[{"_1":2,"_112":-5,"_113":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88,100],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6281850,"mediaKeyId","2601535-d8761cba7fd080c6a326f8be916f2726","parentId",2601535,"title","Committee backs bill creating \"extremely remote\" school designation, including funding multiplier and restrictions on closure","audioSeconds",1856,"startMs",1676000,"endMs",3532000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2601535-d8761cba7fd080c6a326f8be916f2726&start=1676&end=3532","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2601535-d8761cba7fd080c6a326f8be916f2726/thumbnail_1676000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6281850/West-Virginia/Committee-backs-bill-creating-extremely-remote-school-designation-including-funding-multiplier-and-restrictions-on-closure","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6281850-b6b6253905ebd71ee7f3daf42f5d7d05/orig.mp4?Expires=1770447952&Signature=GrhG99CwiZqp2xjadA0R-hxKWReaFNDuyoqGU1aSfpiMo5Yib-J-qZucLsh1qlqZMOW8BP3Kci05VUdSEwtKT77RUw1BJMSWRUR032H~m6FAUVlWldglrEVWWVx0NaqZfgYCI6aU-2N3do7uMs6CbGXutz8LE6vyNntF9ShbbHosSFQUqmAnK0SVPdtRhGJTeVBxyoKvpTYWW1MT8NnAaQlNpchQQEjzlKngOw7S15cERaBK83ViqRim5Ed7772Wrism0-NJVh-DZ87cJ-eaQmPCnsJ6CF3RdUp3PwfYI3~cUeFn~hLn9vIJW1A~-VNipefe7md-LN~MGfSuQklT3w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","West Virginia Legislature","date","2025-03-13T00:00:00Z","article","A Senate committee agreed to a bill, as amended, that would create an “extremely remote school” designation, provide additional state aid for such schools and restrict counties’ ability to close qualifying schools.

Counsel Hank summarized the committee substitute: an extremely remote school is defined as a school located 20 miles or more from an existing public, public charter, or private school established prior to 2024 and serving a minimum of 20 students. The bill would count each enrolled student in an extremely remote school as 2.5 students for state aid funding purposes, prohibit closure of an extremely remote school, require county boards to provide documentation requested by the state superintendent, and require annual reporting by counties that receive additional funds. The state superintendent would compile the reports and forward an assessment and recommendations to LOSIA (as referenced in the bill).

Senators raised implementation and scope questions. Committee members noted the fiscal note initially identified Harmon School (K–12) as the only school that clearly qualified under the 20-mile, 20-student threshold; Harmon was described in committee discussion as having about 109 students, while Pickens was discussed as having roughly 35. Senators questioned how the 20-mile distance was measured, how bus ride safety and terrain would factor into eligibility, and whether the funding multiplier was a novel mechanism; counsel said the 2.5 weighting is unusual but has precedent in historical special education weightings.

The committee considered and debated amendments. A senator proposed reducing the mileage threshold; that proposal was withdrawn after discussion and because the bill still proceeds to finance where further work can be completed. Marion offered a conceptual amendment clarifying that a county board that accepts the additional formula funds for an extremely remote school may not close that school — tying the no‑closure prohibition to receipt of the additional funding. The committee adopted Marion’s amendment by voice vote.

After discussion and amendments, the vice chair moved that Senate Bill 516, as amended, be reported to the full Senate with a recommendation that it do pass and, under the original double committee reference, first be referred to the Committee on Finance. The motion carried by voice vote.

