Hot Issues
The 79th Legislature of West Virginia
SESSION UPDATE (February 1-5):
 The pace has slowed for bills on our watch list. However, several pieces of legislation are still in the draft process. Week four of the Session provided the backdrop for our annual legislative partnership activity with Farm Credit. On Tuesday, February 2, leaders from Farm Credit and Farm Bureau joined forces to provide lunch for all legislators and selected VIPs. Following the delivery of lunches and accompanying educational materials from our respective organizations, the group dined with Delegate Bill Hartman, Delegate “Woody” Ireland, Deputy Ag Commissioner Steve Hannah, and Assistant Ag Commissioner Bob Tabb. These individuals shared legislative insights and discussed issues impacting agriculture. The afternoon concluded with targeted visits to legislators. The day was most productive and gave agriculture, as well as our respective organizations, some excellent visibility.
Bills surfacing on our watch list during week four (February 1-5) include:
S.B. 403 – By Senators Minard, Snyder, Prezioso, Unger, Boley and K. Facemyer – Referred to Agriculture, then Judiciary. The purpose of this bill is to authorize the Commissioner of Agriculture to promulgate a legislative rule relating to Best Management Practices for Land Application of Waste Products from Aquaculture Facilities. WVFB MONITORING,
S.B. 421 – By Senator Williams – Referred to Transportation and Infrastructure, then Judiciary. The purpose of this bill is to permit the sale and use of mini-trucks. The bill authorizes the Division of Motor Vehicles to title, register and establish ownership documentation requirements for mini-trucks. The bill also addresses numerous other issues – exempting mini-trucks from federal safety and emission standards, requiring a seller to provide to prospective purchasers full disclosure on whether a mini-truck conforms to certain federal safety and environmental standards, etc. WVFB MONITORING.
S.B. 426 – By Senator Kessler – Referred to Natural Resources, then Finance. The purpose of this bill is to exempt owners, other than corporations or partnerships, of one hundred acres or less of contiguously connected real property from payment of increased valuation and assessment as natural resources property on reserve coal properties. The bill defines “small property owner” as an owner of one hundred or less acres of real property that is not a corporate entity or partnership. It also requires an affidavit from the property owner that the coal will not be mined or the interest therein transferred. If the coal is subsequently mined, the property will be assessed the increased rate and that amount, plus interest, must be paid before mining may continue. WVFB MONITORING.
S.B. 484 – By Senators Sypolt, Hall, Stollings, D. Facemire, Williams, Yost, Helmick and Fanning – Referred to Judiciary. The bill limits landowners’ civil liability for certain hunting injuries. WVFB SUPPORTS.
SCR 20 (By Senators Boley, Barnes, Hall, Deem, Caruth, Sypolt, K. Facemyer and Guills) was to be introduced Friday, February 5. The Resolution reasserts West Virginia’s Sovereignty under the Tenth Amendment.
H.B. 4144 – By Delegates Morgan, Stephens, Swartzmiller, Talbott, Hartman, Givens, Martin, T. Walker, Rowan, C. Miller and Manypenny – Referred to Government Organization. The purpose of this bill is to update the law governing the practice of veterinary medicine. WVFB MONITORING.
H.B. 4333 – By Delegates Mahan, Beach, Flesichauer, Overington, Guthrie, and D. Poling – Referred to Agriculture, then Judiciary. The purpose of this bill is to protect dogs by creating regulations for commercial dog breeding operations. WVFB MONITORING.
Updates on bills (note in bold) include:
H.B. 2561 – Passed House and introduced in Senate – to Transportation and Infrastructure, then Judiciary.
S.B. 236 – Committee Substitute passed, presently in Economic Development.
S.B. 241 – Passed Agriculture, presently in Judiciary. (Joan – This was S.B. 240 on our list. The correct number for the bill is 241. Please make the correction for the LAR, as well as the website – THANKS.)
S.B. 242 – Passed Agriculture, presently in Judiciary.
