Delegate Ray Hollen took the oath of office Saturday. He is a Republican and will represent District 9 in Wood and Wirt counties.

“We need to get the drug situation under control,” Hollen said.

With a background as former military and the West Virginia State police, the drug epidemic is at the forefront of his thoughts but Hollen said he is also interested in bringing more jobs to the state.

Delegate Riley Moore made it official by being sworn in Saturday.

Many of his family and friends were by his side as was his aunt, U.S. Sen. Shelley Moore Capito. Moore is a Republican and will occupy the 67th District.

In a joint swearing-in ceremony, Delegates Steve Westfall, R-Jackson, and Martin Atkinson, R-Roane, took their oaths of office.

Westfall said he is eager to get back on the education committee to pass some bills that were introduced last year, hoping to have more luck this time around. 

“I’m very proud to be re-elected, and am hoping to be back on education and back on finance. It’s going to be a tough year,” he said.

Atkinson, winning his first election since being appointed to former Delegate Bob Ashley’s seat, said he’s anxious to get started.

“I’m excited to be here, excited to get to work,” he said.

Delegate Andrew Robinson, D-Kanawha, was sworn in Friday by Judge John D. Beane with a special guest appearance by Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin and first lady Joanne Tomblin.

"I've been honored to know the governor and for him to spend an hour with us to see my swearing is a great honor"; Robinson said. "The state's in a place where we can take a couple different roads and to have the opportunity to be a part of that is very exciting."

Robinson said he was excited to get to work and happy to see the team of faces who worked so diligently to get him elected.

Friday morning marked the first swearing in ceremony of the upcoming 2017 regular Legislative session. Delegate Rodney Miller, D-Boone, was sworn in by West Virginia Supreme Court Justice Robin Davis. Miller was elected to represent the 23rd District.

A two-term sheriff in Boone County, Miller said he has some experience working with members of the Legislature on behalf of numerous sheriff organizations. Now on the other side of things, Miller said his one motivation for running was his children.

"My most motivating factor for me to run is my children," he said. “I thought I could contribute.” Miller’s son and daughter are attending West Virginia University and Marshall University, respectfully. Having retired as the sheriff, Miller said he just wants to be able to make West Virginia a better place in a new capacity. “I think we could get a lot of work done, if we could just get everybody to work,” he added.

The Senate met briefly Tuesday morning to approve all 114 of Governor Tomblin's appointments to various boards, agencies and commissions.

The Senate has adjourned Sine Die

The House of Delegates met briefly for the second time during a special session to pass a flood relief bill.

Lawmakers made several introductions and appointed a committee of three to inform the Senate they were ready to adjourn.

The House is adjourned sine die.

The Senate completed action on House Bill 201 Monday, legislation that will dispense about $85 million of flood relief to impacted areas around West Virginia.

The funding includes $55 million from the state's Rainy Day emergency reserve fund, $21 million of unappropriated balances in two state lottery accounts, and transferring $9 million of funds that had yet to be spent from the 2015-2016 state budget. The money now goes into the Governor's Civil Contingency Fund, where it can be dispersed to match federal funds.

This funding assures the state can draw down federal disaster recovery funds to cover more than $339 million in damage from the June 23 flood.

The Senate has adjourned until tomorrow at 11 a.m.

The Senate convened the Second Special Session of 2016 on Sunday evening. The session is expected to bring $85 million of flood relief to the impacted areas in West Virginia.

The body is expected to pass House Bill 201 tommorow. The House of Delegates passed the bill this evening.

The Senate also made confirmation of the Governor's nominations a special order of business for Sept. 20 at 11 a.m.

Read the Governor's proclamation

The Senate has adjourned until tomorrow at 11 a.m.

The House of Delegates passed a bill that would aide in flood relief for residents still suffering from June flooding in the state.

