Source: http://www.wvlegislature.gov/Bulletin_Board/2008/RS/s_journal/sdj-02nd%20day.htm
Timestamp: 2018-03-23 07:38:03
Document Index: 386551801

Matched Legal Cases: ['§4', '§4', '§4', '§4', '§7', '§15', '§30', '§11', '§11', '§18', '§15', '§8', '§8', '§8', '§8', '§8', '§18', '§60', '§60', '§61', '§5', '§5', '§5', '§5', '§5', '§5', '§5', '§61', '§18', '§61', '§62', '§7', '§18', '§22', '§5', '§5', '§8', '§46', '§3', '§33', '§8', '§8', '§8', '§8', '§8', '§8', '§8', '§15', '§15', '§15', '§8', '§49', '§61', '§20', '§61', '§61', '§61', '§61', '§61', '§61', '§61', '§17', '§17', '§4', '§5', '§11', '§11', '§11', '§16', '§16', '§16', '§33', '§33', '§33', '§33', '§33', '§33', '§22', '§61', '§61', '§11', '§11', '§27', '§12', '§49', '§49', '§49', '§61', '§11', '§17', '§17', '§17', '§17', '§17', '§18', '§18', '§18', '§46', '§18', '§29', '§33', '§17', '§11', '§18', '§56', '§5', '§5', '§5', '§5', '§5', '§5', '§5', '§5', '§33', '§33', '§33', '§33', '§33', '§38', '§38', '§38', '§44', '§29', '§29', '§29', '§29', '§29', '§29', '§29', '§29', '§29', '§17', '§17', '§18']

Charleston, W. Va., Thursday, January 10, 2008
Pending the reading of the Journal of Wednesday, January 9, 2008,
Senator Tomblin (Mr. President) presented a communication from the Commission for the Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing, submitting its annual report as required by chapter five, article fourteen, section nine of the code of West Virginia.
Senator Tomblin (Mr. President) presented a communication from the Public Energy Authority, submitting its annual report as required by chapter five-d, article one, section eight of the code of West Virginia.
By Senators Edgell, Yoder, Bowman, Hunter and Kessler:
Senate Bill No. 151--A Bill to amend and reenact §4-2A-2, §4-2A-4, §4-2A-6 and §4-2A-7 of the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, all relating to the compensation and expenses of legislators; increasing the basic compensation and expense reimbursement for members of the Legislature; providing a schedule of payment for compensation; increasing the additional compensation of presiding officers, majority and minority leaders and specified committee chairs, as well as certain other members to be designated by the presiding officers; increasing from four to six the number of other members that may be designated by the presiding officers to receive extra compensation and corresponding reimbursement of expenses; removing certain limits on the number of days for which extra compensation and expenses may be paid; and removing the requirement that to be compensated for additional days that the legislative business for which the member is to be compensated be performed in the Capitol.
Senate Bill No. 152--A Bill to amend and reenact §7-4-1 of the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended; to amend and reenact §15- 2-25 of said code; and to amend said code by adding thereto a new section, designated §30-29-11, all relating to requiring qualifying law-enforcement officers employed by a West Virginia law-enforcement agency to receive certification to carry a concealed firearm nationwide as provided in the federal Law-Enforcement Officers Safety Act of 2004; establishing procedure for a retired or medically discharged member of the State Police to appeal a denial of a letter of authorization to carry concealed handguns; providing that certain methods of authorization for retired or medically discharged members of the State Police to carry concealed handguns are cumulative; providing that a letter of authorization for a retired or medically discharged member of the State Police to carry concealed handguns shall be deemed a West Virginia concealed handgun license for the purpose of participating in reciprocity with other states; providing that law-enforcement agencies are neither prohibited from nor required to permit an officer to carry his or her service weapon off duty; and requiring West Virginia law-enforcement agencies to offer access to training and certification for honorably retired officers to be permitted to carry a concealed firearm nationwide as a qualified retired law-enforcement officer as provided in the federal Law-Enforcement Officers Safety Act of 2004.
Senate Bill No. 153--A Bill to amend the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, by adding thereto a new article, designated §11-13Y-1 and §11-13Y-2; and to amend said code by adding thereto a new section, designated §18B-10-7c, all relating generally to incentives for the general education degree.