S.B. 243 – Passed Agriculture with amendment, presently in Finance, then Judiciary.
S.B. 255 – Passed Government Organization with amendment, presently in Judiciary.
S.B. 280 – Was referred to Energy, Industry and Mining and passed; presently in Judiciary.
S.B. 302 – Passed Natural Resources, presently in Judiciary.
H.B. 4066 – Passed Agriculture with amendment, presently in Judiciary.
H.B. 4224 – Passed Agriculture, presently in Judiciary.
SESSION UPDATE (January 25 - January 29):
Bill updates are noted in bold.
Action on bills posted for weeks one and two include:
H.B. 2561 – Passed Roads and Transportation, and Judiciary. Bill is on 1st Reading - 1-29.
S.B. 277 – Passed Judiciary.
H.B. 4065 – Passed Natural Resources, presently in Judiciary.
H.B. 4077 – Passed Natural Resources, presently in Judiciary.
H.B. 4104 – Passed Roads and Transportation, presently in Judiciary.
Senate Concurrent Resolution No. 9 (By Senators Tomblin and Caruth, by request of the Executive) - This Resolution passed unanimously expressing the will of the Legislature to oppose the adoption of a national cap and trade program for carbon dioxide and greenhouse gas emissions that is unduly burdensome to the State of West Virginia and to support measures that encourage investments in technology to address carbon dioxide and greenhouse gas emissions, and requesting that West Virginia’s congressional delegation resist and oppose efforts to adopt a national cap and trade program that is detrimental to our state.
S.B. 369 – By Senators Minard, Green and Helmick – Referred to Energy, Industry and Mining, then Finance. The purpose of this bill is to modify the definitions of “shallow” and “deep” wells to allow a shallow well to be drilled deeper and provide clarity to both definitions. WVFB MONITORING.
S.B. 401 – By Senators McCabe, Wells, Prezioso, K. Facemyer, Boley, Plymale, Fanning, Minard, Edgell and Jenkins – Referred to Finance. Bill addresses ad valorem property taxes. WVFB MONITORING.
H.B. 4001 – By Delegates Fleischauer, Manypenny, Marshall, Mahan, Doyle, Martin, Beach, Shook, Lawrence, Longstreth and Hatfield – Referred to Government Organization, then Judiciary. The purpose of this bill is to require the West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection to develop specific standards to control levels of total dissolved solids in the state’s rivers and streams. WVFB MONITORING.
H.B. 4201 – By Delegates Eldridge, Butcher, Stowers, Louisos, Border, Lawrence, Williams, Varner, Evans and Kominar – Referred to Agriculture, then Judiciary. The purpose of this bill is to create the Livestock Care Standards Board to prescribe standards for livestock care and well being that endeavor to maintain food safety, encourage locally grown and raised food, and protect West Virginia farms and families. WVFB SUPPORTS.
H.B. 4218 – By Delegates Barker and Ross – Referred to Natural Resources, then Judiciary. See S.B. 369. WVFB MONITORING.
H.B. 4224 – By Delegates Brown, D. Poling, Miley, Talbott, Overington and Sobonya – Referred to Agriculture, then Judiciary. Bill addresses best management practices for land application of waste products. WVFB MONITORING.
H.B. 4226 – By Delegates Brown, D. Poling, Miley, Talbott, Overington and Sobonya – Referred to Judiciary. Bill addresses oil and gas wells, and other wells. WVFB MONITORING.
SESSION UPDATE (January 18 - January 22):
Action has increased during week two of the 2010 Regular Session. A majority of the new bills added to our watch list deal with proposed regulations/rules from government agencies.
S.B. 236 – By Senator Williams – Referred to Agriculture, then Economic Development. The purpose of this bill is to setup the beginning stages of aquaculture development in West Virginia; giving the Department of Agriculture power over such developments and creation of an Aquaculture advisory board. WVFB MONITORING.
