WVSPS 2019 Legislative Session Update
The following is not a political message. It is a legislative update from our government relations consultant. It is not intended to promote or oppose any political party, idea or agenda. It is simply intended to factually inform the society of current issues and conditions that exist in the legislature, so we can most effectively gauge our legislative activities going forward.
Please allow this correspondence to serve as an update regarding the first session of the 84th West Virginia Legislature.
March 27, 2019 at midnight was the deadline for Governor Justice to act on bills passed by the legislature during session. A bill can become law either with his signature or without his signature if he does not sign it before the midnight deadline.
Linked here is our bill tracking list for your reference. Note that HB 2697, the so-called Occupational Licensing Consumer Choice Act, had a double committee reference in the House and never made it out of the first committee (Industry and Labor).
In short, Governor Justice approved SB 396 (waiving occupational licensing fees for low-income individuals and military families), HB 2204 (prohibiting state licensing boards from hiring lobbyists), and HB 2510 (relating to special funds of boards of examination or registration).
Governor Justice vetoed HB 2486 (using records of criminal conviction to disqualify a person from receiving a license for a profession or occupation). HB 2486 would have removed reference to the phrase “moral turpitude” from state code relating to occupational licensing and replaced it with language indicating someone should be disqualified from licensure if a criminal conviction bears a “rational nexus” to the occupation. Governor Justice did not include a veto message with this bill but one may be forthcoming. I, for one, am curious as to why he vetoed the bill. It passed both the House and Senate by substantial margins. Should you have any questions or concerns regarding this report, please do not hesitate to contact me.
Best regards,
William M. Swann, Esq.
Kay Casto & Chaney PLLC
Charleston, WV
304-345-8900