Senate in Session (Senate Chamber) [Source] Translate

The meeting commenced with a prayer by Chaplain Michael Brockery and the Pledge of Allegiance. The Senate journal from February 23, 2026, was approved. A request to suspend Senate Rule 54 to grant privileges to friends of former Senator Sarah Moneer was approved. Senate Resolution 48 was introduced to memorialize the life of the Honorable Sarah Abigail Mullinex Minear, who passed away on August 26, 2025. The resolution acknowledged her significant contributions as a deacon, elder, community leader, philanthropist, and former senator. Senators shared personal stories highlighting her impact, and the resolution was adopted unanimously with 34 votes. After a brief recess for the resolution presentation, various guests were introduced. The clerk of the House announced the passage of several bills, including House Bill 4087 (West Virginia-Ireland Education Alliance), House Bill 4404 (increasing allowances for volunteer fire companies), and others related to taxation, financial exploitation, and drug testing of parents. Reports from standing committees included recommendations for several Senate Bills, such as Senate Bill 197 (sexual abuse by guardians) and Senate Bill 399 (Bring Them Home Fund), both recommended to pass but referred to the Committee on Finance. Senate Resolutions 49 and 50 were introduced, with Resolution 49 commending volunteers for recovery efforts at Chief Logan State Park and Resolution 50 requesting a study on the Public Service Commission's effectiveness. Senate Resolution 46, designating February 24, 2026, as West Virginia Division of Corrections and Rehabilitation Day, and Senate Resolution 47, recognizing Leadership Berkeley, were both adopted. The meeting proceeded to bills on third reading, with unanimous support for several measures, including Senate Bill 54 (criminal penalties for abuse of incapacitated adults) and Senate Bill 402 (Workforce Readiness and Opportunity Act). Key bills discussed included: - **Senate Bill 672**: Establishes grounds for disciplinary action against real estate licensees leading teams without proper supervision, passed unanimously. - **Senate Bill 749**: Allows Berkeley County to levy a special district excess tax for a multi-sport complex, passed with 27 votes in favor and 7 against. - **Senate Bill 792**: Eliminates the requirement for hard copies of the West Virginia Code for magistrates, passed unanimously. - **Senate Bill 795**: Permits parents to pay for independent medical evaluations when a child is taken into protective custody, passed unanimously. - **Senate Bill 862**: Repeals unimplemented addiction treatment pilot programs, passed unanimously. - **Senate Bill 927**: Clarifies the Commissioner of Agriculture's authority to regulate beekeeping, passed with concerns about local governance. The discussion on beekeeping regulations highlighted the need for statewide standards while addressing local control concerns. The bill passed with a vote of 25 in favor and 9 against. The meeting also included discussions on Senate Bill 935, which amended a tax exemption for coal-fired power plants, and the second reading of House Bill 4215, a Department of Health Rules Bundle, which included updates to health department rules. Several bills were presented for first reading, including updates to medical imaging practices and utility reimbursements, all of which advanced. The meeting concluded with a motion to recess until 4:30 p.m., followed by announcements regarding upcoming committee meetings.