Today in the House, Delegates honored the Lincoln County Highschool womens softball team. The Lady Panthers won the Class AAA softball State Tournament this past spring, which was the school's first title in any sport since opening in 2006.

In addition, 14 bills were introduced by the House, including House Bill 4410, which would allow the State Fire Marshal to be appointed by the Governor. House Bill 4412, which authorizes an additional circuit court judge for the twenty-third judicial circuit, was also introduced by the House today.

Four bills were also read on second reading. These four bills include: House Bill 4063, Relating to civil service commissions in political subdivisions; House Bill 4239, involving increasing the membership of the West Virginia Board of Osteopathy; , House Bill 4314,Relating to the appointment of magistrates ;and House Bill 4320, involving the settlement of violations of the Hazardous Waste Management Act by consent agreement.

The House is adjourned until 1:00 on Monday.

U.S. Senator Joe Manchin paid a visit during the Senate floor session this morning.

In a brief session, six bills were introduced, six were read for the second time and two were read for the first time.

Among the bills introduced was Senate Bill 513, which would exempt DNR police officers' pension benefits from state income tax.

Senate Bill 211, which would create a secondary offense of operating a motor vehicle while using a wireless communications device without hands-free technology, and a primary offense of texting while operating a motor vehicle, was read for the second time and advanced to third reading. Additional bills on second reading today included: Senate Bill 429, Senate Bill 436, Senate Bill 470 and House Bill 4078.

Bills read for the first time today include: Senate Bill 191 and Senate Bill 222.

The Senate is adjourned until 1 p.m. Monday.

A total of seventeen bills were introduced in the House Today. Two of the bils introduced were House Bill 4101, which would create an exemption from licensure as an adjuster or certain individuals who conduct data entry into an automated claims adjudication system, and House Bill 4397, which would make it a crime for preventing an individual from calling emergency service personnel.

In addition, Senate Bill 165, which would create criminal offenses for sexual contact on incarcerated persons by correctional employees, was passed through the House today. This was the only bill passed through the Hosue today.

The following meetings will be held this afternoon:
Finance- 1:30 p.m.- 460M
Judiciary- 1:00 p.m.- 410M
Government Organization- 1:30 p.m- 215E
Education-2 p.m.- 434M

The following committees will meet tomorrow morning:
Finance- 9:00 a.m.- 460M
Judiciary- 9:00 a.m.- 410M
Education- 9:00 a.m.- 434M

The Senate read four bills for the first time today, including Senate Bill 211, which would create the secondary offense of operating a motor vehicle while using a wireless communications device without hands-free technology, and a primary offense of texting while operating a motor vehicle. Senate Bill 429, Senate Bill 436 and Senate Bill 4078 were also on first reading.

Senate Bill 360 and Senate Bill 470 were laid over and will maintain their position on second reading tomorrow.

Thirty-four bills were introduced by the Senate, among them was Senate Bill 487, which would create the Coalbed Methane Gas Distribution Fund.

The following committees will meet today:
Health and Human Resources 1 p.m. - 451 M
Education 2 p.m. - 451 M
Finance 3 p.m. - 451 M
Judiciary 3 p.m. - 208 W

The following committees will meet tomorrow morning:
Economic Development 9 a.m. - 451 M
Military 10 a.m. - 208 W
Transportation and Infrastructure 10 a.m. - 451 M

The Senate is adjourned until 11 a.m. tomorrow.

At the start of today's session, the House honored Spencer resident, Drew Miller, who ran from Long Beach, California to Spencer, West Virginia to raise money and awareness for the Wounded Warrior Project.

In addition, five other bills were passed on the House floor today, including House Bill 4125, which would amend the date of annual notice to parents and guardians of students at school and alert them to the existence of the school’s crisis response plan. House Bill 4291, which determines the appropriate number of law libraries being used in the state, was also passed on the floor.

In addition, Senate Bill 165 was advanced to third reading today. Senate Bill 165 would make sexual contact between incarcerated people and correctional officers a criminal offense.

