Source: http://www.legis.state.wv.us/Bulletin_Board/2015/RS/s_journal/sdj-37th%20day.htm
Timestamp: 2017-10-23 22:50:22
Document Index: 671106973

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Charleston, W. Va., Thursday, February 19, 2015
Prayer was offered by C. Edward Gaunch, a senator from the eighth district.
Pending the reading of the Journal of Wednesday, February 18, 2015,
The Clerk presented a communication from the Court of Claims, submitting its annual report, in accordance with chapter fourteen, article two-a, section twenty-one of the Code of West Virginia.
That as As in every human endeavor the possibility of injury or death from negligent conduct commands that protection of the public served by health care providers be recognized as an important state interest;
That our Our system of litigation is an essential component of this state’s interest in providing adequate and reasonable compensation to those persons who suffer from injury or death as a result of professional negligence, and any limitation placed on this system must be balanced with and considerate of the need to fairly compensate patients who have been injured as a result of negligent and incompetent acts by health care providers;
That liability Liability insurance is a key part of our system of litigation, affording compensation to the injured while fulfilling the need and fairness of spreading the cost of the risks of injury;
That a A further important component of these protections is the capacity and willingness of health care providers to monitor and effectively control their professional competency, so as to protect the public and ensure to the extent possible the highest quality of care;
That it It is the duty and responsibility of the Legislature to balance the rights of our individual citizens to adequate and reasonable compensation with the broad public interest in the provision of services by qualified health care providers and health care facilities who can themselves obtain the protection of reasonably priced and extensive liability coverage;
That in In recent years, the cost of insurance coverage has risen dramatically while the nature and extent of coverage has diminished, leaving the health care providers, the health care facilities and the injured without the full benefit of professional liability insurance coverage;
That many Many of the factors and reasons contributing to the increased cost and diminished availability of professional liability insurance arise from the historic inability of this state to effectively and fairly regulate the insurance industry so as to guarantee our citizens that rates are appropriate, that purchasers of insurance coverage are not treated arbitrarily and that rates reflect the competency and experience of the insured health care providers and health care facilities;
That the The unpredictable nature of traumatic injury health care services often result in a greater likelihood of unsatisfactory patient outcomes, a higher degree of patient and patient family dissatisfaction and frequent malpractice claims, creating a financial strain on the trauma care system of our state, increasing costs for all users of the trauma care system and impacting the availability of these services, requires appropriate and balanced limitations on the rights of persons asserting claims against trauma care health care providers, this balance must guarantee availability of trauma care services while mandating that these services meet all national standards of care, to assure that our health care resources are being directed towards providing the best trauma care available; and
That the The cost of liability insurance coverage has continued to rise dramatically, resulting in the state’s loss and threatened loss of physicians, which, together with other costs and taxation incurred by health care providers in this state, have created a competitive disadvantage in attracting and retaining qualified physicians and other health care providers;
The Legislature further finds that medical Medical liability issues have reached critical proportions for the state's long-term health care facilities, as: (1) Medical liability insurance premiums for nursing homes in West Virginia continue to increase and the number of claims per bed has increased significantly; (2) the cost to the state Medicaid program as a result of such higher premiums has grown considerably in this period; (3) current medical liability premium costs for some nursing homes constitute a significant percentage of the amount of coverage; (4) these high costs are leading some facilities to consider dropping medical liability insurance coverage altogether; and (5) the medical liability insurance crisis for nursing homes may soon result in a reduction of the number of beds available to citizens in need of long-term care; and
(2) The regulation of ratemaking and other practices by the liability insurance industry, including the formation of a physicians’ mutual insurance company and establishment of a fund to assure adequate compensation to victims of malpractice; and
(f) “Health care facility” means any clinic, hospital, pharmacy, nursing home, or assisted living facility, including personal care home, residential care community, and residential board and care home, or end-stage renal disease facility, home health agency, child welfare agency, group residential facility, behavioral health care facility or comprehensive community mental health/mental retardation center, in and licensed health center intellectual/developmental disability center or program, or other ambulatory health care facility, in and licensed, regulated or certified by the State of West Virginia under state or federal law and any state-operated institution or clinic providing health care and any related entity to the health care facility.
(g) “Health care provider” means a person, partnership, corporation, professional limited liability company, health care facility, entity or institution licensed by, or certified in, this state or another state, to provide health care or professional health care services, including, but not limited to, a physician, osteopathic physician, physician assistant, advanced practice registered nurse, hospital, health care facility, dentist, registered or licensed practical nurse, optometrist, podiatrist, chiropractor, physical therapist, psychologist, speech-language pathologist and audiologist, occupational therapist, psychologist, pharmacist, technician, certified nursing assistant, emergency medical service personnel, emergency medical services authority or agency, any person supervised by or acting under the direction of a licensed professional, any person taking actions or providing service or treatment pursuant to or in furtherance of a physician's plan of care, a health care facility’s plan of care, medical diagnosis or treatment; or an officer, employee or agent thereof of a health care provider acting in the course and scope of such the officer's, employee's or agent's employment.
(n) (o) “Representative” means the spouse, parent, guardian, trustee, attorney or other legal agent of another.
(a) The applicable standard of care and a defendant's failure to meet the standard of care, if at issue, shall be established in medical professional liability cases by the plaintiff by testimony of one or more knowledgeable, competent expert witnesses if required by the court. Expert testimony may only be admitted in evidence A proposed expert witness may only be found competent to testify if the foundation therefor for his or her testimony is first laid establishing that: (1) The opinion is actually held by the expert witness; (2) the opinion can be testified to with reasonable medical probability; (3) the expert witness possesses professional knowledge and expertise coupled with knowledge of the applicable standard of care to which his or her expert opinion testimony is addressed; (4) the expert witness' opinion is grounded on scientifically valid peer reviewed studies if available; (5) the expert witness maintains a current license to practice medicine with the appropriate licensing authority of any state of the United States: Provided, That the expert witness’ license has not been revoked or suspended in the past year in any state; and (5) (6) the expert witness is engaged or qualified in a medical field in which the practitioner has experience and/or training in diagnosing or treating injuries or conditions similar to those of the patient. If the witness meets all of these qualifications and devoted, at the time of the medical injury, sixty percent of his or her professional time annually to the active clinical practice in his or her medical field or specialty, or to teaching in his or her medical field or speciality in an accredited university, there shall be a rebuttable presumption that the witness is qualified as an expert. The parties shall have the opportunity to impeach any witness’ qualifications as an expert. Financial records of an expert witness are not discoverable or relevant to prove the amount of time the expert witness spends in active practice or teaching in his or her medical field unless good cause can be shown to the court.
(c) On January 1, 2004, and in each year thereafter, the limitation for compensatory damages contained in subsections (a) and (b) of this section shall increase to account for inflation by an amount equal to the Consumer Price Index published by the United States Department of Labor, not to exceed one hundred fifty percent of the amounts specified in said subsections. (b) and (c)
(d) The limitations on noneconomic damages contained in subsections (a), (b), (c) and (e) of this section are not available to any defendant in an action pursuant to this article which does not have medical professional liability insurance in the aggregate amount of at least $1 million per for each occurrence covering the medical injury which is the subject of the action.
The amendments to this article provided in Enrolled Committee Substitute for House Bill No. 2122 during the regular session of the Legislature, 2003, apply to all causes of action alleging medical professional liability which are filed on or after the first day of July, two thousand three.
(b) The amendments to this article provided in Enrolled Committee Substitute for Senate Bill No. 6 during the regular session of the Legislature, 2015, apply to all causes of action alleging medical professional liability which arise on or after the first day of July, 2015.
