Sen. Jack Woodrum

Maddy summarySB 225, now Chapter 158 of the 2025 Regular Session laws, expands the authority of National Park Service (NPS) law-enforcement officers. The bill directly affects NPS officers working in national parks and their ability to enforce federal laws within park boundaries. While the bill's title indicates it broadens officer powers, the provided context does not specify the exact mechanisms or provisions added (e.g., arrest authority, equipment, or jurisdiction). As enacted, it modifies NPS law enforcement protocols but lacks detail on specific policy changes in the given information.

Maddy summarySB 449 allows public schools to establish organized shooting teams using compressed air firearms (non-lethal) and rimfire firearms (like .22 caliber). It removes previous restrictions preventing schools from creating such teams for competitive or educational purposes. The bill directly affects public school administrators and students participating in these sanctioned activities. It became law after Governor approval on April 24, 2025, and took effect on August 8, 2025.

Maddy summarySB 487, now Chapter 105 of the 2025 Regular Session, requires state election officials to remove voters from active rolls when they are confirmed ineligible (e.g., due to death, relocation, or felony conviction). It directs officials to verify eligibility using existing state databases like driver's license records and death registries. The bill establishes a process for identifying and removing ineligible voters while allowing affected individuals to contest removals. This law directly impacts voters whose eligibility status changes but aims to maintain accurate voter rolls.

Maddy summarySB 581 modifies school attendance policies to include student participation in 4-H activities as valid school attendance. It directly affects students enrolled in 4-H programs and school districts that must now count such participation toward attendance requirements. The key provision allows schools to recognize 4-H meetings and activities as equivalent to in-person classroom time for attendance purposes. This law, approved by the Governor on April 24, 2025, and enacted as Chapter 86 of the 2025 Regular Session, creates a concrete policy change for student attendance tracking.

Maddy summarySB 8 expands safe surrender options for newborns by allowing parents to leave infants safely at additional locations like hospitals, fire stations, or designated facilities, and through new surrender devices (e.g., secure drop boxes). It directly affects parents seeking to surrender newborns without legal repercussions. The law adds specific sites and devices to existing safe surrender protocols, ensuring more accessible and anonymous options. Signed into law by the governor on March 26, 2025, it became effective August 8, 2025.

Maddy summarySB 325 authorizes the Department of Health to create and enforce specific administrative rules governing public health regulations. This procedural bill directly affects the Department of Health, granting it the legal authority to develop detailed rules without requiring new legislation for each regulation. The bill does not change existing laws or policies but streamlines the process for the Department to issue necessary rules. It became law on April 28, 2025, as Chapter 163 of the 2025 Regular Session Acts.

Maddy summarySB 196, "Lauren's Law," increases penalties for fentanyl-related crimes to up to 15 years in prison or $50,000 fines, and creates a new offense for drug delivery resulting in death when money or valuables are exchanged. It also prohibits probation or alternative sentencing for certain drug convictions, including those involving fentanyl or drug-related deaths. The bill directly affects individuals convicted of controlled substances offenses in West Virginia, particularly those involving fentanyl, fatal overdoses, or drug trafficking. These changes modify existing sentencing structures under the Uniform Controlled Substances Act without creating new offenses for general possession.

Maddy summarySB 722 creates a tax credit program for West Virginia short line railroads (Class II or III railroads or rail siding owners) to fund infrastructure improvements. Eligible companies can claim a 50% tax credit for qualified maintenance costs (capped at $5,000 per mile of track) or new infrastructure projects (capped at $2 million per project or $5 million annually). Credits can be used against state taxes, carried forward for up to five years, or transferred to other taxpayers. The bill directly affects rail operators in West Virginia seeking to modernize tracks, sidings, or safety infrastructure.

Maddy summarySB 483 increases civil penalties for political committees that fail to file required campaign finance reports or submit grossly incomplete/inaccurate reports. For the first violation, penalties rise from $10 per day (capped at $500) to a flat $500 maximum. For subsequent violations in the same election cycle, penalties jump to $1,000 per report. The bill requires the Secretary of State to provide written notice with a 7-10 day cure period before imposing fines, allows installment payment plans, and refers unpaid penalties to debt collectors after 30 days. This directly affects candidates, political committees, and their financial officers who manage campaign disclosures.

Maddy summarySenate Resolution 50 is a non-binding request to the federal government to study and implement waterway restoration projects in West Virginia. The resolution specifically asks federal agencies to evaluate and act on debris removal, river bed stabilization, and restoration of natural water flow patterns to address existing flooding damage and prevent future flooding. It was prompted by historic flooding in West Virginia during winter and spring 2025, which left streams and rivers filled with debris that continues to damage property and infrastructure. The resolution requests federal action to mitigate these issues and reduce future recovery costs. This resolution is addressed to President Donald J. Trump and Elon Musk, in his alleged capacity as a special government employee.