S.B. 239 – By Senators Minard, Fanning, Prezioso, Unger, Boley and K. Facemyer – referred to Judiciary. The purpose of this bill is to authorize the Department of Environmental Protection to promulgate a legislative rule relating to Requirements Governing Ground Water Standards. WVFB MONITORING.
S.B. 240 – By Senators Minard, Fanning, Prezioso, Unger, Boley and K. Facemyer – referred to Agriculture, then Judiciary. The purpose of this bill is to authorize the Commissioner of Agriculture to promulgate a legislative rule relating to Animal Disease Control. WVFB MONITORING.
S.B. 242 – By Senators Minard, Fanning, Prezioso, Unger, Boley and K. Facemyer – referred to Agriculture, then Judiciary. The purpose of this bill is to authorize the Commissioner of Agriculture to promulgate a legislative rule relating to Integrated Pest Management Programs in Schools and Child Care Centers and Facilities. WVFB MONITORING.
S.B. 243 – By Senators Minard, Fanning, Prezioso, Unger, Boley and K. Facemyer – referred to Agriculture, then Finance and Judiciary. The purpose of this bill is to authorize the Commissioner of Agriculture to promulgate a legislative rule relating to West Virginia Shellfish. WVFB MONITORING.
S.B. 255 – By Senators Minard, Fanning, Prezioso, Unger, Boley and K. Facemyer – referred to Government Organization, then Judiciary. The purpose of this bill is to authorize the Conservation Agency to promulgate a legislative rule relating to the Operation of the West Virginia State Conservation Committee and Conservation Districts. WVFB MONITORING.
S.B. 277 – By Senators Minard, Fanning, Prezioso, Unger, Boley and K. Facemyer – referred to Judiciary. The purpose of this bill is to authorize the Department of Environmental Protection to promulgate a legislative rule relating to the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) Program. WVFB MONITORING.
S.B. 278 – By Senators Minard, Fanning, Prezioso, Unger, Boley and K. Facemyer – referred to Finance, then Judiciary. The purpose of this bill is to authorize the Department of Environmental Protection to promulgate a legislative rule relating to Water Pollution Control Permit Fee Schedules. WVFB MONITORING.
S.B. 280 – By Senators Minard, Fanning, Prezioso, Unger, Boley and K. Facemyer – referred to Judiciary. The purpose of this bill is to authorize the Department of Environmental Protection to promulgate a legislative rule relating to Monitoring Wells. WVFB MONITORING.
S.B. 281 – By Senators Minard, Fanning, Prezioso, Unger, Boley and K. Facemyer – referred to Judiciary. The purpose of this bill is to authorize the Department of Environmental Protection to promulgate a legislative rule relating to Monitoring Wells Design Standards. WVFB MONITORING.
S.B. 302 – By Senators Minard, Fanning, Prezioso, Unger, Boley and K. Facemyer – referred to Natural Resources, then Judiciary. The purpose of this bill is to authorize the Division of Natural Resources to promulgate a legislative rule relating to Deer Hunting. WVFB MONITORING.
H.B. 4049 – By Delegates Brown, D. Poling, Miley, Talbott, Overington and Sobonya – referred to Agriculture, then Judiciary. Purpose – see S.B. 240. WVFB MONITORING.
H.B. 4065 – By Delegates Brown, D. Poling, Miley, Talbott, Overington and Sobonya : UPDATE – Passed Agriculture, presently in Judiciary
H.B. 4066 – By Delegates Brown, D. Poling, Miley and Talbott – referred to Agriculture, then Judiciary. Purpose – see S.B. 243. WVFB MONITORING.
H.B. 4077 – By Delegates Brown, D. Poling, Miley and Talbott – referred to Natural Resources, then Judiciary. Purpose – see S.B. 255. WVFB MONITORING.
H.B. 4091 – By Delegates Brown, D. Poling, Miley, Talbott, Overington and Sobonya – referred to Judiciary. Purpose – see S.B. 277. WVFB MONITORING.