By Senators Unger, Foster and Hunter:
Senate Bill No. 154--A Bill to amend the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, by adding thereto a new section, designated §15-1B-27, relating to creating a fund to reimburse group life insurance premiums paid by members of the National Guard in exchange for and in recognition of their assumption of extended periods of active duty in combat areas; establishing a Service Members' Life Insurance Reimbursement Fund in the State Treasury; requiring promulgation of emergency rules; and providing for appropriations to the fund.
Senate Bill No. 155--A Bill to amend the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, by adding thereto a new article, designated §8-15B-1, §8-15B-2, §8-15B-3, §8-15B-4 and §8-15B-5, all relating to establishing the West Virginia Volunteer Firefighter Length of Service Act.
By Senators Unger and Hunter:
Senate Bill No. 156--A Bill to amend and reenact §18B-10-7 of the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, relating to granting tuition waivers to the children and spouses of National Guard and active military duty personnel killed in the line of duty.
Senate Bill No. 157--A Bill to amend the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, by adding thereto a new section, designated §60-3A-3a; and to amend said code by adding thereto a new section, designated §60-7-9, all relating to requiring employees of licensed private clubs and retail outlets selling alcoholic beverages to take the techniques for education and alcohol management course or other similar alcohol awareness education course provided or approved by the Alcohol Beverage Control Commissioner.
Senate Bill No. 158--A Bill to amend the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, by adding thereto a new section, designated §61-2-3a, relating to prohibiting a convicted murderer from living within one thousand yards of the victim's family.
By Senators Foster, McCabe and Plymale:
Senate Bill No. 159--A Bill to amend the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, by adding thereto a new article, designated §5-10E-1, §5-10E-2, §5-10E-3, §5-10E-4, §5-10E-5, §5-10E-6 and §5-10E-7, all relating to establishing the West Virginia Voluntary Accounts Program; defining certain terms; requiring private employers to provide employees savings opportunities; permitting certain other savings plans; providing that the principal account is created in the State Treasury; and providing procedures for implementing a voluntary savings account program for employees and employers in the private sector.
Senate Bill No. 160--A Bill to amend the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, by adding thereto a new section, designated §61-8-29, relating to providing for a criminal offense for employers who facilitate employment of any employee to other intrastate employment when such employee is known by the employer to have had sexual relations with an individual under the age of eighteen years.
Senate Bill No. 161--A Bill to amend and reenact §18-5-19c of the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, relating to Division of Technical and Adult Education Services; programs; legislative findings; providing payment of general educational development exam fees for certain individuals; eligibility requirements; and requiring State Board of Education rule.
By Senators Hunter and Stollings:
Senate Bill No. 162--A Bill to amend and reenact §61-11-22 of the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, relating to driving under the influence of alcohol; and authorizing the creation of driving under the influence of alcohol (DUI) court programs as an alternative to sentencing and criminal penalties.
Senate Bill No. 163--A Bill to amend the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, by adding thereto a new section, designated §62-13-8, relating to the creation of a State Criminal Justice Policy Council.
Senate Bill No. 164--A Bill to amend and reenact §7-10-4 of the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, relating to the custody and care of abandoned, neglected or cruelly treated animals, including domestic and feral cats, by county humane officers.
Senate Bill No. 165--A Bill to amend and reenact §18A-4-10f of the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, relating to the return of personal leave days which were donated from one school employee to another.
Senate Bill No. 166--A Bill to amend and reenact §22A-1-22 of the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, relating to the strengthening of protections for whistleblowers of unsafe working conditions in mines.
Senate Bill No. 167--A Bill to amend and reenact §5A-3B-1 and §5A-3B-2 of the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, all relating to authorizing municipalities to enter into contracts for energy-savings contracts.
By Senators Barnes and Yoder:
Senate Bill No. 168--A Bill to amend and reenact §8-6-4 of the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, relating to the annexation of land by municipality without an election.
Senate Bill No. 169--A Bill to amend the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, by adding thereto a new section, designated §46A-2-140, relating to the prevention of predatory lending practices.
By Senators Bailey and Foster:
Senate Bill No. 170--A Bill to amend and reenact §3-3-3 of the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, relating to early voting in elections as authorized by the county clerk.