Committee discussion repeatedly framed the bill as intended to preserve small, geographically isolated community schools for safety and community reasons while acknowledging potential cost and staffing challenges. The bill requires county boards to submit documentation requested by the state superintendent for eligibility determinations and requires annual reporting on fund use.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","WV Senate Education Committee in Session Mar 13, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","A Senate committee backed legislation creating an “extremely remote school” designation that would boost state aid for qualifying schools by counting each pupil as 2.5 students for funding purposes and would bar closure of schools that accept the additional funds.","taxTitle","2025 Legislature WV, West Virginia","taxId",77714,"location","West Virginia","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6281855,"Senate committee adopts amendment saying ambulances should be on-site at middle and high school football games when available",947,649000,1596000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2601535-d8761cba7fd080c6a326f8be916f2726&start=649&end=1596","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2601535-d8761cba7fd080c6a326f8be916f2726/thumbnail_649000.jpg","/articles/6281855/West-Virginia/Senate-committee-adopts-amendment-saying-ambulances-should-be-on-site-at-middle-and-high-school-football-games-when-available","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6281855-d00f95a148d17781996683bf8f06521f/orig.mp4?Expires=1770447952&Signature=hp66oAXl1wSdizeDZpoUKPO9rAw0qprUDnwSELItElvvrVGkd9zL8LPNuEalP6OBa1vcB3P6XRllAgXn9PJYTgeBgqAb7UU42CCTeIjaJN12KepHKN6By6COp2vF5ZS6mbW6ZoBtN89GXhFD31vH1XPRHCcBoc00mjDfvZSquHRU~~ppYdyuFjPu~-q-yZBt6sZw4-oJRl11UfufcUTLCjK3OwjqVmNwg4f~1WwnT55jTJN~~m9yl87vPrBobRMccBuExmjZej01otjSw~5yOuAyTBGwEeDDOD-0~QGBY7sHr5WTsyqlVc5n5pqsLjKK9VbTG-~ig5qcuF8JDjeArA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Senate committee agreed to a committee substitute for Senate Bill 477 that would require an ambulance, “if available,” to be present on school or event grounds during middle and high school football games under the control of the Secondary School Activities Commission.

The committee substitute was explained by counsel Hank, who told the panel: “It requires that an ambulance, if available, be present on school or event grounds during any middle or high school football games under the control of the Secondary School Activities Commission.”

Senators pressed on the bill’s practical effect. The senator from Taylor asked whether a game would have to pause if an ambulance were on site and then called away. Counsel said the phrasing “if available” meant that an ambulance called away would no longer be available. The committee adopted a conceptual amendment offered by the senator from Taylor clarifying that if an ambulance is called away on an emergency call, the game may continue.

Several senators said the measure is intended to highlight rural emergency medical services shortages rather than to create a new criminal or enforcement regime. The senator from Greenbrier, one of the bill sponsors, framed the bill as both a safety measure for students and a way to draw attention to long EMS response times in parts of West Virginia. Senators noted the bill contains no penalty for failing to have an ambulance on-site and described it as a statement of legislative intent coupled with an operational preference.

After discussion and adoption of the Taylor clarification, the vice chair moved that the committee substitute for Senate Bill 477 be reported to the full Senate with a recommendation that it do pass, but first be referred under the double committee reference to the Committee on Finance. The motion was adopted by voice vote and the bill was reported to the full Senate under that referral sequence.

The committee record indicates the amendment and committee substitute were adopted by voice vote; no roll-call tally was provided in the transcript.","The Senate committee agreed to a committee substitute for Senate Bill 477 that would require an ambulance, “if available,” to be present at middle and high school football games and adopted a clarifying amendment saying a game may continue if an ambulance is called away.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6281840,"Committee advances bill allowing former degree holders to qualify for WV Invest grants for EMS training",150,4628000,4778000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2601535-d8761cba7fd080c6a326f8be916f2726&start=4628&end=4778","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2601535-d8761cba7fd080c6a326f8be916f2726/thumbnail_4628000.jpg","/articles/6281840/West-Virginia/Committee-advances-bill-allowing-former-degree-holders-to-qualify-for-WV-Invest-grants-for-EMS-training","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6281840-0f9642a03202d38c54f931d5e7f92a6b/orig.mp4?Expires=1770447952&Signature=BGiDRxoc8X~IYqy3M1hEnyl9CK9a1gcuCnhf98pGwD84RtYnZ56IpZ2y43dcgVgSyMZJ1zG4-e1fBIuT48bU7iF5YL7vFs2YDymdurJXF4x3UulSksFJGMQOMxnMdzQ2W5~4CO~lCDogaDEL2F-MPBF-axxh-1emPdMaL4~WAVVzLTt2Ke4cSSjM4FASIESVv-YPtbiz6q-dk-94txsWv283Jg7bf0Dg8tE-YWgyiWiDLW9MTxWSRNjyoUi~iSyK7E1BF-g86l7bs-V0hmr7Rbtzm~3tibQmWUCM7GtyBRJcZZ7mbvsH3GGJrXQVVf2qma5EwQLDE04M~KIXJZx49g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The committee agreed to a measure that would create an exception to a West Virginia Invest grant eligibility rule: an individual who previously earned a postsecondary degree could still qualify for a WV Invest grant if the individual seeks an associate degree or certificate in an eligible emergency medical services postsecondary program.