H.B. 4092 – By Delegates Brown, D. Poling, Miley, Talbott, Overington and Sobonya – referred to Judiciary. The purpose of this bill is to authorize the Department of Environmental Protection to promulgate a legislative rule relating to Requirements Governing Ground Water Standards. WVFB MONITORING.
H.B. 4093 – By Delegates Brown, D. Poling, Miley, Talbott, Overington and Sobonya – referred to Judiciary. Purpose – see S.B. 278. WVFB MONITORING.
H.B. 4095 – By Delegates Brown, D. Poling, Miley, Talbott, Overington and Sobonya – referred to Judiciary. Purpose – see S.B. 280. WVFB MONITORING.
H.B. 4096 – By Delegates Brown, D. Poling, Miley, Talbott, Overington and Sobonya – referred to Judiciary. Purpose – see S.B. 281. WVFB MONITORING.
H.B. 4104 – By Delegates Brown, D. Poling, Miley, Talbott, Overington and Sobonya – referred to Roads and Transportation, then Judiciary. The purpose of this bill is to authorize the Commissioner of Highways to promulgate a legislative rule relating to the Use of State Road Rights of Way and Adjacent Areas. WVFB MONITORING.
H.B. 4110 – By Delegates Brown, D. Poling, Miley, Talbott, Overington and Sobonya – referred to Natural Resources, then Judiciary. Purpose – see S.B. 302. WVFB MONITORING.
SESSION UPDATE (Opening Session, January 13 – Friday morning, January 15):
State of the State – Highlights of the Governor’s sixth State of the State address include:
* West Virginia is weathering the present economic storm better than most states, with a “budget more slender than in recent years, but state of our state is still strong.” Governor Manchin noted that West Virginia leads the nation in personal income growth, has a strong rainy day fund, and “all 61 commercial banks headquartered in West Virginia are sound.”
* The Governor emphasized that West Virginia will continue to play a big role in the nation’s energy program, noting that we are second in the nation in exporting electricity and via our coal and gas, are “poised to power our nation for the next century.” He talked about us being a leader with clean coal technology and praised coal miners and their families.
* Roads will continue to be a priority, with the Governor noting, “This year marks ten consecutive years we have budgeted over a billion state and federal dollars for our roads.”
* There has been much talk about judicial reform and the Governor announced he will have two bills introduced to address a pilot program for public financing for two Supreme Court seats open in the 2012 election, and the creation of a judicial advisory committee to assist with the selection of judges for Circuit Court vacancies.
* Governor Manchin noted that West Virginia’s new Crimes Against Children Unit (six-trooper unit) has been quite effective in making some 1300 arrests. He emphasized the need to devote more funding and resources to nail child predators and is asking the Legislature for six new troopers and additional support staff.
* The Governor noted that education is the single largest budget item, “But success begins in the classroom.” He noted that the current law calls for 180 days of instruction per year, but it is not happening. He is asking the Legislature to pass a bill (changing the school calendar) that guarantees every county is able to comply with the 180-day law. Due to present financial hardships resulting from our economy, the Governor called on our technical schools and four-year colleges and universities to freeze rates for the coming year.
* The Governor will be recommending a constitutional amendment to provide flexibility in reducing taxes, aimed at lowering rates on commercial and industrial inventory property.
* The Governor introduced Charleston native, actress Jennifer Garner, and commended her for her work with “Save the Children.” He also pledged one million dollars in state funds to assist with program efforts in helping needy children in West Virginia.
* Other points of interest included a multimillion-dollar investment by the Boy Scouts of America (new national scout reserve in the New River Gorge area, creating more than 1000 full and part-time jobs and serving as a “Centerpiece for the next 100 years of Scouting”); the need to stand up and be counted on the Census; the need to continue to evaluate the Promise Scholarship program; overcrowding of our prison system and the need for more effective rehab for non-violent prisoners; message to drug dealers – “Get out of our State now while you still can!”; and the establishment of a fleet management office responsible for the entire state vehicle fleet.
