Day 37: Campus Carry, Form Energy and ST: Picard
One of these things is not like the others
Good morning and welcome back to 60 Days.
Today is the 37th day of the West Virginia Legislature’s regular session.
It’s Giles here, kicking things off on a co-authored Thursday briefing for a change.
And in case you lost track, the third and final season of Star Trek: Picard is premiering today on Paramount Plus.
Captain Jean Luc Picard is well known for his refined tastes — preferring, for example, his caffeine in the form of a hot cup of Earl Grey tea. So, in honor of Captain Picard embarking on yet another mission to save the galaxy, feel free to pretend that the coffee you buy your 60 Days briefers is Earl Grey.
Engage, my friend.
Dave kept an eye on some news from yesterday and he’ll handle this next section.
The “Campus Self-Defense Act” is heading to the House floor. The House Judiciary Committee advanced a committee substitute for SB 10 Wednesday afternoon despite hearing from dozens of people opposed to it during an hour-long public hearing in the House chamber.
The bill would allow people with valid concealed carry permits to have guns on college campuses beginning July 1st, 2024.
Wednesday morning’s public hearing came days after a shooting on the campus of Michigan State University that left three students dead and five others wounded, leaving some in critical condition.
Thirty-eight people at the public hearing spoke against the bill, according to the sign-up list compiled by the committee clerk. Only two speakers spoke in favor of it.
Those opposed to SB 10 included college students from around the state, their parents, faculty members and other citizens. The two who spoke in support of the bill included a lobbyist for the National Rifle Association and a member of the West Virginia Citizens Defense League.
Marshall University student E. Bowen said students at MU are still reeling from the Michigan State shooting and that students “are already terrified.”
“How many people have to die before y’all act accordingly?” Bowen asked lawmakers.
West Virginia Citizens Defense League member Zach Campbell argued the bill limits who would be eligible to carry a gun on campus.
“This is for concealed carry permit holders only. These are not random students,” Campbell said. “To get a concealed carry permit in West Virginia requires both a mental and criminal background check at both the state and federal level.”
Adrianne Dering of Monongalia County said she was on the campus of Michigan State University on Monday, taking part in a visit with her daughter — just hours before the shooting in East Lansing.
“Every time I picture myself there, more guns in that situation is not the answer,” Dering said.
SB 10 was referenced to a single committee (most bills are traditionally reviewed by two committees) and will be on the active docket known as the House Special Calendar for the floor the day after the committee report is received. That report could be received as soon as this morning.
You can watch the entire public hearing on WCHS’s Facebook page.
~Dave
The “battery” bill is on its way to Governor Justice’s desk. The Senate gave it final passage Wednesday on a vote of 21-13, but not before debating it for a couple of hours.
Might help to remind you what this bill does. It would hand an additional $105 million to Form Energy, which is planning to open a battery plant on the site of the old Weirton Steel, which was once West Virginia’s biggest employer. Form is planning to invest some $350 million in private money to develop the facility. The total state investment is expected to top out at roughly $290 million.
Opponents say it’s a risky deal and they characterize it as a threat to the coal industry.
Supporters point to the promise of 750 well-paying jobs in an area that was decimated by Weirton Steel’s demise and say the deal has safeguards built into it to minimize the risk.
Look for Governor Justice to sign the bill.
~Giles
The House of Delegates will gavel in at 11 a.m. this morning.
Available committee agendas are linked below:
9 a.m. – the Committee on Workforce Development will meet in the East Wing Committee meeting room, 215E
9:15 a.m. – the Senior, Children and Family Issues Committee will meet in the Finance Committee meeting room, 460M
9:30 a.m. – the Committee on Jails and Prisons will meet in the Judiciary Committee meeting room, 410M
10:45 a.m. – the Committee on Rules will meet behind the Chamber
1 p.m. – the Technology and Infrastructure Committee will meet in the Education Committee meeting room, 432M
2 p.m. – the Committee on Economic Development and Tourism will meet in the Finance Committee meeting room, 460M
3 p.m. – the Committee on Health and Human Resources will meet in the East Wing Committee meeting room, 215E
4 p.m. – the Finance Committee will meet in the Committee meeting room, 460M
4 p.m. – the Education Committee will meet in the Committee meeting room, 432M
The Senate convents 15 minutes later than usual, at 11:15 a.m., but don’t expect senators to pass anything. There are no bills on third reading. You can see the what’s on first and second reading here. The committee schedule below includes the agenda for each panel.
9 a.m.: Government Organization (208W)
Com. Sub. for SB 544: Increasing power purchase agreement cap
Com. Sub. for SB 539: Authorizing state and subdivisions to negotiate price for construction when all bids received exceed maximum budget
Com. Sub. for SB 62: Establishing secondary location for racetrack video lottery terminals
SB 553: Allowing for evaluation of prequalified bidders to be based on best value
Com. Sub. for SB 429: Establishing statewide health and safety fee for tourism and recreational activities by county commissions
Com. Sub. for SB 39: Relating to assessment of real property
9 a.m.: Education (451M)
SB 195: Ready-to-Use Glucagon Rescue Therapies for Schools Act
SB 488: Aligning state and federal accreditation rules
SB 602: Enabling WVSU and Bluefield State University to offer associate degrees
HB 2757: Relating to expanding institutional eligibility for the WV Invests Grant Program
11 a.m.: Senate Committee on Rules (219M)
1 p.m.: Health and Human Resources (451M)
SB 552: Relating to abortion
SB 577: Reducing copay cap on insulin and devices and permitting purchase of testing equipment without prescription
HB 3141: Relating to the practice of dentistry
2 p.m.: Finance Subcommittee A – DHHR (208W)
Com. Sub. for SB 273: Relating to allocation of child protective workers in counties based upon population of county
3 p.m.: Judiciary (208W)
Com. Sub. for SB 621: Requiring sheriff to serve child abuse and neglect petitions without additional compensation
SB 608: Correcting list of items which are considered deadly weapons
Com. Sub. for SB 630: Creating offense of knowingly and willfully obstructing social service worker
Com. Sub. for SB 635: Updating language and increasing penalties for indecent exposure
3 p.m.: Finance (451M)
Com. Sub. for SB 297: Mountain Homes Act
Com. Sub. for SB 523: Clarifying purpose and use of Economic Development Project Fund
Com. Sub. for SB 273: Relating to allocation of child protective workers in counties based upon population of county
SB 436: Prompt Payment Act of 2023
As always, you can get in touch by simply replying to this email or sending a note to 60daysgilesdave@gmail.com.
You can also leave a comment by hitting the button. At least one of our briefers would like to know what you think of this season’s ST: Picard.
Dave is on Twitter at @davemistich and Giles is @GilesSnyder.