Source: http://www.legis.state.wv.us/Bulletin_Board/2014/RS/h_journal/hdj2014-02-24-48.htm
Timestamp: 2017-10-18 08:03:34
Document Index: 517398746

Matched Legal Cases: ['§11', '§44', '§5', '§5', '§5', '§5', '§5', '§5', '§5', '§5', '§5', '§5', '§14', '§14', '§14', '§14', '§9', '§14', '§14', '§14', '§14', '§14', '§14', '§14', '§14', '§14', '§9', '§14', '§14', '§14', '§14', '§14', '§14', '§14', '§14', '§14', '§14', '§14', '§14']

The Clerk proceeded to read the Journal of Friday, February 21, 2014, being the first order of business, when the further reading thereof was dispensed with and the same approved.
Com. Sub. for S. B. 414 - “A Bill to amend and reenact §11-11-7 of the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended; and to amend and reenact §44-1-14 of said code, all relating to eliminating the filing of a nonprobate inventory form with the Tax Commissioner for decedents dying on and after July 1, 2014; providing for the filing of the nonprobate inventory form with the clerk of the county commission or fiduciary supervisor only; providing criminal penalties for failure to comply; and specifying effective dates”; which was referred to the Committee on the Judiciary then Finance.
H. C. R. 105 - “Urging Congress to pass the Safe Freight Act as contained in H. R. 3040 providing that a freight train or light engine used in connection with the movement of freight have at least two individuals, one of whom is certified as a locomotive engineer and the other who is certified as a conductor.”
Whereas, The freight rail system in West Virginia represents a significant component of the transportation infrastructure of the state and is vital to the support of the economy in mining, manufacturing and agriculture; and
Whereas, The West Virginia rail system is comprised of two Class I railroads and eleven short line or regional railroads. The system contains 2,401 route miles of track. CSX Transportation is West Virginia’s largest carrier with 1,113 route miles of track. Norfolk Southern is next in size with 801 route miles of track. Short lines and Regional roads make up the remaining 487 route miles of track; and
Whereas, Freight trains which can be up to two miles long and may carry millions of pounds of freight require adequate crew members for safe operation; and
Whereas, On July 6, 2013, a runaway freight train tragically derailed and exploded, killing forty-seven people in the Canadian province of Quebec, partially due to the fact that the single-crew member for that train was unable to properly secure the cars to prevent the runaway. Rail system safety has a heightened priority after recent events and is a priority for both rail carriers and government agencies due to the potential impact of freight train related accidents on the general public and the efficiency of rail operations; and
Whereas, H. R. 3040, the Safe Freight Act, is pending in Congress and would simply require a freight train crew to consist of at least two individual. Staffing a freight train with a certified conductor and a certified engineer would continue to provide safe grade crossings, sustain efficient operations and provide proper and adequate securement capabilities; therefore, be it
That Congress is urged to pass the Safe Freight Act as contained in H. R. 3040 providing that a freight train or light engine used in connection with the movement of freight have at least two individuals, one of whom is certified as a locomotive engineer and the other who is certified as a conductor; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates forward a certified copy of this resolution to the members of the West Virginia delegation to the Congress of the United States.
Com. Sub. for S. C. R. 8, Requesting DOH name bridge in West Milford, Harrison County, “USMC Cpl. Gene William Somers, Jr., Memorial Bridge”.
Com. Sub. for S. C. R. 9, Requesting DOH name portion of U. S. Rt. 522 “Trooper First Class Thomas Dean Hercules and Trooper Charles Henry Johnson Memorial Highway”; coming up in regular order, as unfinished business, was read by the Clerk and adopted.
H. C. R. 68, Requesting the Joint Committee on Government and Finance to undertake a study of the development of a high speed commuter rail system in West Virginia.,
H. C. R. 95, Betty Jo Delong Memorial Bridge.
Third ReadingH. J. R. 108, Nonprofit Youth Organization Tax Exemption Support Amendment; on third reading, coming up in regular order, was, on motion of Delegate White, laid over.
Com. Sub. for H. B. 3011, Removing the provision that requires an applicant to meet federal requirements concerning the production, distribution and sale of industrial hemp prior to being licensed; on third reading, coming up in regular order, was read a third time.
The question being on the passage of the bill, the yeas and nays were taken (Roll No. 132), and there were--yeas 88, nays 8, absent and not voting 4, with the nays and absent and not voting being as follows:
So, a majority of the members present and voting having voted in the affirmative, the Speaker declared the bill (Com. Sub. for H. B. 3011) passed.
Com. Sub. for H. B. 4137, Relating to more equitable distribution to county boards of reimbursement of the costs of serving certain special needs students; on third reading, coming up in regular order, was read a third time.
On this question, the yeas and nays were taken (Roll No. 134), and there were--yeas 96, nays none, absent and not voting 4, with the absent and not voting being as follows:
So, two thirds of the members elected to the House of Delegates having voted in the affirmative, the Speaker declared the bill (Com. Sub. for H. B. 4137) takes effect July 1, 2014.
