CHARLESTON, W.Va. — State lawmakers are off and running.
The pounding of gavels in both the West Virginia Senate chamber and the West Virginia House of Delegates chamber marked the start of the 2014 Regular Legislative Session at the State Capitol in Charleston on Wednesday afternoon.
Senate President Jeff Kessler (D-Marshall, 2) called the Senate to order shortly after 12 p.m. while House Speaker Tim Miley (D-Harrison, 48) did the same on the other side of the State House.
“The Legislature has assembled for the second regular session of the 81st Legislature and is ready to proceed to the business of the session,” Miley announced.
Miley was chosen to replace former House Speaker Rick Thompson when Thompson resigned to become Secretary of the state Department of Veterans Assistance last May. This will be Miley’s first regular session as House Speaker.
The first bill introduced on the House side, before members adjourned Wednesday, was the False Claims Act.
Kessler has lead the Senate since current Governor Earl Ray Tomblin became acting governor in 2010 before later being elected.
Members of both the House and Senate will gather in the House chamber at 7 p.m. Wednesday to hear Governor Tomblin deliver his fourth State of the State Address. MetroNews will provide coverage of the speech on the MetroNews Radio Network and online.
The 60 day session will continue through Saturday, March 8.