Around the Dome
Dwayne O ’ Dell , Director of Government Relations
As I step back and look at the last day of the 60-day 2016 Legislative Session , a few thoughts come to mind . With more than 1,600 bills introduced , numerous committee meetings , and long House and Senate sessions , when you break it all down , it ’ s about what ’ s best for West Virginia ’ s future .
In the early morning of the last day , I saw lobbyists , delegates , senators , and of course , private citizens . One in particular caught my attention — a dad with his young daughter was walking about the Capitol and stopped at the massive statue of U . S . Senator Robert C . Byrd . I thought , after all the disagreements , discussions , denials , and demands , that it all comes down to what is best for the overall good of West Virginia families . This is represented by the young father who was leading his daughter around the Capitol . What will West Virginia look like when this little girl grows up to possibly lead her own child someday around our Capitol ?
This thought means even more when each of us concentrate upon what the future holds for our families . West Virginia Farm Bureau has continued a long history during this session of standing strong on conservative family values , protecting individual freedoms and property rights , and building strong foundations for future generations . I believe that while much has occurred during this legislative session , much remains to be accomplished .
One of the major issues of the 2016 Legislature involved how oil / gas resources are developed in this state . No doubt , West Virginia needs this enterprise to provide jobs and tax bases . In my view , it is imperative for West Virginia to maintain and expand its status in the energy sector . However , the development of West Virginia oil and gas reserves , including drilling , pipeline expansion , and other infrastructure upgrades , must not come at the expense of private property rights . Future legislation must include a balanced approach that encourages companies to develop oil / gas reserves while at the same time
protecting the surface owners ’ and mineral owners ’ rights .
The Legislature must consider all who are involved , along with ensuring that drilling is conducted with the use of the best of technology from an environmental standpoint . I believe that some of the legislation as proposed by Delegate Ireland and others contained many positives . Hopefully the WVFB , oil / gas developers , legislators , and other stakeholders will work together in the coming months to develop legislation that can be enacted to further strengthen and guide oil / gas development and protect private property rights at the same time .
Nationally , the American Farm Bureau reports that the U . S . Senate has failed to reach an agreement on the Biotech Labeling Solutions Act as proposed by Senator Roberts of Kansas . This legislation was needed to set a national standard for GMO labeling . Failure to pass this bill , according to many economists , may add numerous dollars to food manufacturing , and ultimately the consumers will pay the cost . This legislation was supported by over 300 farm groups , companies , and other entities .
GMO / biotechnology has been approved as safe by the FDA and USDA . Over 70 percent of our corn and 90 percent of our soybean production are GMO varieties . Activists are calling for labeling of any food that contains GMO or biotech varieties to indicate that there may be a safety issue with the product . Due to the Senate ’ s failure to act , interstate commerce will be threatened and small family-owned companies will face a penalty of $ 1,000 per day if their products enter into the Vermont food chain , either intentionally or unintentionally .
Really , this vote is a vote against American consumers and ultimately the farmers of America who have used technology to improve production in order to feed the world ’ s population . Efforts are now underway to reconsider the recent Senate decision .
see O ’ Dell , page 23
West Virginia Farm Bureau News 5