Legislation (Bills surfacing on our watch list during week one – January 13-15)
S.B. 2 – By Senator Boley – Referred to Transportation and Infrastructure. The purpose of this bill is to expand the definition of all-terrain vehicles to include all-terrain utility vehicles. WVFB MONITORING.
S.B. 33 – By Senator Deem – Referred to Finance. The purpose of this bill is to limit classification of real property as managed timberland to prevent county property tax revenues from decreasing by more than four percent. WVFB OPPOSES.
S.B. 45 – By Senators Jenkins and Plymale – Referred to Transportation and Infrastructure, then Government Organization. The purpose of this bill concerns the registration of mini-trucks and their operation by municipalities. The bill exempts mini-trucks from title requirements. The bill also exempts sellers from any requirement to modify mini-trucks to comply with any federal law and from making certain disclosures to purchasers. The bill further defines the term “mini-truck.” WVFB MONITORING.
S.B. 57 – By Senator Bowman – Referred to Transportation and Infrastructure, then Finance. The purpose of this bill is to require timbering operations to repair and restore roads and rights-of-way damaged by their operations. It also provides civil and criminal penalties. WVFB MONITORING.
S.B. 59 – By Senator Barnes – Referred to Government Organization, then Finance. The purpose of this bill is to require individuals leasing subsurface property rights to be licensed under this act. WVFB MONITORING.
S.B. 60 – By Senator Barnes – Referred to Energy, Industry and Mining, then Judiciary. The purpose of this bill is to require lessors of subsurface rights to state with specificity what surface rights are also being acquired. The bill also provides that if no surface rights are being acquired, the lease or the contract to lease will so state. WVFB MONITORING.
S.B. 61 – By Senator Barnes – Referred to Energy, Industry and Mining, then Judiciary. The purpose of this bill is to require all contracts for the sale or lease of land over five acres to state with specificity the estates being transferred and, if any, the estates being reserved. The bill also requires that if no estate is reserved, the contract shall so state. WVFB MONITORING.
S.B. 68 – By Senators Minard, Unger, Oliverio and D. Facemire – Referred to Finance. The purpose of this bill is to include on the state personal income tax return a checkoff option to donate some or all of any tax refund to the “Jackson’s Mill 4-H Camp Checkoff Program” for the operation of the camp. WVFB SUPPORTS.
S.B. 69 – By Senators McCabe, White, Foster, Unger, Palumbo and Chafin – Referred to Transportation and Infrastructure, then Finance. The purpose of this bill is to authorize the creation of a new tax credit for eligible expenditures incurred in placing in service residential or nonresidential energy efficient building property. The bill’s incentive will encourage the construction of energy efficient buildings, thereby reducing the total amount of energy consumed in the state. WVFB MONITORING.
S.B. 105 – By Senator White – Referred to Judiciary, then Finance. The purpose of this bill is to exempt owners, other than corporations or partnerships, of one hundred acres or less of contiguously connected real property from payment of increased valuation and assessment as natural resources property on reserve coal properties. The bill defines “small property owner” as an owner of one hundred or less acres of real property that is not a corporate entity or partnership. It also requires an affidavit from the property owner that the coal will not be mined or the interest therein transferred. If the coal is subsequently mined, the owner will be assessed the increased rate plus interest before mining may continue. WVFB MONITORING.
S.B. 183 – By Senator D. Facemire – Referred to Transportation and Infrastructure, then Judiciary. The purpose of this bill is to prohibit diesel powered motor vehicles from excessive idling; to provide exceptions to idling restrictions; to establish a misdemeanor offense of excessive idling; to provide criminal penalties; and to provide enforcement by the Department of Environmental Protection. WVFB MONITORING.
S.B. 195 – By Senators Jenkins and McCabe – Referred to Judiciary. The purpose of this bill is to allow Supreme Court justices to be elected on a nonpartisan ballot. WVFB SUPPORTS.