Com. Sub. for H. B. 4290, Revising the regulatory structure of money transmitters and other entities; on third reading, coming up in regular order, was read a third time.
So, two thirds of the members elected to the House of Delegates having voted in the affirmative, the Speaker declared the bill (Com. Sub. for H. B. 4290) takes effect July 1, 2014.
Com. Sub. for H. B. 4304, Providing rules for motor vehicles passing bicycles on roadways; on third reading, coming up in regular order, was read a third time.
The question being on the passage of the bill, the yeas and nays were taken (Roll No. 137), and there were--yeas 70, nays 26, absent and not voting 4, with the nays and absent and not voting being as follows:
Nays: Arvon, Ashley, Cadle, Cooper, Cowles, Ellington, A. Evans, Faircloth, Ferns, Folk, Gearheart, Hamilton, Hamrick, Householder, Howell, Kump, Miller, O’Neal, Overington, Romine, Rowan, Shott, Sobonya, Storch, Sumner and Walker.
Com. Sub. for H. B. 4312, Creating a certification for emergency medical technician-industrial; on third reading, coming up in regular order, was, on motion of Delegate White, laid over.
Com. Sub. for H. B. 4373, Relating to driver education programs; on third reading, coming up in regular order, was read a third time.
The question being on the passage of the bill, the yeas and nays were taken (Roll No. 138), and there were--yeas 96, nays none, absent and not voting 4, with the absent and not voting being as follows:
So, a majority of the members present and voting having voted in the affirmative, the Speaker declared the bill (Com. Sub. for H. B. 4373) passed.
Com. Sub. for H. B. 4392, Regulating persons who perform work on heating, ventilating and cooling systems and fire dampers; on third reading, coming up in regular order, was read a third time.
Delegate Householder requested to be excused from voting on the passage of Com. Sub. for H. B. 4392 under the provisions of House Rule 49.
The question being on the passage of the bill, the yeas and nays were taken (Roll No. 139), and there were--yeas 62, nays 34, absent and not voting 4, with the nays and absent and not voting being as follows:
Nays: Anderson, Andes, Armstead, Arvon, Ashley, Azinger, Border, Butler, Cadle, Cooper, Cowles, Ellington, Espinosa, A. Evans, D. Evans, Faircloth, Ferns, Folk, Gearheart, Hamrick, Householder, Howell, Kump, Lane, McCuskey, E. Nelson, O’Neal, Overington, Romine, Rowan, Shott, R. Smith, Walters and Westfall.
Com. Sub. for H. B. 4393, Creating the Dangerous Wild Animals Act; on third reading, coming up in regular order, was, at the request of Delegate White, and by unanimous consent, placed at the foot of bills on third reading.
Com. Sub. for H. B. 4410, Redefining auctioneer exceptions; on third reading, coming up in regular order, was read a third time.
The question being on the passage of the bill, the yeas and nays were taken (Roll No. 140), and there were--yeas 90, nays 6, absent and not voting 4, with the nays and absent and not voting being as follows:
So, a majority of the members present and voting having voted in the affirmative, the Speaker declared the bill (Com. Sub. for H. B. 4410) passed.
H. B. 4460, Relating to violating provisions of the civil service law for paid fire departments; on third reading, coming up in regular order, was read a third time.
So, a majority of the members present and voting having voted in the affirmative, the Speaker declared the bill (H. B. 4460) passed.
H. B. 4488, Eliminating the requirement for notarization of the articles of incorporation for cooperative associations; on third reading, coming up in regular order, was read a third time.
So, a majority of the members present and voting having voted in the affirmative, the Speaker declared the bill (H. B. 4488) passed.
Com. Sub. for H. B. 4490, Attorney General Ethics and Accountability Act; on third reading, coming up in regular order with amendments pending and with the restricted right to amend jointly by Delegates Manchin and Shott, was reported by the Clerk.
Delegate Manchin moved to amend the bill on page three, after the enacting clause, by striking out the remainder of the bill and inserting in lieu thereof, the following:
“That the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, be amended by adding thereto a new section, designated §5-3-1a; and that §5-3-2, §5-3-3, §5-3-4 and §5-3-5 of said code be amended and reenacted, all to read as follows:
(a) Conflicts of interest- Because the Attorney General is the legal representative of the State of West Virginia, there exists with this office the highest duty to provide legal services in a manner that preserves public trust and confidence. Therefore, the following ethical standards apply to the Attorney General:
(e) ‘Cause’ defined. As used in this article, the term ‘cause’ includes any judicial or other administrative proceeding involving a specific party or parties.
