Day 24: Morrisey priority up for House passage
The West Virginia Weakly Legislative Daybook for March 7, 2025
Today is Friday, March 7, 2025 — the 24th day of the West Virginia Legislature’s regular session.
Today is Recovery Advocacy Day at the Capitol. It’s also Concord University Day.
Highlights (all times and agendas subject to change)
9:00 a.m. — The House Appropriations Subcommittee will get budget presentations from the Public Service Commission and the West Virginia Consumer Advocate Division.
10:00 a.m. — Seems the state Senate took care of its attention-grabbing bills for the week yesterday when it passed two measures affecting the transgender community — prompting Sen. Joey Garcia (D-Marion) to quip that “it’s biological sex week here at the West Virginia state Senate.” Clink the link we provided below to read more about that.
That said, senators will gather for their floor session an hour early because it’s Friday. There are a few bills worth noting at the amendment stage:
S.B. 199 — the measure is the Senate’s version of the elementary school discipline bill. The House overwhelmingly passed its version on Monday.
S. B. 612 - would make the rules and regulations of the state Public Service Commission subject to legislative rule-making review procedures
S. B. 627 - would allow the state Division of Natural Resources to lease state-owned pore spaces underlying lands designated as state parks for underground carbon sequestration.
Finally, S. B. 521 somehow escaped my notice until now. The measure is on first reading in the Senate after passing out of the Senate Judiciary Committee. It would require party affiliations be listed in primary and general elections for state Supreme Court justices, circuit court judges, family court judges, and magistrates.
11:00 a.m. — The House will vote on a major piece of Gov. Morrisey’s agenda. The bill that defines “men” and “women,” S.B. 456, is on third reading. The measure was amended on the House floor yesterday, so assuming it passes, the Senate will have to agree before it can be sent to Gov. Morrisey for his signature.
Also at the passage stage on the House floor:
S. B. 490 would prohibit ranked-choice voting in elections in West Virginia even though that form of vote counting is not used anywhere in the state.
H. B. 2129 would create the Parents Bill of Rights.
And not for nothing, the bill imposing a statewide ban on camping on public property will make its initial appearance on the House floor.
H. B. 2382 will be on first reading. It would make camping, sleeping or storing property on public land a misdemeanor. Following last year’s U.S. Supreme Court ruling allowing bans on outdoor camping, dozens of cities around the country have implemented them, including Wheeling and Clarksburg. Morgantown voters are to decide the issue next month. Critics say such bans criminalize homelessness.
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Weakly Links: News and opinion from around West Virginia
Senate passes two bills on transgender issues; House has another primed for passage ~ Brad McElhinny, WVMetroNews
WV Senate bill reinstates death penalty in cases in intentionally killing, police, first responders ~ Amelia Ferrell Knisely, West Virginia Watch
Diversity, Equity and Inclusion ban moving in West Virginia Senate ~ Steven Allen Adams, The (Wheeling) Intelligencer
Bill that would allow teachers to conceal carry weapons advances out of House committee ~ Anna Saundes, WCHS-TV
WV Senate panel OKs DNR leasing pore space under state parks ~ Mike Tony, Charleston Gazette-Mail (Paywall)
Groups to gather at WV Capitol for International Women’s Day ~ Ashley Perham, Charleston Gazette-Mail (Paywall)