The following meetings will be held this afternoon:
Political Subdivision- 1 p.m.- 215E
Energy, Industry, Labor and Economic Development- 1 p.m.- 460M
Roads and Transportation- 2 p.m.- 215E
House Constitutional Revision- 2 p.m.- 410M
Health and Human Resources- 4 p.m.- 215E
Senior Issues- 3 p.m.- 215E

The following committees will meet tomorrow morning:
Finance- 9 a.m.- 460M

The House is adjourned until 11 a.m. tomorrow.

During today's floor session six bills passed in the Senate. Among those bills was Senate Bill 469, relating to other post employment-benefits. This bill would create a plan to fund the state portion of the health care benefits to for state retirees. This will potentially eliminate the remaining $5 billion unfunded liability. This bill includes a multi part provision. These provisions include a plan which will take $35 million a year from personal income tax collections. Under the proposal, $30 million a year would go into a fund to pay down the remaining $5 billion of long-term OPEB liability. Another $5 million a year would go into a trust fund to assist employees hired after July 1, 2010. The bill would also systematize that the PEIA Director annually report to the Legislature as well as administer programs in a way that would reduce system costs. The bill now heads to the House for its consideration.

In addition to the passage of the OPEB bill, 10 bills were introduced. Among them was Senate Bill 477, which would limit the possession of wild and exotic animals.

The following committees will meet today:
Finance 3 P.M. - 451M
Judiciary 3 P.M. - 208W
Natural Resources 1 P.M. - 208W

The following committees will meet tomorrow:
Finance 9:30 A.M. - 451M

The Senate is adjourned until 11 A.M. tomorrow.

Two bills passed the Senate today, including Senate Bill 202 which would permit the Division of Forestry to enter into stewardship contracts with U. S. Forest Service. Senate Bill 331 also passed this afternoon. This bill would provide notice and the ability to be heard during certain criminal and parole hearings to persons who have resided with a victim for at least one year prior to the crime.

Five bills were read for a second time today. One is Senate Bill 382, which deals with the registration of sex offenders. Senate Bill 167 was also read for a second time, and it would authorize counties and municipalities accept credit or check card as payment.

There were 11 bills introduced today, including Senate Bill 462which relates to domestic violence proceedings and protective orders.

The following committees will meet today:
Judiciary 3 P.M. - 208W
Education 2 P.M. - 451M
Finance 3 P.M. - 451M
Government Organization 1 P.M. - 451M

The following committees will meet tomorrow:
Labor 9 A.M. - 208W

The Senate is adjourned until 11 A.M. tomorrow.

Senate Bill 165 was read on the House floor today, which would prohibit correctional officers from engaging in sexual acts with prisoners who are incarcerated, or on parole or probation.

Several bills were read on second reading today including House Bill 4103, which would consolidate enforcement of laws and government services in relation to the motor carrier industry, and House Bill 4291, which would determine the appropriate number and locations of law libraries in operation.

There were 14 bills introduced in the House. House Bill 4351 relates to mine safety and protection of "whistle-blowers," and House Bill 4356 would make it a misdemeanor to cause bodily injury to a child as a result of neglect.

The following meetings will be held this afternoon:
Judiciary- 1:00 p.m.- 410
Government Organization- 1:00 p.m.- 215E
Finance- 1:30 p.m. and 2:30 p.m.- 460

The following committees will meet tomorrow morning:
Veteran's Affairs & Homeland Security- 9:00 a.m.- 460
Natural Resources- 9:15 a.m.- 215E
Banking & Insurance- 10:00 a.m.- 215E

The House is adjourned until 11 a.m. tomorrow.

Two bills were passed in the House today including House Bill 4107 which will provide for online training of firefighters as well as provide proper safety equipment, and House Bill 4250, which relates to the Uniform Real Property Electronic Recording Act.

House Bill 4060 was read on second reading today, and would prohibit correctional officers from engaging in sexual acts with prisoners who are incarcerated, or on parole or probation.

There were four bills read on first reading today. One of which was House Bill 4103, which would consolidate enforcement of laws and government services in relation to the motor carrier industry.