Counsel summarized the bill as a narrow exception to the WV Invest program’s existing restriction that generally disqualifies prior degree holders. Committee members offered no amendments during the hearing. The vice chair moved that Senate Bill 631 be reported to the full Senate with a recommendation that it do pass and, under original double committee reference, first be referred to the Committee on Finance. The motion carried by voice vote.

Sponsors framed the bill as a workforce development step to help recruit and train EMS personnel by enabling individuals who previously completed postsecondary education to reenter training for emergency medical services certifications or associate degrees and thereby bolster the EMS workforce.","Senate Bill 631 would allow individuals who previously earned a postsecondary degree to be eligible for a West Virginia Invest grant if they seek an associate degree or certificate in an eligible emergency medical services program; the committee reported the bill to the full Senate with a finance referral.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6281845,"Committee debates elevating assault and battery of athletic officials to felonies; members raise scope and juvenile‑justice concerns",1112,3556000,4668000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2601535-d8761cba7fd080c6a326f8be916f2726&start=3556&end=4668","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2601535-d8761cba7fd080c6a326f8be916f2726/thumbnail_3556000.jpg","/articles/6281845/West-Virginia/Committee-debates-elevating-assault-and-battery-of-athletic-officials-to-felonies-members-raise-scope-and-juvenilejustice-concerns","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6281845-7487a39e7eb0c9a12c704c9e7edc1300/orig.mp4?Expires=1770447952&Signature=eNmLmk8RVu1KLHF8s4Hgeh1NziwInQzRGqcWlTG2hRkgMLs9DP8SqSc3NA4gyqYq0HsGxVdjyoBCDVZyHMWXwhFglPOq3FQLJZkbFBme0bPHIPJQI3ez5mPNKM6RaSP0hJykiPJ4JG3vMfE9DBawjiba9uJEtTKUMQmA-KVU~2w6qHjG4V8GmAQn8VxZMrCQQ2iqeD05jKa2et40kDUC9-BNu9WE4SdazdbAZ~Oz8EeBzExgUPNkxEPhPIsCzZ93-Yn0hc8goPbDtByOiA8W12Jy6X1lmYZyoPxlQlS272yoL8WK8kR2t7BRu-zs~6BIGCbsmyyb8M4O8HXXdV6ltA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The committee took up Senate Bill 531, which would escalate the offenses of assault and battery of athletic officials to felonies and increase associated fines and prison terms.

Counsel explained the draft would change the penalty for assault of an athletic official from a fine of up to $500 or confinement not more than six months to a fine of $500–$1,000 or imprisonment for one to two years, and would change battery of an athletic official from a fine of up to $1,000 or confinement not more than 12 months to a fine of $1,000–$2,000 or imprisonment for one to three years. Counsel said the bill revises existing code provisions and adjusts penalties.

Committee members debated the bill’s scope and consequences. Senators noted the bill’s definition of “athletic official” is broad and may cover referees, umpires, coaches or any person supervising participants “at a sports event,” which could apply to non‑school events such as amateur leagues. Senators asked whether school personnel like principals or coaches would be covered; counsel said the definition would apply to any person acting as an athletic official at the event.

Several senators raised questions about juvenile adjudication. Committee counsel and members discussed how juveniles are processed differently from adults — juveniles typically are handled via juvenile petitions and appear before juvenile court rather than adult criminal court — but several members asked whether raising the statutory penalty to a felony could create additional jeopardy for minors. Law‑enforcement and committee members clarified that juvenile procedures remain distinct, though a court can pursue adult treatment in certain cases.

Members also discussed whether the bill intended to match penalties for assaulting school personnel and whether the language should be narrowed; one senator suggested matching the misdemeanor treatment for school employees rather than converting the offenses to felonies. Committee members agreed the bill warranted more consideration and noted it will go to Judiciary, providing an opportunity for further amendment and clarification.","Senate Bill 531 would make assault and battery of athletic officials felony offenses and increase penalties. Committee counsel said the measure increases existing penalties; senators expressed concern about the bill's broad reach beyond school events, its effect on juveniles and whether it should be narrowed or further vetted in Judiciary.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Committee backs bill creating "extremely remote" school designation, including funding multiplier and restrictions on closure

Senate committee adopts amendment saying ambulances should be on-site at middle and high school football games when available

Committee advances bill allowing former degree holders to qualify for WV Invest grants for EMS training

Committee debates elevating assault and battery of athletic officials to felonies; members raise scope and juvenile‑justice concerns