Keywords: 994, senate, all

Summary: The transcript contains only repeated expressions of thanks and does not include any substantive legislative discussion, bill references, testimony, motions, votes, or other actions. No committee or floor business can be identified from the provided text.

Keywords: 994, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• In lieu of having a read, thank you, Madam Chair and senators.
• With this amendment, it's going to be the same as Senate Bill 644, which passed through this committee
• that House Bill 4588 be reported Madam Chair, I move that House Bill 4588 be reported to the full Senate
• I move that House Bill 5048 be reported to the full Senate with a recommendation If not, the question
• 5048 be reported to the full Senate with a recommendation that it do pass as amended.

Keywords: 994, senate, all

Summary: The Select Committee on School Choice met, established quorum, and approved the minutes from its February 25, 2026 meeting. The committee then took up House Bill 4588, which was explained as a measure to align with Senate Bill 644 and require the Secretary of Commerce to participate in the federal tax credit scholarship program under Public Law No. 119-20 and 119-21, with the change intended to place administration under Commerce rather than the Economic Development Authority. The committee adopted the amendment and reported HB 4588 to the full Senate with a recommendation that it do pass as amended. The committee next considered House Bill 5048, which would create new code to ensure foster students in temporary placement facilities receive virtual instruction until placed in a permanent home. Counsel explained that if a county lacks a virtual program, a virtual charter school could be used, and the West Virginia Department of Education would provide free training for those responsible for the child, along with a plan to transfer information to the new school district and foster family. The committee adopted the proposed amendment, noting it had been worked out with the House, and then reported HB 5048 to the full Senate with a recommendation that it do pass as amended. At the end of the meeting, the chair thanked the committee and staff for their work during the session. The committee then adjourned by motion and unanimous voice vote.

Transcript Highlights:

• Thank you, Madam Chair and senators. This bill is going to look very familiar.
• With this amendment, it's going to be the same as Senate Bill 644, which passed through this committee
• House Bill 4588 be reported to the full Senate with a recommendation that it do pass as amended.
• I move that House Bill 5048 be reported to the full Senate with a recommendation I move that House Bill
• 5048 be reported to the full Senate with a recommendation and it do pass as amended.

Keywords: 994, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Senator from Marion, thank you, Mr. Chairman.
• "Senator from Marion, thank you, Mr. Chairman.
• Senator, to your question... ...your questions.
• Senator from Merri. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
• Uh, Senator, Senator from the 13th, just... we have the strike-and-insert before us.

Keywords: 994, senate, all

Summary: The Senate Banking and Insurance Committee met with a quorum present and approved the March 4, 2026 minutes by voice vote. The committee first considered House Bill 55, which updates and modernizes workers’ compensation statutes to reflect the privatized system, remove obsolete provisions, and adjust the Workers’ Compensation Board of Review from five members to three. The Insurance Commissioner testified that the bill is part of the cleanup from privatization and would give the governor more flexibility in appointments. After adopting a strike-and-insert amendment and a title amendment, the committee reported HB 55 to the full Senate with a recommendation that it do pass. The committee then took up House Bill 5463, which would reduce BRIM’s required liability coverage for county boards of education from $1.25 million to $1 million per occurrence and eliminate the separate $5 million excess coverage requirement. BRIM’s director testified that the excess market was difficult to access and costly, but several senators raised concerns that lowering coverage could reduce protection for victims and school-related claims. After a divided vote, the motion to report the bill failed, and HB 5463 was not passed by the committee. Next, the committee considered House Bill 4869, creating guaranteed issue rights for Medicare supplement policies, including annual birthday replacement rights and a special right for certain Medicaid recipients losing eligibility. Counsel said the bill would prohibit underwriting barriers during the guaranteed issue periods and require an annual report on premium trends. With no amendments offered, the committee reported HB 4869 to the full Senate with a recommendation that it do pass. Finally, the committee considered House Bill 5462 on mine subsidence insurance. The bill would allow the mine subsidence fund to offset payments by amounts received from other sources and limit lawsuits over claims reported to BRIM. Members debated a proposed strike-and-insert amendment that would have softened the litigation limits and added notice and remedy provisions, but the amendment was rejected. The committee then reported HB 5462 to the full Senate with a recommendation that it do pass, and the meeting adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• The senator said that was it, and thanked the chairman.
• So hopefully, Senator, that addresses your questions. Senator, to your question, your questions.
• Senator from Merri. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
• Senator from Marion: Mr.
• Senator from Marion: The first section in the bill, which is 33-30-6. Senator: Yes, sir.