(c) If any provision of the amendments to section six or ten of this article or any provision of new section six-a, six-b or six-c of this article as provided in House Bill 60l, enacted during the Sixth Extraordinary Session of the Legislature, 2001, is held invalid, such the invalidity shall does not affect other provisions or applications of this article, and to this end, such provisions are deemed severable.;
Eng. Com. Sub. for Senate Bill No. 6--A Bill to amend and reenact §55-7B-1, §55-7B-2, §55-7B-7, §55-7B-8, §55-7B-9, §55-7B-9a, §55-7B-9c, §55-7B-10 and §55-7B-11 of the Code of West Virginia, 1931; and to amend said code by adding thereto two new sections, designated §55-7B-7a and §55-7B-9d, all relating to medical professional liability generally; providing additional legislative findings and purposes related to medical professional liability; providing definitions; modifying the qualifications for the competency of experts who testify in medical professional liability actions; providing rebuttable presumptions and evidentiary requirements related to the admission of certain government, health care provider or health care facility information; modifying the maximum amount of recovery for, and availability of, noneconomic damages; clarifying that a health care provider is not vicariously liable unless the alleged agent does not maintain certain insurance; clarifying eligibility for, and application of, emergency medical services caps; providing a methodology for determining the amount of trauma care caps to account for inflation; providing certain limitations of verdicts for past medical expenses of the plaintiff; establishing effective date; and providing for severability.
On motion of Senator Trump, the following amendments to the House of Delegates amendments to the bill were reported by the Clerk and adopted:
On page three, section two, subsection (b), subdivision (1), after the word “Medicare” by inserting the words “set aside”;
On motion of Senator Carmichael, the Senate concurred in the House of Delegates amendments, as amended.
Engrossed Committee Substitute for Senate Bill No. 6, as amended, was then put upon its passage.
On the passage of the bill, the yeas were: Blair, Boley, Boso, Carmichael, Ferns, Gaunch, D. Hall, M. Hall, Karnes, Kessler, Kirkendoll, Laird, Leonhardt, Maynard, Miller, Mullins, Nohe, Palumbo, Plymale, Prezioso, Stollings, Sypolt, Takubo, Trump, Unger, Walters, Williams, Woelfel, Yost and Cole (Mr. President)--30.
So, a majority of all the members elected to the Senate having voted in the affirmative, the President declared the bill (Eng. Com. Sub. for S. B. No. 6) passed with its House of Delegates amended title.
On this question, the yeas were: Blair, Boley, Boso, Carmichael, Ferns, Gaunch, D. Hall, M. Hall, Karnes, Kessler, Kirkendoll, Laird, Leonhardt, Maynard, Miller, Mullins, Nohe, Palumbo, Plymale, Prezioso, Stollings, Sypolt, Takubo, Trump, Unger, Walters, Williams, Woelfel, Yost and Cole (Mr. President)--30.
A message from The Clerk of the House of Delegates announced the concurrence by that body in the adoption of the committee of conference report, passage as amended by the conference report with its conference amended title, to take effect from passage, of
That §30-13-13a, §30-13-17 and §30-13-18 of the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, be amended and reenacted, all to read as follows:
(1) Professional engineer-retired. -- A registrant may apply for retired status upon certification that he or she is no longer practicing or offering to practice engineering in this state for remuneration.
(2) Professional engineer-inactive. -- A registrant may request inactive status upon affirmation that he or she is no longer practicing or offering to practice engineering in this state.
(3) Professional engineer-lapsed. -- A registrant’s license is lapsed when the registrant does not respond to renewal notices or pay the required renewal fees.
(4) Professional engineer-invalidated. -- A registrant’s license is invalidated when he or she is unable to provide sufficient proof that any condition of renewal set forth in this article or by board rule has been met.
(e) The board shall promulgate emergency rules pursuant to section fifteen, article three, chapter twenty-nine-a of this code to implement the provisions of this section.;
Eng. Senate Bill No. 389--A Bill to amend and reenact §30-13-13a, §30-13-17 and §30-13-18 of the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, all relating to the Board of Registration for Professional Engineers; changing time period for renewal from fiscal year to calendar year; authorizing renewal notification by mail or electronically; requiring reinstatement of nonrenewed licenses; and authorizing annual or biennial renewal periods.
Engrossed Senate Bill No. 389, as amended by the House of Delegates, was then put upon its passage.
So, a majority of all the members elected to the Senate having voted in the affirmative, the President declared the bill (Eng. S. B. No. 389) passed with its House of Delegates amended title.
Eng. Com. Sub. for House Bill No. 2391--A Bill to amend and reenact §18-5-44 of the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, relating to minimum instructional days per week, minimum instructional minutes per week and minimum instructional days per year for early childhood education programs.
Eng. House Bill No. 2523--A Bill to amend and reenact §15-2-3 of the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, relating to creating a special revenue account to offset costs for the West Virginia State Police 100th Anniversary in 2019.
Eng. Com. Sub. for House Bill No. 2527--A Bill to amend the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, by adding thereto a new section, designated §49-2-8, relating to establishing the Task Force on Prevention of Sexual Abuse of Children; authorizing section to be called “Erin Merryn’s Law”; specifying membership; specifying responsibilities, including report of recommendations to Legislature and Governor; precluding member compensation or expense reimbursement.
Eng. House Bill No. 2776--A Bill to amend and reenact §30-3E-12 of the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended; to amend and reenact §30-7-15a of said code; and to amend and reenact §30-8-9 of said code, all relating to prescribing hydrocodone combination drugs for a duration of no more than three days.
Eng. House Bill No. 2777--A Bill to amend the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, by repealing §30-27-11a and §30-27-12; to amend and reenact §30-27-1, §30-27-3, §30-27-4, §30-27-5, §30-27-6, §30-27-8, §30-27-8a, §30-27-10, §30-27-11, §30-27-13 and §30-27-16 of the code; and to amend said code by adding thereto two new sections, designated §30-27-8b and §30-27-8c, all relating to licensing of aestheticians, barbers, cosmetologists, hairstylists and nail technicians; revising the membership requirements of the Board of Barbers and Cosmetologists; exempting shampoo assistants and hair braiding from licensure by the Board of Barbers and Cosmetologists; creating certifications; modifying barber apprentice program; limiting continuing education requirements for barbers and cosmetologists; and modifying the requirements to be an instructor in a school.
House Concurrent Resolution No. 74--Extending the Committee of Conference relating to consideration of Com. Sub. for H. B. 2002, Predicating actions for damages upon principles of comparative fault.
At the request of Senator Carmichael, and by unanimous consent, the message was taken up for immediate consideration and reference of the resolution to a committee dispensed with.
The Clerk then presented a communication from His Excellency, the Governor, advising that on February 18, 2015, he had approved Enr. House Bill No. 2138, Enr. Committee Substitute for House Bill No. 2217 and Enr. Committee Substitute for House Bill No. 2227.
Your Joint Committee on Enrolled Bills has examined, found truly enrolled, and on the 18th day of February, 2015, presented to His Excellency, the Governor, for his action, the following bill, signed by the President of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Delegates:
(H. B. No. 2201), Requiring the Public Service Commission to adopt certain net metering and interconnection rules and standards.
(Com. Sub. for S. B. No. 7), Requiring CPR and care for conscious choking instruction in public schools.
(Com. Sub. for S. B. No. 237), Creating Captive Cervid Farming Act.
Senate Bill No. 167, Authorizing DEP promulgate legislative rule relating to requirements governing water quality standards.
Senate Bill No. 234, Exempting water and sewer utilities owned by political subdivisions from PSC jurisdiction.
