(Editor’s note: This story has been updated to include language from the final version of SR 6, honoring Edith Levy.)
MORGANTOWN – The state House and Senate spent a long day in session on Friday, the 59th day of the 60-day session. Most of it was spent in recess for backroom negotiation – or squabbling.
But both sides did pass some bills, and a few are on their way to the governor. Others are still in play awaiting concurrence to amendments by the other chamber. On a positive note, the Senate finally adopted its resolution honoring Holocaust survivor and educator Edith Levy, who lived in Morgantown.
Here is a look at the resolution and a few bills that managed to reach the goal line and will go to the governor.
SR 6 is the Edith Levy resolution. Levy passed away Nov. 11, and the resolution opens saying she was “a Holocaust survivor, and a remarkable woman, who dedicated her life to educating others about the dangers of intolerance and prejudice while inspiring efforts to create a future in which none among us will be singled out to become a victim or a persecutor.”
The resolution was introduced on Jan. 15 but its adoption was delayed as it underwent some corrections. Sen. Jack Woodrum, R-Summers, presented it on the floor on Friday, noting that Levy succeeded in establishing the Commission on Holocaust Education in 1998.
She crossed the state organizing workshops for teachers and programs, he said, and wrote one of the first Holocaust education textbooks and teacher’s guides.
Sen. Mike Oliverio, R-Monongalia, recalled that Levy showed up in the Capitol in 1996 to begin advocating for Holocaust Commission. She operated a resource facility in Morgantown. “She was an impassioned advocate for this cause.”
SB 623 requires the Division of Motor Vehicles to send driver’s license or photo ID images, for those who register to vote at the DMV, to the secretary of state’s office. The DMV already sends images of voter signatures to the office, which are sent out to the county clerks. The bill will take effect Jan, 1, 2025 – after the November election.
SB 503 says a state higher education institution may not deny a religious, political, or ideological student organization which is open to all students any benefit or privilege made generally available to any other student organization, or otherwise discriminate against an the organization based on a requirement of the organization that its leaders and members affirm and adhere to the organization’s sincerely held beliefs; comply with the organization’s standards of conduct; and further the organization’s mission, expression, or purpose.
SB 551 deals with business improvement service fees levied by cities with business improvement districts. Charleston and Morgantown are the only cities known to have them. Current code requires that any surplus money in business improvement funds be applied to lower the fees for the next fiscal year. The bill removes that requirement so that the district may save it to plan and budget for future projects.
HB 4863 creates the Patriotic Access to Students in Schools Act. It says that starting next school year, public school principals shall allow representatives of a patriotic society (defined in federal code) the opportunity to speak with and recruit students to participate in their organizations during school hours. The discussion would inform the students of how the patriotic society may further their educational interests and civic involvement to better their schools, communities and themselves.
Sen. Charles Clements, R-Wetzel, amended the bill on the Senate floor on Friday to require the patriotic society to notify the county school board of its plans and receive permission to enter the schools.
And while there are dozens of groups defined in federal code, Education chair Amy Grady, R-Mason, noted that only a few youth-serving organizations come into the schools: Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, Boys & Girls Clubs, and Little League.
HB 5232 updates the 2018 Business Liability Protection Act, more commonly known as the Parking Lot Gun Bill.
It says, “No owner, lessee, or other person charged with the care, custody, and control of real property may remove a customer, employee, or invitee for storing a firearm inside a motor vehicle in a parking lot, nor may they terminate an employee or take other adverse employment action against an employee for such storage, except in cases of threats of unlawful action.”
