HB 2473 increases annual taxes on health insurance companies (known as "certified HMOs") operating in West Virginia, based on their Medicaid and non-Medicaid member enrollment. The bill sets tiered tax rates per member month - higher for Medicaid plans with more members and lower for non-Medicaid plans - with rates increasing annually based on changes in West Virginia’s Medicaid funding rates. Starting July 1, 2025, tax rates for Medicaid plans will rise significantly (e.g., $78.75 per Medicaid member month under 250,000), and future rates will be adjusted to maintain the maximum federal limit allowed under federal law (42 C.F.R. § 433.68). This directly affects all HMOs holding a certificate of authority to operate in the state under West Virginia law.
HB 2501 modifies West Virginia's bankruptcy exemption law to protect two specific assets. It allows surviving spouses to claim their deceased spouse's home exemption (up to $70,000 in value, instead of the standard $35,000) if the home was jointly owned and remains with the surviving spouse. Additionally, it explicitly exempts payments from governmental entities that subsidize a minor child's adoption from being seized in bankruptcy. These changes directly affect West Virginia residents filing for bankruptcy who are surviving spouses of deceased homeowners or receiving adoption subsidies. The bill makes no changes to other existing exemptions like medical malpractice protections or vehicle allowances.
This Senate Resolution designates March 13, 2025, as "Wear Red Day" at the state Capitol building. It does not create new laws or obligations but symbolically encourages Capitol staff and visitors to wear red to raise awareness about heart health and cardiac arrest prevention. The resolution cites statistics on cardiac arrest survival rates and references the American Heart Association's "Go Red for Women" campaign to highlight the importance of CPR and AED training. It directs the Capitol Clerk to send a copy to the American Heart Association. As a ceremonial resolution, it has no binding policy impact beyond the symbolic designation.
This Senate Resolution (SR 24) designates March 13, 2025, as "Tucker County Day" at the West Virginia Legislature. It formally recognizes Tucker County's contributions to the state through tourism, recreation, history, and infrastructure (including Corridor H construction and three state parks), while acknowledging the county's cultural significance and the 40th anniversary of the 1985 flood. The resolution is non-binding and symbolic, encouraging continued civic engagement by Tucker County residents. It was adopted by the Senate via voice vote on March 13, 2025.
Senate Resolution 26 designates March 13, 2025, as "National K9 Veterans Day" to honor military working dogs and their handlers, recognizing their service since the inception of the U.S. War Dog Program on March 13, 1942. The resolution acknowledges the historical contributions of military K9s during WWII and beyond, as well as their ongoing roles in police, fire, and search-and-rescue operations. It is a symbolic gesture with no policy changes or direct impact on regulations or funding. The resolution was adopted by the Senate on March 13, 2025, and directs the Clerk to forward a copy to the War Dog Guardians organization.
This Senate Resolution (SR 27) formally congratulates the Taylor County Middle School football team for winning the 2024 Mid-8 Championship. It recognizes their historic 9-0 season and first-ever championship victory in the school's 31-year program. As a ceremonial resolution, it has no policy impact and directly affects only the team, coaches, and school community through this official recognition.
HB 2774, the "Coach Protection Act," amends West Virginia law to increase penalties for assault and battery against athletic officials and participants during sports events. It establishes minimum jail terms (5 days for assault, 10 days for battery) and fines ($250-$500 for assault, $500-$1,000 for battery), explicitly defining "athletic official or participant" to include coaches, referees, players, and team supervisors. The bill also authorizes school boards to ban convicted offenders from all state school sports events for at least one year, with violations treated as trespassing. This directly affects individuals who commit violence at sports events, schools enforcing bans, and participants in organized sports.
HB 2781 requires West Virginia judicial officers to consider a person's residency status when determining bail for specific misdemeanor offenses. It applies to cases involving violent misdemeanors, offenses against minors, weapons use, drug violations, sexual abuse, serious traffic offenses, or property crimes exceeding $250 in value. The bill mandates judges to evaluate whether the person is a resident of West Virginia or the U.S. as part of "good cause" for release, alongside other factors like community ties and flight risk. This change modifies existing bail procedures by explicitly adding residency as a consideration for these misdemeanor cases. The bill does not alter penalties but affects how bail conditions are set for eligible defendants.
SB 532 clarifies that ad valorem taxes on property must be paid to the county where the property itself is located, not the county where a well's physical location (well seat) is situated. This directly affects property owners and local governments in counties where wells are drilled in one county but draw from property in another. The bill mandates that tax payments follow the property's location, resolving potential confusion about jurisdiction. It does not change tax rates or create new obligations, only specifies the correct county for tax remittance. This is a procedural clarification under West Virginia's property tax rules.
SB 521 changes how judicial and school board elections are conducted in West Virginia. It requires partisan ballots for judicial offices (including Supreme Court justices, circuit court judges, family court judges, and magistrates), meaning candidates' party affiliations will be listed on the ballot. For county school board elections, the bill mandates nonpartisan ballots, so party affiliations will not be included. These changes affect how ballots are printed and displayed for these specific elections, as outlined in amended sections of the West Virginia election code.
West Virginia's SB 606 requires mammography reports to include standardized patient notifications about breast density based on the American College of Radiology's system. It mandates that reports clearly state whether a patient has "dense" or "not dense" breast tissue, explaining how density affects mammogram accuracy and cancer risk. The bill specifies four standardized density categories (e.g., "heterogeneously dense" or "extremely dense") to be included in both patient summaries and provider reports. This directly affects patients receiving mammograms and their healthcare providers, ensuring consistent communication about breast density's implications for cancer detection. The law aims to improve informed discussions between patients and doctors regarding breast cancer screening options.
This Senate Resolution designates March 12, 2025, as "West Virginia Tourism Day" at the Legislature. It recognizes tourism's economic impact - highlighting that the industry generated $8.7 billion in economic activity, supported 60,000 jobs, and contributed $1 billion in annual tax revenue in 2024 - without creating new policies or requirements. The resolution encourages all West Virginians to explore the state's tourism offerings but has no binding effect on government actions or business regulations. As a ceremonial resolution, it serves to acknowledge the industry's contributions rather than enact policy changes.
