1. Review of 2018 legislative activity
Jason Pizatella, Esq.
Counsel

2. 2018 First Extraordinary Session Update
Department of the Arts, Culture, and History (HB 101)
West Virginia Fire, EMS, and Law-Enforcement Officer Survivor Benefit Act (HB 102)
Inventory of the state motor vehicle fleet (HB 103)
Human trafficking (SB 1004)
Physical Therapy Licensure Compact Act (SB 1005)
Property tax liens securing a deed (SB 1006)
Various supplemental appropriations

3. 2018 Regular Session
Overall, the session can be considered “light” with respect to economic development legislation
Normal election-year politics
Surprises that divert time and attention away from other issues
The entire House of Delegates up for election in 2018
Half of the State Senate on the ballot
New Speaker of the House of Delegates

4. 2018 Regular Session Overview
Teachers strike and subsequent pay raises
Future of the Public Employees Insurance Agency
Balanced Budget enacted without an extended session (SB 152)
Stormwater/netting legislation passed (SB 290)
Co-tenancy Modernization and Majority Protection Act (HB 4268)
Clarifying royalty owner payments on flat well royalty leases (SB 360)

5. 2018 Regular Session Overview
Direct appeals of permitting decisions to the Supreme Court of Appeals (SB 395)
“Check stub” bill for payment of oil and natural gas royalties (HB 4270)
“Parking Lot” gun bill signed into law (HB 4187)
West Virginia Legislature moves to limit opioid prescribers (SB 273)
Employers can recover property costs through deductions from final pay (HB 2546)

6. 2018 Regular Session Overview
Relating generally to coal mining (SB 626)
Venue reforms enacted into law (HB 4013 and HB 2028)
West Virginia Lottery Sports Wagering Act (SB 415)
Insurance coverage of treatment for substance abuse disorders (SB 401)
Industrial Hemp Development Act (SB 475)

7. 2018 Regular Session Overview
Single-member districts in the House of Delegates in 2020 (HB 4002)
Workers compensation old fund debt surcharge to end (HB 4628)
Jurisdiction of the Public Service Commission (SB 10)
Constitutional Amendments for the November 2018 General Election ballot

8. Notable Legislation That Did Not Pass
“Just Cut Taxes and Win” constitutional amendment
Additional investments in tourism
Amendments to medical cannabis law
Intermediate appellate court
Special contracts for industrial/manufacturing electricity rate-payers (SB 600)
Free tuition for attendance at community and technical colleges
Timbering in certain state forests

9. FY Revenue Picture
On track to meet revenue estimates for the current fiscal year ending June 30, 2018
May 2018 numbers came in nearly $21 million ahead of estimates. Two biggest factors were gains in wage and salary withholdings and personal income tax
Increase in labor force participation forecast
Roads to Prosperity construction and maintenance program

10. Questions? Jason Pizatella, Esq. (304) 340-3868