CHARLESTON, W.Va. — The state Senate passed 31 bills Wednesday and sent them to the House of Delegates for consideration during the final 10 days of the 60-day regular legislative session.
The 34-member body made quick work of its cross-over day work. After Wednesday until the end of the session, April 13, the Senate can only work on House bills and vice-versa.
The Senate bills passed Wednesday included:
♦ A measure to cut $28 million in spending from the current state budget. The bill, proposed this week by Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin, is aimed at helping reach a balanced budget this fiscal year. State revenue collections are down $50 million.
♦ A bill that would allow for the establishment of a casino in Pendleton County. The measure is modeled after the The Greenbrier gambling bill from a few years ago, but it drops the provision that required a vote by residents.
♦ A measure that would allow workers at The Greenbrier to gamble at the resort. The bill also changes some outdated games.
♦ A bill to restore pay to magistrates in four counties, McDowell, Wyoming, Lewis and Wetzel, which had their salaries reduced when 2010 Census numbers came out.
♦ More than 40 circuit judges in West Virginia would have their annual contributions to their state retirement fund cut from 10 percent to 7.5 percent in a bill that passed Wednesday. The bill calls for a review of the fund’s finances each year. Opponents say it’s a pay raise for judges. They would get about $4,100 more in their paychecks each year that was being contributed to retirement.
♦ A measure that would require employers to pay discharged employees their final pay within four days of them leaving the job. Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin’s original bill changed the current 72 hours to the next pay period. The Senate’s compromised bill makes it four business days or the next pay period, whichever comes first.
♦ Gov. Tomblin’s purchasing bill, aimed at cleaning up the state’s purchasing process including the elimination of secondary bidding beginning July 1. Secondary bidding was used in the controversial purchase of internet routers.
♦ A bill creating an “I Support Veterans” license plate. A bill requested by Medal of Honor recipient Woody Williams.
♦ The so-called “Puppy Mill bill,” a measure that would set up state regulations for commercial dog breeding operations.