Keywords: 994, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I would like to call this meeting of the Senate Energy, Industry and Mining Committee to order.
• move that I move that the engrossed committee substitute for House Bill 4012 be reported to the full Senate
• The engrossed committee substitute for House Bill 4012 be reported to the full Senate without recommendation
• The engrossed committee substitute for House Bill 4012 be reported to the full Senate without recommendation

Keywords: 994, senate, all

Summary: The Senate Energy, Industry and Mining Committee met and took up the engrossed committee substitute for House Bill 4012. Counsel explained that the bill shortens several Public Service Commission timelines for certificates of public convenience and necessity, including deadlines for final decisions and final submissions, with different timeframes for smaller water/sewer projects and very large projects. The bill also requires applications to justify the need for a facility, including consideration of alternatives such as advanced transmission technologies, and adds requirements for electric transmission lines of 200 kV or greater, including a showing that costs are commensurate with benefits to West Virginia ratepayers and commitments to provide off-take facilities when requested. Comparable changes were also described for siting certificates, including a reduced decision timeline. After questions and no amendments, the vice chair moved to report the bill to the full Senate without recommendation as to passage, but with a recommendation that it be re-referred to the Energy, Industry and Mining Committee. The committee approved the motion by voice vote. The meeting then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• I would like to call this meeting of the Senate Energy, Industry and Mining Committee to order.
• Chairman, I move that the engrossed committee substitute for House Bill 4012 be reported to the full Senate
• The engrossed committee substitute for House Bill 4012 be reported to the full Senate without recommendation

Keywords: 994, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Resolution: Senate Concurrent Resolution 8, by Senator Fuller, requesting the Joint Committee on Government
• Under the rules, the Senate resolution will lie over one day.
• Senate concurrent, Resolution 8 by Senator Fuller requesting Joint Committee on Government and Finance
• Under the rules of the Senate resolution will lie over one day.
• Senate Resolution 61, urging U.S. Supreme Court reverse Obergefell decision. Resolution.

Keywords: 994, senate, all

Summary: The Senate convened with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, approved the journal, and spent much of the day recognizing pages, guests, school groups, and civic organizations visiting the chamber. Several communications from the House and committee reports were received, and a petition on support for new electric transmission lines was referred to the Committee on Energy, Industry, and Mining. Senate Resolution 61, urging the U.S. Supreme Court to reverse Obergefell, was referred to the Committee on Rules, while other resolutions and bills were held over or referred as required. The chamber then acted on a large number of measures, including concurrence in House amendments to Senate Bill 137 on parole eligibility for second-degree murder and voluntary manslaughter, and a conference committee was appointed on House Bill 4026 regarding integrated resource plans. Numerous House bills were advanced or passed after committee reports, covering topics such as industrial access roads, local airport hangar financing, college campus safety, youth and handicapped hunting, missing persons records, driver’s licenses, adjudicatory alternative dispositions, chronic absenteeism, party-switching deadlines for candidates, teacher/school personnel/state police pay raises, election official trainees, political committee filing notices, security personnel for the State Treasurer, post-secondary financial aid, legal practice rules, overseas voting, public officials’ residential information, homestead exemption, military juvenile jurisdiction, military interpersonal violence, kinship care subsidies, statewide prevention planning, contraband smuggling into federal prisons, forestry equipment taxation, microgrid and data center certification, transcript acceptance for students, emeritus medical licenses, higher education rule authorizations, board and commission reforms, managed care organization taxes, and deputy sheriff vacation carryover. Most of these measures passed with little or no opposition, and several received title amendments. The Senate also passed a series of supplemental appropriations, many with immediate-effect motions adopted by the required two-thirds vote. These included funding for the Department of Commerce, Workforce West Virginia, Homeland Security divisions, Health Facilities, Administration, Human Services, the Governor’s Civil Contingent Fund, the Department of Agriculture, and the Bureau of Senior Services. Votes were overwhelmingly in favor, with only a few measures drawing one or more dissenting votes. One bill on tourism appropriations was referred to the Committee on Rules, and several second-reading bills were advanced, including measures on the West Virginia Collaboratory, business-ready sites, volunteer fire companies, religious organization eminent domain restrictions, electric load forecasting, and funeral service licensure.

