[{"_1":2,"_100":-5,"_101":-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],{"_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",6126142,"mediaKeyId","2670889-57a52783d21063d70fcd933b3ad10b2f","parentId",2670889,"title","Committee approves substitute requiring utilities to report road-impact projects to Division of Highways","audioSeconds",883,"startMs",2249000,"endMs",3132000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2670889-57a52783d21063d70fcd933b3ad10b2f&start=2249&end=3132","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2670889-57a52783d21063d70fcd933b3ad10b2f/thumbnail_2249000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6126142/West-Virginia/Committee-approves-substitute-requiring-utilities-to-report-road-impact-projects-to-Division-of-Highways","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6126142-55ed7c7e272ff42c03b247cdbba9ea4b/orig.mp4?Expires=1771143309&Signature=enqZcsP1vZuso3~xSf2TpC28seWSMHBRFgQbKfV1uF7k7bOQR-tMwe~wC6IZHmnW4jyHXEb7yI2fL5hB9NjISZ~BsmxMxHoTBCHLDyd4I1PZ4hVsJheOo7d0PfI7l5MZdYbVd9aHH~L3HAFLUYenro91Low33Rmm0oPi94kjQEfxPnLk2y8WjyT8nMIeQONfpCTfWgVVGdiJ03hZUhWs41IziPLumu~iQkY7U-W1cS53YIlkO-5F5fuav-u8MOBnSG0xGLWpAhUytYhZAeGUocJICPgwhXwWL4thSyn1~eVYBO4-ZxI7iwP9b8EvIU1ihtwIM-qxb97e-LYlmhlsNQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","West Virginia Legislature","date","2025-03-18T00:00:00Z","article","The Senate Government Organization Committee agreed to report the committee substitute for Senate Bill 1 to the full Senate with a recommendation that it do pass. The committee substitute, reported from Transportation and Infrastructure, directs utilities to provide annual reports of planned projects that require digging or cutting into paved roads; the reports must be submitted to the local Department of Highways (DOH) district office beginning February 2026.

Committee counsel described the measure as coordinating timing between DOH paving jobs and utility construction to avoid tearing up newly paved roads. The substitute requires DOH to consider utility reports when planning paving activity and, beginning Sept. 1, 2025, to publish a map of DOH districts, a list of planned paving projects with approximate dates, and copies of utility reports for the most recent year. The bill explicitly preserves DOH authority to perform safety maintenance such as pothole repair and does not preclude permitted emergency utility work. The substitute also requires utilities to repair roads after utility work without unreasonable delay and to restore them to as good or better condition as before.

Nate Taney, general counsel for the Department of Highways, testified that the intent is to improve coordination and reduce instances where a newly paved road is dug up soon after completion. He said DOH already maintains a maintenance map and that the bill, if utilities provide information proactively, would allow district planners to compare schedules and, where possible, adjust paving plans. Taney noted the substitute removed specific statutory deadlines that had appeared in an earlier version; he said DOH generally plans projects well in advance but that emergency work and certain permitting processes can require exceptions.

The sponsor, identified in the transcript as the senator from Ohio, said the substitute removed the Public Service Commission as intermediary so utilities report directly to DOH. Senators questioned DOH and the sponsor about timing and whether the substitute gives DOH authority to require utilities to repave larger sections rather than merely patch trenches; DOH counsel said the substitute requires repair to as good or better condition, and while DOH's enforcement tools are limited, the department can negotiate and require better repairs under existing permitting processes in some cases.

The committee adopted the language of the committee substitute and the vice chair moved that the substitute be reported to the full Senate with recommendation to pass. The motion carried by voice vote; the committee announced the substitute will be reported to the full Senate.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","WV Senate Government Organization Committee Mar 18, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Committee substitute for Senate Bill 1 would require utilities to report planned projects that dig or cut into paved roads to the local Department of Highways district office beginning February 2026. The Department of Highways would publish paving plans and reports; utilities must repair roads as good or better than pre-work condition.","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},6126147,"Committee advances bill reallocating county transfer-tax revenue to elections and records accounts",1157,1077000,2234000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2670889-57a52783d21063d70fcd933b3ad10b2f&start=1077&end=2234","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2670889-57a52783d21063d70fcd933b3ad10b2f/thumbnail_1077000.jpg","/articles/6126147/West-Virginia/Committee-advances-bill-reallocating-county-transfer-tax-revenue-to-elections-and-records-accounts","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6126147-6cab41d47a49432cf4758bc213721b4b/orig.mp4?Expires=1771143309&Signature=bvyNOm4mcL08R5egjyWxUOl7pEDZiJl3fYKTt0POTKgx9~i7QQBWGhShHbLc~LB-fEJPcKGTgn8Sv5QNHTcqOYb~NCSAiWPgWtM7dAPr5ix0yrkkHzEJhCuY1ZYLONKF~VhmGuoTuY4PZQcHTHPYiG9GjGDtpTLqsQi-hFqbXZ-~SMfv~NYo7wWO4WPfqILdCx9BpF4ebclxJSXED8UurB0GY3On~jrTKHbmE7HlUnnvb5G4cwt3J5rQ4-p1e2J9cj7xAEb61-lvI60pLg4nTJrry34WIdbNV2X5~6Gc8PKKcPKyUAyrBWTy2QFGAyy88t5XIymBWRM-kSQIDhxV4w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Senate Government Organization Committee voted to report Senate Bill 743 to the full Senate with the recommendation that it do pass, under the bill's original double-reference to Finance. Committee counsel described the measure as amending chapter 11 to change how money collected from the former state portion of the excise tax on transfer of real property (often called the stamp tax) is allocated at the county level.

