Sen. Vince Deeds

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 summaryThis bill allows classroom teachers who joined the West Virginia Teachers Retirement System on or after July 1, 2015, to sell up to 10 unused personal leave days to their county school board for a cash payment. Teachers would receive 80% of the rate paid to a substitute teacher with a bachelor's degree and 10 years of experience for each day sold, with payment required by June 30. Once sold, the leave days are forfeited and cannot be used for future absences.

Maddy summarySB 627 amends West Virginia's Build WV Act to reform tax credit eligibility for residential housing projects. It replaces project cost calculations with a new cap on tax credit liability for new approvals, specifically allowing smaller projects in designated rural areas to qualify. The bill requires annual adjustments to the program based on demand and establishes a dedicated Build WV Credit Reserve Fund to manage these changes. This directly affects developers seeking tax credits for new residential construction or rehabilitation of unoccupied housing, clarifying which project expenses (like construction, utilities, and materials) qualify while excluding costs covered by other incentives.

Maddy summaryThis bill grants municipal fire marshals in West Virginia the authority to assist law enforcement officers in carrying out their official duties. It allows fire marshals to arrest individuals who disobey lawful orders at fire scenes, violate arson or explosive offense prohibitions, obstruct a fire marshal, or fail to obey lawful commands, provided they receive required law enforcement training. The legislation also permits fire marshals to file criminal complaints to obtain arrest warrants and clarifies that assistance to federal law enforcement is subject to specific limitations. Additionally, fire marshals may help other law enforcement officers execute their duties when requested, but must work under the direct supervision of the requesting officer.

Maddy summaryThis Senate Concurrent Resolution (SCR 1) requests the West Virginia Division of Highways to rename specific bridges and road segments after military veterans and community members. It directly affects the Division of Highways, which would implement the proposed names for 15+ existing infrastructure locations across 10 counties. The resolution specifies exact locations (e.g., a bridge in Wayne County to be called the "Hercie Maynard Memorial Bridge" or a section of WV Route 10 as the "Purple Heart Trail") without creating new laws or funding. It is purely a naming request, not a policy change, and honors individuals with military service or local significance. The resolution was quickly adopted by both legislative chambers in January 2026.

Maddy summarySB 642 clarifies the process for nominating county assessors to serve on West Virginia's Property Valuation Training and Procedures Commission. It requires the West Virginia Assessors Association to nominate only assessors who meet approved monitoring requirements, with preference given to those holding recognized certifications. The bill also mandates that nominations include no more than two assessors from the same political party and ensures no more than seven commission members belong to one party. This directly affects county assessors seeking commission appointments and aims to standardize nomination criteria.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires West Virginia county public school systems to conduct annual surveys of students to assess food access during non-school periods (like summers) and compile local resources for nutritious meals. It directs counties to share this information with students and community food providers, while enabling schools to develop local programs using existing resources (e.g., community partnerships or mentorship). The West Virginia Office of Child Nutrition will facilitate coordination and share successful approaches across counties. The law focuses on enabling local solutions to reduce student food insecurity during school breaks, rather than mandating specific statewide programs.

Maddy summarySB 638 creates a program to help West Virginia forensic pathologists repay student loans by covering up to 10% of their outstanding balance annually (capped at $300,000 total over 10 years). It directly affects full-time, board-certified forensic pathologists employed by the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner who hold a West Virginia license, have an accredited medical degree, and carry eligible student loans in good standing. Applicants must submit annual documentation by July 1 to the Department of Health, which verifies eligibility and disburses funds directly to lenders based on available funding. The program requires annual legislative appropriations and limits payments to 12 consecutive months of employment per year of repayment.

Maddy summarySB 637 creates a tax credit for physicians who move to West Virginia and practice in medically underserved areas. To qualify, physicians must have graduated from an accredited U.S. medical school, completed residency within the past year, and agree to practice in designated underserved areas for six years. The credit equals up to their personal taxable income for three consecutive years, but any unused portion is forfeited after that period. This aims to address West Virginia’s physician shortage by incentivizing new medical professionals to locate in communities with limited healthcare access.

Maddy summarySB 396 creates the West Virginia Job Training and Placement Act, allowing certified retailers (specifically "workforce training community centers" meeting strict criteria) to keep 75% of sales tax revenue collected after their first $1 million in annual sales. These retailers must use the retained funds exclusively to provide job training and placement services for people facing barriers to employment, such as disabilities, criminal records, homelessness, or low education. The law requires certified organizations to serve at least three people per $10,000 retained, with an average of 2.25 successful job placements, and to monitor job retention for 90 days. Certification lasts three years, with renewal possible, and organizations must report usage to the state Department of Revenue.