Sen. Laura Chapman

Maddy summaryThis bill requires health insurance plans in West Virginia to cover annual mammograms for women aged 40 and older without needing a doctor's order first. It also mandates coverage for mammograms for women under 40 with breast cancer risk factors (like family history), based on medical necessity as determined by their provider. These requirements apply to all individual and group health insurance policies delivered, issued, or renewed in West Virginia on or after January 1, 2026. The policy affects all women in the state who have health insurance through these plans, ensuring coverage aligns with current medical guidelines for breast cancer screening.

Maddy summarySB 535 imposes a one-year moratorium (July 1, 2026 - June 30, 2027) on the Public Service Commission of West Virginia approving new electric, natural gas, and water utility rate increases for residential, commercial, and industrial customers. The moratorium does not apply to rate decreases, refunds, or rates required by federal mandates with written commission justification. The bill also mandates a comprehensive study examining utility cost structures (including capital spending and executive pay), ratemaking practices (like riders and return on equity), and fuel procurement methods to identify ways to reduce customer rates. This study must produce findings and recommendations for the legislature.

Maddy summarySB 76 would exempt coal sold to coal-fired power plants located within West Virginia from the state's 5% severance tax. This directly affects coal producers who sell thermal coal (used for electricity generation) to in-state power plants, reducing their tax burden on these specific sales. The bill amends existing law to create this exemption, removing the tax that would otherwise apply to coal sold for electricity generation at facilities operating in West Virginia. The change would provide immediate tax savings for coal producers supplying local power plants, without altering other severance tax rates or provisions.

Maddy summarySJR 15 proposes a constitutional amendment to change West Virginia's regular legislative sessions from annual to biennial (every two years). It would amend Article VI, Section 18 of the state constitution to require sessions to begin only on the second Wednesday in January of odd-numbered years, with a specific schedule for budget submissions. This change would directly affect all state legislators and state government operations by reducing the frequency of formal legislative sessions. The amendment's stated purpose is to make regular legislative sessions occur "once every two years," altering the current annual meeting requirement. This is a procedural constitutional change, not a policy bill affecting specific programs or citizens.

Maddy summarySB 491, the West Virginia Volunteer State Guard Act, creates a new state military force separate from the West Virginia National Guard. It establishes a maximum of 400 eligible members who must be West Virginia residents and U.S. citizens with no felony convictions, excluding active military or National Guard members. The Guard can only be activated by the Governor during state emergencies or when the National Guard is in federal service, and must provide training equivalent to the National Guard. The Adjutant General will manage recruitment, training, and equipment, with all members operating exclusively within West Virginia under the Governor's command.

Maddy summarySB 505 expands West Virginia Medicaid eligibility to cover pregnant individuals and new parents for 24 months after childbirth, as well as children under age two. It sets an income threshold of 185% of the federal poverty guidelines for eligibility, while maintaining standard Medicaid requirements. This change directly affects low-income postpartum individuals and families who previously might have lost coverage after the standard 60-day postpartum period. The bill aims to provide continuous healthcare access during a critical health period without adding new administrative requirements.

Maddy summaryWest Virginia's SB 496 adds a new tax provision allowing residents to exclude certain retirement income from their state taxable income. Specifically, it exempts payments from federal programs (like Social Security or Railroad Retirement), state retirement systems (including West Virginia Public Employees’ Retirement System), and other state/local pensions from the calculation of taxable income. This applies to retirees and, upon the retiree’s death, to their spouse or designated beneficiary. The change takes effect for tax years beginning on or before January 1, 2027, and does not alter federal tax rules.

Maddy summarySB 508 creates a tax credit allowing West Virginia businesses to deduct up to 50% of the cost of purchasing products manufactured in the state, directly benefiting companies with headquarters in West Virginia that buy locally made goods. The credit is capped at $100,000 per business annually, with unused credits carrying forward for up to four years. Businesses must provide proof of purchase for qualifying WV-manufactured products to claim the credit, which reduces franchise or income taxes. This policy aims to incentivize local procurement by lowering tax burdens for businesses purchasing in-state products.

Maddy summarySB 497 modifies West Virginia's vehicle registration fee exemption law to expand eligibility for veterans. Currently, veterans must have a 100% service-connected disability to qualify for fee exemption (subsection 15-16). This bill lowers the required disability percentage to 50% or greater, as certified by the state Department of Veterans' Affairs. The change applies to veterans with qualifying disabilities who own one non-commercial vehicle, maintaining existing restrictions on vehicle type and use. This directly affects veterans with service-connected disabilities between 50% and 99% who previously did not qualify for the exemption.

Maddy summarySB 494 creates four new lottery scratch-off games in West Virginia, each dedicated to funding specific public services: fire departments, emergency medical services, schools, and roads. Profits from each game will be directed to designated state funds (e.g., fire department profits to the All County Fire Protection Fund) and must be clearly labeled on the tickets. The Lottery Commission must update game designs regularly to stay competitive with other lottery offerings. The bill takes effect September 1, 2026, and requires all proceeds to directly support the named services.