Transcript Highlights:

• The resolution is agreed to. Mr.
• Chairman, I move that the resolution be reported to the full Senate with the recommendation that it be
• The question is on the motion that the resolution be reported to the full Senate with the recommendation
• Chairman, I move that the resolution be reported to the full Senate with the recommendation that it be
• The question is on the motion that the resolution be reported to the full Senate with a recommendation

Keywords: 994, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Senior Senator from the Fourth, thank you, Madam Chair.
• Thank you, Senator. Are there further questions for counsel? Senator from Marion?
• Senator from Marion, thank you, Madam Chair.
• Thank you, Senator. Are there further questions for our guest? Okay, the Senator from Marion.
• Okay, the Senator from Thank you, Senator. Are there further questions for our guest?

Keywords: 994, senate, all

Summary: The committee first approved the minutes from its prior meeting and then took up House Bill 5537, a bill to repeal several obsolete or outdated code sections. Counsel explained that the bill would remove provisions related to professional development, a behavioral interventionist pilot program, county lists of facilities for child daycare, and high school graduation rates, with a proposed amendment adding another outdated education code section from 1923. The committee adopted the amendment and reported HB 5537 to the full Senate with a recommendation that it do pass as amended. The committee then considered House Bill 4656, which would shift truancy policy toward chronic absenteeism and earlier intervention. Counsel said the committee substitute would replace punitive status-offense treatment with wraparound services, student support specialists, and a new child-in-need-of-supervision process, while also ending compulsory attendance at age 18 and removing criminal penalties for 18-year-olds. Members questioned how the new thresholds would work, including the role of attendance directors, prosecutors, judges, and the Department of Human Services, and whether the bill would change current diversion funding or court authority. Witnesses from Fayette County, Greenbrier County, and Taylor County largely opposed the bill or urged caution. The Fayette County attendance director said current truancy procedures, including school-based probation and court involvement, help secure family participation and services, and warned that removing the status offense would weaken enforcement. A Greenbrier County probation officer said diversion programs are effective and that court involvement often leads to needed services. A Taylor County juvenile prosecutor said status-offense jurisdiction gives courts meaningful leverage and flexibility, and asked that counties be allowed to keep existing approaches that work locally. After testimony, the committee voted to report HB 4656 to the full Senate without recommendation and with a recommendation that it be re-referred to the Committee on Education, then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Senior Senator from the Fourth, thank you, Madam Chair.
• Thank you, Senator. Are there further questions for counsel? Senator from Marion?
• Senator from Marion. Thank you, Madam Chair.
• All right, Senator.
• Thank you, Senator. Are there further questions for our guest? Okay, the Senator from Marion.

Keywords: 994, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Seeing none, the senior senator from the 13th.
• Chairman: Seeing none, the senior senator from the 13th. Senator: I'd like to hear from DMV.
• Senior senator from the 13th, question of our guest.
• Senior senator from the 13th, question of our guest.
• I don't, Senator.

