HB 2428 SUBSTANCE ABUSE By Del . Joshua Higginbotham
SENATE : 34-0 � HOUSE : 99-0
It is common knowledge that West Virginia has a drug problem . It ’ s in our schools , in our prisons and in our families . There has been much debate over how this problem should be solved — education , increased sentencing , drug courts or creative means of punishing or rewarding addicts . Regardless , there is one thing nearly every lawmaker and citizen can agree on , and that is the need for drug treatment facilities . Currently , there are nearly 1,100 addicts on the waiting list to go through drug treatment programs in West Virginia , but there are simply not enough beds in these treatment centers to house everyone . House Bill ( HB ) 2428 was a critical first step to fixing this .
The original version of this bill called for the addition of 600 beds to the state ’ s already existing treatment centers . In addition , it would have allowed for the construction of new facilities as needed . Since West Virginia is currently in a financial crisis , the specific number of beds was amended out of the bill entirely to allow the West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources to have the flexibility to add beds as needed .
HB 2428 passed the House and Senate unanimously , and it was signed into law by Governor Jim Justice on April 25 , 2017 . Drug treatment centers cost much less than prison — saving taxpayers thousands of dollars per year on each patient — and are much more effective at preventing relapses .
HB 2428 is a leap forward by focusing directly on the drug addicts and getting them the medical help they need . While this bill is not meant to diminish the role of other methods used by our courts and law enforcement , it does give us another tool to get addicts off drugs and back into society .
SB 27 FARMERS MARKET MICROPROCESSOR By Parween Mascari
Senate Bill ( SB ) 27 , also known as the Farmers Market Microprocessor Bill , was a joint effort of the West Virginia Farmers Market Association and the West Virginia Food & Farm Coalition to support the state ’ s farm-based small businesses . Farmfriendly , small business-friendly and entrepreneur-friendly , SB 27 would positively impact West Virginia ’ s economy and create jobs .
This piece of legislation was written to allow farmers to obtain microprocessor licenses to can certain vegetables and make certain sauces and salsas , up to a limited quantity per year , in their home kitchens with appropriate training , licensing and inspection . Most of the food used in the approved canning recipe had to be grown on the farm or in a home garden , and the final product would be allowed to be sold in local farmers markets . Kentucky has had a similar statute for almost 15 years and now has more than 1,000 microprocessors .
This bill was important for small businesses because it could stimulate the economy by expanding the farmers market season , increase value-added products for a farm business , enhance the number and variety of products at farmers markets , add healthier eating options and attract more vendors and products at farmers markets . Farmers markets serve as small business incubators , and this bill would allow farmers to expand their product offerings and begin offering value-added products without investing in an expensive commercial kitchen .
SB 27 died in the last hours of the last day of the legislative session . After passing the Senate 34-0 and the House 95-3 , in slightly different versions , the bill returned to the Senate for acceptance or rejection of the House version ’ s changes . Despite assurances that the Senate would accept the House ’ s changes , the bill was the victim of a last-minute Senate amendment that added an entire Sunday farm distillery bill into SB 27 before sending it back to the House . Unfortunately , that last-ditch effort to save the Sunday farm distillery bill ended up keeping SB 27 from final passage because the House would not take it up again .
SB 27 made it farther in the legislative process this year than it ever has before because there is great support in the Legislature for agriculture . Supporters of the bill are currently undertaking efforts to determine next steps to get this legislation passed .
WWW . WVEXECUTIVE . COM SPRING 2017
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