Senate Bill No. 171--A Bill to amend and reenact §33-20-18 of the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, relating to lowering from fifty-five years of age to fifty years of age concerning the requirement that automobile insurers provide for premium reductions.
By Senators Kessler, Stollings, Edgell, Plymale, Jenkins, Minard, Hunter, Oliverio, Yoder and Barnes:
Senate Bill No. 172--A Bill to amend and reenact §8-15-8b of the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, relating to providing for a pension for volunteer firemen to enhance retention and recruitment of volunteer firemen; and authorizing revenues allocated to volunteer and part volunteer fire companies and departments to fund pensions for volunteer firemen.
Senate Bill No. 173--A Bill to amend the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, by adding thereto a new article, designated §8A-13-1, §8A-13-2, §8A-13-3, §8A-13-4, §8A-13-5 and §8A-13-6, all relating to creating the Food Security Act; providing a tax credit for a qualified donation, including, but not limited to, a fee interest in real property and conservation or preservation easement, located in West Virginia, by a landowner taxpayer to a public or private conservation agency; and addressing its administration, applicability, limitations and renewal.
Senate Bill No. 174--A Bill to amend and reenact §15-2-33 of the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended; and to amend and reenact §15-2A-12 of said code, all relating to removing the cap on scholarship funds for surviving dependent children of certain deceased members of the West Virginia State Police.
Senate Bill No. 175--A Bill to amend and reenact §15-2-20 of the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, relating to increasing the relocation expense allotment for members of the West Virginia State Police when the transfer necessitates relocation of the member's family.
By Senators Unger, Hunter and Love:
Senate Bill No. 176--A Bill to amend the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, by adding thereto a new section, designated §8-12-12a, relating to authorizing municipalities to permit certain veterans to park free.
Senate Bill No. 177--A Bill to amend and reenact §49-6-5 of the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended; and to amend and reenact §61-8D-4 of said code, all relating to parental manufacture, possession or distribution of a controlled substance while a child is present in the home; disposition of neglected children; and criminal penalty.
Senate Bill No. 178--A Bill to amend and reenact §20-2-6a of the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended; and to amend and reenact §61-7-2, §61-7-4, §61-7-5, §61-7-6, §61-7-12, §61-7-14 and §61-7-15 of said code, all relating to concealed handgun licenses generally; establishing a process for issuing licenses to nonresidents; removing the Social Security number of a licensee from concealed handgun licenses; conforming requirements for Social Security numbers on concealed handgun license applications to federal law; limiting access to Social Security numbers of concealed handgun license applicants and licensees; requiring the inclusion of certain information on concealed handgun license applications; requiring the inclusion of the licensee's date of birth, gender, height, weight, color of hair and color of eyes on concealed handgun licenses; requiring the expiration date for a renewal license to be five years from the expiration date of the current license; specifying procedure for notifying sheriff of a change of name or address; specifying form of notice of suspension or revocation of a concealed handgun license; conforming exemptions to requirement of a license to carry a concealed weapon to the federal Law-Enforcement Officers Safety Act of 2004; and conforming certain definitions to federal law.
Senate Bill No. 179--A Bill to amend and reenact §17A-3-14 of the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, relating to authorizing the Division of Motor Vehicles to create and issue a Patriot Guard Riders license plate for passenger vehicles and motorcycles.
Senate Bill No. 180--A Bill to amend and reenact §17A-3-14 of the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, relating to authorizing the Division of Motor Vehicles to create and issue a license plate featuring Wheeling Jesuit University with the educational institution's insignia displayed on it.
By Senators Prezioso, Stollings, Foster and Hunter:
Senate Bill No. 181--A Bill to amend and reenact §4-11A-2 of the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended; to amend and reenact §5A-3-37 of said code; to amend and reenact §11-17-3 of said code; to amend said code by adding thereto a new section, designated §11-21-10b; to amend said code by adding thereto a new section, designated §11-24-9d; to amend said code by adding thereto two new sections, designated §16-9A-1a and §16-9A-6; to amend and reenact §16-9A-5 of said code; and to amend said code by adding thereto a new article, designated §33-16G-1, §33-16G-2, §33-16G-3, §33-16G-4, §33-16G-5 and §33-16G-6, all relating to funding programs to discourage use of tobacco at levels recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention out of the West Virginia Tobacco Settlement Medical Trust Fund; giving preference to employers who offer health insurance benefits to employees in state bidding procedure; allowing a credit against corporate and personal income tax for employers who provide exercise facilities and smoking cessation programs to employees; advertising of tobacco products; defining terms; banning the advertisement of tobacco products at certain events; limiting brand name sponsorship of certain events; creating exceptions; authorizing enforcement through the office of the Attorney General; providing for awards of attorneys fees and costs; and requiring health insurance plans to cover the cost of smoking cessation services for its covered people.