Com. Sub. for Senate Bill No. 234 (originating in the Committee on Government Organization)--A Bill to repeal §8-16-19 of the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended; to amend and reenact §8-12-17 of said code; to amend and reenact §8-19-4 of said code; to amend and reenact §16-13A-1a, §16-13A-9 and §16-13A-25 of said code; to amend and reenact §24-1-1 and §24-1-1b of said code; to amend and reenact §24-2-1, §24-2-2, §24-2-3, §24-2-4a, §24-2-4b, §24-2-7 and §24-2-11 of said code; and to amend and reenact §24-3-5 of said code, all relating to removing from the jurisdiction of the Public Service Commission certain water and sewer utilities owned or operated by political subdivisions of the state; providing that bondholders may petition the court for redress in the event of significant insufficiencies; expanding jurisdiction of Public Service Commission to provide assistance to Public Service Districts regarding proposed rate changes; expanding powers of certain Public Service Boards; limiting use of certain information collected by Public Service Commission; providing mechanism for Public Service Commission to address deficiencies in the measurements, practices acts or services provided by certain public utility that is a political subdivision of the state; and providing mechanisms for various functions of political subdivisions related to water and sewer services.
The bill (Com. Sub. for S. B. No. 234), under the original double committee reference, was then referred to the Committee on Finance.
And reports the same back with the recommendation that it do pass as amended by the Committee on Banking and Insurance to which the bill was first referred; and as last amended by the Committee on the Judiciary.
Senate Bill No. 300, Relating to military service credit for PERS members.
Senate Bill No. 305, Relating to state retirement system participation and concurrent employment provisions.
Senate Bill No. 330, Adopting Interstate Medical Licensure Compact.
Com. Sub. for Senate Bill No. 330 (originating in the Committee on Interstate Cooperation)--A Bill to amend the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, by adding thereto a new article, designated §30-3F-1, §30-1C-2, §30-1C-3, §30-1C-4, §30-1C-5, §30-1C-6, §30-1C-7, §30-1C-8, §30-1C-9, §30-1C-10, §30-1C-11, §30-1C-12, §30-1C-13, §30-1C-14, §30-1C-15, §30-1C-16, §30-1C-17, §30-1C-18, §30-1C-19, §30-1C-20, §30-1C-21, §30-1C-22, §30-1C-23 and §30-1C-24, all relating to adopting the Interstate Medical Licensure Compact; strengthening access to health care; developing comprehensive process that complements current statutes regarding medical practices; providing streamlined process that allows physicians to become licensed in multiple states, thereby enhancing portability of a medical license and ensuring safety of patients; creating another pathway for licensure; adopting prevailing standard for licensure and affirming that practice of medicine occurs where the patient is located at the time of physician-patient encounter; and requiring physician to be under jurisdiction of state medical board where the patient is located.
The bill (Com. Sub. for S. B. No. 330), under the original double committee reference, was then referred to the Committee on Health and Human Resources.
Senate Bill No. 342, Clarifying scope, application and methods for corrections by CPRB.
Com. Sub. for Senate Bill No. 342 (originating in the Committee on Pensions)--A Bill to amend and reenact §5-10-44 of the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended; to amend and reenact §7-14D-7a of said code; to amend and reenact §8-22A-8 of said code; to amend said code by adding thereto a new section, designated §8-22A-8a; to amend said code by adding thereto a new section, designated §15-2-54; to amend said code by adding thereto a new section, designated §15-2A-23; to amend and reenact §16-5V-8a of said code; to amend and reenact §18-7A-14c of said code; to amend and reenact §18-7B-21 of said code; and to amend said code by adding thereto a new section, designated §51-9-18, all relating to correction of errors under the West Virginia Public Employees Retirement System, West Virginia Deputy Sheriff Retirement System, West Virginia Municipal Police Officers and Firefighters Retirement System, West Virginia Emergency Medical Services Retirement System, the State Teachers Retirement System, Teachers’ Defined Contribution Retirement System, the West Virginia State Police Death, Disability and Retirement System, West Virginia State Police Retirement System and the Judges’ Retirement System; and clarifying scope, application and requirements for error correction by Consolidated Public Retirement Board.
Senate Bill No. 352, Exempting certain solid waste common carriers from obtaining certificate of convenience and necessity.
Com. Sub. for Senate Bill No. 352 (originating in the Committee on Natural Resources)--A Bill to amend and reenact §19-4-1, §19-4-2, §19-4-3, §19-4-4, §19-4-5, §19-4-13, §19-4-16 and §19-4-22 of the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended; and to amend and reenact §24A-1-3 of said code, all relating to cooperative associations; clarifying definitions; expanding scope of cooperative associations to goods and services, including recycling; limiting scope of recycling cooperatives; expanding membership of cooperative associations; and revising exemptions for motor carriers to allow nonprofit recycling cooperatives.
The bill (Com. Sub. for S. B. No. 352), under the original double committee reference, was then referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
Senate Bill No. 483, Clarifying continuing election of municipal policemen's and firemen's pension and relief funds' trustees.
At the request of Senator Gaunch, unanimous consent being granted, the bill (S. B. No. 483) contained in the preceding report from the Committee on Pensions was taken up for immediate consideration, read a first time and ordered to second reading.
Senate Bill No. 515--A Bill to amend and reenact §8-22-18a and §8-22-18b of the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, all relating to Municipal Pensions Oversight Board; and retention and investment of funds.
By Senators Leonhardt, Karnes and Blair:
Senate Bill No. 516--A Bill to repeal §30-7-15a, §30-7-15b and §30-7-15c of the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended; to repeal §30-15-1, §30-15-2, §30-15-3, §30-15-4, §30-15-5, §30-15-6, §30-15-7, §30-15-7a, §30-15-7b and §30-15-7c of said code; to amend and reenact §16-5-19 of said code; to amend and reenact §30-7-1 of said code; and to amend said code by adding thereto a new article, designated §30-7F-1, §30-7F-2, §30-7F-3, §30-7F-4, §30-7F-5, §30-7F-6, §30-7F-7, §30-7F-8, §30-7F-9, §30-7F-10, §30-7F-11, §30-7F-12, §30-7F-13, §30-7F-14, §30-7F-15, §30-7F-16, §30-7F-17, §30-7F-18, §30-7F-19, §30-7F-20, §30-7F-21, §30-7F-22, §30-7F-23, §30-7F-24, §30-7F-25, §30-7F-26, §30-7F-27 and §30-7F-28, all relating to the practice of advance practice registered nurses; allowing advance practice registered nurses to sign death certificates; setting up West Virginia Board of Examiners for Advance Practice Registered Nurses; establishing board membership; setting forth terms of office; setting forth requirements for board membership; setting forth meeting requirements; setting forth powers and duties of board; granting rule-making authority to board; setting forth matters that should be included in legislative rules; creating special revenue account for fees and fines; setting forth licensing requirements; providing for licensing of individuals from outside United States; providing for circumstances that are exceptions to licensing; setting forth license renewal process; providing for special volunteer license; setting out elements which must be included on license or certificate; providing limitations on use of certain terms and titles relative to advance practice registered nurses; setting forth procedure for disciplinary action, including complaints and investigations; providing due process; setting out what matters require disciplinary action by board; setting forth what actions are acceptable disciplinary action; providing for reinstatement of licensee following disciplinary action; providing for enjoinder for violations of article; granting an appeal right; setting forth hearing procedures; allowing for judicial review; providing for action which may be taken in criminal matters; creating misdemeanor for fraudulent activities associated with the practice of an advance practice registered nurse; providing for criminal penalties; allowing injunctive relief for improperly engaging in the practice of an advance practice registered nurse; allowing for a voluntary agreement for treatment of alcohol or chemical dependency; providing for single act evidence of practice; setting forth requirements for administration of anesthetics; allowing for prescriptive authority for advance practice registered nurses; providing for collaborative agreement with a physician to allow prescriptive authority; setting forth specified drugs and dosage level of certain drugs; setting forth procedure for granting prescriptive authority; setting forth requirements for prescriptive authority; setting out form of prescriptions; providing for termination of prescriptive authority; allowing for prescriptive authority without a collaborative agreement in specified instances; requiring an annual report; and setting forth exceptions to applicability of article.