(1) Consult with and advise the several prosecuting attorneys in matters relating to the official duties of their office. and may require a written report from them of the state and condition of the several causes, in which the state is a party, pending in the courts of their respective counties; he may (2) Require the several prosecuting attorneys to perform, within the respective counties in which they are elected, any of the legal duties required to be performed by the Attorney General which are not inconsistent with the duties of the prosecuting attorneys as the legal representatives of their respective counties; when the performance of any such duties by the prosecuting attorney conflicts with his or her duties as the legal representative of his or her county, or for any reason any prosecuting attorney is disqualified, from performing such duties, the Attorney General may require the prosecuting attorney of any other county to perform such duties. in any county other than that in which such prosecuting attorney is elected and for the performance of which duties outside of the county in which he is elected The prosecuting attorney shall be paid his or her actual traveling and other expenses out of the appropriation for contingent expenses for the department for which such services to another county are rendered.
(d) Upon request of any member of the West Virginia National Guard who has been named defendant in any civil action arising out of that guardsman’s action while under orders from the Governor relating to National Guard assistance in disasters and civil disorders, the Attorney General shall appear as counsel for and represent such guardsman.
(b) There is established in the State Treasury a special fund to be known as the ‘Attorney General’s Litigation Support Fund’.
(m) The Attorney General or other officer or agency of the state acting on behalf of the State, may not agree to the disbursement of the proceeds of any cause that is contrary to the provisions of this section.”
Delegates Hamilton and Espinosa moved to amend the amendment on page six, following section two, line sixteen, following the word “guardsman”, by inserting the following:
The attorney general may investigate and prosecute on behalf of the state any offense which is committed relating to violations of any law within this state. Such prosecution shall be in accordance with the rules and procedures attendant to criminal prosecutions generally. Law enforcement agencies shall provide assistance required by the attorney general for this purpose.”
On the adoption of the amendment to the amendment, Delegate Hamilton demanded the yeas and nays, which demand was sustained.
The yeas and nays having been ordered, they were taken (Roll No. 143), and there were--yeas 43, nays 53, absent and not voting 4, with the yeas and absent and not voting being as follows:
Yeas: Ambler, Anderson, Andes, Armstead, Arvon, Ashley, Azinger, Border, Butler, Cadle, Canterbury, Cooper, Cowles, Ellem, Ellington, Espinosa, A. Evans, D. Evans, Faircloth, Ferns, Folk, Frich, Gearheart, Hamilton, Hamrick, Householder, Howell, Kump, Lane, Miller, E. Nelson, O’Neal, Overington, Pasdon, Romine, Rowan, Shott, R. Smith, Sobonya, Storch, Sumner, Walters and Westfall.
So, a majority of the members present and voting having not voted in the affirmative, the amendment to the amendment was not adopted.
Delegate Frich moved to amend the amendment on page three, line twenty-seven, section 1a, following the word “parties”, by inserting the following:
“(f) Investigatory Powers of the Attorney General–The Attorney General shall have authority to conduct investigations of all members of the Board of Public Works, members of the Legislature, and Justices of the West Virginia Supreme Court of Appeals to ensure their compliance with the ethical standards of this section. Upon completing any investigation that results in a conclusion by the Attorney General that a violation of these standards has occurred, the Attorney General may issue a report to the Governor, President of the Senate, Speaker of the House of Delegates, the Chief Justice of the West Virginia Supreme Court of Appeals and the Ethics Commission.”
On the adoption of the amendment to the amendment, Delegate Frich demanded the yeas and nays, which demand was sustained.
The yeas and nays having been ordered, they were taken (Roll No. 144), and there were--yeas 42, nays 54, absent and not voting 4, with the yeas and absent and not voting being as follows:
Yeas: Ambler, Anderson, Armstead, Arvon, Ashley, Azinger, Border, Butler, Cadle, Canterbury, Cooper, Cowles, Ellem, Ellington, Espinosa, A. Evans, D. Evans, Faircloth, Ferns, Folk, Frich, Gearheart, Hamilton, Hamrick, Householder, Howell, Kump, Lane, Miller, E. Nelson, O’Neal, Overington, Pasdon, Romine, Rowan, Shott, R. Smith, Sobonya, Storch, Sumner, Walters and Westfall.
The question before the House being the amendment offered by Delegate Manchin, the yeas and nays were demanded, which demand was sustained.
The yeas and nays having been ordered, they were taken (Roll No. 145), and there were--yeas 53, nays 43, absent and not voting 4, with the nays and absent and not voting being as follows:
Nays: Ambler, Andes, Armstead, Arvon, Ashley, Azinger, Border, Butler, Cadle, Canterbury, Cooper, Cowles, Ellem, Ellington, Espinosa, A. Evans, D. Evans, Faircloth, Ferns, Folk, Frich, Gearheart, Hamilton, Hamrick, Householder, Howell, Kump, Lane, McCuskey, Miller, E. Nelson, O’Neal, Overington, Pasdon, Romine, Rowan, Shott, R. Smith, Sobonya, Storch, Sumner, Walters and Westfall.
