Floor Session [Source] Translate

The meeting commenced with a prayer by Rabbi Adam Berman, highlighting government welfare and community respect, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance and approval of the previous meeting's journal. Local middle school pages and university students celebrating Environment Day were introduced, and Delegate Flanagan noted his 30th wedding anniversary. A moment of silence was held for gun violence victims Adrian Phillips and DJ. The Committee on Education reported on several bills, including House Bill 5478 for kindergarten readiness and House Bill 4588 regarding the Federal Tax Credit Scholarship Program. Other topics included special education, drug-related nuisances, and law enforcement surveillance. The Committee on Finance discussed bills on state park funding and psychiatric hospitals. Senate messages included the passage of several Senate bills, notably the budget bill. Senate Bill 393, updating corporate net income tax definitions, passed unanimously. Senate Bill 400, which aligns personal income tax definitions with federal statutes for 2025, was introduced and discussed. The meeting proceeded with votes on various bills. Committee Sub-Supercenter Bill 400 passed with 93 votes. The Committee Substitute for House Bill 4087, creating a West Virginia-Ireland Education Alliance, passed with 86 votes. House Bill 4404, increasing the spending limit for volunteer fire companies, passed unanimously. House Bill 4500 authorized a special tax for a Berkeley County development project, passing with 86 votes. The Committee Substitute for House Bill 5105, providing civil remedies for financial exploitation of individuals in recovery, passed unanimously. House Bill 5168 aimed at increasing EMS funding passed with 94 votes, with members emphasizing its importance. Further discussions included House Bill 5198, extending hate crime protections to individuals with disabilities, which passed unanimously. House Bill 5203, preventing municipalities from issuing voting IDs without state authorization, passed after debate. House Bill 5214, allowing drug testing for parents in abuse cases, also passed unanimously. The meeting included discussions on infrastructure bills and recognition of school athletic directors, with amendments proposed and adopted. A bill concerning adoption language was discussed, establishing a new guardianship process, and an amendment related to a domestic violence registry was adopted. Additional bills, including those on drug screening for TANF applicants and the budget bill, were advanced. Leaves of absence were granted for several delegates. Upcoming committee meetings were announced, and the meeting concluded with a motion to recess until 5:30 PM.