Latest news with #HB3279
Yahoo
15-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
A look at bills that crossed the legislative finish line
Apr. 14—MORGANTOWN — The 2025 legislative session wrapped up at midnight Saturday, and a number of bills we followed along the way completed their journeys. Most prominent among them is HB 3279. Over the objections of WVU and Marshall and others who said it addresses a problem that doesn't exist, it turns the student, faculty and staff members of college and university boards of governors across the state into non-voting advisory members. For WVU specifically, it also makes the Extension service faculty representative a non-voting member. Some final amendment fiddling and concurrence concluded Saturday afternoon and it heads to the governor. WVU provided this statement to The Dominion Post on Monday: "West Virginia University is West Virginia's University because of our students, faculty and staff, and their commitment to serving the state. We believe their voices should be heard and, in this case, they made their opposition to HB 3279 known to lawmakers. "Once the bill is signed into law, " WVU said, "we will work to implement its provisions as we do with every other law. The WVU Board of Governors will continue to include two faculty representatives, one classified staff representative and one student body representative. Going forward, we hope their perspectives and guidance will continue to be sought in the decision-making process." SB 50 aligns municipal election dates with statewide primary and general election dates, effective July 1, 2032. Last Monday, April 7, the House adopted an amendment by Delegate Geno Chiarelli, R-Monongalia, to move the effective date to July 1, 2028. The Senate rejected that amendment and on Saturday the House receded and passed the Senate version 93-2. Chiarelli joined the majority but Delegate Evan Hansen D-Monongalia, voted against it (he voted for it when the House passed its amended version). It heads to the governor. Here are some other bills heading to the governor. After failing in 2023 and 2024, the bill to require the display of the U.S. Motto "IN God We Trust " finally passed. SB 280 requires public schools and higher education institutions to display a durable poster or framed copy of the motto "in a conspicuous location within a common area of the main building ...that is accessible to the public." Displays in other areas is optional. Public funding is prohibited, while private funding is permitted. HB 2003 requires county school boards to establish policies for permitting, or not permitting, personal electronic devices on school property. If permitted, the board will set parameters for use and for storage during instructional hours. It includes exceptions for medical issues and for students with Individualized Education Programs. It also requires school boards to establish consequences for violations, including confiscation and ongoing prohibition from possession on campus. HB 2164 allows schools three options to put security officers in their hallways. It allows public and charter schools, along with private and religious schools, to employ school safety officers. It allows public schools, including charters (private and religious schools do not appear in this section), to contract with a retired law enforcement officer to provide Guardian services. And it allows schools — public, private and religious — to contract with private security firms. HB 2434 is the Stop Squatters Act. It says a squatter is a person occupying a dwelling or other structure who is not so entitled under a rental agreement or is not authorized to do so by the tenant or owner. It allows a property owner or their authorized agent to request law enforcement to undertake the immediate removal of the squatter, under specified conditions. The bill establishes the crime of criminal mischief for causing damages, with misdemeanor and felony penalties depending on the value of the damages. It also sets criminal penalties for selling real property without authorization and for advertising property for sale or rent without authorization. HB 2960 launches a pilot project to plow secondary roads in Monongalia and Preston counties. It says, "Snow removal on the secondary roads in Monongalia County and Preston County has not been dependable, providing a hardship on the citizens of West Virginia." It establishes a two-year pilot project to put out a Request for Proposal for vendors to provide snow removal for District 4's secondary roads in Monongalia and Preston counties. The Division of Highways will identify the roads to be plowed. The DOH can terminate a contract, with 30 days' notice, for substandard or unsatisfactory work. A couple measures died. SB 85 aimed to ban the prescription and dispensing of abortion medications by mail order. It passed the Senate but died in House Health without a hearing. And the House was set to take up a Senate pro-coal resolution on Saturday but let it die. SCR 18 announced the intention to create a West Virginia Coal Renaissance Act, citing the changing views about energy as the Trump administration follows the more renewable-minded Biden and Obama years. It said the Coal Renaissance Act, along with programs and initiatives, will encourage and foster greater coal usage, and state agencies will develop strategies to fully develop coal production and consumption, including new coal-fired plants and efforts to keep current plants open.