The question being on the passage of the bill, the yeas and nays were taken (Roll No. 146), and there were--yeas 52, nays 44, absent and not voting 4, with the nays and absent and not voting being as follows:
Nays: Ambler, Anderson, Andes, Armstead, Arvon, Ashley, Azinger, Border, Butler, Cadle, Canterbury, Cooper, Cowles, Ellem, Ellington, Espinosa, A. Evans, D. Evans, Faircloth, Ferns, Folk, Frich, Gearheart, Hamilton, Hamrick, Householder, Howell, Kump, Lane, McCuskey, Miller, E. Nelson, O’Neal, Overington, Pasdon, Romine, Rowan, Shott, R. Smith, Sobonya, Storch, Sumner, Walters and Westfall.
So, a majority of the members present and voting having voted in the affirmative, the Speaker declared the bill (Com. Sub. for H. B. 4490) passed.
Com. Sub. for H. B. 4490 - “A Bill to amend the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, by adding thereto a new section, designated §5-3-1a; to amend and reenact §5-3-2, §5-3-3, §5-3-4 and §5-3-5 of said code, all Attorney General Ethics and Accountability Act; defining conflict of interest for the Attorney General; mandating the effect of a disqualification of an assistant or special assistant Attorney General; authorizing the appointment of a special assistant Attorney General in the event of a conflict of interest; legislative abrogation of common law powers; authority of Attorney General to act a counsel for state; describing the duties and powers of the Attorney General; authorizing the Attorney General to enter into contracts for legal services; requiring particular provisions for contracts for legal services; requiring a biannual report to the Governor of the activities of the Attorney General; describing the contents of the biannual report; establishing the Attorney General’s Litigation; requiring the deposit of fees, expenses and costs; requiring the deposit of the proceeds of causes to be deposited in the general revenue with specific exceptions; certification of Attorney General’s expenses; necessity of appropriation by the Legislature; management of the special revenue account; and requiring detailed records of expenditures and disbursements.”
H. B. 4503, Declaring certain claims against the state and its agencies to be moral obligations of the state; on third reading, coming up in regular order, was read a third time.
So, a majority of the members present and voting having voted in the affirmative, the Speaker declared the bill (H. B. 4503) passed.
So, two thirds of the members elected to the House of Delegates having voted in the affirmative, the Speaker declared the bill (H. B. 4503) takes effect from its passage.
H. B. 4504, Providing for sharing juvenile records in certain circumstances with another state; on third reading, coming up in regular order, was read a third time.
So, a majority of the members present and voting having voted in the affirmative, the Speaker declared the bill (H. B. 4504) passed.
H. B. 4529, Relating to the sale of wine; on third reading, coming up in regular order, was read a third time.
The question being on the passage of the bill, the yeas and nays were taken (Roll No. 150), and there were--yeas 83, nays 13, absent and not voting 4, with the nays and absent and not voting being as follows:
Nays: Armstead, Arvon, Barker, Border, A. Evans, D. Evans, Howell, Kump, Lane, Overington, R. Smith, Sobonya and Sumner.
So, a majority of the members present and voting having voted in the affirmative, the Speaker declared the bill (H. B. 4529) passed.
Com. Sub. for H. B. 4560, Relating to reimbursement for copies of medical records; on third reading, coming up in regular order, was read a third time.
The question being on the passage of the bill, the yeas and nays were taken (Roll No. 151), and there were--yeas 80, nays 16, absent and not voting 4, with the nays and absent and not voting being as follows:
Nays: Andes, Arvon, Ashley, Azinger, Cooper, Ellington, Espinosa, Hamilton, Howell, McCuskey, Miller, E. Nelson, O’Neal, Pasdon, Sobonya and Sumner.
So, a majority of the members present and voting having voted in the affirmative, the Speaker declared the bill (Com. Sub. for H. B. 4560) passed.
H. B. 4618, Establishing transformative system of support for early literacy; on third reading, coming up in regular order, was read a third time.
The question being on the passage of the bill, the yeas and nays were taken (Roll No. 152), and there were--yeas 96, nays none, absent and not voting 4, with the absent and not voting being as follows:
Com. Sub. for H. B. 4393, Creating the Dangerous Wild Animals Act; having been postponed in earlier proceedings, was, on motion of Delegate White, taken up for further consideration.
The question being on the passage of the bill, the yeas and nays were taken (Roll No. 153), and there were--yeas 72, nays 23, absent and not voting 5, with the nays and absent and not voting being as follows:
Nays: Andes, Armstead, Ashley, Azinger, Border, Butler, Cadle, Cowles, Espinosa, Faircloth, Folk, Frich, Gearheart, Hamrick, Householder, Howell, Kinsey, Kump, Lane, Shott, R. Smith, Sobonya and Westfall.
So, a majority of the members present and voting having voted in the affirmative, the Speaker declared the bill (Com. Sub. for H. B. 4393) passed.
Second ReadingCom. Sub. for S. B. 603, Relating to testing for presence of methane in underground mines;
At the request of Delegate White, and by unanimous consent, the bill was advanced to third reading with amendments pending and the restricted right to amend by Delegate Manchin, and the rule was suspended to permit the consideration of the amendment on that reading.
Com. Sub. for H. B. 4001, Government Fraud Prevention Act; on second reading, coming up in regular order, was read a second time.
