Capitol Beat: Economic Development, Education and Moonshine bills continue to move through Charleston
CHARLESTON, W.Va. (WVVA) - As we near the end of week three in this year’s 60-day legislative session in the Mountain State, WVVA is continuing to follow a number of bills making their way through Charleston -- whether it be moonshine regulation, religious freedom or economic development.
The West Virginia State Senate showed overwhelming support on Thursday, as it passed SB-354 34-0. Lawmakers are hoping the bill can help guide communities along the Interstate 73 and 74 corridor, while they deal with the economic impact of the King Coal Highway.
“They’ll have a place to be able to come to and sit down and talk about how we can promote that corridor,” said Sen. Glenn Jeffries (R-Putnam.) “We can promote that corridor, and give them the tools they need.”
If made law, the bill would create the West Virginia Advanced Energy and Economic Corridor Authority Commission to handle those tasks.
Meanwhile in education, SB-503 aims to protect “belief-based student organizations” in the Mountain State.
“The policy right now is, the law requires that it can be open enrollment into these programs, and what that has translated into in practice is -- a person can be a head of let’s say a Jewish organization, and not even be Jewish,” said Sen. Rollan Roberts (R-Raleigh.)
Sen. Roberts, who sits on the Senate Education Committee, said while he’s all-for allowing any student to join extra-curricular religious groups -- he’s like to see qualified leaders at the top.
“Anybody can be able to be part of that group, there’s not any exclusivity to it. The problem has been that leadership and those that influence how that group operates don’t even hold any of those beliefs,” said Sen. Roberts.
And when it comes to the freedom to make one’s own Moonshine, HB-4793 looks to allow residents 21 and older to make up to 50 gallons of alcoholic liquor at home per year. That bill passed the State House by one vote on Wednesday, and now awaits action in the State Senate.
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