In addition, the House introduced 14 bills. House Bill 4337 would make it a misdemeanor to deny a rightful heir possession of civil war medals, and House Bill 4345 would involve prohibiting the unauthorized sale of railroad scrap metal.

The following meetings will be held this afternoon:
Finance- 1:30 p.m.- 460
Judiciary- 2:00 p.m.- 410
Health and Human Resources- 4:00 p.m.- 215E

The following committees will meet tomorrow:
Judiciary Subcommittee- 9:30 a.m.
Government Organization- 1:30 p.m.- 215E

The House is adjourned until 11 a.m. tomorrow.

In this afternoon's floor session the Senate passed six bills and introduced 11. The Senate also adopted Senate Resolution 14, which honors Pineville Volunteer Fire Department for their heroic actions while saving the life of Marcia McKinney, who was trapped on the second story of the fully engulfed house.

Of the bills passed, one is Senate Bill 221, which would create the Jason Flatt Act of 2012. The bill would require the Center for Professional Development to provide routine education of all professional educators and certain service personnel on warning signs and resource for suicide prevention.

Of the bills introduced, Senate Bill 452,would create the Taxpayer’s Bill of Rights Act. The bill would require voter approval to increase governmental spending or debt and that summaries of ballot issues be mailed to voters.

The following committees will meet today:
Finance 3 P.M. - 451M
Judiciary 3 P.M. - 208W
Agriculture 2 P.M. - 451M
Pensions and Retirement 2 P.M. - 208W

The following committees will meet tomorrow:
Economic Development 9 A.M. - 451M
Transportation and Infrastructure 10 A.M. - 451M

The Senate is adjourned until 11 A.M.

At the start of today's session, Delegate Armstead welcomed Congresswoman Shelley Moore Capito to the the floor. Following that, the House went on to regular business and passed two bills.

House Bill 4238 will establish procedures for participants on the special absentee voting list, and House Bill 4251, relates to the amendment of the uniform commercial code.

Two bills were advanced to third reading, including House Bill 4107, which is in regards to firefighter training, and House Bill 4250, which would create the Uniform Real Property Electronic Recording Act.

House Bill 4060, which prohibits sexual acts between people who are incarcerated, on parole, or on probation and correctional officers, was advanced to second reading.

A total of 15 bills were introduced, including House Bill 4236, which would seek to suspend or eliminate the federal gas tax, and House Bill 4330, which would designate a person's status as an honorably discharged veteran on his or her drivers license.

The House is adjourned until Monday at 1:00 p.m.

In this afternoons floor session, the Senate read six bills for the second time.

The bills included Senate Bill 161, which would make it mandatory to report child abuse or neglect. The bill would also increase penalties for those who do not report it.

Also read this afternoon was Senate Bill 165, which would create a criminal offense for sexual contact on incarcerated persons by correctional employees, regardless of consent.

Another bill that was read for the second time is Senate Bill 209, which would substitute community service for confinement in jail for persons who are under the age of twenty-one and purchases, consumes, sells, serves or possesses alcoholic liquor. This bill would also to apply to those who misrepresents his or her age to purchase alcoholic liquor.

A final bill that was read was Senate Bill 210, which would make West Virginia law consistent with federal law with regards to withholding of personal income tax on gambling winnings.

The Senate is adjourned until 1 P.M. on Monday.

The House gave a long standing applause in honor of former prisoner of war, Jessica Lynch, today during session. Lynch was visiting the Capitol today to serve as ambassador for the Imagination Library program.

A total of 21 bills were introduced by the House today. Among those introduced was House Bill 4310, which would prohibit registered sex offenders from living within 1,000 feet of a school, child care facility, playground or a victim's home, and House Bill 4309, which states that if a child is habitually absent from school, he or she will be considered neglected.

House Bill 4107 regarding volunteer firefighter training, and House Bill 4250, which would create the Uniform Real Property Electronic Recording Act, were both advanced to 2nd reading. House Bills that were advanced to 3rd reading include House Bill 4238, which would establish procedures for participants on the special absentee voting list and House Bill 4251, which is in relation to amending the uniform commercial code.