Under the bill, all money collected in a county would remain county funds but would be divided so that 10% is deposited to an account for election administration purposes, 10% to the record-room (recording) account, and the remaining 80% to the county general fund. Counsel said the current allocation is 90% to the county general fund and 10% split for election administration and the record room; the bill would change that to 80%/10%/10%. Committee counsel noted a fiscal-note estimate that a county could see a reduction in general-fund receipts of approximately $117,000 because the county general fund's share would fall from 90% to 80%.

Putnam County Clerk Brian Wood and Fayette County Clerk Michelle Holly testified for the measure. Brian Wood described the accounts as a way for county clerks to accrue matching funds so counties can take advantage of federal HAVA grants and adopt new voting equipment that meets updated VVSG 2 standards. Wood told the committee he currently has about $79,000 in his county's fund and said some equipment (the DS200) can cost about $8,000 per unit; he described a potential purchase for Putnam County that could exceed $1 million. Both clerks emphasized uncertainty in future federal funding cycles and said setting aside county-collected excise tax revenue would allow counties to match federal grants without asking for midyear appropriations from county commissions.

Senators asked clarifying questions about the fiscal note and whether the County Commissioners Association supported the bill; Brian Wood said he had contacted the association and had not received a response indicating positive or negative support. After testimony and brief questions, the vice chair moved the bill be reported to the full Senate; the motion passed by voice vote. The committee record shows the chair asked the Finance chair to waive second reference on account of this bill creating no state-level spending and only reallocating county funds.

The committee did not vote on any amendments during this session. The transcript contains no roll-call vote for the committee's recommendation, only a voice vote recorded as \"the ayes have it.\"","Senate Bill 743 would change the allocation of the county-collected excise tax on real-property transfers so that 10% each goes to election administration and the record room, and 80% to the county general fund. County clerks testified the change would help counties set aside matching funds for federal HAVA grants and equipment upgrades.",{"_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},6126151,"Committee advances bill letting nonresident brokers avoid West Virginia office requirement",51,957000,1008000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2670889-57a52783d21063d70fcd933b3ad10b2f&start=957&end=1008","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2670889-57a52783d21063d70fcd933b3ad10b2f/thumbnail_957000.jpg","/articles/6126151/West-Virginia/Committee-advances-bill-letting-nonresident-brokers-avoid-West-Virginia-office-requirement","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6126151-4e9ca02fbb3969bcc39e62b534df8ea9/orig.mp4?Expires=1771143309&Signature=H-JvGNIzr9K8e2hqs2q0HObrf59vXEBbl29g2xxCWJp5VeXH0HUxU4x15J~FbDk~9SHvDVvydnWG7EZuNvviQQVUbIo2ssTada4x8~2Qy4ICNfzDnTm9ie59pF8~9HuYOEAXY-UPdeADB4-wdfFmWDG473zY7rOahFa4v4K6MVShqSBFL8O5yHEegtiAgYupC4Gy14Ze83bK2axOx4OPGXh1vZbJjtOf-JBTiHf3s5SYY8RTi4PCbB-dkptgdFRSJPCVUyR5bXKRm28xPYimZDXfBgNdIYbYv93Ewv1zgn4cP9EZlJzenbDJ5vathnPJDN~rwen5OhCh0uu68gc0Wg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The West Virginia Senate Government Organization Committee on a voice vote agreed to report Senate Bill 747 to the full Senate with a recommendation that it do pass and first be referred to the Committee on Finance. The bill was introduced by committee counsel as a governor's bill and described as an amendment to a single section of code relating to the Real Estate Commission.

The bill would create an exception to the current residency-place-of-business requirement by providing that a West Virginia-licensed, nonresident real estate broker who maintains a physical place of business in his or her state of residence cannot be required to maintain a place of business in West Virginia. Committee counsel told members the measure is in part a response to multi-state litigation challenging residency requirements as unconstitutional. Committee counsel said Carrie Ferro, executive director of the Real Estate Commission, was present to answer any in-depth questions.

Committee members asked no follow-up technical questions and the vice chair moved that the bill be reported to the full Senate with the recommendation that it do pass, under its original double committee reference to Finance. The motion carried by voice vote; the chair announced, \"the ayes have it.\" No amendments were offered during the committee discussion.

Because the transcript records only a voice vote, the committee's action is recorded as a committee recommendation to the full Senate with a secondary referral to Finance, not as final passage of law. The bill was noted in the committee record as having a second reference to Finance.

No fiscal note or specific budgetary figures were discussed on the record during this committee session. Carrie Ferro was identified by counsel as available for questions but did not deliver additional testimony in the transcripted portion.","The Senate Government Organization Committee voted to report Senate Bill 747 to the full Senate. The governor's bill would exempt nonresident real estate brokers who maintain a physical office in their home state from the current West Virginia requirement to keep a place of business in West Virginia.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Committee approves substitute requiring utilities to report road-impact projects to Division of Highways

Committee advances bill reallocating county transfer-tax revenue to elections and records accounts

Committee advances bill letting nonresident brokers avoid West Virginia office requirement