“ Optimism is the faith that leads to achievement . Nothing can be done without hope and conndence . “ -Helen Keller
HB 4268 CO-TENANCY
By Anne Blankenship
SENATE : 23-11 � HOUSE : 58-41
House Bill ( HB ) 4268 , known as the Co-tenancy Modernization and Majority Protection Act , has passed after years of negotiations . This bill will place West Virginia on a level playing field with other major oil and natural gas-producing states .
To develop shale resources , oil and natural gas companies enter into leases with mineral owners to form development units made up of individual tracts . Until now , West Virginia was the only state in the Marcellus and Utica shale plays that prevented production when less than 100 percent of the mineral owners agreed for it to proceed .
While a very small percentage of mineral owners have been denying the majority of owners from royalty payments for years , now a super majority of 75 percent in each tract within a drilling unit can decide whether drilling can occur . Not only is this the highest threshold for co-tenancy in the country , but the law will also compensate the 25 percent of nonconsenting co-tenants as well as the highest-paid lessee in the same tract .
After passing the House and Senate , the bill went to Governor Jim Justice , who signed it into law on March 9 , 2018 .
HB 4001 SNAP BENEFITS
By Del . Joshua Higginbotham
SENATE : 24-9 � HOUSE : 73-23
West Virginia has one of the highest percentages of state population on government assistance in the country . House Bill ( HB ) 4001 aims to curb this negative trend by changing how citizens qualify for welfare .
The premise is simple : recipients must work or volunteer 20 hours per week in order to receive SNAP benefits , or food stamps . If a SNAP recipient is over the age of 50 , is a veteran , has a disability or has a child , they are not required to work or volunteer . HB 4001 also updates the state code on how to handle welfare fraud and abuse cases .
Given that several states have enacted similar bills that saw significant savings and a drop in the number of people on public assistance , HB 4001 can lead to tremendous potential savings for West Virginia .
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics , West Virginia has seen the creation of nearly 10,000 new jobs over the last 12 months , and the state now has one of the fastest growing economies in the nation . It is time to get people back to work , and HB 4001 does exactly that .
HB 4001 was signed into law on March 27 , 2018 . Advocates expect this to be an economic boost for the region .
“ Optimism is the faith that leads to achievement . Nothing can be done without hope and conndence . “ -Helen Keller
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Congratulations to Susan Lavenski , one of West Virginia Executive ’ s Sharp Shooters Class of 2018 , for her strong leadership , active participation in our community and philanthropic efforts .
The team at AlignHR is proud to announce its principal and co-founder , Zach Abraham , has been chosen as a 2018 Sharp Shooter !
Zach exemplifies our core values , especially servant leadership . thomashealth . org alignhumanresources . com | ( 304 ) 907-2833 Bridgeport | Charleston | Morgantown | Wheeling
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