Sen. Ryan Weld

Maddy summarySB 153 waives hunting, fishing, and trapping license fees for municipal volunteer firefighters in West Virginia. To qualify, applicants must submit an affidavit from their fire chief confirming their volunteer firefighter status. The fee waiver applies only to the license or permit fee, not to other requirements like passing safety courses or meeting residency rules. All other standard licensing procedures and eligibility criteria still apply to these individuals.

Maddy summarySB 150 creates new felony charges for severe animal cruelty in West Virginia, directly affecting individuals who intentionally or recklessly cause serious harm or death to domestic animals. Key provisions prohibit causing serious injury/death, failing to end suffering, abandoning animals without veterinary care, and leaving animals unattended in vehicles leading to death, with penalties including up to 5 years in prison and $5,000 fines. Misdemeanor penalties apply for lesser violations like reckless mistreatment or withholding basic needs, with fines up to $2,000. The law explicitly excludes standard farming, hunting, animal training, and livestock operations under accepted industry practices.

Maddy summarySenate Bill 143 amends West Virginia's Uniform Controlled Substances Act by clarifying two key legal terms: "engaged in the illegal use of a controlled substance with another person" and "seek medical assistance." It specifies that failing to seek medical help during an overdose while using drugs with another person - resulting in death - carries a penalty of 1 to 5 years in prison. The bill defines "seek medical assistance" as contacting 9-1-1, poison control, first responders, or medical professionals, including administering opioid antidotes for overdoses. This amendment provides clear legal standards for prosecuting drug-related deaths and non-assistance in overdose situations.

Maddy summarySB 152 would waive fees for hunting, trapping, and fishing licenses for West Virginia emergency responders who are totally disabled while on duty. To qualify, applicants must submit an affidavit from their department or agency confirming the disability occurred during work, along with any other required documentation. The state's Division of Natural Resources would process these requests and could establish specific application procedures through rules. This policy directly affects disabled emergency responders by eliminating the cost of recreational licenses.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends West Virginia law to establish reckless driving resulting in death as a felony offense, rather than a misdemeanor. It directly affects drivers who cause fatal accidents through willful or wanton disregard for safety on roads, parking areas, or other specified public spaces. Conviction carries a prison sentence of 1 to 10 years, or a fine of $5,000 to $10,000, or both. The bill updates existing traffic code provisions (§17C-5-3) to create this felony classification while making technical corrections to the law.

Maddy summarySB 146 requires county boards of education, county superintendents, their employees, and the West Virginia Public Employees' Grievance Board to follow the State Superintendent of Schools' interpretations of school laws and State Board of Education rules. It mandates "substantial deference" to these interpretations unless a state or federal court has already ruled otherwise on the same legal question. The bill directly affects local education officials and grievance processes by centralizing authority over school law interpretation with the State Superintendent. This policy change aims to create consistency in applying education regulations across West Virginia's school systems. (West Virginia Senate Bill 146, introduced February 12, 2025)

Maddy summarySB 148 clarifies that electricity provided by a certified high impact industrial business development district to meet the needs of U.S. military bases or West Virginia National Guard facilities does not count as a "public service" under West Virginia law. This exempts such electricity agreements from standard public utility regulations, including limitations on power purchase agreements and net metering requirements. The bill directly affects certified industrial districts that supply electricity to military installations, removing regulatory barriers for these specific contracts. It becomes effective July 1, 2025, and aims to streamline energy provision for military infrastructure without altering utility oversight for general public service.

Maddy summarySB 104 clarifies that West Virginia sheriffs who collect at least 85% of all property taxes (both real and personal) in their county are entitled to an annual commission of $15,000. This commission, determined by the county commission, is paid from the tax funds collected and added to the sheriff’s regular salary. The bill fixes the commission amount at $15,000, removing previous ambiguity about compensation for sheriffs serving as tax collectors. It ensures this payment becomes a standard part of the sheriff’s annual budget, paid per existing law.

Maddy summaryThis bill directs the West Virginia Legislature to replace the state's existing statue of John Kenna in the National Statuary Hall Collection at the U.S. Capitol with a new statue honoring Hershel "Woody" Williams. The legislation recognizes Williams as a Medal of Honor recipient and founder of the Gold Star Families Memorial Monument program, citing his military service and community contributions as worthy of national commemoration. To implement this change, the bill establishes a commission to select a sculptor, authorizes the Governor to fund the project from a contingency fund, and mandates that the removed John Kenna statue be displayed at the State Culture Center.

Maddy summaryThis Senate resolution honors David Allen Stover for his public service in West Virginia. It acknowledges his career as a teacher, his time as Wyoming County Circuit Clerk, and his single term in the state Senate. The bill formally expresses the Senate's appreciation for his dedication and directs the Clerk to send a copy of the resolution to him.