Day 23: Bill requiring teachers to out transgender students to parents laid over; Senate now expected to vote today

The West Virginia Weakly Legislative Daybook for March 6, 2025

Today is Thursday, March 6, 2025 — the 23rd day of the West Virginia Legislature’s regular session.

Today is Professional Firefighters Day at the Capitol. It’s also Dentistry Day.

Highlights (all times and agendas subject to change)

9:30 a.m. — State Senator Robert Azinger (R-Wood) is trying again. His “In God We Trust” bill, S.B. 280, is among the measures set to be considered by the Senate Education Committee. The bill would require the official U.S. motto be displayed in public schools.

11:00 a.m. — During the House floor session, delegates will be offering amendments to a couple of bills we’ve been watching.

• The Senate-passed S.B. 456 is a Gov. Morrisey priority. The measure is on second reading in the House. The bill aims to define “woman” and “man” in state law. The advocacy group Fairness WV calls it an “extreme anti-transgender bathroom ban.”

• S.B. 490 is also on second reading in the House. It would prohibit ranked-choice voting in West Virginia. Ranked-choice voting is a method of vote counting that supporters say would give a wider array of candidates a chance to win elections. It’s not used in West Virginia, but it is in other states and WV Democrats say municipalities should be allowed to experiment with it.

• Both bills are on track toward an up or down vote tomorrow.

11:00 a.m. — A couple of bills at the passage stage are likely to get the most attention when the state Senate meets for its floor session.

• S.B. 154 was laid over from yesterday and remains on third reading. It would prohibit sexual orientation instruction in public schools and also require teachers to out students to their parents if they question their gender.

• S.B. 299 would further tighten last year’s restrictions on gender affirming care for those under age 18.

• S.B. 199 makes it to the floor for the first time for its initial reading. It’s the Senate’s version of the elementary school discipline bill. The House overwhelmingly passed its version on Monday.

1:00 p.m. — H.B. 2187 is among the bills on House Education’s agenda. The measure would allow teachers to carry concealed firearms as a designated school protection officer. This bill has a double committee reference. Assuming House Education passes it, it would have to make it through House Judiciary before advancing to the floor. House Education is also to consider two other bills of note. They would smooth the way for college athletes to benefit from their Name, Image and Likeness (NIL). If approved, HB 2576 and HB 2595, would also need the high sign from House Judiciary before advancing to the full House.

1:00 p.m. — Seems a safe assumption that consideration of S.B. 710 by Senate Health and Human Resources is a nod to Dentistry Day. The bill lays out requirements to establish a telehealth practice for dentists.

3:00 p.m. — Senate Judiciary has a couple of bills on its agenda that will likely be getting some attention.

• S. B. 474 would eliminate Diversity, Equity and Inclusion programs from state government, including from public schools and colleges and universities. The measure was requested by Gov. Morrisey. During his first days in office, Morrisey signed an executive order targeting DEI.

• S.B. 264 would bring capital punishment back to West Virginia, albeit in a limited way. It would allow the death penalty for intentionally killing a law enforcement officer or first responder in the line of duty. West Virginia abolished capital punishment in 1965.

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Weakly Links: News and opinion from around West Virginia

• WV House Judiciary approves camping ban bill; legislation next goes to House floor for vote ~ Lori Kersey, West Virginia Watch

• How a well-funded libertarian group pushed West Virginia toward loosening vaccine requirements ~ Henry Culvyhouse, Mountain State Spotlight

• Legislature passes ban on artificial food dyes, but still must agree on when it starts ~ Brad McElhinny, WVMetroNews

• WV House panel advances water quality rule change opening path to more pollution (Paywall) ~ Mike Tony, Charleston Gazette-Mail

• West Virginia Senate rejects Weld amendment to bill requiring schools report transgender students to parents ~ Steven Allen Adams, The (Wheeling) Intelligencer

• Time to tackle the issue (Opinion) ~ Toni Milbourne, The (Martinsburg) Journal