Senate Bill No. 517--A Bill to amend and reenact §11-13A-3d of the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, relating to exempting privilege of producing coalbed methane gas from severance tax; and providing effective date.
By Senators Blair, Carmichael, Snyder, Trump and Unger:
Senate Bill No. 518--A Bill to amend and reenact §7-12-7 and §7-12-12 of the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, all relating generally to granting the power to county and municipal economic development authorities to invest funds received from the sale, lease or other disposition of real or personal property owned by such authority in a manner determined by the authority's board of directors to be in the best interest of the authority.
By Senators Laird, Carmichael, Gaunch, Mullins, Palumbo, Prezioso, Stollings, Walters, Williams, Nohe, Snyder and Plymale:
Senate Bill No. 519--A Bill to amend and reenact §11-3-9 of the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, relating to exempting from property tax certain properties in this state owned by nonprofit youth organizations and built at cost of at least $100 million; setting forth restrictions affecting the property; setting forth permitted activities; requiring property owner to pay four percent of net revenues; establishing how that four percent is to be allocated; requiring reports; and defining terms.
By Senators Walters, Blair, Miller, Snyder and Woelfel:
Senate Bill No. 520--A Bill to amend the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, by adding thereto a new article, designated §5B-2I-1, §5B-2I-2, §5B-2I-3, §5B-2I-4, §5B-2I-5, §5B-2I-6 and §5B-2I-7, all relating to authorizing local units of government to adopt local energy efficiency partnership programs and to create districts to promote the use of energy efficiency improvements by owners of certain real property; providing for financing of programs through voluntary property assessments, commercial lending and other means; authorizing local unit of government to issue bonds, notes and other evidences of indebtedness and to pay the cost of energy efficiency improvements from the proceeds thereof; providing for the repayment of bonds, notes and other evidences of indebtedness; authorizing certain fees; prescribing powers and duties of certain governmental officers and entities; and providing remedies.
Senate Bill No. 521--A Bill to amend the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, by adding thereto a new section, designated §33-14-2a, relating to requiring certain disclosures with respect to group life insurance policies.
By Senators Laird, Miller and Kessler:
Senate Bill No. 522--A Bill to amend and reenact §60-3A-17 of the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, relating generally to wholesale sales of liquor; and directing commissioner to increase wholesale prices of liquor purchased from state to generate funds to promote travel and tourism in West Virginia.
Senate Bill No. 523--A Bill to amend the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, by adding thereto a new article, designated §16-47-1, §16-47-2, §16-47-3, §16-47-4, §16-47-5 and §16-47-6, all relating to obtaining emergency medical assistance for persons who may be experiencing alcohol or drug overdose; establishing short title; stating legislative findings; defining terms; providing immunity from prosecution in limited circumstances for persons who call for emergency medical assistance for person who reasonably appears to be experiencing drug or alcohol overdose; specifying actions that must be taken to be eligible for immunity from prosecution for certain misdemeanor offenses; providing seeking emergency medical assistance may be raised as mitigating factor at sentencing in certain criminal proceedings; clarifying limited immunity does not preclude civil claims based on violation of misdemeanor criminal statutes at issue; providing option of limited immunity from prosecution; and providing deferred prosecution, pretrial diversion, adjudication in drug court and other clemency options for prosecution to consider for persons who experienced drug or alcohol overdose for whom emergency medical assistance was sought; allowing persons to plead guilty to certain exempted criminal offenses if desired; and providing limited civil immunity to law-enforcement officers except in cases of willful, wanton and reckless misconduct in arresting or issuing citations.
By Senators Prezioso, Sypolt and Blair:
Senate Bill No. 524--A Bill to amend the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, by adding thereto a new section, designated §18B-14-2, relating to transfer of course credit among higher education institutions; and requiring all state higher education institutions award credit to transfer students for similar courses completed at different institution.
Senate Bill No. 525--A Bill to amend and reenact §11-15-9 of the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, relating to exempting services of enrolled agents, enrolled retirement plan agents or registered tax return preparers from consumers sales and service tax and use tax.
By Senators Kessler, Miller, Laird and Yost:
Senate Bill No. 526--A Bill to amend and reenact §61-11-26 of the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, relating to expungement of certain criminal convictions generally; permitting expungement of certain felony convictions; establishing amount of time after felony conviction before expungement may be sought; creating exceptions; clarifying retirement or employment benefits lost due to conviction are not reinstated due to expungement; declaring expungement does not preclude person who has received expungement from being subject to sentencing enhancements for second and subsequent violations; declaring information in State Police database sufficient to prove existence of prior convictions; establishing fee to offset State Police costs associated with administering this section and the Criminal Identification Bureau; establishing special revenue account in State Treasury for funds received; and prohibiting expiration of funds.
Senator Cole (Mr. President) offered the following resolution:
Senate Concurrent Resolution No. 31--Authorizing the Joint Select Committee on Tax Reform, created under the authority of Joint Rule 12, to meet to study tax reform in West Virginia.
Senators Kirkendoll, Stollings, Williams, Unger, Kessler and Yost offered the following resolution:
Senate Resolution No. 38--Recognizing the West Virginia Auxiliary of Wives Behind the Badge for its dedication to providing support and resources to the law-enforcement community.
Whereas, Established in 2006, Wives Behind the Badge is a nonprofit organization dedicated to helping police families across the country; and
Whereas, Wives Behind the Badge is growing in numbers and support and includes the programs Families Behind the Badge, Blue Line Kids and H.A.L.O.S.; and
Whereas, Wives Behind the Badge provides support for two scholarship funds, the Law Enforcement Children’s Scholarship and the Law Enforcement Spouse’s Scholarship; and
Whereas, The West Virginia Auxiliary of Wives Behind the Badge is proud to be a strong supporter of local law-enforcement agencies throughout West Virginia; and
Whereas, The West Virginia Auxiliary of Wives Behind the Badge has organized the “Paint the Town Blue” campaign, which designates February 19, 2015, as a day to honor fallen law enforcement and their families; and
Whereas, Law-enforcement officers give generously of themselves both in spirit and deed so others might share in the joy of living in a free and democratic society, so it is fitting and proper that they be commended, encouraged and honored for their contributions; and
Whereas, The Senate extends its sincere gratitude to the West Virginia Auxiliary of Wives Behind the Badge for their support of law-enforcement officers who have distinguished themselves with unselfish and exemplary service to the community and its citizens; therefore, be it
That the Senate hereby recognizes the West Virginia Auxiliary of Wives Behind the Badge for its dedication to providing support and resources to the law-enforcement community; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the Clerk is hereby directed to forward a copy of this resolution to the West Virginia Auxiliary of Wives Behind the Badge.
On motion of Senator D. Hall, the Senate reconsidered the vote by which on yesterday, Wednesday, February 18, 2015, it rejected
Eng. Com. Sub. for Senate Bill No. 421, Relating to punitive damages in civil actions.
Thereupon, on motions of Senators Trump and Palumbo, the following amendments to the bill were reported by the Clerk, considered simultaneously, and adopted:
On page three, section twenty-seven, line twenty-eight, by striking out the word “three” and inserting in lieu thereof the word “four”;
On page four, section twenty-seven, after line thirty, by striking out the remainder of the bill.
