatory authority of PSC over public service districts
• SB 626: Relating to qualifications of regional airport authority members
• SB 801: Creating WV Public Waterway Access Act
• Originating Bill 1: Relating to zoning ordinance and definition of use of property
• Originating Bill 2: Relating to prohibitions pursuant to the WV Water Pollution Control Act

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

• SB 197: Limiting requirements for issuance of professional teaching certificate
• SB 765: Establishing Troops to Teachers Program
• SB 912: Relating to student growth assessment program
• SB 914: Relating to testing and attendance requirements for private, parochial, and church schools
• HB 2516: To repeal antiquated and inoperative portions of code.
• HB 3192: To repeal obsolete, conflicting or inoperative provisions of code that pertain to higher education

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

• Com. Sub. for SB 869: Creating Corridor H Advanced Energy and Economic Corridor Authority
• Com. Sub. for SB 907: Relating to high impact development projects
• Com. Sub. for SB 908: Requiring Department of Economic Development to establish WV Produced or Manufactured Program

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

• SB 810: Clarifying requirements for administration of anesthesia and chronic pain practice by certain licensed nurses
• SB 886: Relating to Foster Child Bill of Rights
• SB 517: Requiring medical professionals to report injuries and side effects from vaccines to Bureau for Public Health
• SB 904: Clarifying duties and responsibilities of Secretary of Department of Health, Commissioner of Bureau for Public Health, and State Health Officer
• SB 873: Providing for process to address homeless population
• SB 632: Prohibiting surprise billing of ground emergency medical services by nonparticipating providers
• SB 925: Creating needs-based assessment for EMS

3 p.m.: Judiciary (208W)

• Com. Sub. for SB 745: Strengthening and reforming lobbying requirements
• SB 531: Defining assault and battery on sports officials
• SB 875: Relating to container labeling of nonintoxicating beer and nonintoxicating craft beer
• SB 85: Prohibiting use or sale of abortifacients

3 p.m.: Finance (451M)

• SB 722: Creating WV Short Line Railroad Modernization Act
• SB 724: Relating to taxation
• SB 748: Creating Safer Communities Act
• Originating SJR 1: Relating to Homestead Exemption

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

Senate Bill to be Introduced Thursday, March 27, 2025

• SB 938: Expiring funds from Department of Administration [By Request of the Executive] (Smith, Woelfel; Finance)

Committee Action on Bills from Wednesday, March 26, 2025

Natural Resources

• Com. Sub. for SB 801: Creating WV Public Waterway Access Act
• Committee substitute, as amended, reported to the full Senate with the recommendation it do pass; second reference to Government Organization

• Eng. HB 2387: To repeal the class A1 Pistol stamp for hunting
• Bill reported to the full Senate with the recommendation it do pass

Select Committee on Substance Use Disorder and Mental Health

• Com. Sub. for SB 739: Relating to recovery residences
• Committee substitute, as amended, reported to the full Senate with the recommendation it do pass; second reference to Judiciary

• Originating Bill 1: Relating to testing for individuals in drug treatment
• Originating bill reported to the full Senate with the recommendation it do pass

Agriculture

• Com. Sub. for SB 805: Relating to land use associations
• Committee substitute, as amended, reported to the full Senate with the recommendation it do pass; second reference to Government Organization

• Com. Sub. for SB 844: Exempting non-native quail and partridge from game farm requirement if owned for agricultural purposes
• Committee substitute reported to the full Senate with the recommendation it do pass

Banking and Insurance

• Com. Sub. for SB 850: Creating Protecting Investors Act
• Committee substitute, as amended, reported to the full Senate with the recommendation it do pass

• SB 878: Reallocating portion of fire insurance and casualty premium tax to Municipal Pensions Security Fund in certain circumstances
• Bill reported to the full Senate with the recommendation it do pass; second reference to Finance

Judiciary

• SB 728: Relating generally to transfer on death deed
• Bill reported to the full Senate with the recommendation it do pass

• Com. Sub. for SB 761: Creating Joel Archer Substance Abuse Intervention Act
• Committee substitute, as amended, reported to the full Senate with the recommendation it do pass

• Com. Sub. for SB 727: Directing study of child welfare system be conducted by independent third party
• Motion to report the bill to the full Senate failed; bill not reported

• Com. Sub. for SB 663: Creating Fair Access to Financial Services Act
• Committee substitute reported to the full Senate with the recommendation it do pass

Finance

• Com. Sub. for Com. Sub. for SB 506: Relating to enhanced pay for teachers
• Committee substitute for the committee substitute reported to the full Senate with the recommendation it do pass