S.B. 211 – By Senators Browning and Foster – Referred to Natural Resources, then Energy, Industry and Mining. The purpose of this bill is to set up a regulatory scheme in which to regulate the use by owners and others of various waterways, lakes and watercourses. The bill contains provisions requiring persons to obtain permits before engaging in various activities that affect waterways, lakes, streams or watercourses. The bill contains civil enforcement provisions as well as a penalty for intentionally damaging waterways. WVFB MONITORING.
H.B. 2012 – By Delegate Cann – Referred to Judiciary, then Finance. The purpose of this bill is to prohibit increases in the assessed value of real property which is located in a county where a maximum excess levy is in effect, the property has not changed in tax classification and the increased value is more than two percent over the assessed value of the same property for the previous year. WVFB MONITORING.
H.B. 2030 – By Delegate Azinger – Referred to Judiciary, then Finance. The bill provides a three percent cap on any increase in assessment on real property that is the primary residence of an individual in any one year. WVFB SUPPORTS.
H.B. 2106 – By Delegates Ireland, Hamilton, Romine and Miller, C. – Referred to Judiciary. The bill would make English the official language of West Virginia. WVFB SUPPORTS.
H.B. 2343 – By Delegates Michael, Hartman, Crosier, Argento, Williams and Poling, D. – Referred to Natural Resources, then Judiciary. The purpose of this bill is to regulate captive cervid farming as an agricultural enterprise in this state. The bill describes powers and duties of the WV Department of Agriculture. WVFB SUPPORTS.
H.B. 2358 – By Delegates Miley, Fragale and Iaquinta – Referred to Agriculture, then Finance. (Bill is same as S.B. 68 – tax checkoff option for Jackson’s Mill 4-H Camp.) WVFB SUPPORTS.
H.B. 2488 – By Delegates Shaver and Williams – Referred to Roads and Transportation, then Judiciary. The purpose of this bill is to allow mini-trucks to be licensed in WV for limited use on public highways. WVFB MONITORING.
H.B. 2511 – By Delegate Border – Referred to Natural Resources, then Finance. (Bill is similar to S.B. 33, but targets five percent instead of four percent.) WVFB OPPOSES.
H.B. 2561 – By Delegates Sobonya, Stephens, Rowan, Morgan, Miller, C. and Reynolds – Referred to Roads and Transportation, then Judiciary. The bill provides that an applicant for a farm use exemption certificate may not be required to appear before any assessor for renewal. WVFB SUPPORTS.
H.B. 2578 – By Delegates Duke, Miller, J., Blair, Overington, and Doyle – Referred to Judiciary, then Finance. The bill provides a ten percent cap on any increase in assessment of real and personal property in any one year. WVFB SUPPORTS.
H.B. 2625 – By Delegates Evans, Rowan, Canterbury, Staggers, Doyle and Azinger – Referred to Agriculture, then Finance. Bill provides for aged or disabled farmers to continue to receive the benefit of having their farm land appraised as farm property after they cease farming. WVFB SUPPORTS.
H.B. 2680 – By Delegates Beach and Canterbury – Referred to Government Organization. Bill addresses increasing the environmental protection advisory council membership to nine members, specifying one member representing farming interests and one registered forester representing interests of private owners of forest land. WVFB SUPPORTS.
H.B. 2735 – By Delegates Martin, Argento and Eldridge – Referred to Agriculture, then Government Organization. Bill addresses changing the membership of the State Conservation Committee, as well as staffing and auditing requirements. WVFB MONITORING.
H.B. 2907 – By Delegates Boggs, Cowles, Walker, Campbell, Argento, Smith and Ashley – Referred to Agriculture, then Judiciary. Bill addresses details/regulations relating to the sales of wine. WVFB MONITORING.
H.B. 2982 – By Delegate Ross – Referred to Judiciary. The purpose of this bill is to modify the definitions of “shallow” and “deep” wells to allow a shallow well to be drilled deeper and provide clarity to both definitions. WVFB MONITORING.
