Legislative
Update
Issue I-February 17, 2017
To view an up to date bill listing online, visit our
website or if you are receiving this newsletter
electronically, click on this link:
http://www.wvrwa.org/legislative/wv_legislative.aspx
“A day without laughter is a day wasted”
-Nicolas Chamfort
SB 215 - County Commissions - This bill is to give county
commissions the authority to amend the proposed rates, fees,
and charges, in its sole discretion, proposed by public service
districts. The bill is currently on second read before the House.
SB 246 –Water Quality - Create a more effective permit process
that encourages coordination between applicants and the
state, that specifies how mixing zones are determined for water
quality criteria that are developed for protection of public water
supplies, and clarifies that amendment of certain plans required
of permittees are not cause for modifying a permit. The bill in
Senate Judiciary.
HB 2410 – Sewage - Requires that individuals receiving public
sewage services who do not also receive public water services
are charged based on the mean or median of monthly water
consumption in their customer class, whichever is lower. The bill
is currently in House Political Subdivisions.
SB 42 – Permits - Allows well pad and road construction for oil
and gas activities that are done pursuant to a storm water permit.
The bill clarifies that the requirements of the section apply only
to well work permits and not storm water permits, and provides
notice to property owners. The bill is currently in Senate Energy,
Industry and Mining.
SB 172 – Water Development Authority Board - Eliminates
the salary for members of the West Virginia Water Development
Board. The bill is currently before the Senate on second
read.
James Conley “Jim” Justice Jr. We welcome Mr. Jim Justice as our 36th and current Governor of
West Virginia .Governor Jim Justice’s State of the State address
was a invigorating change of pace with a message of working
to improve the state of West Virginia. He was very honest with
the ranking of the State and focused on unity and working
together. Viewers all around finding themselves charmed by
this small-state governor’s simple presentation. Justice realizes
he needs to use his experience in business to help negotiate
with legislators to pass any of his tax increases, and he directly
addressed the public at the end of the speech to call their
legislators in support of his budget plan. In his own way, Justice
made a strong argument that the state can’t get through the
budget crisis, let alone ever thrive, on spending cuts alone. The
newly elected Governor broke a few traditions this year, he gave
his address from the floor of the chamber and used a whiteboard
to illustrate his points on how to improve the state’s economy.
He suggested paying 10 cents more for gasoline and a increase
in DMV fees, which could generate $2.8 billion dollars, and in
turn create jobs for the roads. He focused on education at a
top priority. Improving West Virginia’s education system is a top
priority for him. Justice stated he would like for the education
to go back to the local level and increasing a 2 percent raise
for classroom teachers. Justice believes creating an education
mecca in West Virginia would be a revenue producer. LEGISLATIVE NEWSLETTER
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President of the Senate: Mitch Carmichael
President Pro Tempore: Donna J. Boley
Majority Leader: Ryan Ferns
Majority Whip: Craig Blair
Minority Leader: Roman Prezioso
Minority Whip: Corey Palumbo
Speaker of the House: Tim Armstead
Speaker Pro Tempore: John Overington
Majority Leader: Daryl Cowles
Majority Whip: Carol Miller
Assistant Majority Whips: Saira Blair, Jim Butler,
Geoff Foster, Bill Hamilton, Danny Hamrick, Eric
Householder, Kayla Kessinger, Kelli Sobonya, Steve
Westfall
Minority Leader: Tim Miley
Minority Whip: Mike Caputo
Assistant Minority Whips: Michael Ferro, Sean
Hornbuckle, Richard Iaquinta, Shirley Love, David
Pethtel, Isaac Sponaugle