MORGANTOWN — Here is a sampling of bills introduced Jan. 20. Local lead sponsors and co-sponsors, if any, are noted.
A bill to end the pop tax that supports WVU medical education, a fair pay bill and a bill to modernize gas well spacing are among them.
SB 535 eliminates spacing requirements to drilling deep natural gas and oil wells, to take advantage of current technology and use space more efficiently. Sen. Randy Smith, R-Tucker, sole sponsor.
SB 536, to require disclosure of fundraising contributions by caucus campaign committees made during a regular legislative session, interim session or special session.
SB 538 would eliminate the excise tax on soft drinks. This would end the 1-cent pop tax that provides about $15 million per year to WVU for medical education.
SB 542, to prohibit political activity by state school board members. Sen. Bob Beach, D-Monongalia, sole sponsor.
SB 549, same as HB 4114, the Informed Consent Protection Act, to provide certain protections for a patient or parent or guardian of a patient who declines or delays receiving a vaccination.
SJR 6, similar to HJR 102 which was approved by House Judiciary last week and is on second reading on Tuesday. Article XII of the state Constitution establishes the membership and duties of the state Board of Education. The two resolutions propose to add to that article a sentence saying the board may promulgate rules that would then be reviewed by the Legislature for approval, amendment or rejection. If approved by two-thirds of each chamber, the proposal would go before the voters.
HB 4420, the Opioid Litigation Fund, composed of all proceeds from opioid litigation and settlements, for distributed to the children of opioid abusers.
HB 4421, same as SB 520, the Natural Gas Liquids Economic Development Act, “to encourage development, transportation and use of natural gas liquids for the benefit of natural gas projects in the state by providing certain tax credits.”
HB 4428, the Katherine Johnson and Dorothy Vaughn Fair Pay Act. Delegate Barbara Evans Fleischauer, D-Monongalia, lead sponsor; Delegates Danielle Walker, Rodney Pyles, both D-Mon, Terri Sypolt, R-Preston, Mike Caputo, D-Marion, co-sponsors.