Delegate Armstead arose to a point of inquiry regarding the parliamentary status of amendments heretofore filed with the Clerk. He specifically inquired if the consideration of one strike and insert amendment would preclude the consideration of an additional strike and insert amendment.
The Speaker, following consultation with the Clerk, replied that such amendments could both be considered.
An amendment, recommended by the Committee on the Judiciary, was reported by the Clerk on page two, following the enacting clause, by striking out the remainder of the bill and inserting in lieu thereof the following language:
(1) ‘Attorney General’ means the West Virginia Attorney General, deputies, counsels or assistant attorneys general employed by the Office of the Attorney General and designated by the Attorney General to act pursuant to this article.
(2) ‘Claim’ means any request or demand, whether under a contract or otherwise, for money or property, regardless of whether the state has title to the money or property, that (A) is presented to an officer, employee, or agent of the state or (B) is made to a contractor, grantee, or other recipient (i) if the money or property is to be spent or used on the state’s behalf or to advance a governmental program or interest and (ii) if the State provides or has provided any portion of the money or property requested or demanded or will reimburse such contractor, grantee, or other recipient for any portion of the money or property that is requested or demanded. For purposes of this article, ‘claim’ does not include requests or demands for money or property that the state has paid to an individual as compensation for employment with the state or as income subsidy with no restriction on that individual’s use of the money or property.
(3) ‘State’ means the State of West Virginia, any agency of state government, and any political subdivision of the state.
(6) ‘Investigation’ means any inquiry conducted by an investigator for the purpose of ascertaining whether any person is or has been engaged in any violation of this article.
(7) ‘Material’ means having a natural tendency to influence, or be capable of influencing, the payment or receipt of money or property.
(8) ‘Obligation’ means an established duty, whether or not fixed, arising from (A) an express or implied contractual, grantor-grantee, or licensor-licensee relationship; (B) a fee-based or similar relationship; (C) a statute, regulation or rule; or (D) the retention of any overpayment.
(9) ‘Person’ includes any natural person, corporation, firm, association, organization, partnership, limited liability company, business or trust.
(b) A person violating this section shall be liable to the state for reasonable attorney fees and costs of a civil action brought to recover any such penalties or damages. All such fees and costs shall be paid to the Attorney General’s Office by the defendant and shall not be included in any damages or civil penalties recovered in a civil action based on a violation of this section.
(d) For purposes of this section, the terms ‘knowing’ and ‘knowingly’ mean that a person, with respect to information,
(d) Upon a showing by the state that unrestricted participation during the course of the litigation by the person initiating the action would interfere with or unduly delay the state’s prosecution of the case, or would be repetitious, irrelevant, or for purposes of harassment, the court may, in its discretion, impose limitations on the person’s participation, such as (1) limiting the number of witnesses the person may call; (2) limiting the length of the testimony of such witnesses; (3) limiting the person’s cross-examination of witnesses; and (4) otherwise limiting the participation by the person in the litigation.
(f) If the state elects not to proceed with the action, the person who initiated the action shall have the right to conduct the action. If the state so requests, it shall be served with copies of all pleadings filed in the action and shall be supplied with copies of all deposition transcripts at the state’s expense. When a person proceeds with the action, the court, without limiting the status and rights of the person initiating the action, may nevertheless permit the state to intervene at a later date upon a showing of good cause.
(g) Whether or not the state proceeds with the action, upon a showing by the state that certain actions of discovery by the person initiating the action would interfere with the state’s investigation or prosecution of a criminal or civil matter arising out of the same facts, the court may stay such discovery for a period of not more than sixty days. Such a showing shall be conducted in camera. The court may extend the sixty-day period upon a further showing in camera that the state has pursued the criminal or civil investigation or proceedings with reasonable diligence and any proposed discovery in the civil action will interfere with the ongoing criminal or civil investigation or proceedings.
(a)Except as hereinafter provided, if the state proceeds with an action brought by a person under section four, such person shall receive at least fifteen percent but not more than twenty-five percent of the proceeds of the action or settlement of the claim, depending upon the extent to which the person substantially contributed to the prosecution of the action. Where the action is one that the court finds to be based primarily on disclosures of specific information, other than information provided by the person bringing the action, relating to allegations or transactions in a criminal, civil, or administrative hearing, in a legislative, administrative, or state auditor’s report, hearing, audit, or investigation, or from the news media, the court may award such sums as it considers appropriate, but in no case more than ten percent of the proceeds, taking into account the significance of the information and the role of the person bringing the action in advancing the case to litigation. Any payment to a person under this section shall be made from the proceeds of the award. Any such person shall also receive an amount for reasonable expenses that the court finds to have been necessarily incurred, plus reasonable attorneys’ fees and costs. All such expenses, fees, and costs shall be awarded against the defendant.
