CHARLESTON – The 2013 Regular Session of the West Virginia State Legislature convened for its opening day Wednesday, February 13. The session officially lasts from February 13 through April 13. The first real item on the agenda was the Governor’s State of the State Address, delivered that evening.
In his comments, Governor Tomblin outlined a broad, comprehensive agenda that includes education, public schools, inmate crowding and a challenging budget. He is also expected to discuss the steps the state will take to address the challenges faced by its primary industry – coal.
The speech was Tomblin’s first since he won election to a full term last year. Tomblin previously completed an unexpired term as the state's chief executive. Tomblin also will present a new state spending plan for the coming budget year. It should include around $75 million in cuts.
Following is a brief outline of the 2013 legislative calendar
- First Day - February 13, 2013: First day of session. (WV Const. Art. VI, §18)
- Twentieth Day - March 4, 2013: Submission of Legislative Rule-Making Review bills due. (WV Code §29A-3-12)
- Forty-first Day - March 25, 2013: Last day to introduce bills in the Senate and the House. (Senate Rule 14), (House Rule 91a) Does not apply to originating or supplementary appropriation bills. Does not apply to Senate or House resolutions or concurrent resolutions.
- Forty-seventh Day - March 31, 2013: Bills due out of committees in house of origin to ensure three full days for readings.
- Fiftieth Day - April 3, 2013: Last day to consider bill on third reading in house of origin. Does not include budget or supplementary appropriation bills. (Joint Rule 5b)
- Sixtieth Day - April 13, 2013: Adjournment at Midnight. (WV Const. Art. VI, §22)
For more information here is a link to the official Legislative Calendar http://www.legis.state.wv.us/