[{"_1":2,"_124":-5,"_125":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88,100,112],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6075893,"mediaKeyId","2978705-263bd305f2dca41458338268de796008","parentId",2978705,"title","Senate approves strike-and-insert to allow Huntington and select counties to levy excise taxes for economic development districts","audioSeconds",165,"startMs",2628000,"endMs",2793000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2978705-263bd305f2dca41458338268de796008&start=2628&end=2793","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2978705-263bd305f2dca41458338268de796008/thumbnail_2628000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6075893/West-Virginia/Senate-approves-strike-and-insert-to-allow-Huntington-and-select-counties-to-levy-excise-taxes-for-economic-development-districts","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6075893-21798893bcb8b790f62ff3ba307783e9/orig.mp4?Expires=1771188232&Signature=Obki9-8Gl-9nQNaGRaVaweDBJiN8dQyndYosz6Y1KJMD86I4nJ8PBtjWEWGpPrDiJ9IjK5AveaKsPvt7KLbSP5SzdafFwMYIyGLFXHo57GmmruJdrwkEiVWjWIBeg7Yv3~9EfK--mT34tlE8SAiMyUiyNljDAU2fqA98TevYwI8hi7oowF6eHptDCZ8Pw2cQFm55g2CnrzxMVLWQkICa~GHRk277g0o3YKoXBRle-NVValId~ioeBIvlV5FgbhxlQjdukVEmApv4uI66BbBJ5jGxH0ac2m5OJWTSpLoflQvvc2N1YdKIDtE66Hvp2uiJ~CO68zN1dnZBocConNzgkA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","West Virginia Legislature","date","2025-04-11T00:00:00Z","article","The committee on economic development offered and the Senate adopted strike‑and‑insert amendments authorizing municipal and county economic opportunity development districts and imposing application, approval and reporting requirements.

For House Bill 34 92, the strike‑and‑insert authorizes the City of Huntington to levy an excise tax for a 46‑acre Economic Opportunity Development District but requires the city to submit an application to and receive approval from the Department of Economic Development before levying the tax. The amendment also requires municipalities imposing the tax to file annual reports with details including amounts collected, businesses operating in the district, indebtedness attributed to sales tax increment and projected debt retirement dates.

A related bill (a committee substitute for House Bill 26 95 in the transcript) authorizes Raleigh County Commission and Mason County Commission to levy special excise taxes for county economic opportunity districts (Raleigh County district ~1,600 acres; Mason County ~150 acres) with required public hearings, Department of Economic Development approval, reporting requirements and limits on acreage‑based modifications that would not increase district average acreage by more than 10%.

The Huntington measure passed on a machine vote of 22 yays, 12 nays; the title amendment was adopted and the clerk communicated the action to the House. The Raleigh/Mason county measure passed by a machine vote of 19 yays, 15 nays; title amendments and committee changes were recorded and the clerk communicated action to the House.

Senators debated and adopted a technical amendment to the Raleigh/Mason bill that adjusted numeric insertions on page 3 (striking ‘‘2,053’’ and inserting ‘‘2,057’’ and related date adjustments), and further title amendments were adopted.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Senate in Session Apr 11, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","The Senate adopted strike-and-insert amendments authorizing the City of Huntington and certain counties to levy special excise taxes for Economic Opportunity Development Districts, subject to Department of Economic Development approval and annual reporting requirements.","taxTitle","2025 Legislature WV, West Virginia","taxId",77714,"location","West Virginia","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6075896,"Senate approves bill raising small-business revenue threshold and limiting municipal licensing for home-based firms",170,4020000,4190000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2978705-263bd305f2dca41458338268de796008&start=4020&end=4190","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2978705-263bd305f2dca41458338268de796008/thumbnail_4020000.jpg","/articles/6075896/West-Virginia/Senate-approves-bill-raising-small-business-revenue-threshold-and-limiting-municipal-licensing-for-home-based-firms","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6075896-fe605ee5ac9cb6e8d0f0f55448cfe2bf/orig.mp4?Expires=1771188232&Signature=c92Wt5PMSXH0P~v~HR2hlPMhm-l~xgHz-yoH4VzqIu2lYzh0KEjKk~kOA5Ogj7rjUc5ls8-vTygvgqaF3MV9ICrmUm~BS52x5AAVcEa7bQwE7dyybGMBXDS3O4rZPTqCd2J09-XXDEhrOoGxhAE8mLCJCr0iMnN2LGNPq0TYQdpzdKhJcsljayaaPc7gxeUmsOmHhsmCTwvtUvDllDcYeYggdgVL4ceSxjPIoflk9spMHdhOsC-rt2FmKRG3rnyhz6axs1ewyrD0jdxOGZrZDgfhHfLult3EmFGEzL0MMsyJeabmYi4v8qTO1Qp09fEeYOB88ZW3WGyVBWryMZ9Avw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Senator from Harrison explained House Bill 24 51 on the floor as a measure to facilitate the creation of home‑based businesses. The bill creates a new article governing municipal regulation of home‑based businesses and, after a floor amendment adopted the previous day, includes provisions from Senate Bill 933.