Keywords: 994, senate, all

Summary: The Senate Transportation and Infrastructure Committee met, approved the March 9, 2026 minutes, and then took up the engrossed committee substitute for House Bill 4577 relating to driver's licenses. Counsel explained that the bill would authorize the Commissioner of Motor Vehicles to enter reciprocal agreements with Ireland and Japan to recognize each other’s driver’s licenses, provided the foreign licensing standards are at least as stringent as West Virginia’s. The bill also requires drivers using recognized foreign licenses to carry insurance and comply with state financial responsibility laws, clarifies that foreign license holders are not eligible to register to vote through the DMV, and allows the commissioner to set related fees and adopt rules. A strike-and-insert amendment and a title amendment were adopted. The committee heard from DMV counsel Adam Hawley and the bill’s House sponsor, Delegate Mike Hornby. Hawley said the measure would allow citizens of the listed countries to avoid retaking written and skills tests when transferring licenses, and noted West Virginia already has similar arrangements with Taiwan, South Korea, and Germany. Hornby said the bill was intended to support economic development and trade ties, especially with Ireland, where American workers and companies face licensing hurdles; he said Ireland had requested state-level reciprocity and that Japan was added because of West Virginia’s existing trade relationship there. Several senators expressed support, describing the bill as a symbolic and practical step toward foreign investment and job creation. After discussion, the committee voted to report the engrossed committee substitute for House Bill 4577, as amended, with a recommendation that it do pass. The title amendment was then adopted, and the committee adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Senior Senator from the 13th. Seeing none. Senior Senator from the 13th.
• Senior Senator from the 13th. Oh, for the record, identify yourself.
• Senior Senator from the 13th? Senior Senator from the 13th, question of our guest.
• I don't, Senator.
• Yeah, I'll add, I really appreciate how the Senate has added Japan.

Keywords: 994, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Motions and resolutions. Senator Gianaris. >> Good afternoon, Mr.
• Senator Gianaris. >> At this time, please take up previously adopted Resolution 1716 by Senator Gianaris
• Senate Resolution No. 1716 by Senator Gianaris: memorializing Governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim March
• And thank you, Senator Gianaris, for this resolution.
• Read the title and call on Senator Rivera. >> Secretary will read. >> Senate Resolution No. 1607 by Senator

Keywords: 993, senate, all

Summary: The Senate convened with a prayer and Pledge of Allegiance, then approved the prior journal and took up motions and resolutions. Senator Gianaris moved to reconsider and restore Senate Print 3179A, an Environmental Conservation Law bill, to the third reading calendar, and amendments were also received on Senate Print 8491. The chamber then considered and adopted Resolution 1716, designating March 2026 as Greek History Month in New York, with remarks from several senators about Greek heritage, Greek independence, immigration, and the contributions of Greek Americans. The Senate also adopted Resolution 1607, proclaiming March 2026 as American Red Cross Month, with extensive testimony praising Red Cross disaster relief, blood donation, preparedness work, and volunteers; several senators highlighted local volunteers and urged greater support for the organization, including budget resources. The Senate welcomed guests, including Red Cross representatives and students from Brooklyn, and later opened the resolutions for co-sponsorship. The chamber then moved through the calendar and passed multiple bills, including measures affecting mental hygiene, elder law, penal law, public authorities, labor, public service, correction, education, election law, alcoholic beverage control, and state administrative procedure. Most bills passed by wide margins, though some drew recorded opposition, including the public authorities bill and several election, public service, and correction measures. Senator Ramos explained her support for the labor bill as a workplace dignity and anti-bullying measure, and Senator Ryan explained his support for the small-business regulatory website bill as a way to simplify access to agency rules and guidance. Senator Skoufis’s Public Health Law bill was also recalled from the Assembly, restored to the third reading calendar, and amended. The Senate then adjourned until Thursday, March 12 at 11:00 a.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• Senator Kim. Senator Lambusao. Here. Senator Lee. Senator McKelvey. Senator Moriwaki.
• Senate Concurrent Resolution numbers 28 to 57 and Senate Resolution numbers 26 to 55 for referral to
• Senate Concurrent Resolution numbers 28 to 57 and Senate Resolution numbers 26 to 55 for referral to
• Senate Concurrent<00:04:20.799> Resolution<00:04:21.280> numbers<00:04:21.600> 28
• 26 to 55 and Senate Resolution numbers 26 to 55 for<00:04:25.919> referral<00:04:26.320> to