• Com. Sub. for SB 708: Providing state mine inspectors with raise
• Committee substitute reported to the full Senate with the recommendation it do pass

• Com. Sub. for SB 576: Authorizing fixed odds racing in horse and dog racing
• Committee substitute reported to the full Senate with the recommendation it do pass

• Com. Sub. for Com. Sub. for SB 874: Permitting current home confinement officers to participate in Emergency Medical Services Retirement System
• Committee substitute for the committee substitute reported to the full Senate with the recommendation it do pass

Judiciary Subcommittee for SB 745, Strengthening and reforming lobbying requirements

• Subcommittee reported the committee substitute, as amended, to the full committee with the recommendation that section 5 (relating to grassroots activity) be introduced as a study resolution

Bills that Have Passed the Senate as of Wednesday, March 26, 2025 (136 – 127 Senate; 9 House)

Bills that Have Completed Legislation as of Wednesday, March 26, 2025 (21 – 16 Senate; 5 House)

• SB 8: Providing additional sites and devices for newborn safe surrender (Signed, 03-26)
• SB 138: Enhancing penalties for fleeing officer (Signed, 03-24)
• SB 240: Updating crime of sexual extortion (Signed, 03-24)
• SB 283: Expanding grade levels of personal finance course requirements needed for graduation (Completed legislation; awaiting action by the Governor)
• SB 291: Extending time frame for pharmacies to register from annually to biennially (Signed, 03-24)
• SB 358: Authorizing Department of Transportation to promulgate legislative rules (Signed, 03-20)
• SB 336: Authorizing Department of Homeland Security to promulgate legislative rules (Completed legislation; awaiting action by the Governor)
• SB 369: Authorizing miscellaneous boards and agencies to promulgate legislative rules (Completed legislation; awaiting action by the Governor)
• SB 443: Authorizing Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology Board of Examiners to conduct criminal background checks for licensing (Signed, 03-24)
• SB 456: Defining "men" and "women" (Signed, 03-12)
• SB 462: Permitting Board of Occupational Therapy to require criminal history record checks (Signed, 03-24)
• SB 486: Clarifying eligibility requirements to vote in WV elections (Signed, 03-26)
• SB 487: Removing ineligible voters from active voter rolls (Signed, 03-25)
• SB 490: Prohibiting ranked-choice voting in elections in West Virginia (Signed, 03-18)
• SB 492: Removing outdated provisions governing political committees (Completed legislation; awaiting action by the Governor)
• SB 621: Authorizing digital court records (Completed legislation; awaiting action by the Governor)
• 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 (Signed, 03-21)
• HB 2222: Relating to authorizing certain agencies of the Department of Administration to promulgate legislative rules (Signed, 03-26)
• HB 2354: Banning certain products from food in West Virginia (Signed, 03-24)

Resolutions that Have Completed Legislation as of Wednesday, March 26, 2025 (10 – 5 Senate; 5 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)
• SCR 15: Opposing China's use of UN Resolution 2758 against Taiwan (Adopted, 03-19)
• SCR 20: Recognizing and commending NCSL on its 50th anniversary (Adopted, 03-18)
• 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)
• HCR 49: Resolution relating to use of industrial sites and the potential impacts on downstream facilities (Adopted, 03-03)

Bills Signed by the Governor as of Wednesday, March 26, 2025 (16 – 11 Senate; 5 House)

• SB 8: Providing additional sites and devices for newborn safe surrender (Signed, 03-26)
• SB 138: Enhancing penalties for fleeing officer (Signed, 03-24)
• SB 240: Updating crime of sexual extortion (Signed, 03-24)
• SB 291: Extending time frame for pharmacies to register from annually to biennially (Signed, 03-24)
• SB 358: Authorizing Department of Transportation to promulgate legislative rules (Signed, 03-20)
• SB 443: Authorizing Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology Board of Examiners to conduct criminal background checks for licensing (Signed, 03-24)
• SB 456: Defining "men" and "women" (Signed, 03-12)
• SB 462: Permitting Board of Occupational Therapy to require criminal history record checks (Signed, 03-24)
• SB 486: Clarifying eligibility requirements to vote in WV elections (Signed, 03-26)
• SB 487: Removing ineligible voters from active voter rolls (Signed, 03-25)
• SB 490: Prohibiting ranked-choice voting in elections in West Virginia (Signed, 03-18)
• 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 (Signed, 03-21)
• HB 2222: Relating to authorizing certain agencies of the Department of Administration to promulgate legislative rules (Signed, 03-26)
• HB 2354: Banning certain products from food in West Virginia (Signed, 03-24)

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:https://sg001-harmony.sliq.net/00289/Harmony/en/View/UpcomingEvents.