The sponsor said the bill defines a home‑based business, prevents municipalities from imposing licensing or permitting rules that would not apply to a similar commercial property, and does not alter reasonable existing regulations or private deed restrictions. The bill raises the threshold that triggers a municipal business license from $4,000 to $10,000 in annual revenue. It also provides that a municipality may not require a license for an independent contractor with no physical location in the municipality with under $10,000 in annual revenue, and it restricts municipalities from imposing a business & occupation or privilege tax on a small business with less than $10,000 in annual revenue.

On the floor the clerk recorded a machine vote of 28 yays, 6 nays, 0 absent; the Senate declared the bill passed and adopted a title amendment. The clerk will communicate the action to the House.

Sponsor remarks emphasized making West Virginia more business‑friendly for small operations and ensuring municipal rules do not unfairly burden home‑based entrepreneurs.","The Senate passed House Bill 24 51, which creates protections for home-based businesses, raises the municipal license threshold from $4,000 to $10,000 in annual revenue and restricts certain municipal taxes on very small businesses.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6075901,"Senate approves bill allowing public and private schools to employ school safety officers, incorporates Guardian program",112,3794000,3906000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2978705-263bd305f2dca41458338268de796008&start=3794&end=3906","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2978705-263bd305f2dca41458338268de796008/thumbnail_3794000.jpg","/articles/6075901/West-Virginia/Senate-approves-bill-allowing-public-and-private-schools-to-employ-school-safety-officers-incorporates-Guardian-program","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6075901-0fa93024bb0ac07a46ba8e271288dd37/orig.mp4?Expires=1771188232&Signature=DkFm5Ar6-DpdsDbpTdwcvUKR4ZRtwWHOgGjPBX~3JVzL-8pCp0au1etmWL6gXH9WZ70VU2Yzt6PBjbrr2au5e98ZmRjvPNYBZ1ayFwC~13N~ZpQhWRV972ytYniTunQVdEmOHYL1QcaJjc5A1db~n4xuyuOLYvX6g9rhBJSo6gwTT9e8GIe6nf2IjiCo0QCMCEnVmnNY0zEx5pV11bp6V-IKWapjQd3epk2JBfBEoDMXqLbPlqGpOvh7KNJY~DGQ-mGsZ2XedXktVrg~0N8rUSRkBMTaO8fs6okpvnl~650R1Ogs65Q26JQpGCDvgHPtNMoD3nslyrxG~gX066CuPw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The sponsor described House Bill 21 64 as authorizing public and private schools — local school boards, public charter schools and private or religious schools — to employ school safety officers and to contract with private security firms.

The floor explanation said the bill requires background checks for school safety officers, specifies limits on detention powers, requires data sharing with the division of protective services, and incorporates provisions from Senate Bill 450 labeled the West Virginia Guardian Program. The measure also requires private security firms to be licensed pursuant to chapter 30 when contracted by schools.

On the floor, remarks emphasized the bill's intent to protect students and staff and to provide a legal framework for school security personnel. The clerk recorded a machine vote of 34 yays, 0 nays, 0 absent on final passage; the committee on finance moved and the Senate adopted a title amendment. The clerk will communicate the action to the House.

Sponsor remarks included: \"This bill is a common sense bill. It will protect our students, staff, and our children,\" attributed to a senator who identified earlier as supporting the measure.

