Reporter Roundtable Talks Statewide Camping Ban, Addiction And Microgrids

On this episode of The Legislature Today, WVPB reporters Curtis Tate and Emily Rice are joined by Lori Kersey from West Virginia Watch for our weekly reporter roundtable.

In the House, delegates passed a bill that would prohibit the use of ranked choice voting in the state. Ranked choice voting is not currently practiced, but Senate Bill 490 clarifies that no state or local elections can use it.

In the Senate, there was a long and contentious debate around laser eye surgery. Briana Heaney has that story.

The Senate Judiciary Committee Thursday afternoon advanced two bills on controversial topics: Senate Bill 264 would reinstate the death penalty in West Virginia, but only for the intentional killing of law enforcement officers and emergency responders. The committee also advanced Senate Bill 474, which would eliminate diversity, equity and inclusion programs and offices from the state’s executive branch and every level of education.

A Senate Bill, the Riley Gaines Act, has cleared both chambers and is quickly approaching the legislative finish line. Briana Heaney also has this story.

Finally, we have our weekly feature with two West Virginia high school students, Malia Saar and Emma Browning.

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The Legislature Today is West Virginia’s only television/radio simulcast devoted to covering the state’s 60-day regular legislative session.

Watch or listen to new episodes Monday through Friday at 6 p.m. on West Virginia Public Broadcasting.