Yahoo
10-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Senate passes House bill stripping some university board of governors members of voting rights
Apr. 9—DBeard @ MORGANTOWN—A divided state Senate on Wednesday passed the House bill stripping the voting rights from certain members of university governing boards. The vote followed an unsuccessful effort by Sen. Mike Oliverio, R-Monongalia, to restore those rights during a Tuesday evening floor session. During Wednesday's debate on HB 3279, Sen. Mike Woelfel, D-Cabell, obliquely addressed an issue that's been discussed in the hallways but not on the record: the origin of the bill. All the members know the origin, he said. "Somebody applied for a job. They didn't get the job. And now we're running a bill to change the board of governors for every college and university in the state." Woelfel was referring to an unsuccessful applicant for the WVU president's job—a member of the West Virginia Legislature who has been named in media reports, but not confirmed by WVU. Students are being removed from voting positions at schools they pay to attend, he said. "If you think our students are not knowledgeable or sophisticated enough to cast a thoughtful and intelligent vote, you don't know our students, " he said. HB 3279 turns the student, faculty and staff members of boards of governors across the state into non-voting advisory members. For WVU specifically, it makes the Extension service faculty representative also a non-voting member. When Oliverio explained his amendment on Tuesday evening, he said, "If we fail to adopt this amendment, we will eliminate the voting rights for students, faculty and staff at all institutions." All the members, he said, may have heard from their constituents the importance of those voices in the governing process. He's heard from Fairmont State and WVU in his district. Government Organization chair Patricia Rucker, R-Jefferson, defended the measure, saying only two Big 12 university BOGs have voting faculty members, six have voting student members and none have voting staff. She cited similar numbers among 20 WVU peer institutions. A survey by the Association of Governing Boards of Universities and Colleges, she said, shows that 18.4 % have voting faculty and 8.7 % have voting staff. "The duty of loyalty to the institution obligates board members to act in good faith and put the interests of the institution above any personal or private interest, " she said. Faculty and staff have incontrovertible conflicts, and even without an actual conflict, there's always an appearance." Oliverio suggested that Rucker better understands BOGs everywhere than in her own district. West Virginia has had this setup for 30 years without any complaint. "To suggest that the thousands of men and women in this state who serve as faculty members at our institutions would be disloyal to their institution if they had an opportunity to vote on their governing board, I find offensive, " he said. Oliverio read a letter from WVU President Gordon Gee, who said the university is strong when everyone is engaged and invested in the outcome. Compromise is built when all sides have a place in decision making, and voting power creates a buy0in from the groups most affected by BOG decisions. He knows of many instances where those voices have shaped policy for the better. Oliverio's amendment failed in a 14-19 vote. Education chair Amy Grady, R-Mason, supported the amendment along with, locally, Sens. Charles Clements, R-Wetzel, and Joey Garcia, D-Marion. Sens. Chris Rose, R-Monongalia, Jay Taylor, R-Taylor, and Senate President Randy Smith, R-Tucker, opposed it. Two other Oliverio amendments also failed: one to require a geographical balance on the WVU BOG by requiring five members from each congressional district, and one to make sure advisory members aren't edged out by explicitly allowing them to attend all BOG meetings. The debate continued Wednesday when the bill was up for passage. Oliverio asked Woelfel whether he agreed that the tone of Tuesday's debate reflected a view that boards are better run by lawyers and business people. Woelfel agreed and noted that Marshall President Brad Smith, perhaps the most successful businessman in the state, opposes the bill because he wants to hear from students and staff and faculty. "He felt that participation of those people on the board are the yeast that helps the loaf rise, " Woelfel said. And Oliverio noted that for the past three weeks, no legislator has approached him to advise him of any problems with the current setup. Rucker, alluding to Woelfel's assertion about the origin of the bill, said, "This bill was not meant to attack anyone." It's a policy decision and those members will remain on the boards as advisory members, he said, and many alumni serve as board members and know and understand the students and faculty. The vote to pass the bill was 19-15, with the senators named above voting in the same way: opposing the amendment and supporting the bill. Other measures in the bill include mandating that one BOG member for WVU and West Virginia State University — the two land-grant institutions — represent agriculture, forestry or the related sciences. It raises the number of gubernatorial appointees for WVU's BOG from 12 to 15, and requires one of them to be the agriculture /forestry representative, one to represent WVU Tech, and one to represent Potomac State. It raises total WVU BOG membership from 17 to 19. For West Virginia State, it requires one of nine gubernatorial appointees to be the agriculture /forestry representative. HB 3279 now returns to the House for concurrence with some Senate tweaks.
