The Legislature Today

On this episode of The Legislature Today, News Director Eric Douglas talks with Del. Cathie Hess Crouse, R-Putnam, and Senate Minority Leader Mike Woelfel, D-Cabell, about the issue of child care in the state and how it is a personal and economic development issue.

Also, it was the 30th day of the 60-day session. We are at the midpoint, and there will be a series of deadlines lawmakers must meet, beginning next week, to get legislation introduced and moving.

The House of Delegates rejected a bill Thursday that would have allowed corporations to make contributions to political campaigns. As Jack Walker reports, the idea faced bipartisan pushback.

Several bills being considered by the legislature this year have reignited a long-running debate about who has ultimate control over the state’s schools. Chris Schulz has more.

And on Wednesday, the House passed a Department of Environmental Protections rules package. The bill included a change that could allow more pollutants in streams in the state. Briana Heaney has more.

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The Legislature Today is West Virginia’s only television/radio simulcast devoted to covering the state’s 60-day regular legislative session.

Watch or listen to new episodes Monday through Friday at 6 p.m. on West Virginia Public Broadcasting.

On this episode of The Legislature Today, News Director Eric Douglas talks with Jim Brown, the executive director of the West Virginia School Board Association. The group represents the school boards in all 55 counties in West Virginia. They discuss pending legislation that will affect school systems and students. 

Gov. Patrick Morrisey held a ceremonial bill signing event today where he signed Senate Bill 456, which defines “men” and “women.” Briana Heaney has that story.

The House of Delegates passed a bill pertaining to the appointment of mental hygiene commissioners, and the placement of residents in institutions due to mental health concerns. Jack Walker has the details.

The Senate Natural Resources Committee approved a bill Wednesday that would charge a $100 fee every time a protected bird, including bald eagles, is killed by wind turbines. A fiscal note attached to the bill said it would raise about $300,000 a year from the 376 wind turbines in the state. Senate Bill 21 now goes to the Senate Finance Committee.

And state and federal orders to repeal diversity, equity and inclusion programs have spurred organizational changes at Marshall University. As Randy Yohe reports, these changes are being met with mixed reviews from students.  

Having trouble viewing the episode below? Click here to watch it on YouTube.

The Legislature Today is West Virginia’s only television/radio simulcast devoted to covering the state’s 60-day regular legislative session.

Watch or listen to new episodes Monday through Friday at 6 p.m. on West Virginia Public Broadcasting.

On this episode of The Legislature Today, Assistant News Director Maria Young turned to the issue of legislation related to foster care and adoption as multiple bills wind their way through the two chambers. She spoke with Jaycie Bias, executive director with the West Virginia Foster, Adoptive & Kinship Parents Network, and Rachel Kinder with Mission West Virginia, a non-profit that advocates and focuses on those same areas. 

In the House, delegates passed several bills, many of which, like the state wide camping ban, garnered debate.

It was a somber day in the Senate as lawmakers passed a bill that would increase penalties for drug-related offenses. The bill is named in honor of a 26-year-old Morgantown native and West Virginia University (WVU) graduate who died after ingesting drugs laced with fentanyl. The bill passed with her parents present in the gallery. Emily Rice brings us that story.

And student conduct and discipline has been a focus of legislative activity for the past several years. As Chris Schulz reports, one subcommittee is looking at bills to help students focus and behave.

Having trouble viewing the video below? Click here to watch it on YouTube.

The Legislature Today is West Virginia’s only television/radio simulcast devoted to covering the state’s 60-day regular legislative session.

Watch or listen to new episodes Monday through Friday at 6 p.m. on West Virginia Public Broadcasting.

On this episode of The Legislature Today, Health Reporter Emily Rice talks with West Virginia’s new secretary of the Department of Human Services, Alex Mayer, to discuss the future of child welfare in a state with more than 6,000 children in its custody.

The Senate approved 10 bills Monday on issues ranging from optometry to carbon sequestration. As Chris Schulz reports, two of those bills deal with the well being of students in the state’s schools.

The House of Delegates sent five bills over to the Senate. One bill that addresses thrift stores garnered some debate. Briana Heaney has that story. 

Having trouble viewing the video below? Click here to watch it on YouTube.

The Legislature Today is West Virginia’s only television/radio simulcast devoted to covering the state’s 60-day regular legislative session.

Watch or listen to new episodes Monday through Friday at 6 p.m. on West Virginia Public Broadcasting.

On this episode of The Legislature Today, WVPB reporters Curtis Tate and Emily Rice are joined by Lori Kersey from West Virginia Watch for our weekly reporter roundtable.

In the House, delegates passed a bill that would prohibit the use of ranked choice voting in the state. Ranked choice voting is not currently practiced, but Senate Bill 490 clarifies that no state or local elections can use it.

In the Senate, there was a long and contentious debate around laser eye surgery. Briana Heaney has that story.

The Senate Judiciary Committee Thursday afternoon advanced two bills on controversial topics: Senate Bill 264 would reinstate the death penalty in West Virginia, but only for the intentional killing of law enforcement officers and emergency responders. The committee also advanced Senate Bill 474, which would eliminate diversity, equity and inclusion programs and offices from the state’s executive branch and every level of education.

A Senate Bill, the Riley Gaines Act, has cleared both chambers and is quickly approaching the legislative finish line. Briana Heaney also has this story.

Finally, we have our weekly feature with two West Virginia high school students, Malia Saar and Emma Browning.

Having trouble viewing the video below? Click here to watch it on YouTube.

