Authorizing Department of Homeland Security to promulgate legislative rules
Summary
SB 281 is a rules authorization bill for the West Virginia Department of Homeland Security. Based on the bill caption and legislative action, the measure authorizes the department to promulgate legislative rules, meaning it gives the agency authority to adopt regulations within the scope approved by the Legislature. The bill appears to be a standard administrative measure rather than a policy overhaul, and the available record does not include the underlying rule text or specific subject areas covered by the rules.
Because the bill text is not available in the provided materials, the precise regulatory changes cannot be identified from the record here. In general, a bill of this type affects how the Department of Homeland Security can implement and administer its programs by updating or continuing rulemaking authority under state administrative law. It likely impacts the department, regulated entities, and any individuals or organizations subject to DHS rules, but the exact statutes or programs affected are not specified in the provided text.
Impact
SB 281 likely amends or reauthorizes the Department of Homeland Security’s authority to adopt legislative rules under West Virginia’s administrative rulemaking framework. Its practical effect is to allow the department to maintain or update regulations governing its operations and any programs it administers, while keeping those rules subject to legislative approval. The specific statutes or regulated parties affected cannot be determined from the materials provided because the bill text itself is unavailable.
Sentiment
The available voting record suggests broad bipartisan support and little controversy. The bill passed the Senate unanimously 31-0 and the House by a wide margin of 92-1, and it was enacted effective from passage. With no committee transcript or debate excerpts provided, there is no evidence of significant opposition or extended debate in the record supplied.
Contention
No specific points of contention are visible in the provided materials. The only notable signal is the near-unanimous support in both chambers, which suggests the bill was treated as a routine administrative authorization measure. Any substantive disagreement would likely have centered on the content of the department’s rules themselves, but that cannot be confirmed from the record here.
Similar To
Relating to to authorizing the Governor’s Committee on Crime, Delinquency, and Correction to promulgate a legislative rule relating to law enforcement training and certification standards.