Yahoo
08-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Senate committee advances bill to remove voting power from 4 WVU BOG members
Apr. 7—MORGANTOWN — The House bill that would strip the voting rights from the two faculty representatives, the classified staff representative and the student body representative on the WVU Board of Governors advanced out of the Senate Government Organization Committee Monday morning and heads to the Senate floor. HB 3279 contains several elements. It mandates that one BOG member for WVU and West Virginia State University — the two land-grant institutions — represent agriculture, forestry or the related sciences. It raises the number of gubernatorial appointees for WVU's BOG from 12 to 15 and requires one of them to be the agriculture /forestry representative, one to represent WVU Tech and one to represent Potomac State. It raises total WVU BOG membership from 17 to 19. For West Virginia State, it requires one of nine gubernatorial appointees to be the agriculture /forestry representative. A three-year West Virginia residency requirement for a BOG member to be eligible to be elected chair was removed from the bill. And for WVU and Marshall and all other institutions, the bill makes the faculty representative, the student representative and the classified staff representative nonvoting advisory members. For WVU specifically, it makes the Extension service faculty representative also a non-voting member. Because the agenda was packed, committee chair Patricia Rucker, R-Jefferson, limited time for public testimony. WVU BOG faculty representative Lesley Cottrell spoke briefly about the right to vote, saying, "We've taken that responsibility seriously." No one knows why those voting rights are removed in this bill, she said, and she asked to have them restored. Discussion was minimal. Sen. Anne Charnock, R-Kanawha, said, "I just think the optics are horrible." The Senate has been working to ensure people have the right to vote and this takes away that right from BOG members. By way of background, debate was more thorough — if futile — in the House. Travis Mollohan, WVU's associate vice president for government relations, told the Higher Education Subcommittee that first considered the bill that the four members have had voting power since 1989. They represent 25, 000 students, 2, 000 staff and 3, 500 faculty. Board members don't always agree, but they bring valuable insights to board discussions. And Cottrell appeared before the full Education committee. "We're all trying to think about how this would affect us, " she said. WVU didn't ask for this, she said, and no one knows why it's in this bill. "It's like being at the adult table and now being asked to sit at the kiddie table, even though the family asked you to sit at the adult table." While BOG votes are typically unanimous and represent a consensus, she said, what they vote on has been shaped and modified by the voices of those proposed to have their votes taken away in this bill. "Why and why now, " she asked. While bill supporters said those members would still have a voice even without a vote, others disagreed. Delegate Lori Dittman, R-Braxton, said, "Faculty, students and staff are the heartbeat and soul of our institutions." And Delegate Mike Pushkin, D-Kanawha, said, "I don't know why we are doing this. I don't know what the purpose of this is — to silence the voice of faculty and students." The committee vote was 15-9 to advance it to the House floor. Monongalia County Republicans Geno Chiarelli and Joe Statler both voted in favor of the bill. But they reversed their votes on the House floor, where it passed 62-35. On the floor, all Mon, Marion and Preston delegates voted against it except George Street, R-Preston.