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The Senate convened with 24 members present and one excused, approved the prior journal, and welcomed visiting fifth-grade students from Kauai’s Island School and Laie Elementary to the gallery. The body then received and referred a series of governor’s nominations and House bills, and introduced numerous Senate concurrent and Senate resolutions for committee referral. It also took up a large consent calendar of Senate bills, approving the consent package unanimously and passing those measures on third reading. The chamber then considered many individual bills on third reading, with several floor amendments adopted to add effective dates and delay final action on measures including SB 2454, SB 2830, and SB 2397. Some bills were recommitted to the Judiciary Committee or separated from committee reports, including SB 2480 and SB 2423. The Senate also passed a number of policy bills covering motor vehicles, public safety, property insurance, elections, campaign finance, renewable energy, financial disclosures, liquor, veterans’ benefits, social media, electric energy, coastal resilience, climate planning, conservation, agriculture, education, collective bargaining, transportation, housing, land use, fishing, and natural resource management. Several measures drew reservations or no votes, but most still passed by wide margins. Notable debate centered on SB 3125, relating to income tax, where Senator Dela Cruz supported the bill as a way to preserve tax relief for working families while addressing fiscal uncertainty, Senator DeCorte opposed it as a rollback of promised relief amid Hawaii’s high cost of living, and Senator McKelvey and Senator Rhoads defended it as a responsible balance between tax relief and budget stability. SB 3125 ultimately passed third reading 23-2. Other bills also passed with recorded opposition, including SB 2009, SB 2517, SB 2721, SB 2731, SB 3071, SB 2418, SB 2568, SB 2975, SB 2100, SB 2353, SB 3062, SB 2761, SB 2003, and SB 2981.

Transcript Highlights:

• > moves<00:12:55.040> Senate the, uh, Senator Seberger moves Senate the, uh, Senator Seberger
• Uh or Senator Ke uh Senator<00:18:30.559> Kelly, Senator Kelly, Senator Kelly, >> we're<
• Senate file Coupoop. Uh Senator Kunish.
• Senator Kish? >> Thank you, Senator. Senator Kish?
• Then we will hear Senate File 3864, Senate File 4066, Senate File 4263, and Senate File 2341.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Senator Wielechowski. Senator Murkowski. Senator Wielechowski.
• The next bill is Senate File 3896, Senator Pratt. The next bill is Senate File 3896, Senator Pratt.
• Next bill, Senator Putnam. Senator Putnam brings us Senate File 3865.
• > Senate<00:35:08.720> file Senator Putnam brings us Senate File 3865.
• Senator Nelson, Senate File 4044. Well, Senator Nelson is coming forward.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We're going to start with Senator Lang's bill, Senate File 3938, on trafficking.
• So, before you today in the Senate Judiciary members, I have Senate File 3938, which is a piece to a
• File 281, that we talked rather extensively, Senator May Klayd, myself, and Senator Gustafson.
• Senator<00:15:21.640> Holmstrom. Senator Holmstrom. Senator Holmstrom.
• Thank you, Senator Lang and to your testifiers. Senate File 3938 as amended is laid over.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I see Senator Hawley and Senator Champion. Thank you, Mr. Chair.
• Chair, Senator Pratt, the forecast is a forward-looking budget tool.
• Chair >> Senator Pratt, thank you. Uh Mr.
• Chair, Senator, >> Well, Mr.
• Senator Pratt. Senator Pratt.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all