The following meetings will be held this afternoon:
Finance- 1:00 p.m.- 460
Judiciary- 1:00 p.m.- 410
Government Organization- 1:30 p.m.- 215E
Education- 2:00 p.m.- 434

The following committees will meet tomorrow morning:
Finance 9:00 a.m. - 460 M

The House is adjourned until 11 a.m. tomorrow.

In this afternoon's floor session, the Senate introduced seven bills and read two for a second time.

One of the bills introduced is Senate Bill 436, which would facilitate collaboration between public school and higher education systems to promote a seamless curriculum.

One of the bills that was read for the second time is Senate Bill 209, which would substitute community service for confinement in jail for persons who are under the age of twenty-one and purchases, consumes, sells, serves or possesses alcoholic liquor. This bill would also to apply to those who misrepresents his or her age to purchase alcoholic liquor.

The other bill that was read for a second time is Senate Bill 210, which would make West Virginia law consistent with federal law with regards to withholding of personal income tax on gambling winnings.

The following committees will meet today:
Judiciary 3 P.M. - 208W
Educations 2 P.M. - 451M
Finance 3 P.M. - 451M
Health and Human Resources 1 P.M. -
Banking and Insurance 3 P.M. - 208W

The following committees will meet tomorrow:
Military Committee 10 A.M. - 208W
Transportation and Infrastructure 10 A.M. - 451M

The Senate is adjourned until 11 A.M.

Today marked the 9th annual Undergraduate Research Day at the Capitol. Young research talent from across the state filled the Rotunda and hallways, showcasing posters on research in areas ranging from studies of how odors impact stress levels to biomass as fuel to the study of nanoparticles.

One-hundred five college and university students from 14 West Virginia institutions were selected to present their discoveries and speak with legislators about their findings.

An awards ceremony at the Culture Center is being held in conjunction with Undergraduate Research Day, recognizing more than $300,000 in recent, competitively-funded state grants to colleges and universities to advance scientific research across West Virginia. Among the awards presented was a $100,000 award supported by interest earned on the Research Trust Fund - or “Bucks for Brains” program - as outlined by the Legislature in 2008 through the passage of Senate Bill 287.

Today, the Senate completed the first piece of legislation for the 80th regular session. Senate Bill 4086, also known as "the cracker plant bill," will provide tax incentives for companies willing to locate large scale industrial plants in West Virginia. This piece of legislation now awaits the Governor's signature. If signed, the bill will become the first law passed this session. Senate Bill 7, which would allow police, fire and emergency service providers, to possess Naloxone to administer in suspected narcotic drug overdoses, was also passed through the Senate.

In addition to House Bill 4086, 18 bills were also introduced to the Senate today, including Senate Bill 209 and Senate Bill 210

The following committee meetings will be held this afternoon:
Finance- 3 p.m.- 451M
Judiciary- 3 p.m.- 208W
Natural Resources- 1 p.m.- 208W

The following committee meeting will be held tomorrow morning:
Finance- 9 a.m.- 451M
Health and Human Resources- 1 p.m.- 451M
Judiciary- 10 a.m.- 208W
Banking and Insurance- 2 p.m.- 208W
Education- 2 p.m.- 451M

The Senate will reconvene tomorrow at 11 a.m.

The House passed four bills and introduced 22 in a brief floor session this morning.

Little discussion accompanied the passage of four bills in the House today. Passed bills include: House Bill 4001,which would authorize boards to establish fees by legislative rule; House Bill 4002, relating to annual seminar requirements for professional licensing boards; House Bill 4003, which would clarify the law governing the duties of professional licensing boards and House Bill 4097, which would create a license to practice hair styling.

Twenty two bills were also introduced by the House today. Among the bills introduced was House Bill 4290, to be known as the “Keep Jobs in West Virginia Act.”

