Maddy summarySB 741 authorizes West Virginia's State Auditor (acting as Commissioner under the Uniform Securities Act) to conduct fairness hearings for corporate reorganizations involving the exchange of securities, claims, or property interests. It directly affects West Virginia-based companies or those with principal operations in the state seeking to restructure through security exchanges, as well as the security holders participating in these transactions. The bill requires the Commissioner to hold a hearing within 30 days of an application, approve terms as "fair" to participating holders, and issue approval within 10 business days - enabling such exchanges to qualify for exemption from state securities registration. This process streamlines compliance for companies seeking to reorganize under federal securities law (15 U.S.C. § 77c(a)(10)).
Sponsored bills
Maddy summarySB 740, the Stop Squatters Act, establishes a new process for property owners to quickly remove unauthorized occupants (squatters) from residential or commercial properties. It allows owners or their agents to request immediate police removal if conditions are met (e.g., occupant isn’t a tenant/family member, owner previously demanded they leave, and no court case is pending). The bill also creates criminal penalties: misdemeanors for damaging property under $1,000 during unlawful occupation, felonies for greater damage, and felonies for falsely listing property for sale/rent without legal title. Property owners must submit a verified complaint, and the law includes a civil remedy if removal is wrongful.
Maddy summarySB 742 increases the civil jurisdiction limit for West Virginia magistrate courts from $10,000 to $20,000 for claims like small debts, landlord-tenant disputes, or property detainer cases. It clarifies that corporations may be represented by agents (non-lawyers) or attorneys when pursuing their own legal claims, but not third-party rights. The bill also explicitly prohibits magistrates from representing any party in their own court. This affects individuals and businesses filing civil cases under $20,000 in magistrate court.
Maddy summarySB 20 requires the state to fund increased costs for volunteer fire departments and EMS units resulting from new state rules. It creates a new Fire Service Recruitment and Retention Fund, which will provide grants to help departments hire and retain volunteers. Funding for the program comes from increased insurance policy surcharges (raising the standard surcharge to 1% and surplus lines to 5%). The bill also updates rules governing how state funds can be used by volunteer departments, ensuring money covers specific needs like equipment, training, and operational costs.
Maddy summarySB 611 exempts seasonal employees of ski area operators (those working less than seven months per year) from West Virginia's state maximum hour requirements. This bill amends the state labor code by adding "ski area operator" to the list of employers whose seasonal workers are excluded from overtime and maximum hour rules, similar to existing exemptions for amusement parks and whitewater outfitters. The change specifically applies to workers at ski resorts during their typical seasonal employment period, not to year-round staff or other industries. This adjustment modifies the state's labor code definition without altering minimum wage standards.
Maddy summarySB 566 provides tuition coverage for certified law enforcement officers in West Virginia pursuing education. It covers tuition and fees for one certificate, one undergraduate degree, one master's degree, and up to two doctorate degrees annually per officer, capped at the highest public university tuition rate. Officers must serve one year for every year of tuition covered or repay the costs. The program requires the Secretary of Homeland Security to set eligibility rules and administer payments, with reductions if officers receive other grants. It directly affects certified officers seeking education while serving in West Virginia.
Maddy summarySB 29 allows physician assistants (PAs) in West Virginia to own medical practices and be shareholders in medical corporations, removing previous restrictions. The bill specifically prohibits PAs with ownership interests from making patient referrals to their own practice and classifies PA practice as a "professional service" under state LLC laws. This directly affects PAs seeking business ownership, medical corporations seeking PA shareholders, and healthcare entities structuring ownership. The law amends existing medical practice statutes to clarify these ownership rules without changing PAs' clinical scope of practice. It focuses on business structure, not clinical authority or patient care standards.
Maddy summaryThis resolution designates March 3, 2025, as "Future Farmers of America Day" at the West Virginia Legislature. It commemorates the history and ongoing work of the National FFA Organization, which supports agricultural education for students across West Virginia (serving 6,968 members in 91 programs). The resolution has no policy impact - it is purely ceremonial, recognizing FFA's role in developing leadership and agricultural skills since its founding in 1928. It does not change laws or affect any specific groups beyond acknowledging FFA's contributions.
Maddy summarySB 656 creates a 25-foot buffer zone around first responders during lawful duties. It directly affects bystanders who ignore verbal warnings to stay back while police, firefighters, probation officers, or emergency responders are working. The bill prohibits approaching within 25 feet with intent to impede duties, threaten harm, or harass the responder. Violations are punishable by fines up to $500 or up to one year in jail. This law aims to protect responders from close proximity interference during critical operations.
Maddy summarySB 629 increases payments by 25 percent for therapists and other professionals who provide early intervention services to West Virginia's Birth-to-Three program but are not employed by the state. This change applies to all contracted service providers under the program, effective July 1, 2025. The additional payments will be funded through the existing West Virginia Birth-to-Three Fund, which supports services for children with developmental delays. The bill does not affect salaries of state employees, as it specifically targets non-state agency contractors.