The Legislature Today is West Virginia’s only television/radio simulcast devoted to covering the state’s 60-day regular legislative session.

Watch or listen to new episodes Monday through Friday at 6 p.m. on West Virginia Public Broadcasting.

On this episode of The Legislature Today, legislation to outlaw opioid treatment programs that distribute methadone without offering integrated care in West Virginia, Senate Bill 204, is making its way through the West Virginia Legislature. Emily Rice brings us this story. Also, Assistant News Director Maria Young talks with Sens. Eric Tarr, R-Putnam, and Mike Woelfel, D-Cabell, about the bill.

In the Senate, the Government Organization Committee debated Senate Bill 20, which would require funding for increased costs to volunteer fire departments and EMS units.

On the floor of the House of Delegates, lawmakers voted to pass a spate of bills. Among them was House Bill 2117, which would require mail-in ballots to be received by 7 p.m. on Election Day.

And compared to previous years, this year's legislative session is off to a relatively slow start. However, bills relating to LGBTQ rights and issues have been an exception. Chris Schulz has more on the latest bills to move in both chambers.

Having trouble viewing the video below? Click here to watch it on YouTube.

The Legislature Today is West Virginia’s only television/radio simulcast devoted to covering the state’s 60-day regular legislative session.

Watch or listen to new episodes Monday through Friday at 6 p.m. on West Virginia Public Broadcasting.

On this episode of The Legislature Today, Curtis Tate talks with Vice Chair of the House Energy and Manufacturing Committee Del. George Street, R-Preston, and Minority Chair of the Energy and Public Works Committee Del. Evan Hansen, D-Monongalia, about energy issues in West Virginia. Among other topics, they discuss rising electricity prices, community solar and data centers. 

The House of Delegates considered a bill Wednesday that changes the law on illegal drugs that contain fentanyl.

Also, a bill that would ban foods that contain certain ingredients cleared the Senate and is very close to completing legislation. This bill would make West Virginia the first state in the US to have such an expansive ban on these ingredients.

And the Federation of Humane Organizations of West Virginia in 2024 estimated that the state had more than 118,000 stray cats. Many advocates say spaying and neutering pets is key to reducing pet overpopulation. But spay and neuter procedures can be costly, which is why the state has stepped in to help finance them. This session, Jack Walker reports that lawmakers are looking to strengthen spay and neuter access once again.

Having trouble viewing the video below? Click here to watch it on YouTube.

The Legislature Today is West Virginia’s only television/radio simulcast devoted to covering the state’s 60-day regular legislative session.

Watch or listen to new episodes Monday through Friday at 6 p.m. on West Virginia Public Broadcasting.

On this episode of The Legislature Today, News Director Eric Douglas talks with Deak Kersey, the chief deputy secretary of state and the chief of staff for Secretary Kris Warner, about a series of bills working their way through the state legislature that pertain to elections. They touch on topics including removing ineligible voters from the rolls, clarifying eligibility requirements and prohibiting ranked choice voting.

Also, it’s not uncommon for lawmakers to reintroduce a bill that failed the previous year, especially when that bill progressed out of at least one chamber. As Chris Schulz reports, the education committees on both sides of the Capitol have focused on such bills to start this year’s session.

In the House, delegates passed two bills pertaining to criminal justice.

And students at Marshall University recently spoke up on the future of the school's many Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, or DEI, related programs. As Randy Yohe reports, a campus rally also brought out students concerned that their majors and minors may not lead to the career paths they once expected. (Student journalists from Marshall helped prepare this report.)

Having trouble viewing the episode below? Click here to watch it on YouTube.

The Legislature Today is West Virginia’s only television/radio simulcast devoted to covering the state’s 60-day regular legislative session.

Watch or listen to new episodes Monday through Friday at 6 p.m. on West Virginia Public Broadcasting

On this episode of The Legislature Today, Curtis Tate talks with Minority Leaders Sen. Mike Woelfel, D-Cabell, and Del. Sean Hornbuckle, D-Cabell, to further discuss their priorities and how they see the session so far.

Also, the first of a flurry of bills addressing gender and biological sex has passed the upper chamber. Senate Bill 456 defines sex and prohibits transgender people from using certain facilities that align with their gender identity.

And a bill to address disciplinary issues in West Virginia schools passed the House of Delegates this morning. Chris Schulz has more.

Having trouble viewing the episode below? Click here to watch it on YouTube.

The Legislature Today is West Virginia’s only television/radio simulcast devoted to covering the state’s 60-day regular legislative session.

Watch or listen to new episodes Monday through Friday at 6 p.m. on West Virginia Public Broadcasting

On this episode of The Legislature Today, Steven Allan Adams, veteran statehouse reporter for Ogden Newspapers, joins our WVPB reporters for our weekly roundtable.

Advocates for survivors of sexual violence hope the state will continue supporting crisis programs. But this year, they’re also backing a bill to address one form of sexual exploitation that’s receiving traction in the legislature. Jack Walker reports.

Thursday afternoon, Senate Judiciary discussed a bill that would restrict public schools from teaching about gender identity and sexual orientation. It would also obligate teachers to out transgender students to their parents or guardians. Briana Heaney has more.

Also, we have a weekly feature with West Virginia high school students. This week, Malia Saar and Emma Browning look at some issues they thought may be of interest to the youth of West Virginia.

Having trouble viewing the video below? Click here to watch it on YouTube.

The Legislature Today is West Virginia’s only television/radio simulcast devoted to covering the state’s 60-day regular legislative session.

Watch or listen to new episodes Monday through Friday at 6 p.m. on West Virginia Public Broadcasting