CHARLESTON, W.Va. — House of Delegates Speaker Roger Hanshaw didn’t mention any names but he was clearly responding to this week’s decision by a Kanawha County circuit judge when he made remarks at the end of Tuesday’s floor session.
Hanshaw said he had instructed the House’s sergeant-at-arms and doorkeepers to keep all but the rear doors of the House chamber sealed while the House is conducting opening exercises during its daily floor sessions.
Kanawha County Circuit Judge Tod Kaufman dismissed a battery charge against Delegate Mike Caputo, D-Marion, Monday. He said Caputo was under legislative immunity when he forced his way into the House during last year’s session. Caputo was mad about a anti-Muslim display during Republican Day and entered the chamber as the session was beginning. An assistant doorkeeper was hurt in the incident.
Hanshaw said Tuesday his instructions are to keep the rear door entrance accessible to members at all times.
“Including the opening exercises,” Hanshaw told the House.
He added members would be asked to stay in the House’s rear vestibule until after the prayer and pledge of allegiance are over but said they wouldn’t be stopped.
“(They’ll) ask for your cooperation in not entering the chamber during the conduct of those exercises but will not stop you from doing so,” Hanshaw said. “The rear doors of this chamber will be accessible to members at all times when this house is called to order.”