Sen. Bill Hamilton

Maddy summarySB 95 creates a pilot program to help West Virginia farmers get timely repairs for farm equipment by training local technicians through partnerships between career and technical education centers, high schools, community colleges, and farm equipment businesses. The program would be limited to five locations, require collaboration with the Commissioner of Agriculture to develop a joint implementation plan, and prohibit businesses from disclosing proprietary tools or software to participate. The Commissioner, working with education leaders, must establish rules to govern the program, aiming to build a local repair workforce that reduces equipment downtime for farmers without disrupting business operations.

Maddy summaryThis bill clarifies West Virginia's Right to Farm Act to specifically protect residential beekeeping operations, ensuring honey beekeeping on private property is recognized as a permitted agricultural activity. It creates special vehicle registration plates for organizations promoting pollinators, with fees collected from these plates ($25 initial fee, $15 annual) deposited into the State Road Fund to fund highway beautification projects that support pollinator habitats. The bill also updates definitions to include "tropilaelaps mites" as a honey bee pest under the Apiary Act. These changes directly affect beekeepers, pollinator conservation groups, and state highway maintenance programs, while reinforcing the state's focus on protecting pollinators critical to agriculture.

Maddy summaryWest Virginia's SB 77 creates a dedicated "Fire Service Recruitment and Retention Fund" funded by a 0.55% surcharge on fire and casualty insurance policies. The fund provides grants to volunteer and part-volunteer fire departments for recruitment, retention, and length-of-service award programs (LOSAP). The State Fire Commission must establish a grant program considering factors like call volume, financial status, and use of statewide contracts, while requiring departments to submit financial reports to remain eligible. Departments failing to comply with audit requirements become ineligible for funding until they rectify issues.

Maddy summarySB 138 amends West Virginia law to align retirement benefits for dependents of State Police officers who take disability retirement with those for officers who retire after 20 years without disability. Currently, disability retirees' dependents receive a flat $6,000 annual benefit, while regular retirees' dependents get either 5.5% of 25 years' average salary or 75% of the retiree's benefit (minimum $5,000). The bill changes this by requiring disability retirees' dependents to receive the same 75% benefit calculation as regular retirees, ensuring comparable support. This directly affects surviving spouses and children of State Police officers who retire due to disability.

Maddy summaryThis Senate Resolution (SR 5) designates January 14, 2026, as "Foster Care Child Welfare Day at the Capitol" in West Virginia. It formally recognizes an existing annual event where child welfare partners, including organizations like WV CASA Association and Fairmont State University, gather at the state Capitol for collaboration and dialogue. The resolution does not create new laws or alter policies; it simply honors the event and encourages continued family-centered collaboration in child welfare. The designation applies to the statewide child welfare community, including children, families, caregivers, and advocates.

Maddy summarySB 110 creates West Virginia's State Black Lung Program to provide financial benefits to coal miners diagnosed with occupational pneumoconiosis (black lung disease). It establishes a conclusive presumption of entitlement to pain and suffering benefits after 10 years of exposure (with 15 years required for full benefits), requiring no total disability proof. Benefits are calculated as $200 monthly base plus $15 per additional year beyond 15 years of exposure, and recipients may claim these as a state tax credit. The program is funded by a new 10% tax on coal severance and electricity generation from solar/wind devices, depositing revenue into the State Black Lung Fund.

Maddy summaryThis bill increases the retirement benefit multiplier for West Virginia deputy sheriffs from 2.5% to 3% of their final average salary multiplied by years of credited service. It directly affects deputy sheriffs who retire on or after July 1, 2018, by raising their monthly pension amount under the Deputy Sheriff Retirement System. The change modifies the calculation method in the existing retirement law without altering contribution rates or eligibility rules. This adjustment results in higher retirement benefits for qualifying members based on their salary and service history. The policy change applies specifically to the state's deputy sheriff retirement system, not other public retirement plans.

Maddy summarySB 169 creates a West Virginia state tax credit for childcare expenses for residents who claim the federal childcare tax credit on their federal return. It provides a refundable credit equal to 50% of the federal credit amount for individuals with federal adjusted gross income under $30,000, 30% for incomes between $30,001-$45,000, and 20% for incomes between $45,001-$65,000. The credit is unavailable for those earning $65,000+ or receiving state childcare assistance (except for unreimbursed costs), and unused credits are refunded rather than carried forward. The credit applies to 2027 tax years and is based on federal Form 2441 claims.

Maddy summarySB 125 requires West Virginia public colleges and universities to provide free, confidential transportation to students seeking a sexual assault forensic medical examination (commonly called a "rape kit" exam) at a hospital. This applies to students who request the exam after experiencing sexual violence, with transportation options including campus staff, rape crisis centers, ride-sharing services, or non-law enforcement vehicles (students cannot be forced to use police transport). The requirement begins for the 2027-2028 academic year and must be implemented "to the extent practicable" while protecting student safety and confidentiality. The bill does not mandate specific transportation methods but ensures students receive support without cost or privacy concerns.

Maddy summarySB 122 would repeal a West Virginia law requiring the State Secondary School Activities Commission (WVSSAC) to automatically allow high school transfer students to retain athletic eligibility after moving schools. This bill directly affects high school athletes who transfer between schools, as it removes a mandatory rule that previously required WVSSAC to permit their continued participation. The key provision eliminates the requirement forcing WVSSAC to modify its rules to guarantee eligibility, instead giving the commission discretion to decide whether to allow transfer students to compete. The bill does not create new eligibility rules but changes the Commission's authority to determine them.