(b) If the state does not proceed with an action, the person bringing the action or settling the claim shall receive an amount that the court decides is reasonable for collecting the civil penalty and damages. The amount shall be not less than twenty-five percent and not more than thirty percent of the proceeds of the award or settlement and shall be paid out of the proceeds. Such person shall also receive an amount for reasonable expenses that the court finds to have been necessarily incurred, plus reasonable attorneys’ fees and costs. All such expenses, fees, and costs shall be awarded against the defendant.
(d) If the state does not proceed with the action and the person bringing the action conducts the action, the court may award to the defendant its reasonable attorneys’ fees and expenses if the defendant prevails in the action and the court finds that the claim of the person bringing the action was clearly frivolous, clearly vexatious, or brought primarily for purposes of harassment.
(e) After deducting any distributions made under subsection (a), (b), (c) or (d) of this section, the balance of any funds recovered by the state in an action brought under this article shall be deposited into a special revenue account which is hereby created in the state treasury and shall be known as the ‘state false claims act fund’. The fund shall be administered by the secretary of revenue and all moneys deposited into the fund shall be expended, upon transfer to the appropriate accounts pursuant to appropriation of the Legislature, allocated in such amounts as may be determined by the Legislature, solely for the purposes of secondary road maintenance, volunteer fire departments and Title XIX waiver for senior citizens.
(c) No court shall have jurisdiction over an action brought under this article against any department, authority, board, bureau, commission, or agency of the state, any political subdivision of the state, a member of the state legislature, a member of the judiciary, or an exempt official if the action is based on evidence or information known to the State when the action was brought. For purposes of this section, ‘exempt official’ means the Governor, Lieutenant Governor, Attorney General and the secretaries, directors or members of any department, authority, board, bureau, commission or agency of the State or any political subdivision of the state.
(e) The court shall dismiss an action or claim under four unless opposed by the state if substantially the same allegations or transactions as alleged in the action or claim were publicly disclosed in a criminal, civil or administrative hearing in which the State or its agent is a party, in a West Virginia legislative, administrative, or state auditor’s report, hearing, audit, or investigation, or from the news media, unless the action is brought by the Attorney General or the person bringing the action is an original source of the information. For purposes of this section, ‘original source’ means an individual (1) who either prior to a public disclosure has voluntarily disclosed to the state the information on which the allegations or transactions in a claim are based or (2) who has knowledge that is independent of and materially adds to the publicly disclosed allegations or transactions and who has voluntarily provided the information to the state before filing an action under this article.
(a) Any employee, contractor, or agent shall be entitled to all relief necessary to make that employee, contractor, or agent whole, if that employee, contractor, or agent is discharged, demoted, suspended, threatened, harassed, or in any other manner discriminated against in the terms and conditions of employment because of lawful acts done by the employee, contractor, agent, or associated others in furtherance of an action under this article or other efforts to stop one or more violations of this article.
(b) Relief shall include reinstatement with the same seniority status that employee, contractor, or agent would have had but for the discrimination, two times the amount of back pay, interest on the back pay, and compensation for any special damages sustained as a result of the discrimination, including litigation costs and reasonable attorney fees.
(c) If the state elects to intervene and proceed with an action brought under section four, the state may file its own complaint or amend the complaint of a person who has brought an action under section four to clarify or add detail to any claim in which the state is intervening and to add any additional claim for which the state contends it is entitled to relief. Any complaint filed by the state pursuant to this subsection shall relate back to the filing date of the complaint of the person who originally brought the action, to the extent that the claim of the state arises out of the conduct, transactions, or occurrences set forth, or attempted to be set forth, in such person’s complaint.
On motion of Delegate Manchin the amendment was amended on page three, line four by striking out the words “False Claim Act” and inserting in lieu thereof the words “Government Fraud Prevention Act”.
On page fifteen, section nine, line twenty-one, by striking out the citation §14-4-9 and inserting in lieu thereof the citation §14-4-8.
On page sixteen, section ten, line twenty-three, by striking out the citation §14-4-10 and inserting in lieu thereof the citation §14-4-9.
By amending the enacting section to read as follow:
“That §9-7-6 of the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, be amended and reenacted; and that said code be amended by adding thereto a new article, designated §14-4-1, §14-4-2, §14-4-3, §14-4-4, §14-4-5, §14-4-6, §14-4-7, §14-4-8 and §14-4-9, all to read as follows” followed by a colon.”
Delegates Shott, Lane, Espinosa and McCuskey moved to amend the amendment, by striking out everything after the enacting clause and inserting in lieu thereof the following:
“That §9-7-6 of the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, be amended and reenacted; and that said code be amended by adding thereto a new article, designated §14-4-1, §14-4-2, §14-4-3, §14-4-4, §14-4-5, §14-4-6, §14-4-7, §14-4-8, §14-4-9, §14-4-10, §14-4-11, and §14-4-12, all to read as follows:
(1) ‘Claim’ includes any request or demand, whether under a contract or otherwise, for money or property, whether the state has title to the money or property that:
(D) ‘Claim’ does not include a request or demand for money or property that the state has paid to an individual as compensation for state employment or as an income subsidy with no restrictions on that individual’s use of the money or property.
