Sen. Jack Woodrum

Maddy summarySB 726 removes a 30% limit on how much money West Virginia municipalities can save in their stabilization funds, which act as emergency rainy-day reserves. Currently, these funds cannot exceed 30% of a municipality's general fund budget, but the bill would eliminate that cap. Municipalities would then have greater flexibility to build larger reserves using surplus funds from their general budget. This change directly affects all West Virginia cities and towns that maintain such stabilization funds. The bill amends West Virginia Code §8-37-3 to reflect this policy adjustment.

Maddy summarySB 703 would establish West Virginia as a participating state in the Social Work Licensure Compact, allowing licensed social workers from member states to practice across state lines without obtaining separate licenses in each state. This directly affects social workers seeking employment in multiple states, military families (including active-duty personnel), and clients needing access to licensed social services. Key provisions include creating a multi-state license system, forming a Compact Commission to oversee implementation, requiring states to recognize licenses from other member states, and enabling telehealth services across participating states. The bill eliminates duplicate licensing requirements while preserving each state’s authority to take disciplinary action against licensees for misconduct in their jurisdiction. It also mandates a shared data system to track disciplinary actions and license statuses among member states.

Maddy summarySB 886 removes the requirement for a burning permit when private landowners conduct prescribed fires on their property, provided they follow procedures set by the Division of Forestry. This change directly affects landowners managing vegetation for wildfire prevention or land health on private property. The bill amends existing law to exempt these controlled burns from the standard permit process during designated fire seasons (March 1-May 31 and October 1-December 31), while maintaining rules about burning times (5 p.m. to 7 a.m.), safety zones (10-foot clearance), and fire bans. It does not alter fire season dates, permit fees for other activities, or penalties for violations.

Maddy summaryThis bill (SB 1038) increases salaries by 15% for three specific positions at the Unemployment Compensation Board of Review: Chief Administrative Law Judge, Administrative Law Judge 1, and Administrative Law Judge 2. The adjustment applies to salary levels effective when the bill takes effect and is separate from other 2026 budget salary changes. The stated purpose is to help ensure unemployment compensation hearings occur in a timely manner. The funding for this increase is exempt from standard budget constraints, and the law explicitly states it creates no legal liability for implementation.

Maddy summarySB 481 changes the term "precinct" to "polling location" in West Virginia election law and requires each polling location to be reported independently. This means county election offices must track and report each voting site as a separate unit, including separate voting booths, ballot boxes, and election staff, even if multiple locations share the same building. The bill directly affects county election administrators and voters by clarifying how polling places are managed and documented. It updates outdated terminology while ensuring each voting site operates as a distinct entity during elections.

Maddy summarySB 592 creates a tax credit program for West Virginia short line railroads and related infrastructure. It provides a 50% tax credit on qualified maintenance costs (capped at $5,000 per mile of track) and new infrastructure investments (capped at $2 million per project, with a $5 million annual limit). Eligible taxpayers include Class II/III railroads operating in West Virginia and owners/lessees of rail sidings or industrial spurs. Credits can be carried forward for up to five years or transferred to other taxpayers via written agreement. The bill directly supports rail infrastructure modernization by reducing costs for qualifying rail operators.

Maddy summarySB 1, the Small Business Growth Act, creates a new tax credit program administered by the West Virginia Department of Commerce to incentivize investment in small businesses. It provides insurance companies with a credit against their state premium tax equal to 15% of qualifying capital investments made by certified "growth funds" into eligible West Virginia businesses. Eligible businesses must have fewer than 250 employees and principal operations in the state, and investments are limited to 20% of a growth fund's capital authority or $7.5 million per business. The credit is claimed annually based on certified investments, with the program requiring annual reporting and prohibiting certain investment types.

Maddy summarySB 648, titled the "Strategic and Critical Resources Act," defines specific minerals (like lithium, cobalt, uranium, and others vital for national security) and establishes statewide regulations for their extraction. It prevents local governments from restricting or regulating extraction activities or facility development outside urban areas, reserving this authority for the state and federal governments. The bill also prohibits foreign adversaries (as defined by federal law) from owning, controlling, or operating facilities related to these resources. It explicitly states that federal environmental and health laws remain fully applicable, and does not affect standard business licenses or taxes. This bill directly affects mining companies, local governments, and foreign entities seeking to develop these critical resources in West Virginia.

Maddy summaryWest Virginia Senate Bill 4 creates a new law requiring people to stay at least 30 feet away from first responders (including police, firefighters, probation officers, and emergency medical personnel) while they are lawfully performing duties. It makes it a misdemeanor to knowingly approach within 30 feet after being verbally warned, if the action impedes their work, threatens them, or harasses them (defined as causing substantial emotional distress without legitimate purpose). Violators face fines of $50-$500, up to one year in jail, or both. The bill directly affects individuals near emergency scenes and aims to protect responders from interference. It amends West Virginia Code §61-5-30.

Maddy summaryThis Senate Concurrent Resolution requests the Joint Committee on Government and Finance to investigate the reasons behind the decline of eastern gray fox populations in West Virginia and develop strategies to stabilize and increase their numbers. The bill directs the committee to study ecological factors, economic impacts on trappers, and potential causes for the population decrease since the early 2000s. The committee must submit findings and recommendations to the Legislature by the 2027 regular session, including any proposed legislation needed to address the issue. Funding for the study, report preparation, and potential legislation drafting will come from existing legislative appropriations to the committee.