Senate Bill No. 182--A Bill to amend and reenact §22A-2-55 of the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended; and to amend and reenact §61-3-12 and §61-3-29 of said code, all relating generally to coal mine health and safety; eliminating requirement that strobe lights be affixed to caches of self-contained self-rescue devices; expanding criminal penalties for theft of certain coal mine equipment; establishing criminal penalties for illegal entry into underground coal mines and surrounding property; and establishing criminal penalties for damage or destruction of coal mine equipment and property.
Senate Bill No. 183--A Bill to amend and reenact §11-21-9 of the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, relating to updating meaning of federal adjusted gross income and certain other terms used in West Virginia Personal Income Tax Act; and specifying effective dates.
Senate Bill No. 184--A Bill to amend and reenact §11-24-3 of the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, relating to updating meaning of federal taxable income and certain other terms used in West Virginia Corporation Net Income Tax Act; and specifying effective dates.
Senate Bill No. 185--A Bill to amend and reenact §27-3-1 of the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, relating to authorizing the disclosure of certain mental health records to the National Instant Criminal Background Check System.
Senate Bill No. 186--A Bill to amend and reenact §12-1A-9 of the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, relating to the renewal of the West Virginia Small Business Linked Deposit Program.
Senate Bill No. 187--A Bill to amend and reenact §49-1-3 of the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended; and to amend and reenact §49-6-3 and §49-6-5 of said code, all relating to child abuse and neglect generally; defining terms; expanding definition of "imminent danger" to the physical well-being of a child; prohibiting parents, guardians and custodians from allowing known child predators access to their custodial children; and obligation of the Department of Health and Human Resources to attempt to preserve the family in temporary and permanent custody determinations.
Senate Bill No. 188--A Bill to amend and reenact §61-7-4 of the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, relating to retired law-enforcement officers; and requiring certification to continue to carry firearms.
Senate Bill No. 189--A Bill to amend the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, by adding thereto a new section, designated §11-15-9j, relating to a tax exemption for the purchase of home heating oil and propane gas by senior citizens.
Senate Bill No. 190--A Bill to amend and reenact §17C-5-4, §17C-5-6, §17C-5-6a, §17C-5-7 and §17C-5-8 of the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, all relating to creation of a drug recognition expert program within the West Virginia State Police.
Senate Bill No. 191--A Bill to amend and reenact §18A-2-3 of the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, relating to hiring of substitute teachers.
By Senators Oliverio and Love:
Senate Bill No. 192--A Bill to amend and reenact §18-9A-5b of the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended; and to amend and reenact §18A-4-15 of said code, all relating to the hiring of substitute service personnel by county school boards who can be used on a daily basis but do not count against the yearly state aid fund.
Senate Bill No. 193--A Bill to amend and reenact §46A-4-110 of the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, relating to the sale of home and automobile membership plans by consumer lenders; defining automobile and home membership plans; specifying conditions for sale of plans by licensees; and requiring enrollment authorizations to be filed with the commissioner.
Senate Bill No. 194--A Bill to amend the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, by adding thereto a new section, designated §18B-1-12, relating to providing electronic copies of instructional material for blind, visually impaired students and students with dyslexia who are enrolled at public institutions of higher education.
Senate Bill No. 195--A Bill to amend the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, by adding thereto a new section, designated §29B-1-8, relating to civil penalties for failure to comply with freedom of information requests.
Senate Bill No. 196--A Bill to amend and reenact §33-15-4c of the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, relating to requiring colorectal cancer screening based on A-level guidelines of the American Cancer Society; and requiring third-party reimbursement for said testing.
