Maddy summarySB 1049 would allow retail liquor stores (licensees) in West Virginia to sell low-proof, ready-to-drink distilled alcohol products directly to Class A and Class B retailers (such as grocery stores or convenience stores) instead of only selling to consumers. The bill establishes a maximum markup limit on these wholesale sales, requires separate annual fees for licensees engaging in this activity, and permits retailers to deliver these products directly to Class A/B stores for consumer sales. It defines "low-proof" products and creates new rules for their distribution while amending existing liquor laws. This change specifically affects retail liquor licensees and Class A/B retailers who sell alcohol, but does not alter general alcohol sales or consumption rules.
Sponsored bills
Maddy summaryWest Virginia's SB 1054, the Natural Organic Reduction Act, authorizes a new method for final disposition of human remains called "natural organic reduction" (NOR), which uses controlled biological processes to transform remains into soil-like material. The bill directly affects NOR facilities and operators, who are exempt from funeral director licensing requirements but must comply with Department of Health regulations for sanitation, pathogen control, and safety. Key provisions establish the Department of Health as the sole regulator (replacing the Funeral Service Board), prohibit NOR operators from performing embalming or offering licensed funeral services, and set facility standards for containment, odor control, and soil handling. This creates a legally recognized alternative to burial, cremation, or embalming for residents seeking environmentally aligned end-of-life options.
Maddy summarySB 1057 authorizes natural burial in West Virginia, allowing families to bury human remains without embalming, vaults, or non-biodegradable containers using biodegradable shrouds or caskets. It directly affects families seeking eco-friendly or cost-effective burial options, cemeteries (which may choose to offer natural burial without extra licensing), and funeral directors (as licensure is no longer required for natural burial). Key provisions include removing embalming mandates, setting public health standards for timely burial, and prohibiting cemeteries or professional groups from requiring embalming or non-biodegradable materials. The bill also prevents funeral service boards from regulating natural burial beyond statutory limits. It takes effect 90 days after passage.
Maddy summarySB 1062 creates TEAM-WV, a new nonprofit corporation to advance West Virginia's economic development by focusing on job creation, retention, training, and business recruitment. The Governor must establish the corporation by filing articles of incorporation, with a 9-member board of directors appointed by the Governor (subject to Senate approval) to oversee operations. The board must set strategic goals, approve the chief executive officer's compensation and major contracts, conduct annual financial audits by independent auditors, and adopt a conflicts of interest policy. This structure requires regular board meetings and financial transparency to ensure accountability in executing the corporation's economic development mission.
Maddy summarySenate Bill 1019 requires health insurance plans in West Virginia to cover medically necessary treatment for cleft lip and cleft palate. This applies directly to individuals with these congenital conditions, particularly children, who rely on insurance for surgical and medical care. The bill mandates coverage for all necessary treatments without excluding specific procedures, ensuring plans cover the full range of care deemed medically appropriate by a physician. It sets eligibility and defines coverage terms but does not specify cost-sharing details or financial limits.
Maddy summarySB 1016, the "Second Look Sentencing Act," allows West Virginia judges to reconsider prison sentences of 10+ years for individuals who committed offenses before age 25 and have served at least 10 years. The bill requires courts to evaluate factors like rehabilitation efforts, maturity, victim input, and the defendant's age at the time of the crime before reducing a sentence. If approved, sentences may be reduced to time served or modified with up to five years of supervised release, while ensuring defendants have a right to a hearing with appointed counsel. The law specifically targets young offenders whose circumstances may have changed significantly after a decade in prison, aiming to balance public safety with opportunities for reintegration.
Maddy summarySB 549 would increase the daily payment for jurors in West Virginia from a current range of $15 to $40 per day to a new range of $40 to $100 per day. This change applies to both trial jurors (petit jurors) and grand jurors serving on court cases. The bill replaces the previous minimum of $15 with a new minimum of $40 and raises the maximum from $40 to $100. The reimbursement remains determined by the court and paid from the state treasury, but ensures jurors receive at least $40 per day.
Maddy summarySB 993 establishes licensing requirements for midwives in West Virginia. It requires applicants to hold a Certified Professional Midwife (CPM) credential from NARM, complete MEAC-accredited education or NARM portfolio evaluation, and meet other criteria like age and high school diploma. The license is valid for two years and requires renewal with current NARM certification, plus proof of participation in perinatal outcome data submission. This directly affects midwives seeking to practice in West Virginia by setting standardized licensing and renewal processes.
Maddy summarySB 887 updates West Virginia's licensing rules for money transmission services to include virtual currency kiosks. It requires businesses operating these kiosks to obtain a money transmission license, sets disclosure requirements for customers using them, and clarifies that kiosks operate as delegates of licensed money transmitters. The bill directly affects businesses offering virtual currency services through kiosks in the state. Key provisions define "virtual currency kiosks" under money transmission regulations, establish a licensure start date for kiosks, and address conflicts between state and federal law on money transmission.
Maddy summarySB 662 creates a pilot program to provide free colorectal cancer screening and treatment in West Virginia for "unserved populations" - individuals with inadequate access to care due to financial constraints. The program, administered by the Bureau for Public Health, awards grants to approved organizations (like clinics or hospitals) to deliver screenings, diagnostic colonoscopies, and treatment at no cost to patients. Covered services include pre-visit consultations, colonoscopy procedures, polyp removal, and pathology, with treatment initiated if cancer is detected. Organizations must meet quality standards, and the program requires annual reporting on metrics like screenings performed, costs, and outcomes to the Legislative Oversight Commission.