Summer 2018

28 West Virginia Forestry Association Mountain State Forestry  | Summer 2018 www.wvfa.org L E G I S L AT I O N THE BILLS OF INTEREST TO FORESTRY WERE: S.J.R. 3 – Judicial Budget Oversight Amendment: By Boso & Cline. To control WV Supreme Court of Appeals budget. If passed, a constitutional amendment will appear on 2018 general election ballot). Completed Legislation – Goes to vote of people in General Election. Passed version provides percentages beyond which the legislature may not cut. Gone is protecting the budget from legislative actions based on “a particular ruling, order, or decision of a court of this state.” S.J.R. 9 & H.J.R. 106 – Just Cut Taxes and Win: By Carmichael (Mr. President) and Prezioso. Purpose: Elim-inates personal property taxes on industrial equipment and inventory. Died. S.B. 125 – 2018 Tax Reform Act: By Karnes. Purpose: To enact the Act. Died. S.B. 156 – DEP Rule for Air Pollution from Combustion of Solid Waste: By Maynard. Purpose: Authorizes DEP to implement EPA updates. Passed Energy, Ind. & Mining. To Judiciary. Com. Sub. as SB.163. Enacted as SB 163. S.B. 159 – DEP Rule for Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants: By Maynard. Authorizes DEP to implement EPA updates. Com. Sub. as SB.163. Enacted as SB 163. S.B. 160 – DEP Rule for Ambient Air Quality Standards: By Maynard. Purpose: To authorize DEP to implement EPA updates. Com. Sub. as SB.163. Enacted as SB 163. S.B. 163 – Authorizes DEP to Promulgate Certain Legislative Rules: Signed by Gov. S.B. 164 – DEP Rule for Underground Storage Tanks: By Maynard. Purpose: To authorize DEP to implement EPA. Com. Sub. for SB.163. Enacted as SB 163. S.B. 188 – Agriculture Rule relating to Noxious Weeds: By Maynard. To authorize the Commissioner of Agriculture to promulgate a legislative rule relating to noxious weeds (Barberry). Com. Sub. as HB 4079. Enacted as HB 4079. S.B. 192 / H.B. 4079 – Agriculture Rule Relating to Charges for Inspection Services – By Maynard. Authorize WVDA rule for charges for inspection services(fruit) Affects scales. Com. Sub. as HB 4079. Enacted as HB 4079. S.B. 269 / H.B. 4154 – Establishing 2018 Regulatory Reform Act: By Carmichael (Mr. President) & Prezioso. To Create the 2018 Regulatory. Died as HB 4154. S.B. 284 – More access to Career Education & Training: By Carmichael (Pres) & Prezioso. Establish education (ACE) programs & WV Invests Grant Program. Died. S.B. 289 / H.B. 4205 – A Natural Resource Producers to Tax Credit: By Smith & Cline. Purpose: Natural resource producers get economic opportunity tax credit; credit to be used to offset severance taxes. Died. S.B. 310 / H.B. 2790 – Transferring Division of Forestry to Dept. of Agriculture: By Gaunch, Drennan, Karnes & Rucker. Died. S.B. 341 – Creates Intermediate Court of Appeals: By Ferns & Rucker. Died. S.B. 485 – Terminating Workers Comp Debt Reduction Fund Payoff for Self-Insured Employers: By Blair. Ends Workers Comp Debt Reduction assessment on self-insureds (different debt than the rest of us). Died. S.B. 520 – Truck Weight Limits: By Cline. Increase the weight limits for vehicles on certain highways. Died. S.B. 555 – Providing Immunity from Civil Liability for Qualified Directors of Certain Governmental and Nonprofit Entities: By Ferns. Director of a corporation is not personally liable for the corporation's torts, or the torts of its agents or employees, unless he or she directed, sanctioned, or participated in the wrongful acts. Helps WVFA volunteers. Completed legislation, awaits Gov’s signature. S.B. 595 – Creating Protect Our Right to Unite Act: By Azinger. Protection of privacy of association. Died. West Virginia Forestry Association 2018 Legislative Wrap-Up – Session End