‘Let the people speak’

WBOY
by: Alex Tejada
February 10, 2025

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West Virginia organizations oppose possible changes to public hearings

“Let the people speak.” That was the message coming from lobbyists and other organizations who opposed changes to how West Virginia delegates hear the voices of the citizens.

“We support continuing the current practice of allowing citizens to request and be granted a public hearing on any proposed bill in committee,” said Betty Rivard of the National Organization for Women.

Now, the process of public hearings at the State Capitol could be changing with a new proposal known as HR-1.

“HR-1 is, basically, a bill that will alienate the public from being able to present their opinions and feelings on issues that are going to directly impact them,” said Kenny Matthews, West Virginia justice associate with the American Friends Service Committee.

Under HR-1, public testimony during committee meetings will replace public hearings held on the House floor.  

“Actually, what we’re doing is giving the public two bites at the apple,” said House Deputy Speaker Del. David Kelly (R-Tyler). “One in the subcommittee and one in the standing committee. It means that the public has two times to do this.”

However, former legislator John Doyle says that people will only be allowed to speak if called on by the committee chair. 

“Plenty of committee chairs are going to be fair, but not all of them will be,” said Doyle, who represents WV FREE. “I fear that some committee chairs will say ‘I want this bill to pass so I’m only going to listen to people who are in favor of it’. That’s part of the problem.”

Doyle believes the other part of the problem is the short notice that West Virginians are given about when a committee meeting will be held at the State Capitol. 

“I live in Jefferson County,” Doyle said. “It is impossible for someone who lives 300 miles away to get down here on the kind of notice that will be given now.”

Kelly says citizens will be given as much notice as possible about a committee meeting and believes the new process will work better for passing bills. 

“We’re excited about the change. We realize that everybody resists change usually,” said Kelly. “We’re trying to make the process better. Better legislation is what everyone wants.”