The Legislature Today

There are less than two weeks before this Legislative Session comes to a close. In the past week, we have stayed late almost everyday to complete committee business and report it to extended floor sessions. It is the time of the session where we start seeing bills from the House discussed during committee meetings. Once those are passed in the Senate, they are sent to the Governor for his approval. That is the point when a bill becomes a law. As of Monday morning, four bills have passed both houses and completed legislative action.

A few bills that I have cosponsored have passed from the Senate to the House. Those include Senate Bill 280, Senate Bill 293 and Senate Bill 399. They will be up for consideration in the next two weeks. Senate Bill 280 would create the Correctional Industries Act of 2009 to give inmates realistic work environments, wages and give them marketable skills for their release by producing items to sell to government agencies. Senate Bill 293 would specify the unauthorized practice of medicine as a felony, defining jail times and other penalties for this violation. Finally, Senate Bill 399 would create a lifetime hunting, fishing and trapping license for seniors.

Last week we also considered several controversial bills regarding the flexibility of the school calendar, changes in the unemployment compensation fund, the workers compensation program and a pilot public financing program for the upcoming State Supreme Court campaign. These are all difficult and emotional issues for those affected. We will handle these with careful consideration in the coming days.

I was the lead sponsor for Senate Bill 142, which would create the Small Tourism Business Development Act. The act would provide a tax incentive for the creation, construction or enlargement of tourism attractions. This bill will benefit the state by allowing smaller tourist companies more benefits to grow and prosper in the tougher economic times that we face today. It was presented on second reading on Monday, allowing an opportunity for amendments to be added.

Lastly, I would like to bring up an important issue concerning the PROMISE Scholarship. For years this scholarship has rewarded thousands of exemplary students across the state by helping to pay for tuition for higher education. Since its inception, the requirements to obtain the PROMISE have become increasingly strict in order to keep the amount of money spent on the program in control. Senate Bill 373 would make it easier for more students to get the scholarship by limiting the amount of money given to each student. It would put in place a floor, the amount to be received at $4750 per school year. The other bill in the Senate relating to the PROMISE Scholarship is Senate Bill 723, which would increase the funding for the program. It is still being considered in the Education Committee. There are seven bills relating to the PROMISE Scholarship that have been introduced in the House at this time.

You can find more information about the these bills and others by going to the Legislature’s Web site, which is www.legis.state.wv.us. You can also contact me anytime with your questions or comments about current issues at (304)357-7906 or randy.white@wvsenate.gov.