During West Virginia's 60-day regular session, the state legislature made some incremental steps for encouraging smart growth and energy efficiency and protecting families, but failed to make progress in other key environmental and worker's rights areas.  Disastrously, the state approved HB 447, which opens the door to privatization of the state's transportation system. 

In promoting Smart Growth, the state approved:

• SB 88 creates brownfield economic development districts.

• HB 4357 extends the Neighborhood Investment Program Act and eligibility for tax credits under the Act.

• SB 280 expands the scope of what is eligible for special district excise rates under Municipal Economic Opportunity Development District Act to include, among others, support for public transportation and rehabilitating buildings.

To promote Energy Efficiency and Alternate Energy, the legislature passed:

• SB 474 creates limited sales tax holiday for certain Energy Star appliance purchases.

• SB 746 establishes a take-back program for certain electronics and incentives for recycling certain electronics.

• HB 4028 authorizes counties and municipalities to enter into contracts for energy-savings.

• HB 4041 removes the business privilege tax exemption for production of coal bed methane and specifies that coal bed methane is taxed as a natural gas for purposes of the severance tax.  Also requires that a portion of the tax be used for infrastructure projects.

The legislature also passed SB 467, which reauthorizes the Dam Safety Rehabilitation Revolving Fund.

To promote broadband, the Governor on April 10th signed into law, HB 4637, which creates a broadband development council, requires mapping high speed Internet services, and requires any new service that relies on state money to be at least 600 kilobits per second - three times the FCC's definition of high speed.

In order to better Protect Families, the legislature approved:

• SB 476 creates a State Employee Sick Leave Fund.

• SB 564 provides tuition and fee waivers for spouses and children of deceased servicemen and women.

• HB 4513 provides for the reimbursement of costs for newborn screenings.

To promote Electoral Reform, the House also passed HCR 79 to study the feasibility of adopting election day registration and approving SB 514 to permit electronic mail absentee voting

On the other hand, the legislature:

• failed to prevent West Virginia from taking part in the Real ID act.

• did not approve HB 4084 to ban toxins in toys.

• did not pass HB 4132 which would have given employees the option to avoid workplace meetings where employers were proselytizing on religion or political issues.  The bill passed the House but died in the Senate.

• did not approve HB 4466, which would have created a permanent consumer advocate in the Insurance Department to act on behalf of consumer in rating decisions, legal proceedings, and other situations where a strong consumer voice is needed.
  

2008 Special Sessions: