CHARLESTON, W.Va. – Day one of West Virginia’s 87th Legislative Session kicked-off Wednesday, as lawmakers got to work under a new Governor for the first time in eight years.
In the House, Delegates debated a range of amendments prior to approving House Resolution 1 which establishes the chamber’s rules for this session.
One of a handful of changes from years past alters the process for public comment on bills under consideration. With House Resolution 1 now enacted, public comment will take place in Committee Meetings instead of the House Floor going forward. It’s a change Republican Delegates, including those in our region, are in support of.
“We changed some of those to hear public hearings now in our meetings,” said Del. Christopher Toney (R-Raleigh.) “It gives the chairs leeway to make sure that we can actually hear the individuals. And then if they can’t be there, we actually, they’ll be able to submit it in writing and it can be part of the record.”
“If anybody looks back at how it used to be, when you’d come in here you might have 30 seconds you might have 60 seconds,” said Del. Doug Smith (R-Mercer.) “There’s not any discussion about it, you’re just voicing that opinion…This new method will allow you to actually submit a question.”
And while it’s not yet clear which bills will have the support to make it through both chambers this session, Del. Smith said he believes one issue he’s tackled year-after-year can finally make it to the Governor’s desk.
“My number one thing is, I’m going to get this child abuse bill through. It looks like we might get it this year, and this will be the fifth time that bill has run. It’s passed out of the House four times unanimously,” said Del. Smith. “We’ve got to do something about that, increasing these penalties.”
Meanwhile, Del. Brandon Steele (R-Raleigh) appeared to be the only Delegate absent from Wednesday’s first day of session. Del. Steele was named Chair of the Judiciary Committee in January, only to be replaced by Del. J.B. Akers (R-Kanawha) later that month.
Gov. Patrick Morrisey (R-W.Va.) issued his first State of the State address Wednesday as well, you can find our recap below:
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