Senate Bill No. 197--A Bill to amend and reenact §17B-2-8 of the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, relating to requiring the county of residence to be contained on a driver's license.
Senate Bill No. 198--A Bill to amend and reenact §11-21-12 of the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, relating to exempting the first twenty thousand dollars of state pensions and Social Security benefits from West Virginia personal income tax.
By Senators Green, Plymale, Wells, Love, White, Fanning and Hunter:
Senate Bill No. 199--A Bill to amend the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, by adding thereto a new section, designated §18C-1-6, relating to the recision of higher education loans, scholarships or other financial aid from students who receive two or more citations for an open container violation, DUI, underage consumption, public intoxication or contributing to the delinquency of a minor.
Senate Bill No. 200--A Bill to amend and reenact §56-1-1a of the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, relating to civil actions filed in the courts of the state.
Senate Bill No. 201--A Bill to amend and reenact §5-10A-2, §5- 10A-3, §5-10A-4, §5-10A-5, §5-10A-6, §5-10A-7 and §5-10A-8 of the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, all relating to disqualification for public retirement benefits; adding the definition of "former participant"; terminating retirement benefits in all public retirement plans of former and present participants who have rendered less than honorable service; and providing for retention of vested employer contributions for members of the Teachers' Defined Contribution Retirement System whose benefits are terminated for less than honorable service.
Senate Bill No. 202--A Bill to amend and reenact §5-16-7 of the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended; to amend said code by adding thereto a new section, designated §33-15-4j; to amend said code by adding thereto a new section, designated §33-16-3t; to amend said code by adding thereto a new section, designated §33-24-7j; and to amend said code by adding thereto a new section, designated §33-25-8h; and to amend said code by adding thereto a new section, designated §33-25A-8i, all relating to insurance coverage for acupuncture treatment generally; and providing insurance coverage under the Public Employees Insurance Act and certain other insurance policies for acupuncture treatment performed by a licensed acupuncturist.
Referred to the Committee on Baking and Insurance; and then to the Committee on Finance.
By Senators Hunter and Bailey:
Senate Bill No. 203--A Bill to amend the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, by adding thereto a new section, designated §38-1-2a; to amend and reenact §38-1-3 and §38-1-4 of said code; and to amend and reenact §44-14-1 of said code, all relating to updating the foreclosure process on trust deeds; including procedures for foreclosure on bank and nonbank loans and right of reinstatement; fiduciary duties of trustees owed to both parties; information required to be on notice of sale; requiring all sales to be under supervision of a resident of the state; substitute trustees; and authorizing the Commissioner of Banking to determine eligibility of trustee.
Senate Bill No. 204--A Bill to repeal §29-21-10, §29-21-11 and §29-21-12 of the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended; to amend said code by adding thereto a new section, designated §29-21-3b; and to amend and reenact §29-21-6, §29-21-8, §29-21-9, §29-21-13 and §29-21-13a of said code, all relating to Public Defender Services generally; creating the Indigent Defense Commission; specifying members and their terms; specifying certain powers and duties of the Indigent Defense Commission; requiring public defender corporations to submit monthly financial statements and reports; providing requirements for the creation, activation and merger of public defender corporations; providing for the order of appointment of panel attorneys; establishing requirements for funding applications; requiring corporations to submit proposed budgets; authorizing amended funding contracts; providing for payment of fees to panel attorneys; and authorizing executive director to establish guidelines for submission of claims and vouchers.
Senate Bill No. 205--A Bill to amend and reenact §17B-2-3a of the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended; to amend and reenact §17B-3-6 of said code; and to amend and reenact §18-8-11 of said code, all relating to the denial or suspension of a driver's license of any student between the ages of fifteen and eighteen who withdraws from school or fails to receive passing grades.
Senate Joint Resolution No. 5--Proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the State of West Virginia, amending section one, article X thereof, relating to authorizing the exemption from ad valorem taxation personal property inventory in the form of raw materials, goods in process and finished goods employed exclusively in or resulting exclusively from manufacturing; numbering and designating such proposed amendment; and providing a summarized statement of the purpose of such proposed amendment.
Senate Concurrent Resolution No. 1--Requesting the Division of Highways name bridge number 51-20-20.27 (4114) on Route 20 in Webster Springs, Webster County, the "Kenny Ray Hamrick Memorial Bridge".
