There have been many reviews of bills that passed and became law in West Virginia this year. However, there were far more bills that were introduced but not passed by the legislature. This month’s column points out some bills that did not pass but were sponsored by our local representatives — Delegate Hardy and Senators Barrett and Rucker (last month’s column reviewed unsuccessful bills sponsored by Delegates Clark, Espinosa, and Ridenour).
Student Debt Reduction for STEM Teachers
HB 3068 would have given teachers specializing in science, technology, engineering, or mathematics a total of $10,000 of student debt reduction ($5,000 for 5 years of teaching and an additional $5,000 for an additional 5 years of teaching). Delegates Hardy and Clark along with seven other delegates sponsored this bill, but it stalled in the House Finance Committee.
Extension of Time – Electronically Register to Vote
HB 3008 would have extended the time to electronically register to vote from close of business on the final day of registration to 11:59 p.m. on the final day of registration. This bill stalled in the House Judiciary Committee. It had seven sponsors including Delegates Hardy and Espinosa.
Date of Municipal Elections
HB 2782 and SB 682 both sought to require municipal elections be held at the same time as regularly scheduled primaries or election days. These bills stalled in the Judiciary Committees of the House and the Senate. Ten delegates sponsored the House bill and two Senators, including Senator Rucker sponsored the Senate bill.
Real Estate Transfer Tax Retained by Counties
When counties collect taxes on transfers of real estate, they send a portion of that tax to the state. Currently the counties retain a portion of that tax and beginning July 1, 2030 the counties will retain all of the tax. HB 3005 would have accelerated the date that counties get to keep 100% of the tax to July 1, 2024. This bill stalled in the House Finance Committee. Nine delegates sponsored this bill including Delegates Hardy (main sponsor), Ridenour and Espinosa.
Allocation of State Troopers to Counties
SB 180 would have required that state troopers be allocated to counties based on the population as defined in the 2020 Census. Four senators sponsored this bill, including Senators Rucker and Barrett, but it stalled in the Senate Government Organization Committee.
Third Grade Success Act
SB 274 would have provided a system of support for early literacy and numeracy for students in kindergarten through third grade. This bill passed in the Senate but stalled in the House Finance Committee. Ten senators sponsored this bill including Senator Barrett.
Moment of Silence in Schools
SB 599 would have recognized a right of students to freedom of religion in school by requiring schools to have a moment of silence at the beginning of each school day to exercise that right. In addition, teachers would be required to keep students in their seats and silent and free from distractions during that time. Six senators sponsored this bill, including Senator Rucker but it stalled in the Senate Education Committee.
Mandatory Subjects to be Taught in Public Schools
SB 216 would have required that public schools must teach the Holocaust, other genocides, and financial literacy by the end of 12th grade. This bill passed the Senate but was stalled in the House Finance Committee. Two senators sponsored this bill including Senator Rucker.
Work Requirement to Receive Unemployment Benefits
Current eligibility requirements to receive unemployment benefits include actively seeking work. SB 59 would have changed this requirement to a mandatory four job searches per week. This bill passed in the Senate but stalled in the House Workforce Development Committee. Four senators sponsored this bill including Senator Barrett.
Reporting Mental or Physical Disabilities to Division of Motor Vehicles
SB 727 would have required that mental or physical disabilities be reported to the Division of Motor Vehicles so that a determination could be made as to whether an individual should retain their driver’s license. This bill was sponsored by four senators, including Senator Barrett. It stalled in the Senate Judiciary Committee.
Permitting Parents to Decline Medication for Newborns
SB 32 would have allowed parents and guardians to refuse state mandated medication that is given to newborns to prevent eye infections, including infections which can lead to blindness. i
Administration of Anesthetics by Nurses
Current law permits nurses with appropriate training and licenses to administer anesthetics in the presence of and under the supervision of a physician or dentist. SB 52 would have permitted nurses to administer anesthetics in cooperation with physicians and dentists. This bill stalled in the Health & Human Resources Committee. It was sponsored by Senator Rucker (main sponsor) and ten other Senators.
Check the Votes
To see the status and votes on any of the bills introduced by our local delegation (Sens. Barrett, Rucker; Delegates Clark, Espinosa, Ridenour and Hardy) visit WVLegislature.gov and click on the “bill status” button in the top menu. You can search by sponsor, topic, and other selections (you can also set the selections to look at bills from prior years)
Susan Benzinger is a retired tax attorney and active volunteer in Jefferson County. During her 2022 campaign for WV State Delegate campaign she became very familiar with the issues facing West Virginia and offered to share updates on the state legislature during the 2023 session for The Observer.
By Susan Benzinger