On the passage of the bill, the yeas were: Beach, Blair, Boley, Boso, Carmichael, Ferns, Gaunch, D. Hall, M. Hall, Karnes, Kirkendoll, Leonhardt, Maynard, Mullins, Nohe, Palumbo, Plymale, Prezioso, Stollings, Sypolt, Takubo, Trump, Walters, Williams, Woelfel and Cole (Mr. President)--26.
The nays were: Facemire, Kessler, Laird, Miller, Romano, Snyder, Unger and Yost--8.
So, a majority of all the members present and voting having voted in the affirmative, the President declared the bill (Eng. Com. Sub. for S. B. No. 421) passed.
Eng. Com. Sub. for Senate Bill No. 421--A Bill to amend the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, by adding thereto a new section, designated §55-7-27, relating generally to treatment of punitive damages in civil actions; providing for limitations on punitive damages in civil actions; providing for when punitive damages may be awarded in civil actions; and providing for a bifurcated trial, upon request, for civil actions involving punitive damages.
Eng. Com. Sub. for Senate Bill No. 42, Relating to sale of alcoholic beverages on Sundays prior to 1 p.m.
So, a majority of all the members present and voting having voted in the affirmative, the President declared the bill (Eng. Com. Sub. for S. B. No. 42) passed with its title.
So, two thirds of all the members elected to the Senate having voted in the affirmative, the President declared the bill (Eng. Com. Sub. for S. B. No. 42) takes effect from passage.
Eng. Senate Bill No. 294, Eliminating certain unnecessary, inactive or redundant councils, committees and boards.
So, a majority of all the members present and voting having voted in the affirmative, the President declared the bill (Eng. S. B. No. 294) passed with its title.
Eng. Senate Bill No. 412, Relating to Real Estate Commission complaint filings.
(2) Two thousand five hundred dollars per year for a distributor’s license and each separate warehouse or other facility from which a distributor sells, transfers or delivers wine shall be separately licensed and there shall be collected with respect to each location the annual license fee of $2,500 as herein provided;
(4) Two hundred fifty dollars per year for a wine specialty shop license, in addition to any other licensing fees paid by a winery or retailer holding a license, except for the amount of the license fee and the restriction to sales of winery or farm winery wines, a winery or farm winery acting as a wine specialty shop retailer is subject to all other provisions of this article which are applicable to a wine specialty shop retailer as defined in section two of this article; : Provided, That notwithstanding any provision of this code to the contrary, the commissioner may issue a license to a wine specialty shop consistent with the provisions of section two, article eight, chapter six of this code that is located on the premises of an existing resort area in a county that has elected not to permit the sale of wine or alcohol beverages. “Resort area” shall mean an area encompassing one or more resort hotels, and attachments of the resort hotels, and the traditional, immediate grounds of such resort hotels.
(11) One hundred fifty dollars per year for a direct shipper’s license for a licensee who sells and ships only wine and $250 per year for a direct shipper’s license who ships and sells wine, nonfortified dessert wine, port, sherry or Madeira wines;
(c) The license period shall begin on July 1 of each year and end on June 30 of the following year and if granted for a lesser period, the same shall be computed semiannually in proportion to the remainder of the fiscal year.
(f) A wine specialty shop under this article may also hold a wine tasting license authorizing the retailer to serve complimentary samples of wine in moderate quantities for tasting. Such The wine specialty shop shall organize a wine taster’s club, which has at least fifty duly elected or approved dues-paying members in good standing. Such The club shall meet on the wine specialty shop’s premises not more than one time per week and shall either meet at a time when the premises are closed to the general public or shall meet in a separate segregated facility on the premises to which the general public is not admitted. Attendance at tastings shall be limited to duly elected or approved dues-paying members and their guests.
(h) The commissioner may issue a special license for the retail sale of wine at any festival or fair which is endorsed or sponsored by the governing body of a municipality or a county commission. Such The special license shall may be issued for a term of no longer than ten consecutive days and the fee therefor shall be is $250 regardless of the term of the license unless the applicant is the manufacturer of said the wine on a winery or a farm winery as defined in section five-a, article one of this chapter, in which event the fee shall be is $50 if the event is held on the premises of the winery or farm winery. The application for the license shall contain information as the commissioner may reasonably require and shall be submitted to the commissioner at least thirty days prior to the first day when wine is to be sold at the festival or fair. A winery or a farm winery licensed under this subsection may exhibit, conduct tastings or sell samples, not to exceed a reasonable serving of three ounces, and may sell wine samples for consumption on the premises during the operation of a festival or fair: Provided, That for licensed wineries or farm wineries at a licensed festival or fair the tastings, samples and off-premises sales shall occur under the hours of operation as required in this article, except that on Sunday tastings, samples and off-premises sales are unlawful between the hours of 2:00 a. m. and 10:00 a. m. A special license issued other than to a winery or a farm winery may be issued to a “wine club” as defined herein below. The festival or fair committee or the governing body shall designate a person to organize a club under a name which includes the name of the festival or fair and the words “wine club”. The license shall be issued in the name of the wine club. A licensee may not commence the sale of wine as provided in this subsection until the wine club has at least fifty dues-paying members who have been enrolled and to whom membership cards have been issued. Thereafter, new members may be enrolled and issued membership cards at any time during the period for which the license is issued. A wine club licensed under the provisions of this subsection may sell wine only to its members, and in portions not to exceed eight ounces per serving. The sales shall take place on premises or in an area cordoned or segregated so as to be closed to the general public, and the general public shall not be admitted to the premises or area. A wine club licensee under the provisions of this subsection shall be is authorized to serve complimentary samples of wine in moderate quantities for tasting.
A license issued under the provisions of this subsection and the licensee holding the license shall be is subject to all other provisions of this article and the rules and orders of the commissioner relating to the special license: Provided, That the commissioner may by rule regulation or order provide for certain waivers or exceptions with respect to the provisions, rules regulations or orders as the circumstances of each festival or fair may require, including, without limitation, the right to revoke or suspend any license issued pursuant to this section prior to any notice or hearing notwithstanding the provisions of sections twenty-seven and twenty-eight of this article: Provided, however, That under no circumstances shall may the provisions of subsection (c) or (d), section twenty of this article be waived nor shall or any exception be granted with respect thereto.
(i) (A) The commissioner may issue a special license for the retail sale of wine in a professional baseball stadium. A license to sell wine granted pursuant to this subsection entitles the licensee to sell and serve wine, for consumption in a professional baseball stadium. For the purpose of this subsection, “professional baseball stadium” means a facility constructed primarily for the use of a major or minor league baseball franchisee affiliated with the National Association of Professional Baseball Leagues, Inc., or its successor, and used as a major or minor league baseball park. Any special license issued pursuant to this subsection shall be for a term beginning on the date of issuance and ending on the next following June 30 and its fee is $250 regardless of the length of the term of the license. The application for the special license shall contain information as the commissioner may reasonably require and must be submitted to the commissioner at least thirty days prior to the first day when wine is to be sold at the professional baseball stadium. The special license may be issued in the name of the baseball franchisee or the name of the primary food and beverage vendor under contract with the baseball franchisee. These sales must take place within the confines of the professional baseball stadium, provided that the exterior of the area where wine sales may occur are surrounded by a fence or other barrier prohibiting entry except upon the franchisee’s express permission, and under the conditions and restrictions established by the franchisee so that the wine sales area is closed to free and unrestricted entry by the general public.
(B) A license issued under this subsection and the licensee holding the license is subject to all other provisions of this article and the rules and orders of the commissioner relating to the special license: Provided, That the commissioner may by rule or order grant certain waivers or exceptions to those rules or orders as the circumstances of each professional baseball stadium may require, including, without limitation, the right to revoke or suspend any license issued pursuant to this section prior to any notice or hearing notwithstanding sections twenty-seven and twenty-eight of this article: Provided, however, That under no circumstances may subsection (c) or (d), section twenty of this article be waived nor shall any or an exception be granted concerning those subsections.