The bill's passage allows both public and private educational institutions to add school safety officers under the conditions and licensing requirements described on the floor.","The Senate passed an engrossed committee substitute for House Bill 21 64 permitting public and private schools to employ school safety officers, authorizing contracts with private security firms and incorporating provisions of the West Virginia Guardian Program.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6075905,"Senate passes bill creating statutory framework for local fiscal watches and fiscal emergencies",226,3525000,3751000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2978705-263bd305f2dca41458338268de796008&start=3525&end=3751","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2978705-263bd305f2dca41458338268de796008/thumbnail_3525000.jpg","/articles/6075905/West-Virginia/Senate-passes-bill-creating-statutory-framework-for-local-fiscal-watches-and-fiscal-emergencies","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6075905-493ed3054900d96566c19f5ffa2602a4/orig.mp4?Expires=1771188232&Signature=E-bK0SGHhvSouKZ0MAM9E2sARlqS6TxZVS9awoHK~riLFn~Zmxm8KH2iZ8f-AA3AziFmMr2rmkW8pnG1urKFraP0YwOZbVRIiavE7eB8Z8iQBiFRXTwiQcdoQYQwqyo6lbnImz-FeZfUDdpwmxwBlBE1LcD3BSqCnXM2FUmqxJeRag92TcbpSHujKmn~7s9kTMFRJ1il2Gmit-mzhRoB3GiTUIQDrPMtjy94AuX3qaPzIavwYTeiwE1M1jCQcHsTXGORmv40ikKOFl1AqgclG3XOtbCiVb067SgdwLB~uIWAq~opw8s~P3I2LZxxIir2cuxSRqBJdRDXql-1tcqR2A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Junior senator from the sixteenth explained House Bill 35 17 on the floor as a comprehensive statutory framework to identify, monitor and remediate fiscal emergencies in local governments.

According to the senator, the bill creates procedures for initiating a fiscal watch (by the state auditor or a local governing body), requires submission of a financial recovery plan within 90 days of notice of a fiscal watch, and authorizes the state auditor to declare a fiscal emergency if corrective efforts fail. The auditor's actions continue during any appeal to circuit court, and the bill provides for expedited judicial review of legal challenges.

The measure sets out duties for local officials on watch or in emergency status (accurate records, submission of plans, implementing fiscal reforms), authorizes enforcement measures for noncompliance, prohibits filing for federal bankruptcy relief by a political subdivision without written permission from the state auditor, and includes provisions for both voluntary and involuntary municipal dissolution with oversight of debt payment and property transfer.

Junior senator from the sixteenth credited counsel and other senators for work on the bill and urged passage. The clerk recorded a machine vote of 34 yays, 0 nays, 0 absent; the presiding officer declared the bill passed and the committee's title amendment was adopted. The clerk will communicate the action to the House.

This bill grants the state auditor expanded monitoring and intervention authority in cases of local fiscal distress and creates statutory deadlines, reporting and oversight mechanisms intended to standardize how fiscal emergencies are identified and addressed.","The Senate passed House Bill 35 17, establishing procedures for identifying, monitoring and remediating fiscal emergencies in local governments, granting the state auditor oversight and specifying processes for recovery plans, appeals and municipal dissolution.",{"_33":113,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":114,"_41":115,"_43":116,"_45":117,"_47":118,"_49":119,"_51":120,"_53":121,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":122,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":123,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6075909,"Senate refuses to concur on troops-to-teachers amendment; dozens of House bills cleared or amended",53,1875000,1928000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2978705-263bd305f2dca41458338268de796008&start=1875&end=1928","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2978705-263bd305f2dca41458338268de796008/thumbnail_1875000.jpg","/articles/6075909/West-Virginia/Senate-refuses-to-concur-on-troops-to-teachers-amendment-dozens-of-House-bills-cleared-or-amended","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6075909-081b2ec29ebccf64e56a17e3f9ac49c7/orig.mp4?Expires=1771188232&Signature=iSrxPBYTVlc0atXuZcehzkmVYmsBAEzvibqmAxExlTnTB6x1Y~th0yB9HwC64xroYts2TAA0X3HJLNZTce6RIjOhMu1wyuevp5HGuYg~yE~Tv~Z5SmSZnthel2T7nnC~QPPQvqygaB~RWK-ub~c-~hdY9eZ~~QXcJcS4ppx6rCx-QSd8nltR2wZ5vuYznfrftPT-SBJd42UqXqhj-ubglmp7R7~nxoDIFOos1Ncc872SgDYD6UyAZD3CLwYBaw25g23emFc8Kd~NOIzP8XK2GnYI4EhhdxYxkJPVhepRBst7C02zgrE4Zd6s77QvpYifYtLScPHf8A3y46x1HY-a1g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The West Virginia Senate on the floor declined to concur in a House amendment to Senate Bill 765 (troops-to-teachers program) and moved a broad set of House bills through second and third reading, adopting title amendments and, in many cases, final passage.

Senator from Lewis offered and carried the motion that the Senate refuse to concur in the House amendment to Senate Bill 765, and the motion was adopted by voice vote. The clerk then communicated the action to the House.

Other roll-call outcomes on third reading included unanimous or near‑unanimous passage of several measures. The Senate concurred in a House amendment to Senate Bill 225 (expanding powers of National Park Service law enforcement officers) as amended; the machine vote on final passage was 33 yays, 0 nays, 1 absent/not voting, and the Senate declared the bill passed and effective from passage.

