The leadership in House of Delegates
killed the controversial West Virginia Intrastate Commerce Improvement Act
Thursday night when it recommitted the bill to the Government Organization
Committee.
The bill (HB 2881), which would prohibit
West Virginia cities and counties from enacting or enforcing non-discrimination
laws that do not already exist on the state level along with invalidating
ordinances in a half-dozen West Virginia communities that prevent
discrimination based on sexual orientation, created a firestorm at the
statehouse among those with the LGBT community and others.
Senate Minority Leader Jeff Kessler
(D-Marshall) tweeted Thursday night “HB 2881 Re-Committed to House GO
Committee. Ding Ding the Bigotry Protection Act is Dead! Who’s responsible for
this #RadicalAndWrong bill?”
The bill’s lead sponsor, Delegate Lynne
Arvon (R-Raleigh) issued a statement Thursday that said the bill is an attempt
to bring uniformity to discrimination laws across the state and “does not
contain language that in anyway demonstrates discrimination against any
individual or class of people.”
The bill is up for a public hearing at
8 o’clock Friday morning a the capitol. A rally for those against the bill is
also scheduled.
Re-commitment is often used as a tool to kill pieces of
legislation. Deadlines are looming for bills still in committee. They have to
be out of committee by Sunday to make next Wednesday’s cross-over day.