(j) A license to sell wine granted to a private wine bed and breakfast, private wine restaurant, private wine spa or a private club under the provisions of this article entitles the operator to sell and serve wine, for consumption on the premises of the licensee, when the sale accompanies the serving of food or a meal to its members and their guests in accordance with the provisions of this article: Provided, That a licensed private wine bed and breakfast, private wine restaurant, private wine spa or a private club may permit a person over twenty-one years of age to purchase wine, consume wine and recork or reseal, using a tamper resistant cork or seal, up to two separate bottles of unconsumed wine in conjunction with serving of food or a meal to its members and their guests in accordance with the provisions of this article and in accordance with regulations rules promulgated by the commissioner for the purpose of consumption of said the wine off premises: Provided, however, That for this article, food or a meal provided by the private licensee means that the total food purchase, excluding beverage purchases, taxes, gratuity or other fees is at least $15: Provided further, That a licensed private wine restaurant or a private club may offer for sale for consumption off the premises sealed bottles of wine to its customers provided that no more than one bottle is sold per each person over twenty-one years of age, as verified by the private wine restaurant or private club, for consumption off the premises. Such The licensees are authorized to keep and maintain on their premises a supply of wine in quantities as may be appropriate for the conduct of operations thereof. Any sale of wine so made shall be is subject to all restrictions set forth in section twenty of this article. A private wine restaurant may also be licensed as a Class A retail dealer in nonintoxicating beer as provided by article sixteen, chapter eleven of this code.
(k) With respect to subsections (h), (i), (j), (o) and (p) of this section, the commissioner shall promulgate propose legislative rules in accordance with the provisions of chapter twenty-nine-a of this code with regard to the form of the applications, the suitability of both the applicant and location of the licensed premises and other legislative rules deemed necessary to carry the provisions of the subsections into effect.
(l) The commissioner shall promulgate propose legislative rules in accordance with the provisions of chapter twenty-nine-a of this code to allow restaurants to serve wine with meals and to sell wine by the bottle for off-premises consumption as provided in subsection (j) of this section. Each restaurant so licensed shall be charged an additional $100 per year fee.
(p) The commissioner may issue special one-day licenses to duly organized, nonprofit corporations and associations having received federal tax exempt status allowing the sale and serving of wine when raising money for artistic, athletic, charitable, educational or religious purposes. The nonrefundable fee is $25 for the one-day license. The license application shall contain information as the commissioner may reasonably require and shall be submitted to the commissioner at least thirty fifteen days prior to the event. Wines used during these events may be donated by or purchased from a licensed retailer, a distributor or a farm winery. Under no circumstances may the provision of subsection (c), section twenty of this article be waived nor or may any an exception be granted with respect thereto.
(r) (1) The commissioner may issue a special license for the retail sale of wine in a college stadium. A license to sell wine granted pursuant to this subsection entitles the licensee to sell and serve wine for consumption in a college stadium. For the purpose of this subsection, “college stadium” means a facility constructed primarily for the use of a Division I college that is a member of the National Collegiate Athletic Association, or its successor, and used as a football, basketball, baseball, soccer or other Division I sports stadium. A special license issued pursuant to this subsection shall be for a term beginning on the date of its issuance and ending on the next following June 30 and its fee is $250 regardless of the length of the term of the license. The application for the special license shall contain information as the commissioner may reasonably require and must be submitted to the commissioner at least thirty days prior to the first day when wine is to be sold. The special license may be issued in the name of the National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I college or university or the name of the primary food and beverage vendor under contract with that college or university. These sales must take place within the confines of the college stadium: Provided, That the exterior of the area where wine sales may occur are surrounded by a fence or other barrier prohibiting entry except upon the college or university’s express permission, and under the conditions and restrictions established by the college or university, so that the wine sales area is closed to free and unrestricted entry by the general public.
(2) A license issued under this subsection and the licensee are subject to the other requirements of this article and the rules and orders of the commissioner relating to the special license: Provided, That the commissioner may by rule or order grant certain waivers or exceptions to those rules or orders as the circumstances of each college stadium may require, including, without limitation, the right to revoke or suspend any license issued pursuant to this section prior to any notice or hearing notwithstanding sections twenty-seven and twenty-eight of this article: Provided, however, That subsection (c) or (d), section twenty of this article may not be waived, nor shall any may an exception be granted concerning those subsections.
The bill (Com. Sub. for S. B. No. 384), as amended, was then ordered to engrossment and third reading.
That §3-1-16 and §3-1-17 of the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, be amended and reenacted; that §3-4A-11a of said code be amended and reenacted; that §3-5-4 of said code be amended and reenacted; that said code be amended by adding thereto four new sections, designated §3-5-6a, §3-5-6b, §3-5-6c and §3-5-6d; that §3-5-7, §3-5-13 and §3-5-13a of said code be amended and reenacted; that §3-10-3 of said code be amended and reenacted; that §3-12-3, §3-12-6, §3-12-10, §3-12-11, §3-12-12 and §3-12-14 of said code be amended and reenacted; that §6-5-1 of said code be amended and reenacted; that §50-1-1 and §50-1-6 of said code be amended and reenacted; that §51-1-1 of said code be amended and reenacted; and that §51-2A-5 of said code be amended and reenacted, all to read as follows:
(a) At the general election to be held in 1968, and in every fourth year thereafter, there shall be elected a Governor, Secretary of State, Treasurer, Auditor, Attorney General and Commissioner of Agriculture. At the general election in 1968, and in every second year thereafter, there shall be elected a member of the State Senate for each senatorial district, and a member or members of the House of Delegates of the state from each county or each delegate district.
(b) At the general time of the primary election to be held in the year 1968 2016, and in every twelfth year thereafter, there shall be elected one judge justice of the Supreme Court of Appeals, and at the general time of the primary election to be held in 1972 2020, and in every twelfth year thereafter, two judges justices of the Supreme Court of Appeals and at the general time of the primary election to be held in 1976 2024, and in every twelfth year thereafter, two judges justices of the Supreme Court of Appeals. Effective with the primary election held in the year 2016, the election of justices of the Supreme Court of Appeals shall be on a nonpartisan basis and by division as set forth more fully in article five of this chapter.
(a) There shall be elected, at the general time of the primary election to be held in 1992 2016, and in every eighth year thereafter, one judge of the circuit court of every judicial circuit entitled to but one judge, and one judge for each numbered division of the judicial circuit in those judicial circuits entitled to two or more circuit judges; and at the time of the primary election to be held in 2016, and in every fourth year thereafter, the number of magistrates prescribed by law for the county. Beginning with the election held in the year 2016, an election for the purpose of electing judges of the circuit court, or an election for the purpose of electing magistrates, shall be upon a nonpartisan ballot printed for the purpose.
(b) and at At the general election to be held in 1992, and in every fourth year thereafter, a sheriff, prosecuting attorney, surveyor of lands, and the number of assessors prescribed by law for the county, and the number of magistrates prescribed by law for the county; and at the general election to be held in 1990, and in every second year thereafter, a commissioner of the county commission for each county; and at the general election to be held in 1992, and in every sixth year thereafter, a clerk of the county commission and a clerk of the circuit court for each county.
(3) (A) Effective with the primary election held in 2016, and thereafter, for the nonpartisan judicial offices, by division, of:
(B) Nonpartisan elections for Board of Education: and
are to be separated from the partisan ballot and separately headed in display type with a title clearly identifying the purpose of the election and constituting a separate ballot wherever a separate ballot is required under the provisions of this chapter.
