February 23, 2007

Things are getting a little bit hectic at the state Capitol, but I am excited about what the House of Delegates, and the Legislature as a whole, are accomplishing. Next Wednesday is the last day that bills can pass out of the house in which they originated, so there is a flurry of final House bills moving to the Senate.

On Friday, the House adopted HB2770, which we hope will provide teachers with a much-needed pay increase. Initially, the governor proposed a 2.5 percent raise, but the House changed that percentage to 3.5. The bill would increase the state’s minimum salary schedule for school service personnel by 3.5 percent beginning in the 2007-08 school year, and raise the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards bonus by $1,000, making it $3,500.

I’m hopeful that the Senate will endorse this legislation, so we can work to retain experienced, qualified teachers.

Two pieces of legislation I sponsored just passed the House as well.

* House Joint Resolution 14 would submit to state voters during the next general election an amendment to the state Constitution that would allow any resident who is on active duty in the U.S. armed forces outside the state to exempt one motor vehicle from property tax.

Those serving this country give so much, and if we can give them a little financial relief, we should certainly do it. I think voters would be happy to endorse such an amendment.

The resolution passed the House Friday and next goes to the Senate.

* Another of my bills, HB2748, is also now before the Senate. This legislation deals with the receipt and transfer of scrap metal. In view of the increasing prevalence of copper theft and other related issues which impact public safety and welfare, HB2748 would increase the quality and type of information which is required to be obtained and kept by the buyers of such materials.

Under current law, businesses dealing with purchase of scrap metal, salvage yards and recycling facilities are required to maintain certain records pertaining to the purchase of nonferrous metals and steel railroad track and track material: 1) the sellers’ name, address, telephone number, 3) the motor vehicle license of the vehicle which transported the material; 4)a description of the materials sold, and 4)a signed certificate of ownership.

Those records are to be preserved for at least one year. The bill would require buyers to note additional detail regarding the vehicle used to transport the materials, and require the seller to obtain additional information regarding the source of the material. It also would promote the investigation and review of the pertinent information by providing greater access by investigators that are employed by the public utilities and railroads, and allow law enforcement to take evidence into custody if he or she has a reasonable belief that any such items and materials had been misappropriated, stolen or taken under false pretenses.

Finally, the bill would increase the monetary penalties and provides for the suspension and/or revocation of business licenses for the initial and repeat prosecutions of knowingly violation of the requirements of this section, with fraudulent intent.

I welcome and appreciate your input on these or any other legislative issues. Write to House Majority Leader Joe DeLong, Building 1, Room 228-M, 1900 Kanawha Blvd. E., Charleston, 25305, or joe@joedelong.com, or call 304-340-3220.