Yahoo
12-03-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
WVU Faculty Senate alarmed by House bill to strip faculty, staff, student BOG reps of voting power
Mar. 11—MORGANTOWN — WVU Faculty Senate raised the alarm during its Monday meeting over a bill introduced in the House of Delegates and on the agenda of the Higher Education Subcommittee Tuesday afternoon. HB 3279's stated purpose is "to require one person of the West Virginia University Board of Governors and of the West Virginia State University Board of Governors with a background in agriculture or in an agricultural field." The bill raises the BOG membership from 17 to 19 members. But what stirred the alarm was the provisions stripping the two faculty representatives, the classified staff representative and the student body representative of their voting rights. The bill adds to each of their descriptions: "who shall serve as a nonvoting, advisory member." Faculty Senate chair Diana Davis opened the meeting commenting on the bill, which was introduced on Monday. "Faculty staff and student voices are critical in providing broad and comprehensive input into the governing process for this university. The introduction of this bill is disappointing at best." WVU Staff Council chair Shirley Robinson said the council was very disturbed by the bill. "Our staff would not be in favor of this bill. It takes away our rights. It takes away us having a voice, " she said. "We're not a dictatorship at West Virginia University. All of our opinions matter." Previous Faculty Senate chair Frankie Tack said, "Not having a voting right for staff and students and faculty would diminish our voice." The four representatives are full board members, she said. "That has been very impactful along the way in many ways. ... We live here, we work here, we are served here, and we serve here and that voice must be potent on the board of governors." Under the new House committee process, the bill was set for subcommittee hearing on Tuesday — essentially an overview of the bill. Markup and passage would come at a subsequent meeting, followed by reporting to the full Education Committee. From there, if approved, it would go to the House floor. Research funding Interim Provost Paul Kreider fielded a question about word circulating of certain graduate program admissions being rescinded because of budgetary challenges. Kreider didn't have much information on the topic because it dealt with Health Sciences, but WVU had previously answered a question about this from The Dominion Post. Our question came following a forwarded email indicating a student's admission to the biomedical sciences graduate program had been rescinded. We had previously reported that on Feb. 7, the National Institutes of Health announced that it will reduce indirect cost recovery at research institutions to a flat 15 % from any previously negotiated rates. This affects new grants, as well as existing grants, WVU said then. Direct research costs cover researcher salaries, student stipends, supplies and some equipment. Indirect costs cover the university's expenses for heat and air, building maintenance, chemical and radiation safety and disposal, library access, IT access, cybersecurity, human subjects and animal welfare support, centralized research facilities, and the administration and oversight of awards to ensure that funds are spent appropriately and responsibly. WVU projected it would lose about $12 million in research dollars. In response to our question, WVU said its Health Sciences Office of Research and Graduate Education "is limiting admission to its PhD programs due to the unforeseen budgetary challenges resulting from proposed cuts to federal research funding. We've met with the students and faculty in the affected areas, and we will continue to support our existing students, faculty and staff and current ongoing research initiatives. If circumstances change in the future, admission to these PhD programs will be reevaluated. "Our leadership teams continue to work with key constituents and policymakers to seek reconsideration of these proposed federal cuts, " WVU said. "Indirect costs are partial reimbursements for real costs essential to support human and physical infrastructure required for university research programs. Without support for these costs, our nation's research universities cannot maintain research programs essential for continued national prosperity." Academic freedom resolution In light of federal and state measures to curb DEI initiatives — and WVU's recent closure of its DEI office — senators adopted a resolution on "Academic Freedom, Inclusion, and Advocacy." In view of uncertainties brought about by a shifting political and legal landscape, the resolution says, the Senate asserts the need for a safe academic environment, and values free speech and expression and academic freedom. Every person has the right to pursue knowledge, it says, and faculty have the right to discuss such topics as race, ethnicity, sexual orientation and gender. Therefore, the Senate "reaffirms its commitment to academic freedom, inclusion, and the support of all faculty, students, and staff in their pursuit of knowledge and personal growth." And the Senate "strongly urges the West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission, Governor Morrisey, and the West Virginia Legislature to work collaboratively to ensure that diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives serve their intended purpose: to enrich educational experiences for all students and create pathways for success throughout our state and university."
