Bill to Create Appellate Court Advances in Senate

A long-discussed proposal to create an intermediate appellate court system in West Virginia advanced to the Senate Finance Committee on Friday after several days of discussions in the Senate Judiciary Committee, West Virginia Metro News reports. Discussions revolved around the potential cost of the bill, which hasn't been determined. Senate Bill 341, by Senate Majority Leader Ryan Ferns, R-Ohio, and Sen. Patricia Rucker, R-Berkeley, would establish two courts to hear appeals of workers' compensation, civil, criminal and Public Service Commission decisions before they reach the st...