Sen. Vince Deeds

Maddy summarySB 918 establishes new civil service promotion criteria for municipal law enforcement officers in West Virginia. It requires officers to complete 40 hours of leadership training before taking promotional exams, which account for 40% of their score. The bill also mandates a 40% score from a board evaluation (using 1-10 ratings on tactics/leadership questions) and 20% from seniority, with all criteria applied uniformly. This directly affects municipal police officers seeking promotions, as it standardizes the process through specific, measurable requirements set by the law. The bill applies to all municipal law enforcement agencies covered by civil service provisions.

Maddy summarySB 562 would establish a Food Is Medicine Program within West Virginia's Medicaid system, directly affecting Medicaid members with nutrition-related chronic conditions like diabetes or heart disease. The bill authorizes coverage for specific nutrition services - including counseling, medically tailored meals, and grocery support - to improve health outcomes and reduce costly medical care. It requires Medicaid managed care organizations to prioritize partnerships with local West Virginia food producers when feasible. The program aims to lower long-term healthcare costs by addressing diet-related health issues through preventive nutrition support.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates West Virginia's unclaimed property laws to require nursing homes to report abandoned resident funds to the State Treasurer within 180 days instead of the current 30-day period. The legislation also clarifies reporting timelines for safety deposit boxes and other secure storage facilities, while simplifying the process for residents to claim their property by allowing the State Treasurer to waive certain reciprocal claim forms with other states. Additionally, the bill establishes new rules for finders of unclaimed property, prohibiting them from claiming items within a specific timeframe and making certain agreements between finders and apparent owners unenforceable. These changes aim to streamline how unclaimed property is identified, reported, and returned to rightful owners across various types of institutions.

Maddy summaryThis bill removes time limits for workers to file or modify claims related to progressive massive fibrosis, a lung disease often linked to occupational exposure (like mining). It directly affects workers who develop this condition, allowing them to pursue or adjust compensation claims without being barred by past deadlines. The bill amends West Virginia's workers' compensation code to eliminate statute of limitations barriers specifically for these claims and adds a new impairment rating for progressive massive fibrosis. This change ensures affected workers can access benefits regardless of when symptoms first appeared or worsened.

Maddy summarySB 615 (West Virginia Senate Bill 615) requires all state and local law enforcement agencies in West Virginia to notify U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) when they determine an individual is in the U.S. without legal authorization. The bill directly affects undocumented immigrants in West Virginia and mandates that law enforcement cooperate with federal immigration authorities under federal law. Key provisions include prohibiting any state or local policies that would block this notification, and requiring agencies to follow federal immigration enforcement procedures. This bill changes how West Virginia law enforcement handles immigration status determinations, making notification to ICE mandatory rather than optional.

Maddy summarySB 889 requires West Virginia schools to develop and implement cardiac emergency response plans for athletic activities and school grounds. It mandates annual staff training in CPR and AED use, informational meetings for parents about sudden cardiac arrest warning signs, and written parental acknowledgment of the plan before student athletic participation. The bill also sets specific protocols for students with syncope history, requiring medical clearance before returning to sports. These requirements apply directly to public and private K-12 schools and youth sports teams operating under school jurisdiction, focusing on preventing fatalities during cardiac emergencies. The law specifies AED placement, maintenance, and integration with local emergency services as part of school safety protocols.

Maddy summaryThis Senate Resolution (SR 29) symbolically designates February 6, 2026, as "Recovery Advocacy Day" at the West Virginia Legislature. It does not create new laws or allocate funding, but formally recognizes the work of addiction and recovery professionals. The resolution directs the Senate Clerk to send copies to organizations including the West Virginia Association of Addiction and Prevention Professionals and the West Virginia Alliance of Recovery Residences. Its purpose is to acknowledge ongoing efforts in addiction prevention and recovery support across the state.

Maddy summaryThis Senate Joint Resolution (SJR 19) proposes a constitutional amendment requiring that only individuals born in West Virginia may be elected governor. It would amend Article VII, Section 1 of the West Virginia Constitution to state: "No person may be elected as or serve as governor, unless that person was born in West Virginia." If approved by voters in the 2026 general election, this requirement would apply to all future gubernatorial candidates. The resolution is currently in committee review and has not yet become law.

Maddy summarySB 758 would provide extra state funding to West Virginia school districts for students enrolled in schools designated as "extremely remote" under the bill. It prohibits county school boards from closing such schools during the fiscal year they receive the additional aid and requires submission of specific documentation and reporting. The bill also allows waivers for certain documentation requirements. These provisions aim to support remote schools by ensuring stable funding and operational continuity.

Maddy summaryThis bill reclassifies forestry equipment (such as skidders, forwarders, and processing machinery) as "Class I property" for tax purposes, aligning it with agricultural equipment. It exempts the sale of such equipment from West Virginia's consumers sales and service tax, directly benefiting forestry businesses engaged in harvesting, processing, or transporting forest products. The law also explicitly defines forestry as part of agriculture, recognizing its economic importance to the state. These changes take effect on July 1, 2026.