MORGANTOWN — Here is a look at some of the bills introduced Tuesday, Jan. 25. Local sponsors and co-sponsors, if any, are noted.
SB 480, to adequately fund the Department of Environmental Protection’s Office of Oil and Gas, increasing its inspector corps from nine to 20 inspectors, who will inspect over 60,000 active oil and gas wells. Sen. Randy Smith, R-Tucker, lead sponsor.
SB 482, to dedicate tax proceeds from the sale of parts, tires and repair services for motor vehicles to the State Road Fund for the purpose of construction, repair and maintenance of public roads. Smith, sponsor.
SB 483, to allow West Virginia residents to purchase prescription drugs from Canada in order to generate cost savings to consumers.
HB 4365, to close three of the state’s four long-term care hospitals, effect Jan. 1, 2023: Jackie Withrow Hospital, John Manchin Sr. Health Care Center, and Lakin Hospital.
HB 4376, to grant full-time employees of county boards of education three months of paid leave, following the birth of a child, or the placement of a child in the home through adoption or foster care.
HB 4388, to exempt nonprofit organizations from paying state fees for outdoor advertising. Delegate Joe Statler, R-Monongalia, lead sponsor; Delegate Amy Summers, R-Taylor, co-sponsor.
HB 4395, to establish the Social Media Integrity and Anti-Corruption in Elections Act. “The bill sets forth requirements imposed on social media companies to prevent corruption and provide transparency of election-related content made available on social media websites. The bill provides for equal opportunities for all candidates and political parties to speak without policy- or partisan-based censorship. Finally, the bill seeks to uphold the integrity of elections by ensuring election-related content hosted, posted, and made available on social media websites is not monetized or otherwise used or manipulated for nefarious purposes.” Delegate Guy Ward, R-Marion, co-sponsor.
TWEET @DominionPostWV