That the Division of Highways is hereby requested to name bridge number 51-20-20.27 (4114) on Route 20 in Webster Springs, Webster County, the "Kenny Ray Hamrick Memorial Bridge"; and, be it
Senate Concurrent Resolution No. 2--Requesting the Joint Committee on Government and Finance study developing tourism attractions and amenities in less-developed counties of West Virginia.
That the Joint Committee on Government and Finance is hereby requested to study developing tourism attractions and amenities in less-developed counties of West Virginia; and, be it
Senate Concurrent Resolution No. 3--Requesting the Legislative Oversight Commission on Education Accountability work with state agencies to explore options to improve school health.
That the Legislative Oversight Commission on Education Accountability is hereby requested to work with state agencies to explore options to improve school health; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the Legislative Oversight Commission on Education Accountability report to the regular session of the Legislature, 2009, on its findings, conclusions and recommendations, together with drafts of any legislation necessary to effectuate its recommendations; and, be it
Senate Concurrent Resolution No. 4--Urging Congress pass the Employee Free Choice Act.
Further Resolved, That the Legislature hereby supports the Employee Free Choice Act which would authorize the National Labor Relations Board to certify a union as the bargaining representative when a majority of employees voluntarily sign authorizations designating that union to represent them, provide for first contact mediation and arbitration and establish meaningful penalties for violations of a worker's freedom to choose a union; and, be it
Senate Concurrent Resolution No. 5--Requesting the Joint Committee on Government and Finance study post-construction stormwater runoff.
Senator Foster offered the following resolution:
Senate Concurrent Resolution No. 6--Requesting the Joint Committee on Government and Finance study the benefits, costs and feasibility of establishing a West Virginia Universal Voluntary Accounts Program to assist private employers in offering employees an optional retirement plan.
Whereas, Many of these meetings are held throughout the state at privately operated venues in close proximity to state-owned and -operated meeting facilities; and
Whereas, There are potential savings to state agencies and the state from the use of state-owned and -operated facilities and these facilities may benefit by having lower vacancy rates and full-year activities; therefore, be it
Senators Bailey, Edgell and Green offered the following resolution:
Senate Concurrent Resolution No. 8--Requesting the Division of Highways name bridge number 41-64-123.03 (3387)in Beaver, Raleigh County, the "Major Jeff L. Davis Memorial Bridge".
Senators Foster, McCabe and Hunter offered the following resolution:
Senate Concurrent Resolution No. 9--Requesting the Joint Committee on Government and Finance study beverage container recycling.
Whereas, A deposit system for beverage containers, similar to those in place in other states, would place a small refundable deposit on beverages sold in West Virginia which, in turn, could reduce the volume of waste and litter, increase recycling opportunities, contribute to the existing recycling system and create new jobs and wider employment in the recycling industry; therefore, be it
Senator Deem offered the following resolution:
Senate Concurrent Resolution No. 10--Requesting the Joint Committee on Government and Finance study predatory mortgage lending practices.
Whereas, Approximately one half of the states regulate predatory mortgage lending; and
Senators Chafin, McCabe and Plymale offered the following resolution:
Senate Concurrent Resolution No. 11--Requesting the Joint Committee on Government and Finance study developing statutes and rules to provide for sequestration of greenhouse gases.
Further Resolved, That the study clarify equitable mechanisms for the compensation of mineral owners for greenhouse gas sequestration and those sequestering for incremental mineral production; and, be it
Senate Concurrent Resolution No. 12--Requesting the Division of Highways name bridge number 2890, unofficially called the Russell Creek Bridge, in Huntington, Cabell County, the "Michael Dale Thomas Memorial Bridge".
That the Division of Highways is hereby requested to name bridge number 2890, unofficially called the Russell Creek Bridge, in Huntington, Cabell County, the "Michael Dale Thomas Memorial Bridge"; and, be it
Senate Concurrent Resolution No. 13--Requesting the Joint Committee on Government and Finance direct the Legislative Oversight Commission on Health and Human Resources Accountability to study the potential benefits of sexual assault nurse examiner (SANE) programs.