The following committees will meet today:
Political Subdivisions 1:00 p.m. - 215 E
Energy, Industry and Labor, Economic Development and Small Business 1:00 p.m. - 460 M
Constitutional Revision 2:00 p.m.- 410 M
Senior Citizen Issues 3:00 p.m. - 215 E
Health and Human Resources 4:00 p.m. - 215 E

The following committees will meet tomorrow morning:
Finance 9:00 a.m. - 460 M

The House is adjourned until 11 a.m. tomorrow.

This morning, Phillip Diserio, pictured left, was appointed to fill the final vacancy in the House. Diserio will represent the 2nd Distict for the remainder of former Delegate Tim Ennis' term.

Three citations were presented by the House during the floor session, including one which recognizes today as Girl Scouts Day in the West Virginia Legislature. Recognition was also given to the Concord University baseball team for winning the 2011 WVIAC Championship and the Spring Valley Volleyball team for their 2011 State Championship win.

Eight bills were introduced. Among the bills introduced was House Bill 4271 , which would require the electronic submission of reports relating to the business and operations of licensed mortgage lenders, brokers and servicers as established through the Nationwide Mortgage Licensing System and to release the Commissioner of Banking from the duty to publish an aggregate analysis of the information contained in said reports annually.

Four bills were read for the second time today and were advanced to third reading: House Bill 4001,which would authorize boards to establish fees by legislative rule; House Bill 4002, relating to annual seminar requirements for professional licensing boards; House Bill 4003, which would clarify the law governing the duties of professional licensing boards and House Bill 4097, which would create a license to practice hair styling.

The following committees will meet today:
Finance 1:00 p.m.- 460 M
Judiciary 1:00 p.m.- 410 M
Education 2:00 p.m.- 434 M
Government Organization 2:00 p.m.- 215 E

The following committees will meet tomorrow morning:
Agriculture 8:30 a.m. - 215 E
Finance 9:00 a.m.- 460 M
Banking & Insurance 10:00 a.m. - 215 E
Natural Resources 9:15 a.m. - 215 E

The House is adjourned until 11 a.m. tomorrow.

The Senate introduced resolutions 8 and 9, which welcomed the Spring Valley High School Volleyball team and The Concord University Baseball Team. In addition to welcoming resolutions, the Senate introduced 21 bills, passed four bills, and advanced Senate Bill 7 to third reading.

The four bills passed through the Senate include: Senate Bill 100, which relates to fees collected by circuit court clerks; Senate Bill 118, which would terminate residential leases upon a tenants death; Senate Bill 129, which relates to descriptions of easements and rights-of-way; and Senate Bill 183, which would increase penalties for assault and battery on athletic official. They will now head to the House for consideration.

The following committee meetings will be held this afternoon:
Judiciary- 3 p.m.- 208W
Education- 2 p.m.- 451M
Finance- 3 p.m.- 451M
Health and Human Resources- 1 p.m.- 451M
Banking and Insurance- 2 p.m.- 208W

The following committee meeting will be held tomorrow morning:
Energy, Industry and Mining- 10 a.m.- 208W
Natural Resources- 1 p.m.- 208W
Energy, Labor- 9 a.m.- 208W
Interstate Cooperation- 1 p.m.- 451M

The Senate is adjourned until 11 a.m. tomorrow.

The Senate passed two bills today, and laid over Senate Bill 118 on third reading. Senate Bill 30 and Senate Bill 96 were among the two bills passed in the Senate today. In addition to the bills passed, the Senate also advanced Senate Bill 7 to second reading.

Senate Bill 30 would provide additional means to notify DMV of purchase of junked vehicle, and Senate Bill 96 would redefine the basis for disqualification of prospective jurors.

The following committee meetings will be held this afternoon:
Judiciary- 3 p.m.- 208W
Finance- 3 p.m.- 451M
Agriculture- 2 p.m.- 451M
Pensions and Retirement- 2:30 p.m.- 208W

The following committee meeting will be held tomorrow morning:
Government Organization- 10:00 a.m.- 208W
Health and Human Resources- 1 p.m.- 451M
Economic Development- 9 a.m.- 451MB
Banking and Insurance- 2 p.m.- 208W
Transportation and Infrastructure 10 a.m.- 451MB

The Senate is adjourned until tomorrow at 11 a.m.