(a) At each primary election, the candidate or candidates of each political party for all offices to be filled at the ensuing general election by the voters of the entire state, of each congressional district, of each state senatorial district, of each delegate district, of each judicial circuit of West Virginia, and of each county, and of each magisterial district in the state shall be nominated by the voters of the different political parties, except that no presidential elector shall be nominated at a primary election.
(3) Candidates for the House of Delegates shall be nominated and elected in accordance with the residence restrictions provided in section two, article two, chapter one of this code.; and
(1) Candidates for the House of Delegates, or the State Senate, circuit judge, family court judge, and any other office or political position to be filled by the voters of more than one county shall file a certificate of announcement with the Secretary of State.
(2) Candidates for an office or political position to be filled by the voters of a single county or a subdivision of a county, except for candidates for the House of Delegates, or State Senate, circuit judge or family court judge, shall file a certificate of announcement with the clerk of the county commission.
(c) The certificate of announcement shall be filed with the proper officer not earlier than the second Monday in January next preceding before the primary election day and not later than the last Saturday in January next preceding before the primary election day and must be received before midnight, eastern standard time, of that day or, if mailed, shall be postmarked by the United States Postal Service before that hour. This includes the offices of justice of the Supreme Court of Appeals, circuit court judge, family court judge and magistrate, which are to be filled on a nonpartisan and division basis at the primary election.
(1) (2) The heading of every ballot is to be printed in display type. The heading is to contain a ballot title, the name of the county, the state, the words "Primary Election" and the month, day and year of the election. The ballot title of the political party ballots is to contain the words "Official Ballot of the (Name) Party" and the official symbol of the political party may be included in the heading.
(2) (3) (A) For paper ballots, the heading of the ballot is to be separated from the rest of the ballot by heavy lines and the offices shall be arranged in columns with the following headings, from left to right across the ballot: "National Ticket", "State Ticket", "County Ticket" and, in a presidential election year, "National Convention" or, in a nonpresidential election year, "District Ticket". The columns are to be separated by heavy lines. Within the columns, the offices are to be arranged in the order prescribed in section thirteen-a of this article.
(B) For voting machines, electronic voting devices and any ballot tabulated by electronic means, the offices are to appear in the same sequence as prescribed in section thirteen-a of this article and under the same headings as prescribed in subsection paragraph (A) of this section subdivision. The number of pages, columns or rows, where applicable, may be modified to meet the limitations of ballot size and composition requirements subject to approval by the Secretary of State.
(4) (5) When an insufficient number of candidates has filed for a party to make the number of nominations allowed for the office or for the voters to elect sufficient members to the board of Education or to executive committees, the vacant positions on the ballot shall be filled with the words "No Candidate Filed": Provided, That in paper ballot systems which allow for write-ins to be made directly on the ballot, a blank line shall be placed in any vacant position in the office of board of education or for election to any party executive committee. A line shall separate each candidate from every other candidate for the same office. Notwithstanding any other provision of this code, if there are multiple vacant positions on a ballot for one office, the multiple vacant positions which would otherwise be filled with the words "No Candidate Filed" may be replaced with a brief detailed description, approved by the Secretary of State, indicating that there are no candidates listed for the vacant positions.
(6) (7) All paper ballots are to be printed in black ink on paper sufficiently thick so that the printing or marking cannot be discernible from the back: Provided, That no paper ballot voted pursuant to the provisions of 42 U. S. C. §1973, et seq., the Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act of 1986, or federal write-in absentee ballot may be rejected due to paper type, envelope type, or notarization requirement. Ballot cards and paper for printing ballots using electronically sensible ink are to meet minimum requirements of the tabulating systems and are to conform in size and weight to ensure ease in tabulation.
COUNTY TICKET: Circuit judge in single-county districts, Family court judge in single-county districts, clerk Clerk of the circuit court, county commissioner, clerk of the county commission, prosecuting attorney, sheriff, assessor, magistrate, surveyor, congressional district executive committee, senatorial district executive committee in multicounty districts, delegate district executive committee in multicounty districts.
(a) Any vacancy occurring in the offices of Secretary of State, Auditor, Treasurer, Attorney General, Commissioner of Agriculture, Justice of the Supreme Court of Appeals or in any office created or made elective to be filled by the voters of the entire state, judge of a circuit court or judge of a family court is filled by the Governor of the state by appointment and subsequent election to fill the remainder of the term, if required by section one of this article.
(c) Any vacancy in the office of magistrate is appointed according to the provisions of section one, article six, chapter fifty of this code, and subsequent election to fill the remainder of the term, as required by subsection (d) of this section.
(d) (1) When the vacancy in Justice of the Supreme Court of Appeals, judge of the circuit court, judge of a family court or magistrate occurs after the eighty-fourth day before a general election, and the affected term of office ends on the thirty-first day of December following the next election, the person appointed to fill the vacancy shall continue in office until the completion of the term.
(5) “Exploratory period” means the period during which a participating candidate may raise and spend exploratory contributions to examine his or her chances of election and to qualify for public campaign financing under this article. The exploratory period begins on January 1 the year before the primary election in which the candidate may run for Justice of the Supreme Court of Appeals and ends on the last Saturday in January of the election year.
(10) (9) “Nonparticipating candidate” means a candidate who is:
(10) “Nonpartisan judicial election campaign period” means the period beginning on the first day of the primary election filing period, as determined under section seven, article five of this chapter, and ending on the day of the nonpartisan judicial election.
(15) (14) “Qualifying period” means the period during which participating candidates may raise and spend qualifying contributions in order to qualify to receive public campaign financing.
(A) For candidates seeking nomination on the primary election ballot, to be placed on the general nonpartisan judicial election ballot, the qualifying period begins on September 1 preceding the election year and ends on the last Saturday in January of the election year.
(3) Unspent or unobligated moneys allotted to certified candidates and remaining unspent or unobligated on the date of the general nonpartisan judicial election for which the money was distributed;
(4) Is eligible, as provided in section nine, article five of this chapter, to appear on the primary or general nonpartisan judicial election ballot; and
(d) The State Election Commission shall determine whether to certify a participating candidate as eligible to receive public campaign financing no later than three business days after the candidate or the candidate’s committee makes his or her final report of qualifying contributions or, if a challenge is filed under subsection (g) of this section, no later than six business days after the candidate or the candidate’s committee makes his or her final report of qualifying contributions. A certified candidate shall comply with this article through the general nonpartisan judicial election campaign period.
(a) The State Election Commission, acting in concert with the State Auditor’s office and the State Treasurer’s office, shall have a check issued within two business days after the date on which the candidate is certified, to make payments from the fund for the 2012 primary nonpartisan judicial election campaign period available to a certified candidate.
(1) In a contested primary nonpartisan judicial election, a certified candidate shall receive $300,000 $525,000 in campaign financing from the fund, minus the certified candidate’s qualifying contributions.
(c) (b) The State Election Commission shall authorize the distribution of campaign financing moneys to certified candidates in equal amounts. The commission shall propose a legislative rule on distribution of funds.
(d) (c) The State Election Commission may not authorize or direct the distribution of moneys to certified candidates in excess of the total amount of money deposited in the fund pursuant to section six of this article. If the commission determines that the money in the fund is insufficient to totally fund all certified candidates, the commission shall authorize the distribution of the remaining money proportionally, according to each candidate’s eligibility for funding. Each candidate may raise additional money in the same manner as a nonparticipating candidate for the same office up to the unfunded amount of the candidate’s eligible funding.
(a) A certified candidate or his or her committee may not accept loans or contributions from any private source, including the personal funds of the candidate and the candidate’s immediate family, during the primary or general nonpartisan judicial election campaign periods except as permitted by this article.