Further Resolved, That the Legislative Oversight Commission on Health and Human Resources Accountability explore the possibility of using distance education modalities associated with institutions of higher education to promote future SANE training in the State of West Virginia; and, be it
Senators White and Hunter offered the following resolution:
Senate Concurrent Resolution No. 14--Requesting the Joint Committee on Government and Finance study the feasibility of a national park in the High Allegheny Region of West Virginia.
Senators Fanning and Hunter offered the following resolution:
Senate Concurrent Resolution No. 15--Requesting the Joint Committee on Government and Finance study taxation and valuation of managed timberland.
Whereas, The West Virginia Legislature has found and declared in section eleven, article one-c, chapter eleven of the Code of West Virginia that public welfare is enhanced by encouraging and sustaining the abundance of high quality forest land within the State; that economic pressures may force industrial, residential or other land development inconsistent with sustaining the forests; and that tax policy should provide an incentive for private owners of forest land to preserve the character and use of land as forest land and to make management decisions which enhance the quality of the future forest; and
Whereas, In exercising the authority granted by the provisions of section fifty-three, article VI of the Constitution of West Virginia, the Legislature declared and provided that managed timberland shall be valued as managed timberland when it is managed under a cooperative contract with the Division of Forestry; and
Whereas, It is believed that managed timberland valuation may be depriving certain counties of needed revenue and impeding economic development in one or more counties; and
Whereas, The majority of West Virginia's forests are owned by nonindustrial private landowners; and
Whereas, Less than one fourth of eligible forest land has been enrolled as managed timberland; therefore, be it
That the Joint Committee on Government and Finance is hereby requested to study taxation and valuation of managed timberland; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the Joint Committee on Government and Finance should consider whether the findings, purposes and declarations of the Legislature as set forth in section eleven, article one-c, chapter eleven of the Code of West Virginia continue to meet appropriate standards of equity, efficiency and fairness; and, be it
Senators Love and Hunter offered the following resolution:
Senate Concurrent Resolution No. 16--Requesting the Joint Committee on Government and Finance study the elimination of "dead spots" in wireless coverage in West Virginia.
Senate Concurrent Resolution No. 17--Requesting that the Legislative Oversight Commission on Health and Human Resources Accountability study the availability of medical rehabilitation centers for state residents.
Whereas, West Virginia Medicaid currently does not pay for inpatient medical rehabilitation for persons older than 21 years of age; and
Whereas, Until recently, the West Virginia Rehabilitation Center, located in Institute, Kanawha County, had an inpatient unit that was able to provide care for patients who lacked other funding; and
Whereas, The West Virginia Rehabilitation Center is no longer providing inpatient medical rehabilitation services; and
Whereas, West Virginians on Medicaid receive inpatient medical rehabilitation only if the hospital or free-standing rehabilitation center provides charity care; and
Whereas, Inpatient medical rehabilitation is a medically necessary treatment for many conditions, including stroke, traumatic brain injury, spinal cord injury and other conditions resulting from disease and trauma; and
Whereas, For these patients, equivalent outcomes cannot always be achieved in acute care hospital settings, nursing homes, home health or outpatient facilities; and
Whereas, Inpatient medical rehabilitation has been shown to improve function, decrease subsequent medical morbidity and, in some cases, allow patients to become economically self-sufficient; and
Whereas, That to provide Medicaid funding for adult rehabilitation services, it is essential that the West Virginia Medicaid program receive adequate funding to allow all West Virginians to maximize their recovery from severe disabling conditions; therefore, be it
That the Legislative Oversight Commission on Health and Human Resources Accountability is hereby requested to study the availability of medical rehabilitation centers for state residents; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the Legislative Oversight Commission on Health and Human Resources Accountability study the feasibility of Medicaid reimbursement for adults receiving treatment from such facilities and the funding necessary to provide such services; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the Legislative Oversight Commission on Health and Human Resources Accountability report to the regular session of the Legislature, 2009, on its findings, conclusions and recommendations, together with drafts of any legislation necessary to effectuate its recommendations; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the expenses necessary to conduct this study, to prepare a report and to draft necessary legislation be paid from legislative appropriations to the Legislative Oversight Commission on Health and Human Resources Accountability.
On motion of Senator Chafin, the Senate adjourned until tomorrow, Friday, January 11, 2008, at 11 a.m.