(2) ‘Employer’ includes any natural person, corporation, firm, association, organization, partnership, business, trust or state-affiliated entity involved in proprietary function, including state universities and state hospitals.
(3) ‘Knowingly’ or ‘knowing’ means that a person has actual knowledge of the information. Innocent mistake shall be a defense to an action under this act; provided, that for claims brought for fraud and abuse in the medicaid program, and that for all such claims ‘knowingly’ or ‘knowing’ means that a person, with respect to information
(D) ‘Knowingly’ and ‘knowing’ require no specific intent to defraud.
(4) ‘Material’ or ‘materially’ means having a natural tendency to influence, or be capable of influencing, the payment or receipt of money or property.
(5) ‘Obligation’ means an established duty, whether fixed, arising from an express or implied contractual, grantor-grantee or licensor-licensee relationship, from a fee-based or similar relationship, from statute or rule or from the retention of any overpayment.
(6) ‘Person’ means any natural person, partnership, corporation, organization, association, business, trust or other legal entity, including any political subdivision of the state.
(2) If the Attorney General does not proceed with an action under this section, the person bringing the action or settling the claim shall receive an amount which the court decides is reasonable for collecting the civil penalty and damages. The amount may not exceed more than thirty percent of the proceeds of the action or settlement and shall be paid out of the proceeds; nor, in any circumstance, shall the award exceed $1,000,000 absent a specific finding by the judge that such award is necessary and proper based upon specific factual circumstances unique to the action. The person shall also receive an amount for reasonable expenses which the court finds to have been necessarily incurred, which, at the court’s discretion may include reasonable attorneys’ fees and costs up to an amount not to exceed fifty percent of the plaintiff’s recovery. All expenses, fees and costs are the contractual obligation of the person bringing the action and are not the responsibility of the state; provided, the court shall award to the defendant its reasonable attorney’s fees and expenses against the person bringing the civil action if the defendant prevails in the civil action and the court finds that the claim of the person bringing the civil action was clearly frivolous, clearly vexatious, or brought primarily for purposes of harassment.
(b) A court does not have jurisdiction over an action brought under section four of this article against any department, authority, board, bureau, commission, or agency of the state, any political subdivision of the state, a member of the Legislature, a member of the judiciary, or an exempt official if the action is based on evidence or information known to the state when the action was brought. For purposes of this section, ‘exempt official’ means the Governor, Attorney General and the directors or members of any department, authority, board, bureau, commission or agency of the state or any political subdivision of the state.
Following the satisfaction of the provisions of subsection (d) of section six of this article, for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2014, all proceeds the state shall receive from successful actions brought under the provisions of this article shall be deposited as follows: (1) ten percent into the account of the Office of the Attorney General for operation of the Consumer Protection Division of that Office; (2) ten percent into the account of the Office of the Attorney General for operations in that office to carry out the mandates of this article; (3) ten percent into the Education Improvement Fund for appropriation by the Legislature to the PROMISE Scholarship Fund created in section seven, article seven, chapter eighteen-c of this code; (4) ten percent into the account of the School Building Authority School Construction Fund created pursuant to section six, article nine-d, chapter eighteen of this code; (5) ten percent into the Feed to Achieve initiative nonprofit foundation of the State Board of Education created pursuant to section four, article five-d, chapter eighteen of this code, to be spent in accordance with the provisions of said article; (6) ten percent into the State Road Fund in the State Treasury and expended by the Commissioner of Highways for design, maintenance and construction of roads in the state highway system; (7) ten percent into a fund to enable the Bureau of Senior Service to carry out programs pursuant to section nine, article five-p, chapter sixteen of this code; (8) ten percent into a fund to be established to enable the Department of Health and Human Resources to build substance abuse centers; (9) ten percent into a fund to be established for a fund to provide mental health services to veterans under the direction of the Department of Veteran’s Affairs; and (10) ten percent into the Teachers’ Retirement System created pursuant to section one, article seven-a, chapter eighteen of this code.”
On the adoption of the amendment, Delegate Shott demanded the yeas and nays, which demand was sustained.
The yeas and nays having been ordered, they were taken (Roll No. 154), and there were--yeas 45, nays 51, absent and not voting 4, with the yeas and absent and not voting being as follows:
Yeas: Ambler, Anderson, Andes, Armstead, Arvon, Ashley, Azinger, Border, Butler, Cadle, Canterbury, Cooper, Cowles, Ellem, Ellington, Espinosa, A. Evans, D. Evans, Faircloth, Ferns, Folk, Frich, Gearheart, Hamilton, Hamrick, Householder, Howell, Kinsey, Kump, Lane, McCuskey, Miller, E. Nelson, O’Neal, Overington, Pasdon, Romine, Rowan, Shott, R. Smith, Sobonya, Storch, Sumner, Walters and Westfall.
Com. Sub. for H. B. 4245, Relating to anticipated retirement dates of certain health care professionals; on second reading, coming up in regular order, was read a second time.
