Story by David Baird, The Dominion Post
Charleston, W. Virginia — The state Senate enthusiastically passed a bill Wednesday to elevate the state Secretary of Culture and History to Cabinet Secretary. She also moved bills related to abortion, pregnancy, zoning and more.
Randall Reed Smith is the longtime curator of the Department of Culture and History. SB 790 is a bill from the governor proposing to change his title to secretary. The salary does not change for this position.
The bill was introduced on Wednesday and senators agreed to suspend the rules to read it three times and pass it the same day.
Several senators rose to praise Reed Smith for his work, starting with Majority Leader Tom Tacopo, R-Kanawha. Reed Smith oversees a range of programs and activities, including the Golden Horseshoe Award, the State History Bowl Award, and grants for fairs and festivals, he said.
“He's just a perfectly good advocate for people who learn and love and want to come to West Virginia.”
Sen. Robert Plymale, D-Wayne, said it was an honor that should have been passed on long ago. “I can't think of anyone who deserves this anymore. We couldn't have a greater advocate for the state of West Virginia.”
There were some jokes along the way and when the roll call voting began, all 34 names glowed red for a while before turning green. It passed 34-0 and goes to the House.
SB 352 amends the Unborn Child Protection Act to require voluntary informed consent of a mother seeking an abortion for these issues: medical risks of the procedure and pregnancy to term; Opportunity to view ultrasound. The likely gestational age of the fetus or fetus; Perinatal care services for a non-viable fetus or fetus; The risks and potential reversals of chemical abortion.
Sen. Mike Caputo, D-Marion, read a letter from a Morgantown doctor who opposes the bill. The doctor, whom Caputo did not have permission to name, said the bill narrows already narrow exceptions to the state's abortion law and disparages and discredits providers and recipients.
“This bill is not only embarrassing, it is dangerous and outside the scope of mainstream medicine,” the doctor wrote. True pro-life policy should focus on deserts of maternity care, maternal mortality, family planning and child care.
Sen. Patricia Rucker, R-Jefferson and the bill's lead sponsor, said the bill does not expand current law, increase penalties or change existing prohibitions. It makes sure that the woman gets all the information she needs to have to make her decision, and it is presented to her in the easiest way possible
She said: “This is a decision that affects life and death, and it will affect her life after her decision.” Women have the right to obtain information. “I think this is very simple, critical and important legislation.”
It passed 32-1 and goes to the House.
SB 530 addresses impact fees related to population growth and public service needs that designated growth districts are permitted to impose.
To qualify as a growth county, the population growth rate must exceed 1% over five years. State code lists seven requirements to allow a growth county to impose impact fees.
The bill removes one of these: adopting a comprehensive zoning ordinance. Monongalia was the second-fastest growing county, after Berkeley and ahead of Jefferson, 2020 Census data showed.
Mon County does not have a comprehensive zoning ordinance.
The bill was approved 34-0 and goes to the House of Representatives.
SB 551 addresses business improvement service fees charged by cities with business improvement districts. Charleston and Morgantown are the only cities known to exist.
Existing law requires that any surplus funds be applied to business improvement funds to reduce fees for the following fiscal year. The bill removes this requirement so the district can save it for planning and budgeting for future projects.
Charleston has a six-block area downtown with 37 property owners who are assessing their own fees, said Sen. Eric Nelson, R-Kanawha. “Their mission is basically to make the downtown area more beautiful, more prosperous and more vibrant.”
It passed 34-0 and goes to the House.
SB 620 deals with the pregnancy support program for mothers and children. The 2023 legislation creating it did not specify how pregnancy assistance organizations could use the funds. The bill states that it can be used for capital expenditures; Expanding services; Licensing, accreditation and training costs.
It passed 33-1, with Caputo voting against, and goes to the House.
SB 629 relates to the state building code, which is enforced by the state fire commission and fire marshal. Currently, only six provinces and 36 municipalities have adopted it.
As of July 1, 2025, the law will govern construction in all 55 provinces and all municipalities. It will not be retroactive but will apply from now on. The bill does not require any inspection or enforcement mechanisms for counties and cities that do not already have such mechanisms.
It passed 34-0 and goes to the House.