(b) After filing the declaration of intent and during the qualifying period, a participating candidate may not spend or obligate more than he or she has collected in exploratory and qualifying contributions. After the qualifying period and through the nonpartisan judicial general election campaign period, a certified candidate may spend or obligate any unspent exploratory or qualifying contributions and the moneys he or she receives from the fund under the provisions of section eleven of this article.
(c) A participating or certified candidate may expend exploratory and qualifying contributions and funds received from the fund only for lawful election expenses as provided in section nine, article eight of this chapter. Moneys distributed to a certified candidate from the fund may be expended only during the primary and general nonpartisan judicial election campaign period for which funds were dispersed. Money from the fund may not be used:
(1) The the date on which the candidate ceases to be certified; or
(e) Funds remaining unspent or unobligated after the close of the primary election campaign period may be retained by the candidate for use during the general election campaign period but shall be deducted from the amount the candidate is eligible to receive under subsection (b), section eleven of this article.
(f) A certified candidate or his or her committee shall return to the fund any unspent or unobligated public campaign financing funds no later than five business days after the general nonpartisan judicial election.
(g) (f) A contribution from one person may not be made in the name of another person.
(h) (g) A participating or certified candidate or his or her committee receiving qualifying contributions or exploratory contributions from a person not listed on the receipt required by sections eight and nine of this article is liable to the State Election Commission for the entire amount of that contribution and any applicable penalties.
(i) (h) A certified candidate accepting any benefits under the provisions of this article shall continue to comply with all of its provisions throughout the primary election campaign period and general nonpartisan judicial election campaign period.
(j) (i) A participating or certified candidate or his or her financial agent shall provide the Secretary of State with all requested campaign records, including all records of exploratory and qualifying contributions received and campaign expenditures and obligations, and shall fully cooperate with any audit of campaign finances requested or authorized by the State Election Commission.
(6) Cause an audit of the fund to be conducted by independent certified public accountants ninety days after a general nonpartisan judicial election. The State Election Commission shall cooperate with the audit, provide all necessary documentation and financial records to the auditor and maintain a record of all information supplied by the audit;
(8) Regularly monitor the receipts, disbursements, obligations and balance in the fund to determine whether the fund will have sufficient moneys to meet its obligations and sufficient moneys available for disbursement during the primary and general nonpartisan judicial election campaign period; and
The terms of officers, except when elected or appointed to fill vacancies, shall begin respectively as follows: That of Governor, Secretary of State, state superintendent of free schools, treasurer, Auditor, Attorney General and commissioner of agriculture, on the first Monday after the second Wednesday of January next after their election; that of a member of the Legislature, on December 1, next after his or her election; and that of the judges of the Supreme Court of Appeals, the judges of the several circuit courts, the judges of the criminal, intermediate, common pleas family and other inferior courts, the county commissioners, prosecuting attorneys, surveyors of land, assessors, sheriffs, clerks of the circuit, criminal, intermediate, common pleas, or other inferior courts, clerks of the county courts commissions, justices of the peace and constables magistrates, on January 1, next after their election.
There is hereby created in each county of this state a magistrate court with such numbers of magistrates for each court as are hereafter provided. There shall be elected by the voters of each county, at the general election to be held in the year 1976, and in every fourth year thereafter, such number of magistrates as is provided in section two of this article. The filing fee for the office of magistrate shall be one percent of the annual salary. The term of magistrates shall be for four years and shall begin on January 1, of the year following the year of election.
Notwithstanding the provisions of section seven, article five, chapter three of this code, for purposes of the primary election to be held in the year one thousand nine hundred seventy- six, the last day for filing certificates of candidacy for the office of magistrate shall be extended to the twenty-seventh day of February of that year.
At a general nonpartisan judicial election in which a magistrate is elected for an unexpired term, the circuit judge, or the chief judge thereof if there is more than one judge of the circuit court, shall cause a notice of such election to be published prior to such election as a Class II-0 legal advertisement in compliance with the provisions of article three, chapter fifty-nine of this code, and the publication area for such publication shall be the county involved. If the vacancy occurs before the primary election held to nominate candidates to be voted for at the general election, at which any such vacancy is to be filled, candidates to fill such vacancy shall be nominated at such primary election in accordance with the time requirements and the provisions and procedures prescribed in article five, chapter three of this code. Otherwise, they shall be nominated by the county executive committee in the manner provided in section nineteen, article five, chapter three of this code, as in the case of filling vacancies in nominations, and the names of the persons so nominated and certified to the clerk of the circuit court of such county shall be placed upon the ballot to be voted at such next general election.
(a) Beginning with the primary and general elections election to be conducted in the year 2002 2016, family court judges shall be elected. In family court circuits having two or more family court judges there shall be, for election purposes, numbered divisions corresponding to the number of family court judges in each area. Each family court judge shall be elected at large by the entire family court circuit. In each numbered division of a family court circuit, the candidates for nomination or election shall be voted upon and the votes cast for the candidates in each division shall be tallied separately from the votes cast for candidates in other numbered divisions within the family court circuit. The candidate or candidates receiving the highest number of the votes cast within a numbered division shall be nominated or elected, as the case may be. Effective with the primary election of 2016, all elections for family court judges in the respective circuits will be on a nonpartisan basis by division. Beginning in 2016, there will no longer be primary elections held for family court judges and all elections for family court judges are to be held in the nonpartisan judicial election as set forth in article five, chapter three of this code. All indications of party identification on election ballots for family court judge shall be omitted.
(c) The primary and general elections conducted in the year 2008 shall be conducted to fill the family court judge positions in the reconfigured districts set forth by subsection (c), section three of this article, for terms to commence on January 1, 2009.
On motion of Senator Trump, the following amendment to the Judiciary committee amendment to the bill (Eng. Com. Sub. for H. B. No. 2010) was reported by the Clerk and adopted:
On page thirty-seven, section six, after the words “county involved.” by striking out the remainder of the section.
The bill (Eng. Com. Sub. for H. B. No. 2010), as amended, was then ordered to third reading.
(d) A valid certificate of divorce issued pursuant to this section may be used for any lawful purpose and shall serve as proof of legal change of name for purposes of obtaining a driver’s license or state-issued identification card.
The bill (Eng. Com. Sub. for H. B. No. 2234), as amended, was then ordered to third reading.
Com. Sub. for Com. Sub. for Senate Bill No. 30, Permitting shared animal ownership agreement to consume raw milk.
Com. Sub. for Senate Bill No. 170, Authorizing Bureau of Commerce promulgate legislative rules.
Com. Sub. for Senate Bill No. 182, Authorizing Department of Military Affairs and Public Safety promulgate legislative rules.
Com. Sub. for Senate Bill No. 192, Authorizing Department of Transportation promulgate legislative rules.
Com. Sub. for Senate Bill No. 334, Relating to practice of medicine and surgery or podiatry.
Com. Sub. for Senate Bill No. 390, Authorizing PSC approve expedited cost recovery of natural gas utility infrastructure projects.
Com. Sub. for Senate Bill No. 435, Creating WV Sheriffs' Bureau of Professional Standards.
Remarks were made by Senators Miller and Ferns.
Thereafter, at the request of Senator D. Hall, and by unanimous consent, the remarks by Senator Miller were ordered printed in the Appendix to the Journal.
At the request of Senator Carmichael, unanimous consent being granted, the remarks by Senator Ferns were ordered printed in the Appendix to the Journal.
At the request of Senator Beach, the name of Senator Beach was removed as a sponsor of Senate Bill No. 439 (Relating to higher education).
On motion of Senator Carmichael, the Senate adjourned until tomorrow, Friday, February 20, 2015, at 11 a.m.