Yahoo
12-03-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
WVU Faculty Senate alarmed by House bill to strip faculty, staff, student BOG reps of voting power
Mar. 11—MORGANTOWN — WVU Faculty Senate raised the alarm during its Monday meeting over a bill introduced in the House of Delegates and on the agenda of the Higher Education Subcommittee Tuesday afternoon. HB 3279's stated purpose is "to require one person of the West Virginia University Board of Governors and of the West Virginia State University Board of Governors with a background in agriculture or in an agricultural field." The bill raises the BOG membership from 17 to 19 members. But what stirred the alarm was the provisions stripping the two faculty representatives, the classified staff representative and the student body representative of their voting rights. The bill adds to each of their descriptions: "who shall serve as a nonvoting, advisory member." Faculty Senate chair Diana Davis opened the meeting commenting on the bill, which was introduced on Monday. "Faculty staff and student voices are critical in providing broad and comprehensive input into the governing process for this university. The introduction of this bill is disappointing at best." WVU Staff Council chair Shirley Robinson said the council was very disturbed by the bill. "Our staff would not be in favor of this bill. It takes away our rights. It takes away us having a voice, " she said. "We're not a dictatorship at West Virginia University. All of our opinions matter." Previous Faculty Senate chair Frankie Tack said, "Not having a voting right for staff and students and faculty would diminish our voice." The four representatives are full board members, she said. "That has been very impactful along the way in many ways. ... We live here, we work here, we are served here, and we serve here and that voice must be potent on the board of governors." Under the new House committee process, the bill was set for subcommittee hearing on Tuesday — essentially an overview of the bill. Markup and passage would come at a subsequent meeting, followed by reporting to the full Education Committee. From there, if approved, it would go to the House floor. Research funding Interim Provost Paul Kreider fielded a question about word circulating of certain graduate program admissions being rescinded because of budgetary challenges. Kreider didn't have much information on the topic because it dealt with Health Sciences, but WVU had previously answered a question about this from The Dominion Post. Our question came following a forwarded email indicating a student's admission to the biomedical sciences graduate program had been rescinded. We had previously reported that on Feb. 7, the National Institutes of Health announced that it will reduce indirect cost recovery at research institutions to a flat 15 % from any previously negotiated rates. This affects new grants, as well as existing grants, WVU said then. Direct research costs cover researcher salaries, student stipends, supplies and some equipment. Indirect costs cover the university's expenses for heat and air, building maintenance, chemical and radiation safety and disposal, library access, IT access, cybersecurity, human subjects and animal welfare support, centralized research facilities, and the administration and oversight of awards to ensure that funds are spent appropriately and responsibly. WVU projected it would lose about $12 million in research dollars. In response to our question, WVU said its Health Sciences Office of Research and Graduate Education "is limiting admission to its PhD programs due to the unforeseen budgetary challenges resulting from proposed cuts to federal research funding. We've met with the students and faculty in the affected areas, and we will continue to support our existing students, faculty and staff and current ongoing research initiatives. If circumstances change in the future, admission to these PhD programs will be reevaluated. "Our leadership teams continue to work with key constituents and policymakers to seek reconsideration of these proposed federal cuts, " WVU said. "Indirect costs are partial reimbursements for real costs essential to support human and physical infrastructure required for university research programs. Without support for these costs, our nation's research universities cannot maintain research programs essential for continued national prosperity." Academic freedom resolution In light of federal and state measures to curb DEI initiatives — and WVU's recent closure of its DEI office — senators adopted a resolution on "Academic Freedom, Inclusion, and Advocacy." In view of uncertainties brought about by a shifting political and legal landscape, the resolution says, the Senate asserts the need for a safe academic environment, and values free speech and expression and academic freedom. Every person has the right to pursue knowledge, it says, and faculty have the right to discuss such topics as race, ethnicity, sexual orientation and gender. Therefore, the Senate "reaffirms its commitment to academic freedom, inclusion, and the support of all faculty, students, and staff in their pursuit of knowledge and personal growth." And the Senate "strongly urges the West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission, Governor Morrisey, and the West Virginia Legislature to work collaboratively to ensure that diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives serve their intended purpose: to enrich educational experiences for all students and create pathways for success throughout our state and university."
