Sen. Robbie Morris

Maddy summarySB 105 updates retirement eligibility for county sheriffs in West Virginia who are enrolled in the public retirement system. It clarifies that sheriffs may retire at age 62 with at least eight years of actual, contributing service as an elected sheriff, instead of the standard requirement of age 60 with five years of service for other public employees. The bill specifically applies to sheriffs not participating in another retirement system administered by the retirement board. This change modifies Section 5-10-20 of West Virginia’s retirement law to explicitly address sheriffs’ eligibility.

Maddy summaryThis bill (SB 100) allows West Virginia State Police members in the retirement system to convert accrued sick or annual leave into additional retirement credit. Current members who joined before July 1, 2015, get two months of retirement credit for every month of leave used (based on 8-hour leave days), while newer members (joining July 1, 2015, or later) get one month of credit per month of leave used. The bill clarifies that leave days equal eight hours and specifies how unused partial credits (less than 10 workdays) are handled. It directly affects State Police retirees by potentially increasing their retirement benefits through unused leave.

Maddy summarySB 755 establishes a five-year program requiring every West Virginia public secondary school to have a licensed athletic trainer on staff or contracted through the county board by July 1, 2031. It expands career technical education (CTE) sports medicine programs to all high schools through cost-efficient methods like shared resources or mobile instructors, aligning curricula with higher education standards. The bill mandates annual state funding for trainer recruitment and retention, including using the Underwood-Smith Loan Repayment Program to incentivize dual-role teacher-athletic trainers. This directly affects student-athletes (through improved safety access), schools (requiring new staffing), and CTE programs (expanding course offerings statewide).

Maddy summarySB 846 would repeal a West Virginia law (§18-9E-4) that established specific requirements for heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning technicians employed by the State Board of Education or county school boards. The bill removes this regulatory framework from state code, eliminating the existing rules governing these technicians in public school settings. This is a procedural repeal with no new provisions or mechanisms, directly affecting the regulatory status of technicians in public school facilities.

Maddy summaryThis bill exempts up to $25,000 of the cash value or death benefit from life insurance policies from asset calculations when determining eligibility for West Virginia Medicaid. It directly affects residents applying for Medicaid who own life insurance policies, allowing them to retain more policy value without losing benefits. The key provision sets a clear $25,000 threshold for exemption, meaning only amounts above this limit would count toward Medicaid asset limits. This change modifies how Medicaid assesses applicants' financial resources, specifically excluding qualifying life insurance assets from the calculation.

Maddy summarySB 809 changes the requirement for owners of managed timberland to certify their property for tax purposes from annually to every five years. This affects timberland owners who currently must renew their certification yearly to qualify for lower tax assessments based on the land's productive use. The bill requires owners to certify compliance with "Best Management Practices for Forestry" in writing to the Division of Forestry every five years, rather than annually. It also grants the Division of Forestry rule-making authority to establish specific certification procedures.

Maddy summarySB 804 gives public charter schools direct control over all extracurricular activities for their students, replacing county board oversight. It allows charter schools to optionally delegate athletic and band activities to the West Virginia Secondary School Activities Commission (WVSSAC), which would now be a state agency managing rules for competitive balance (including transfer counts) and handling disputes through its executive director. The bill removes a written permission requirement for homeschoolers, Hope Scholarship participants, and microschool students to join school activities, while modifying fees they pay. It also changes commission membership to include athletic directors (or their representatives) from schools that delegate authority, and shifts all commission funds to public funds.

Maddy summaryThis is a Senate resolution (SR 34), not a bill with binding policy changes. It expresses symbolic support for President Felix Tshisekedi and citizens of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), condemning M23 rebel groups backed by Rwanda and calling for an immediate end to hostilities. The resolution specifically urges the cessation of violence, accountability for alleged crimes against humanity, and humanitarian aid. It does not create new laws or allocate funds; instead, it directs copies to federal officials and West Virginia's congressional delegation.

Maddy summaryThis Senate Resolution (SR 30) is a ceremonial acknowledgment of the 80th anniversary of the Claude Worthington Benedum Foundation. It recognizes the Foundation’s history since 1944, its focus on community/economic development, education, health, and entrepreneurship in West Virginia, and its role in supporting rural initiatives. The resolution has no policy impact or funding provisions - it simply expresses the Senate’s appreciation and directs a copy to the Foundation. It was adopted by voice vote on March 14, 2025.

Maddy summarySB 516 provides additional state funding to West Virginia school districts for students attending "extremely remote schools," defined as schools in counties with a student population density below five students per square mile. The bill increases the funding calculation by counting each student in such schools as 2.5 students instead of one for state aid purposes. County school boards receiving this extra funding are prohibited from closing an extremely remote school during the fiscal year they receive the aid. The bill also requires school districts to submit specific documentation and meet reporting requirements to qualify for the additional funding.