H.B. 3023 – By Delegates Brown, Martin, Argento, Paxton, Poling, M., Poling, D., Moye, Moore, Fleischauer, Manypenny and Rodighiero – Referred to Energy, Industry and Labor, Economic Development and Small Business, then Judiciary. (Oil and Gas Surface Owner’s Bill of Rights) WVFB MONITORING.
H.B. 3096 – By Delegate Guthrie – Referred to Agriculture, then Finance. Bill provides tax credits for the sale of locally grown produce. WVFB MONITORING.
H.B. 3254 – By Delegates Manypenny, Beach, Frazier and Fleischauer – Referred to Government Organization, then Judiciary. Bill would require county commissions to adopt and implement county farmland protection programs. WVFB MONITORING.
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It is important for members to become involved in influencing legislation/public policy, communicating in a positive way to make your voices heard. Legislators want your input on how a specific piece of legislation will affect you. Such input does drive legislation. As one Delegate has noted, “Influencing public policy is not a spectator sport. It is a contact sport in every sense of the word.” As the Session unfolds regular legislative updates will be posted to this site – STAY TUNED.
To check on the status of a particular bill, review the Legislature’s WRAP-UP (The Newsletter of the West Virginia Legislature), go to the Legislature’s website (www.legis.state.wv.us).
Previous Update
The 2010 Regular Session has arrived, and with it, the challenges and opportunities for our decision-makers to unite their efforts to move West Virginia forward. More than ever, the budget will dominate most activity during the Session. Legislators will be challenged to be creative thinkers as they focus on projections that include possible declining tax revenues and the lack of stimulus dollars in the future to backfill the budget. Our Governor and Legislature are to be commended for actions taken to maintain our financial stability during the challenging times in which we live.
The Rural Caucus, a non-partisan effort in the House under the leadership of Delegate Bill Hartman of Elkins, will again be very active during the Regular Session. This group had a major impact during the 2009 Session – aided in passing legislation to reduce the severance tax on timber, heightened the awareness of landowner issues as it relates to oil and gas drilling, helped to identify other sources of funding to alleviate an insurance tax, etc. Encourage your Delegate(s) to become involved with the Rural Caucus.
Farm Bureau will be monitoring a number of issues during the Regular Session. Efforts will be driven by “grass roots” policy approved at our annual meeting in November. Our major priority issues for the 80th Legislature include:
Agriculture and Agricultural Funding
* Maintain adequate funding for the predator control program.
* Promote legislation that establishes a county response mechanism/livestock committee consisting of recognized farmers within each county to address complaints regarding inhumane livestock treatment.
* Promote legislation that will enhance the expansion of the aquaculture industry in West Virginia.
* Promote activities that recognize agricultural BMPs in protecting the waters of West Virginia.
* Establish a funding mechanism for disaster relief in agriculture.
* Promote rules for Confined Animal Feeding Operations that are reasonable in terms of expectations and associated fees.
Property Rights
* Support “common-sense” legislation relating to oil and gas exploration that will protect landowners’ rights while encouraging the development of our resources.
* Promote legislation to absolve the landowner from any civil liability for injuries to any persons hunting, trapping or fishing on the landowner’s land with or without written permission.
* Ensure that antidegradation implementation procedures follow the interpretative rule set forth by DEP. (With the exception of streams in state and national parks and the limited number identified by the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act, any stream nominated for Tier 3 status must follow procedure – individual notification of landowner(s), current scientific data, appeal process via EQB, etc.)
* Agricultural representation on the carbon dioxide sequestration working group.
Rural Values/Public Issues
* Agricultural non-point representation on DEP Advisory Council.
Taxes/Tax Reform
* Maintain current farm use valuation status for real property in production agriculture, including the $1000 production standard, while eliminating non-farmer access to this tax classification.
* Support other tax reform measures that have a positive effect on agriculture and oppose those measures that have a negative effect.
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