Votes at a glance (bill — short description — outcome — recorded vote when provided):
- Senate Bill 765 — establishing troops-to-teachers program — Senate refused to concur in House amendment; motion adopted by voice vote — individual roll call not recorded in transcript.
- Senate Bill 225 (as amended) — expands powers of National Park Service law enforcement officers — passed (machine vote recorded: 33 yays, 0 nays, 1 absent/not voting); title amendment adopted; made effective from passage.
- Engrossed House Bill 3344 — establishing a grant program to fund FDA drug development trials (description in transcript) — laid to the foot of the calendar by unanimous consent request; no final vote recorded in the excerpt.
- Engrossed Committee Substitute for House Bill 3411 — removing expired commissions and related housekeeping — passed (machine: 34 yays, 0 nays, 0 absent); title amendment adopted.
- Engrossed House Bill 3412 — exemptions from disclosure for certain records / FOIA updates — passed (machine: 25 yays, 9 nays, 0 absent); title amendment adopted.
- Engrossed House Bill 3424 — removes an unused statutory provision authorizing short-term loans to released inmates — passed (machine: 34 yays, 0 nays, 0 absent).
- Engrossed House Bill 3434 — updates to controlled substance schedules to match federal changes — passed (machine: 34 yays, 0 nays, 0 absent).
- Engrossed Committee Substitute for House Bill 3440 — repeals obsolete provisions under state treasurer's purview (small business linked deposit program) — passed (machine: 34 yays, 0 nays, 0 absent).
- Engrossed House Bill 3492 (strike-and-insert for House Bill 3492 / originally 34-92) — authorizes City of Huntington to levy a special excise tax for an Economic Opportunity Development District (46 acres) with DED approval and reporting requirements — passed (machine: 22 yays, 12 nays, 0 absent); title amendment adopted.
- Engrossed Committee Substitute for House Bill 2695 / 2695-style measures for Raleigh and Mason counties — authorized special excise taxes for county development districts (Raleigh/Mason) with public hearing and DED approval — passed (machine: 19 yays, 15 nays, 0 absent); title amendments adopted.
- Engrossed House Bill 3504 — protects specified agricultural and livestock facilities as critical infrastructure; increases penalties for trespass or vandalism at those sites — passed (machine: 34 yays, 0 nays, 0 absent).
- Engrossed House Bill 3513 — standards of liability and insurance requirements (alcohol service liability provisions) — passed (machine: 32 yays, 2 nays, 0 absent); later motion set effective date to 08/01/2025 (machine: 33 yays, 1 nay, 0 absent) and declared effective accordingly.
- Engrossed House Bill 3517 — comprehensive statutory framework for identifying, monitoring and remediating fiscal emergencies of local governments (includes oversight and intervention authority for the state auditor, processes for fiscal watch and fiscal emergency, provisions for municipal dissolution) — passed (machine: 34 yays, 0 nays, 0 absent); title amendment adopted.
- Engrossed Committee Substitute for House Bill 2164 (House Bill 21-64) — allows public and private schools to employ school safety officers, authorizes contracting with private security, incorporates West Virginia Guardian Program provisions — passed (machine: 34 yays, 0 nays, 0 absent); title amendment adopted.
- Engrossed Committee Substitute for House Bill 2451 — facilitates creation of home‑based businesses; raises registration/license revenue threshold from $4,000 to $10,000 and restricts municipal business or privilege taxes for small businesses under $10,000 — passed (machine: 28 yays, 6 nays, 0 absent); title amendment adopted.

Where the transcript showed only a title amendment, a voice vote, or that the clerk would communicate the action to the House, the article records that step as taken. Several measures were advanced to third reading or had committee strike‑and‑insert amendments adopted; those procedural steps are noted in the House/Senate messages recorded on the floor.

Taken together, the floor session advanced a broad package of bills on criminal law, municipal finance and economic development, records exemptions, agricultural infrastructure and school safety. The clerk will communicate enacted measures and adopted amendments to the House as recorded on the floor.","On the floor, the West Virginia Senate declined to concur with a House amendment to Senate Bill 765 and considered or passed multiple House bills on a range of policy areas including records exemptions, criminal schedules, municipal development districts and school safety.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Senate approves strike-and-insert to allow Huntington and select counties to levy excise taxes for economic development districts

Senate approves bill raising small-business revenue threshold and limiting municipal licensing for home-based firms

Senate approves bill allowing public and private schools to employ school safety officers, incorporates Guardian program

Senate passes bill creating statutory framework for local fiscal watches and fiscal emergencies

Senate refuses to concur on troops-to-teachers amendment; dozens of House bills cleared or amended