The 2022 session of the West Virginia Legislature adjourned sine die on March 12.

Key measures passed include the $4.65 billion state budget and Senate Bill 4, which repeals the state’s ban on nuclear power plants first established in 1994.

Additionally, a proposed amendment to the state constitution shifting the power of public education policy and rule decisions from the Board of Education to state lawmakers was passed.

This proposed amendment will be submitted for voter ratification on November 8.

West Virginia Gov. Justice has called for a special session on January 10 to consider and act upon several items relating to economic development.

These items include a bill establishing a “West Virginia Industrial Advancement Act” and supplemental appropriation bills.

West Virginia lawmakers completed their third special session after approving redistricting plans.

In addition to approving new House and Senate districts, the Legislature passed a bill to require employers to allow religious and health exemptions to COVID-19 vaccine requirements.

The Legislature also approved the creation of the Broadband Development Fund.

The West Virginia Legislature held its second special session on June 24.

During the one-day session, lawmakers approved adjustments of roughly $1.95 billion to the state budget, including the allocation of surplus federal relief funding.

The Legislature also considered and passed bills relating to regional jails and alcohol sales.

The West Virginia held a one-day special session on June 7.

Though the session was brief, the Legislature managed to pass seven bills.

Six of these bills concerned reallocation of unused federal relief funds to road maintenance work and the departments of Health and Human Resources and Education, while the final bill concerned property exemptions for bankruptcy proceedings.

West Virginia Gov. Jim Justice has announced he is calling a special session of the West Virginia Legislature for June 7.

The special session will look to allocate a portion of the state’s nearly $400 million surplus in federal relief funds from the departments of Health and Human Resources and Education to the state’s road maintenance programs.

The Second Session of the 84th Legislature adjourned sine die on March 7 at noon after 60 days in session.

Legislators passed 74 bills, including the budget bill that was a priority for legislators and Gov. Jim Justice.

Lawmakers also passed House Bill 4092, which provided major changes to the state’s foster care system.

Lawmakers passed two measures dealing with ethics and transparency during the regular legislative session that wrapped up in April.

House Bill 2319 will become effective July 5, requiring candidate committees for members of the Legislature to make additional disclosures of contributions and fundraising events while the Legislature is in session.

House Bill 2001 will become law July 7, requiring companies contracting with state agencies on contracts over $100,000 to make disclosures listing interested parties to the contract.

Bills that were not approved during the legislative session do not carry over.

Gov. Jim Justice signed a proclamation to extend the legislative session by one day to an adjournment date of April 9. The extension is required by the constitution since the Legislature has not yet passed a budget bill.

More time may be needed for lawmakers to pass a budget as there is little agreement among lawmakers on how to address West Virginia’s $500 million shortfall in the 2018 fiscal year budget.

Both the House and Senate advanced budget bills on Wednesday, April 5; however, Justice indicated he plans to veto either plan that reaches his desk.

An extended session appears likely for West Virginia’s Legislature.

Lawmakers have yet to approve a budget and the regular session is set to adjourn April 8. The state currently faces a $500 million shortfall in the 2018 fiscal year budget and there is little consensus among lawmakers on how to address the deficit.

The constitution requires the Governor to issue a proclamation extending the session if the Legislature has not passed a budget bill by the 57th day of the 60-day regular session. Wednesday, April 5, is the 57th day of the session.

On June 14, the West Virginia Legislature adjourned sine die after passing a budget bill.

This is the second budget proposal of the special session to be sent to Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin’s desk.

The governor is expected to approve the bill, which is needed to avert a government shutdown that would result if a budget is not enacted before July 1.

The West Virginia Legislature passed a budget bill Thursday that is being sent to Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin’s desk.

Upon the bill’s passage on the 13th day of a special session, the Legislature decided to recess the session until June 12.

The governor is expected to veto the bill. The state faces a potential government shutdown if a budget is not approved before July 1.

For full news coverage, read:

“W.Va. lawmakers navigate lobby ban, social media” by The Associated Press in the Washington Examiner.

“W.Va. lawmakers seek buffer from e-lobbying but not blockade with public in social media age” by Lawrence Messina (Associated Press) in The Republic.

Photo of the West Virginia State Capitol Building by Analogue Kid on Wikipedia.

The West Virginia Legislature convened a special session on Sunday, December 11, 2011.

The session has been called to discuss the regulation of oil and gas wells.