The House convened for the 2016 Second Extraordinary Session on Sunday, immediately passing House Bill 201. The bill would appropriate about $85 million for flood relief efforts. The money would be moved from the State Fund, General Revenue into the Civil Contingent Fund "to pay obligations and ongoing expenses incurred by the state," according to the Governor's proclamation.

The House adjourned until noon on Monday.

The House of Delegates passed House Bill 116 - Authorizing the Governor to direct payment of certain state debt.

The bill allows the governor to create a public employees fund, and completed legislation. 

The House recessed until 1 p.m.

UPDATE:

The House reconvened just before 2 p.m. to suspend the rules and read Senate Bill 1015 a first and second time, putting it upon its passage. The bill passed the House and completed legislation.

The House also suspended rules and passed Senate Bill 1017 - Authorizing miscellaneous agencies and boards to promulgate legislative rules. The bill completed legislation.

The House introduced and read House Bill 123 and House Bill 128 a first time.

The House recessed until just before 4 p.m.

UPDATE:

The House reconvened to concur and complete Senate Bill 1013 - The Budget Bill. The bill completed legislation and goes to the Governor. The House also completed Senate Bill 1010 -  Supplemental appropriation from State Fund, General Revenue to Department of Education, State Board of Education. 

House Bill 123 was read a first time before being postponed until after 5 p.m. and House Bill 128 was passed.

The House is in recess until 5 p.m.

UPDATE:

The House passed House Bill 123 and sent it to the Senate where it completed legislation.

The House is adjourned sine die.

The Senate amended the House amendments to the Budget Bill and passed it back to the House during a brief morning floor session.

The body also passed Senate Bill 1015, which relates to participation in Motor Vehicle Alcohol Test and Lock Program, and Senate Bill 1017, which authorizes miscellaneous agencies and boards to promulgate legislative rules. These bills now head to the House of Delegates for consideration.

The Senate is in recess until 1:30 p.m.

UPDATE:

Senate met briefly on Tuesday evening to suspend the rules and complete legislative action on two bills.

House Bill 123 establishes the PEIA Financial Stabilitiy Fund. The fund will offset premium increases for active employyees and retirees over the next four years. House Bill 128 extends the Volunteer Fire Department Workers'Compensation Premium Subsidy Fund. 

The Senate has adjourned Sine Die

The Senate concurred in the House amendments to the tobacco tax increase, completing action on the legislation during a brief evening floor session on Monday.

Senate Bill 1012 raises the tobacoo tax by 65 cents per pack on cigarettes and other tobacco products, as well as e-cigarettes and vaping products. The bill is expected to generate roughly $100 million per year for the general revenue fund. The legiislation now awaits the Governor's signature.

The Senate also passed Senate Bill 1010 , which would allocate $2.1 million to the Boone County Board of Education to pay teachers and school service personnel through the end of the fiscal year. The bill now heads to the House of Delegates for consideration.

Finally, the Senate amended and passed House Bill 116, which allows the Governor to direct payment of certain state debts during a fiscal crisis. The bill will be up for completion in the House tomorrow.

The Senate has adjourned until tomorrow at 10 a.m.

The House of Delegates passed Senate Bill 1013 - the Budget bill.

The bill was amended by the House Finance committee to take some money from the greyhound racing industry to put towards Volunteer Fire Departments. The bill also was amended on the floor to include $500,000 toward Blue Ridge Community and 
Technical College. Another floor amendment transfered money to the West Virginia Center for Professional Development.

The House also passed Senate Bill 1012 which would be a $.65 increase on cigarettes and tobacco products.

Both SB 1013 and SB 1012 have to go back to the Senate before completing legislation.

The House adjourned until 10 a.m. tomorrow.

The Senate suspended the constitutional rules to advance Senate Bill 1010 to third reading and amend it during a brief afternoon floor session Sunday. The legislation would allocate $2.1 million to the Boone County Board of Education to pay teachers and school service personnel through the end of the fiscal year. The bill is scheduled for a vote tomorrow in the Senate.

