MORGANTOWN –- Monday was a relatively low-key day for the House and Senate floor sessions. Bills were passed, but the Senate punted action on some of its major bills to Tuesday.
Some of that punting was tied to the income tax repeal plan summit set for late Monday afternoon. Gov. Jim Justice invited leaders from both houses to meet with him across the way at the Culture Center.
With that in view, Senate action on HB 3300, the House version of the plan, was delayed until Tuesday. HB 3300 was on second reading, the amendment stage, and the Senate was expected to patch its version of the plan into the House bill.
The Senate also delayed until Tuesday action on SB 125, its budget bill. SB 125 also was on second reading.
And the Senate punted on two House resolutions proposing constitutional amendments. Both were on second reading. HJR 1, the Education Accountability Amendment, would subject state Board of Education rule-making to legislative oversight.
HJR 2 would clarify that courts have no authority or jurisdiction to intercede, intervene in or interfere with impeachment proceedings of the House of Delegates or the Senate and that a judgment rendered by the Senate following an impeachment trial is not reviewable by any state court.
Among the measures that passed Monday:
- HCR 34 declares the pepperoni roll to be the official state food. It has bipartisan sponsorship, with a Kanawha County freshman Democrat as lead sponsor. The House adopted it in a voice vote, with a few delegates voting no. It goes to the Senate.
- The Senate passed an amended version of HB 2916, which creates the Semiquincentennial Commission for the celebration of the 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States of America. It passed 34-0 and goes back to the House for concurrence.
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