Legislative Roundup

The Associated Press previews a bill "that would impose a moratorium, starting May 1, on the practice of injecting the byproducts of coal washing into the earth."

The Charleston Gazette reports on a West Virginia University law student's quest to reduce repeat DUIs through legislation she researched and drafted after a chronically drunk driver killed three children and two fathers in Monongalia County.

The Register-Herald of Beckley is among those marking the House passage of a bill "to allow the sale of high-quality craft beers in West Virginia." The Gazette also has coverage.

Public Broadcasting focuses on a pending bill that "would allow coal companies until July 1, 2012—more than two years after the current deadline—to comply with selenium standards established by the DEP." Also offering audio, the report explains that "in small amounts, it is harmless, but some studies have found that it is toxic to aquatic life and humans in larger amounts."

The Charleston Daily Mail reports on legislative concerns regarding the state's unemployment compensation fund, and also duly notes Jay Leno's Barbie Bill joke at West Virginia's expense.

The House Judiciary Committee may prove a tough audience for the long-delayed "welfare" drug testing bill, The Gazette and MetroNews report.

MetroNews and the Beckley newspaper highlight this session's attempt at a bottle deposit measure.