The Senate has adjourned until tomorrow at 4 p.m.

The House of Delegates passed House Bill 116 during a special session on Sunday.

HB 116 would authorize the Governor to make a direct payment of certain state debt. The original bill was to authorize the Governor to issue executive orders to furlough state employees, however, the version of the bill passed by the House did not include those provisions.

The House also read SB 1011 and SB 1012 a first time, and introduced HB 120 and HB 121.

UPDATE:

The House read Senate Bill 1013 - the Budget bill - a first time.

The House recessed until noon on Monday.

The House of Delegates on Saturday met to receive the veto message from the Governor notifying the Legislature he vetoed HB 101 - Budget Bill. A motion to reconsider the bill and pass the bill over the Governor's objections failed.

The House received three bills from the Senate following their passage from that body earlier today. Senate Bill 1011, reducing distributions to WV Infrastructure Fund; Senate Bill 1012, increasing tax rate on cigarettes and other tobacco products; and, Senate Bill 1013 - Budget Bill, were introduced and referred to the House Finance Committee.

House Finance will meet at 4:50 p.m. today in Room 460M.

The House is adjourned until tomorrow, Sunday, June 12th, at 2 p.m.

The Senate suspended the constitutional rules requiring a bill be read on three separate days to quickly pass a tobacco increase, along with the Budget Bill, during a morning floor session on Saturday.

Senate Bill 1012 raises the tobacoo tax by 65 cents per pack on cigarettes and other tobacco products, as well as e-cigarettes and vaping products. The bill is expected to generate roughly $100 million per year for the general revenue fund. Following the passage of the tobacco tax increase, the body quickly passed Senate Bill 1013 , the Budget Bill. The revamped budget measure is a balanced approach that includes rouhgly $100 million in additional revenue, $110 million in cuts and $70 million from the Rainy Day Fund.

The Senate began the day by passing Senate Bill 1011, which reduces distributions to the West Virginia Infrastructure Fund by an additional $10 million. 

All three bills now move on for consideration in the House of Delegates.

Senate Finance met at 12:50 p.m. in 451M

The Senate has adjourned until tomorrow at 2:30 p.m.

This evening the Senate amended and passed House Bill 101, the Budget Bill. The legislation went on to complete legislative action in the House of Delegates.

Earlier in the day, the Senate suspended the constitutional rules and completed action on House Bill 117 and House Bill 118, both of which are rules bills dealing with the Department of Environmental Protection.

The Senate has adjourned until June 12th at 2:00 p.m.

The House of Delegates met Thursday morning, passing two bills and introducing one.

The House passed House Bill 117 and House Bill 118 - both rules bills dealing with the Department of Environmental Protection taken up during the regular session.

The House introduced House Bill 119 which would give emergency funds to the Boone County educational system. The House sent the bill to the Finance committee.

UPDATE:

The House completed legislation on House Bill 101 - the Budget Bill - the bill goes to the Governor for action.

The House adjourned from the Extraordinary Session until 2 p.m. June 12.

The Legislature convened for the 12th day of the Extraordinary session.

The House of Delegates took up two bills placed on the Governor's call. House Bill 117 was read a first time in the second session on Tuesday. House Bill 116 was double referenced and refered to the Finance committee after Judiciary.

The House also completed legislation on SB 1002 - Expiring funds from various accounts to unappropriated balance in State Fund, General Revenue. The bill goes to Gov. Tomblin for his signature.

The Senate referred Senate Bill 1001, the budget bill, to the rules committee. The Senate also advanced HB 101 - the budget bill - to third reading with the right to amend.

The House is adjourned until 11 a.m. tomorrow. The Senate is adjourned until 10 a.m. tomorrow.

House Judiciary will meet at 9 a.m. tomorrow.

House Finance will meet at 9:30 a.m. tomorrow.

Senate Finance will meet at 9 a.m. tomorrow.

House Gov. Org. will meet at 9 a.m. tomorrow.