[{"_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",6122537,"mediaKeyId","2694694-174326b65a8f899cd5554c20afe7a9f5","parentId",2694694,"title","Committee adopts substitute for SB 128 narrowing court-ordered excess payments for adult services","audioSeconds",381,"startMs",2896000,"endMs",3277000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2694694-174326b65a8f899cd5554c20afe7a9f5&start=2896&end=3277","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2694694-174326b65a8f899cd5554c20afe7a9f5/thumbnail_2896000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6122537/West-Virginia/Committee-adopts-substitute-for-SB-128-narrowing-court-ordered-excess-payments-for-adult-services","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6122537-5686e6e0a6ba60ff0b695f7639101bf1/orig.mp4?Expires=1771135537&Signature=no3tPXMSeksL2F1F-3M58Vd0UVaZ7MInYI~8S1t3AoCgFVR8GjKoLGgn-8I2mMahUt6PJrtzkFkiPWns0c~w7tGuqfSGhUPhk0yOYRFW22nr0xBUVkh0SRQtScwRvrCahVCdAzb81hjkwqCER49KYsHmREolioazRkDxylhCJAPKI-iwOn~w2gZPNxjoSQ7uK03NGLOuqE3aIEZg4Bg6KwwT4NYsg9amoiZ-NuECvwSnQmV6lLNOGYk1yrn5sVVnuKsqLvp7nuKQIOb6At8mny8PeEi0KwMukrf4wglKMkhq3slXlBSUiBcmGS3MWR2zJBYpARw~OqDZ~p3uCfmS5w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","West Virginia Legislature","date","2025-03-19T00:00:00Z","article","A Senate committee adopted a committee substitute for Senate Bill 128 and voted to report the measure to the full Senate with a recommendation that it pass.

Committee counsel said the revised substitute restores provisos in subsections A and B of Section 108 and adds language allowing a court to award payment in excess of either the Medicaid rate or the Department of Human Services’ (DHS) negotiated rate in limited circumstances. Under the revised substitute, services rendered to adults generally could not be paid at rates in excess of the Medicaid or DHS‑negotiated rates; the change was described as striking a balance between ensuring children receive necessary services and preventing overcharging in adult services.

Counsel told the committee the revisions were the product of post‑meeting discussion among senators and staff who stayed after the prior day’s session to craft language addressing concerns about children’s access to services and the department’s concerns about “unnecessary use of the judicial tool of excess payments.”

The vice chair moved to report the committee substitute to the full Senate with a recommendation that it do pass; the motion was approved by voice vote and the chair declared the motion adopted. Several senators praised the substitute as a potential cost saver for the state while maintaining services: “This will prove to be a significant savings for the state of West Virginia, I believe, while not compromising service in any respect,” the chair said.

The substitute will now go to the full Senate for consideration.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","WV Senate Judiciary Committee in Session Mar 19, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","A Senate committee adopted a committee substitute for Senate Bill 128 and voted to report it to the full Senate with a recommendation that it pass.","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},6122532,"Committee approves Mountain Bike Responsibility Act, shielding for-profit trail operators under conditions",3152,3157000,4797,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2694694-174326b65a8f899cd5554c20afe7a9f5&start=3157&end=4","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2694694-174326b65a8f899cd5554c20afe7a9f5/thumbnail_3157000.jpg","/articles/6122532/West-Virginia/Committee-approves-Mountain-Bike-Responsibility-Act-shielding-for-profit-trail-operators-under-conditions","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6122532-c8e8494e6b4441545276e1cf65631c4e/orig.mp4?Expires=1771135537&Signature=PejW95mODyR5B7DmSqXeMtrY4BytCRvU~rYb76HmxlEFTe~wQmEqM99r1VRW~dEXw~d2WReKTptlqFKbAhGY2QA-phTPhujAdxlX8zdiwUkwPdKyG-w9p3rGt6ZKlkBF7UTdyJXc7kfZX-o9ULqtEnnG1JwV-pk1op~~fFRDmjJDLCLCjPMV3ZyROJeoOwuzdJORYROZB47GQ5Y7TItzNOqN3tcjEEkMq5Ed2nX-emyDQV~o962rJ~EXZx25fcHD0DMFYbaby8PWnZ-d9FyBRhIjbz-RaJz7Yi-8Upv~7YG2pGxqYThE6-v9SiRsBHc25z5FGYYMvZZfoNeGgweOZA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","A Senate committee adopted a committee substitute for Senate Bill 595—the Mountain Bike Responsibility Act—and voted to report the substitute to the full Senate with a recommendation that it pass.

Committee counsel said the substitute is patterned on existing responsibility acts in the Natural Resources chapter (for example, the Ski Responsibility Act) and defines operator and rider responsibilities, conditions that limit operator liability and industry standards the operator must follow. The substitute applies to for‑profit private trail system operators; it does not apply to state parks, nonprofit trail systems or systems already covered by separate code sections such as the Hatfield‑McCoy Trail System.

Richie Heath, executive director of the West Virginia Hospitality and Travel Association, testified that sponsors worked with industry members to craft clear responsibilities for private trail operators and to balance operators’ need for liability protection with rider safety. “Where a provider has done things that you would expect—trail markings, other responsibilities they’ve obliged by—then in those instances, you would provide them from the protections of the inherent risk that exists,” Heath said.

