IN REVIEW
Under the Dome delivers a review of issues being considered by the West Virginia Legislature. It provides information on matters that affect WVU and higher education, as well as other hot topics being addressed. This edition includes a rundown of the bills that completed the legislative process and those that failed to cross the finish line by the midnight deadline on March 12.
SPECIAL SESSION AND INTERIM MEETINGS
On Tuesday, the Legislature wrapped up a three-day interim meeting and a two-day special session.
During a Sunday meeting of the Legislative Oversight Commission on Education Accountability, HEPC Chancellor Tucker spoke about the need for investment in deferred maintenance projects on college and university campuses.
During a Monday hearing of the Joint Committee on Finance, Revenue Secretary Dave Hardy provided details about the nearly $800 million budget surplus. Secretary Hardy cited growth in personal income tax, sales tax, corporate net income tax and severance tax as leading to the growth in State revenues.
The Legislature also heard updates on broadband expansion projects, State road maintenance, efforts to reform the Department of Health and Human Resources and the status of domestic and foreign energy markets before they concluded the April interim meetings.
During this timeframe, the Legislature also convened for a two-day special session to consider executive appointments and 17 bills, many of which had been vetoed during the regular session for technical flaws.
SB 2008
Senate Bill 2008 permits voluntary donations for the WVU Rifle Team on hunting and fishing licenses. After a similar bill failed to make it across the finish line on the last night of the regular session, Governor Justice and legislative leaders added the bill to the April special session agenda and passed it overwhelmingly. The Governor is expected to sign the bill in the next few days, and the law will go into effect on July 1.
UPCOMING INTERIMS
The Legislature announced its interim meeting schedule for the rest of the year. From May 22-24, legislators will assemble in Morgantown for interim meetings, hosted by WVU. The legislators will meet again in Charleston June 12-14, July 24-26 and September 11-13. From November 13-15, legislators will meet at Cacapon State Park in Berkeley Springs and in Charleston on December 5 and 6. Legislative interims will wrap up from January 8-10 before the next regular session begins on January 11, 2023.
WVU AT THE CAPITOL
Travis Mollohan and Rocco Fucillo, both part of WVU’s State Government Relations Team, represent WVU at the State Capitol during the session. They can answer questions about any issues addressed by the Legislature. Contact them via email at: Travis Mollohan (tmolloh1@mail.wvu.edu) or Rocco Fucillo (rsfucillo@mail.wvu.edu).
MORE INFORMATION
To learn more about the Legislature, including district maps, bill tracking, committee assignments and a summary of daily activities, please visit wvlegislature.gov.
To learn more about WVU’s legislative and government relations initiatives, please visit governmentrelations.wvu.edu.