Maddy summarySB 450 establishes a 25% state income tax credit for property owners who rehabilitate certified historic buildings in West Virginia. It directly affects residential and non-residential property owners who work on structures listed on the National Register of Historic Places or within designated historic districts, after review by the West Virginia Division of Culture and History. The credit applies to "qualified rehabilitation expenditures" meeting specific criteria, including a requirement that rehabilitation costs equal at least 20% of the building's assessed value. The bill reorganizes existing historic preservation tax rules into a new centralized article (§11-13NN) with defined terms and procedures for claiming the credit.
Sponsored bills
Maddy summarySB 716 would lower the participation requirement for West Virginia's volunteer firefighter tax credit from 30% to 20% of department activities. This change directly affects volunteer firefighters seeking the tax credit, making it easier to qualify by reducing the minimum activity threshold. The bill amends Section 11-13JJ-4 of the state code to update the participation percentage while keeping other eligibility conditions unchanged. Currently, firefighters must participate in 30% of activities; the bill would require only 20%.
Maddy summarySenate Resolution 20 (SR 20) is a symbolic resolution recognizing and honoring Vietnam War veterans exposed to Agent Orange. It directly affects living veterans and their families who suffered health consequences from the chemical herbicide, including cancers, birth defects, and other serious illnesses. The resolution formally acknowledges these veterans' sacrifices through Senate recognition, emphasizing their service and health struggles without creating new benefits or policy changes. It does not alter existing VA programs or provide financial compensation, as it is purely a commemorative measure.
Maddy summaryThis bill creates new criminal offenses for intentionally abusing or desecrating human remains, including mutilation, dismemberment, or unauthorized disposal of a deceased body or cremated remains. It establishes a base felony offense (1-5 years in prison or up to $5,000 fine) and an aggravated offense (2-10 years or $2,000-$10,000 fine) when the act involves concealment, obstruction, commercial exploitation, or connection to other felonies. The law applies to both bodies and cremated remains but exempts lawful activities by medical professionals, funeral directors, law enforcement, and researchers acting within legal authority. Prosecutions may occur in the county where the conduct happened or where the remains were discovered.
Maddy summarySB 696 would amend West Virginia law to explicitly permit women's wrestling as a sanctioned sport in public high schools and public charter schools. The bill directs the West Virginia Secondary School Activities Commission (WVSSAC) to include women's wrestling in its list of approved athletic events, ensuring it can be offered as a competitive sport. This change directly affects public school athletic programs and students, allowing female athletes to participate in wrestling under the same rules as other sanctioned sports. The bill does not alter existing eligibility requirements for student athletes but adds wrestling to the Commission's approved sports list.
Maddy summarySB 688 creates a new criminal offense in West Virginia for recklessly harming or interfering with service animals that assist people with disabilities. It prohibits actions like striking, taunting, throwing objects at, or obstructing service animals - whether they are actively working or the offender knows the animal is a service animal. Violators face up to one year in jail, a $500 fine, or both, plus full restitution for costs including veterinary care, replacement animal expenses, and lost income for the handler. The bill directly affects service animal handlers and anyone who harms these animals during their duties.
Maddy summarySB 196 updates the minimum liability insurance requirements that county boards of education must maintain to qualify for limited immunity when school property is used for community activities. It mandates $1 million in coverage per incident for bodily injury or property damage, plus $5 million in excess coverage, with all insurance required to be provided by a West Virginia-licensed company. Organizations using school property for community events must obtain this insurance (either privately or through the State Board of Risk and Insurance Management), which covers claims from negligence and includes attorney fees and court costs. The bill also clarifies that political advocacy groups are excluded from the definition of qualifying organizations.
Maddy summaryWest Virginia's SB 612 designates November 7 as "Victims of Communism Day" for public schools, requiring high school students in the mandated U.S. Government class to receive at least 45 minutes of annual instruction on this topic. The bill specifies instruction must cover historical communist regimes (including Mao Zedong's Cultural Revolution, Stalin's Soviet system, and others) and how victims suffered through poverty, violence, and suppression. It directs the State Board of Education to revise social studies standards by April 2026 to include these requirements. The observance applies to all public schools, with make-up days if November 7 falls on a non-school day. This bill directly affects West Virginia public school students and educators in required U.S. Government courses.
Maddy summarySB 616 would repeal all sections of West Virginia's Contractor Licensing Act (§30-42-1 through §30-42-20) and terminate the West Virginia Contractor Licensing Board. This bill directly affects licensed contractors who currently must obtain and maintain state licenses to work in the state. The key mechanism is the complete removal of the legal framework governing contractor licensing, including application processes, fees, renewal requirements, and disciplinary procedures. The bill would eliminate the requirement for contractors to hold state licenses and end the board's oversight of the profession.
Maddy summarySB 526 modifies how public employee health insurance premiums are calculated under West Virginia's Public Employees Insurance Agency (PEIA). It requires the finance board to develop annual financial plans with actuarial review, ensuring plans cover all costs including claims. The bill establishes specific reimbursement rates (110% of Medicare for providers), sets employer/employee cost-sharing percentages, and allows different cost levels based on ability to pay for current employees and retirees. It also permits subsidizing retired employees' coverage through employer premiums. This directly affects all West Virginia public employees, retirees, state employers, and healthcare providers participating in PEIA.