West Virginia Special Session Canceled Amid Confusion

A proposed special session of the West Virginia Legislature, called by lame-duck Governor Jim Justice for December 7, has been scrapped due to legal complications regarding the swearing-in of new lawmakers. Lawmakers were uncertain about who had the authority to vote in the session, as state law requires newly-elected officials to take an oath before participating. The session was intended to consider changes to the Certified Industrial Business Expansion Development program, which supports investment in renewable energy projects, notably for a titanium melt facility being established by Berkshire Hathaway Energy and Precision Castparts Corp. in Jackson County. With over two dozen new members, primarily Republicans, set to join, the timing of the session conflicted with existing legislative interim meetings. Retiring Senator Mike Caputo remarked on the unusual situation, highlighting the confusion surrounding the session's viability. The Governor's office has not commented on the situation following the cancellation of the session.