West Virginia Legislative Brief for 2/26/21

THE ESSENTIALS:

West Virginia Legislative Brief: Commentary from Gil White

Welcome to the 2021 Legislative Brief, your one-stop shop for legislative news from a variety of sources throughout West Virginia, and my view of the legislative happenings on the horizon. Today marks the 17th day of the 60-day Legislative Session.

THE DETAILS:

Legislative Action by the Numbers:
766 bills introduced in the House of Delegates
459 bills introduced in the State Senate
25 bills have passed the House of Delegates
34 bills have passed the State Senate
2 bills have completed legislative action and await the Governor’s consideration

Legislative Calendar – Important Days to Remember

Opening Day – January 13, 2021: Assemble to organize by election of officers and open and publish election returns. (WV Const. Art. VI, §18)

First Day – February 10, 2021: First day of session. (WV Const. Art. VI, §18)

Twentieth Day – March 1, 2021: Submission of Legislative Rule-Making Review bills due. (WV Code §29A-3-12)

Thirty-fifth Day – March 16, 2021: Last day to introduce bills in the House. House Rule 91a does not apply to originating or supplementary appropriation bills, and does not apply to Senate or House resolutions or concurrent resolutions.

Forty-first Day – March 22, 2021: Last day to introduce bills in the Senate. Senate Rule 14 does not apply to originating or supplementary appropriation bills, and does not apply to Senate or House resolutions or concurrent resolutions.

Forty-seventh Day – March 28, 2021: Bills due out of committees in house of origin to ensure three full days for readings.

Fiftieth Day – March 31, 2021: Last day to consider bill on third reading in house of origin. Does not include budget or supplementary appropriation bills. (Joint Rule 5, paragraph b)

Sixtieth Day – April 10, 2021: Adjournment at Midnight. (WV Const. Art. VI, §22)

News From Around the State

The COVID-19 Jobs Protection Act: Liability Immunity for Health Care Facilities on the Horizon in West Virginia

Among Justice’s Promises on Income Tax Proposal is Ability to See It In Writing Soon

White: DMV to Keep Regional Office Appointment System Post-Pandemic

State BOE Mandates Return to Full-time In-person Instruction for State Schools

Justice Tells Citizens about Plan to Cut Income Tax, but Specifics Remain a Lagging Indicator

AFL-CIO Chapter Urges More Access to Legislative Proceedings