On motion of Delegate Fleischauer, the bill was amended on page two, section twenty, line four, after the comma by inserting the words “age, gender, percentage of time working direct services, percentage of time working administration and county of practice”.
H. B. 4256, Amending the annual salary schedule for members of the state police; on second reading, coming up in regular order, was read a second time and ordered to engrossment and third reading.
Com. Sub. for H. B. 2606, Permitting the State Rail Authority to set the salary of the executive director,
Com. Sub. for H. B. 2803, Requiring electric utilities to implement integrated resource plans,
Com. Sub. for H. B. 3156, Granting a labor organization a privilege from being compelled to disclose any communication or information the labor organization or agent received or acquired in confidence from an employee,
Com. Sub. for H. B. 4039, Authorizing miscellaneous boards and agencies to promulgate legislative rules,
Com. Sub. for H. B. 4141, Relating to licenses to sell paraphernalia for use with controlled substances,
Com. Sub. for H. B. 4168, Requiring materials, supplies, equipment and other items purchased by the state and its agencies to be made in the United States,
Com. Sub. for H. B. 4183, Supplementing, amending, decreasing, and increasing items of the existing appropriations from the State Road Fund to the Department of Transportation, Division of Highways,
Com. Sub. for H. B. 4204, Relating to the nonrenewal of property insurance policies as a result of certain claims,
Com. Sub. for H. B. 4221, Permitting teachers under the State Teachers Retirement System to teach college level courses without loss of benefits,
Com. Sub. for H. B. 4225, Providing for emergency contact information on driver’s license records with the Division of Motor Vehicles,
Com. Sub. for H. B. 4228, Repealing or removing certain portions of education-related statutes that have expired,
Com. Sub. for H. B. 4242, Increasing gross weight limitations on certain roads in Brooke County,
Com. Sub. for H. B. 4254, Providing that certain state employees may be granted a leave of absence with pay during a declared state of emergency,
Com. Sub. for H. B. 4267, Legalizing and regulating the sale and use of fireworks and creating the West Virginia Veterans Program Fund,
Com. Sub. for H. B. 4270, Relating to salaries of service employees of the state camp and conference center known as Cedar Lakes Conference Center,
Com. Sub. for H. B. 4305, Relating to the requirements of members of a building commission board be from the same political party,
Com. Sub. for H. B. 4316, Creating the student data accessability, transparency and accountability act,
Com. Sub. for H. B. 4327, Prohibiting health care practitioners from prescribing or administering drugs other than in a good faith, therapeutic manner.
Com. Sub. for H. B. 4333, Relating to the redirection of certain Lottery revenues to the State Excess Lottery Revenue Fund; on first reading, coming up in regular order, was, on motion of Delegate White, recommitted to the Committee on Finance.
Com. Sub. for H. B. 4354, Requiring the reporting and publication of all compensation, including contingent compensation, paid to lobbyists,
Com. Sub. for H. B. 4375, West Virginia Voluntary Employee Retirement Accounts Program,
Com. Sub. for H. B. 4411, Allowing the disposal of drill cuttings and associated drilling waste generated from well sites in commercial solid waste facilities,
Com. Sub. for H. B. 4416, Exempting certified professional estimator services from consumers sales tax,
Com. Sub. for H. B. 4432, Adopting Principle Based Reserving as the method by which life insurance company reserves are calculated,
Com. Sub. for H. B. 4435, Adding West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine to the list of state institutions of higher education that are permitted to invest certain moneys with its foundation,
Com. Sub. for H. B. 4449, Including proximity detection systems and cameras used on continuous mining machines and underground haulage equipment for tax credit purposes,
Com. Sub. for H. B. 4492, Relating to investment of moneys by the West Virginia Investment Management Board,
Com. Sub. for H. B. 4496, Providing for the allocation of matching funds from future moneys deposited into the West Virginia Research Trust Fund,
Com. Sub. for H. B. 4501, Providing that law-enforcement officers employed as school security be allowed to carry firearms on school property under certain conditions,
Com. Sub. for H. B. 4555, Requiring county boards of education to provide released time for professional educators and service personnel when serving in an elected municipal or county office,
H. B. 4620, Relating to protection of consumers from price gouging and unfair trade practices.
At the request of Delegate White, and by unanimous consent, leaves of absence for the day were granted Delegates Barill, Ireland, Raines and J. Nelson.
Delegate Howell asked and obtained unanimous consent that the remarks of all members regarding the Com. Sub. for H. B. 4490, Attorney General Ethics and Accountability Act, be printed in the Appendix to the Journal.
Delegate Hamrick asked and obtained unanimous consent that the remarks of all members regarding Com. Sub. for H. B. 4493, Repealing section of code that determines venue for certain suits and actions in claims due and against the state, be printed in the Appendix to the Journal.
At 6:09 p.m., on motion of Delegate White, the House of Delegates recessed until 7:00 p.m., and reconvened at that time.
Com. Sub. for H. B. 4333, Relating to the redirection of certain Lottery revenues to the State Excess Lottery Revenue Fund.