Key elements of the committee substitute include:
• Applicability to for‑profit trail system operators; Hatfield‑McCoy and state park systems are excluded because they are covered by other code sections.
• A duty to maintain mountain bike trails in a reasonably safe condition and to mark trails at trailheads and at intersections; the bill references industry standards for classifications of trail difficulty.
• New subdivisions requiring operators to construct, operate, maintain and repair trails consistent with relevant mountain‑biking industry standards and to repair and maintain mountain‑bicycling equipment made available to riders by rental agreement or otherwise.
• An explicit exclusion of e‑bikes from the definition of bicycle covered by this act (the bill relies on DMV definitions that limit coverage to muscle‑powered bicycles).

Committee members asked for examples of negligent conduct that would not be protected; counsel and the sponsor said the bill is not intended to give blanket immunity for operator negligence (for example, leaving dangerous equipment in a trail or failing to mark a trail that is closed for maintenance could still expose an operator to liability).

The committee agreed the substitute and voted to report SB 595 to the full Senate with a recommendation that it pass.

Sponsors and witnesses said the statute aims to encourage private investment in trail systems and tourism while setting clear expectations for safety and maintenance.","A Senate committee adopted a committee substitute for the Mountain Bike Responsibility Act (SB 595) and reported it to the full Senate with a recommendation to pass.",{"_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},6122540,"Senate committee advances constitutional amendment to limit terms for state constitutional officers",1864,1045000,2909000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2694694-174326b65a8f899cd5554c20afe7a9f5&start=1045&end=2909","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2694694-174326b65a8f899cd5554c20afe7a9f5/thumbnail_1045000.jpg","/articles/6122540/West-Virginia/Senate-committee-advances-constitutional-amendment-to-limit-terms-for-state-constitutional-officers","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6122540-b8a98323bf94abe5efbc96a5ef2e856d/orig.mp4?Expires=1771135537&Signature=CzllKSoRyRgHpQzszOhET-Jh~dirOcnW7GRFlgmwNjJ2O2JH1Qxfr7W9WH~a9RS1MpXc9uBS2vunDMSs20NtttILNGk7MOodhUkvUWbEACfFx47-ywldsF0CIhzXcPNr8oC3-5hPW8iqdU9TYyCQnAINzzrvq-26FAK95NiyDg5ltFqxXCdfhOiFGUPx-bTVNLIe87Gwe~AhVYYsC9fiM~l2P1ySAL4IgX~HPSLwyKkEIlYgAvl5F~inzJglSZUOAbCiVCi~hGB4gtdVWAKacIDhfx0h7BtVd1-BjIsI29UHivbimZngEfFoDbk8KD4G2P1yWQs7Ob-bo1s~YBVZag__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","A Senate committee on [date not specified in transcript] voted to report Senate Joint Resolution 13 to the full Senate with a recommendation that it be adopted and a second reference to the Committee on Finance.

The resolution would add language to the state Constitution limiting the Secretary of State, Auditor, Treasurer, Attorney General and Commissioner of Agriculture to three consecutive terms, with terms counted beginning 01/01/2029; partial terms served after that date would count toward the limit.

Treasurer Larry Peck, appearing before the committee, said the proposal seeks to prevent long incumbencies and to bring new perspectives to office. “I have a strong belief that when you have new officers, and you have new people coming in the office, they come in with new energy, new perspectives, and new ideas,” Peck said. He told senators he had discussed the proposal with other members of the Board of Public Works and believed they supported the measure.

Senators debated whether to mirror the governor’s two-term limit. A motion by the senator from Marion to amend the resolution to a two-term limit was debated and put to a roll-call-style division: 5 in favor, 11 opposed. The amendment failed.

Supporters of the three-term language said it balances access to office with turnover; opponents argued two terms would match the governor and reduce the chance of entrenched incumbency. Senators also raised practical questions about retirement eligibility and geographic representation for officers who relocate to Charleston to serve.

After debate the committee majority approved a motion to report SJR 13 to the full Senate with recommendation for adoption and refer it to the Finance Committee for a second reference.

The measure will next be considered by the full Senate and Congressionally required ballot language and additional drafting could be required before the measure would appear to voters.

Votes at a glance
• Amendment (change 3 consecutive terms → 2 consecutive terms): division vote, 5 in favor, 11 opposed (amendment failed).
• Motion to report SJR 13 to the full Senate with recommendation for adoption (with second reference to Finance): approved by voice vote; chair declared the ayes carried.

Context: West Virginia’s governor currently faces a two-term limit; SJR 13 would place a three-term consecutive limit on other statewide constitutional officers, effective for terms beginning Jan. 1, 2029.","A West Virginia Senate committee voted to report Senate Joint Resolution 13 to the full Senate with a recommendation for adoption. The measure would limit the state's five constitutional officers to three consecutive terms beginning Jan. 1, 2029; an amendment to cut the limit to two terms failed on a 5–11 division vote.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Committee adopts substitute for SB 128 narrowing court-ordered excess payments for adult services

Committee approves Mountain Bike Responsibility Act, shielding for-profit trail operators under conditions

Senate committee advances constitutional amendment to limit terms for state constitutional officers