Sen. Robbie Morris

Maddy summarySB 592 creates a tax credit program for West Virginia short line railroads and related infrastructure. It provides a 50% tax credit on qualified maintenance costs (capped at $5,000 per mile of track) and new infrastructure investments (capped at $2 million per project, with a $5 million annual limit). Eligible taxpayers include Class II/III railroads operating in West Virginia and owners/lessees of rail sidings or industrial spurs. Credits can be carried forward for up to five years or transferred to other taxpayers via written agreement. The bill directly supports rail infrastructure modernization by reducing costs for qualifying rail operators.

Maddy summarySB 1, the Small Business Growth Act, creates a new tax credit program administered by the West Virginia Department of Commerce to incentivize investment in small businesses. It provides insurance companies with a credit against their state premium tax equal to 15% of qualifying capital investments made by certified "growth funds" into eligible West Virginia businesses. Eligible businesses must have fewer than 250 employees and principal operations in the state, and investments are limited to 20% of a growth fund's capital authority or $7.5 million per business. The credit is claimed annually based on certified investments, with the program requiring annual reporting and prohibiting certain investment types.

Maddy summaryWest Virginia's SB 531, the First Amendment Preservation Act, prohibits state agencies from entering contracts with media monitoring organizations that rate news sources for factual accuracy, bias, or adherence to journalistic standards. It directly affects all state departments, institutions of higher education using state funds, and companies bidding for state advertising contracts. The bill requires contractors to provide written certifications confirming they do not use such media monitoring services, and clarifies that contracts for aggregating news or tracking ad performance are still permitted. The law takes effect July 1, 2026, for all new or renewed state contracts.

Maddy summarySB 648, titled the "Strategic and Critical Resources Act," defines specific minerals (like lithium, cobalt, uranium, and others vital for national security) and establishes statewide regulations for their extraction. It prevents local governments from restricting or regulating extraction activities or facility development outside urban areas, reserving this authority for the state and federal governments. The bill also prohibits foreign adversaries (as defined by federal law) from owning, controlling, or operating facilities related to these resources. It explicitly states that federal environmental and health laws remain fully applicable, and does not affect standard business licenses or taxes. This bill directly affects mining companies, local governments, and foreign entities seeking to develop these critical resources in West Virginia.

Maddy summarySB 28 allows members of the West Virginia State Police Retirement System to convert accrued annual or sick leave into additional retirement credit. It specifically affects current and future State Police retirees, with different rules based on membership start dates: members joining before July 1, 2015, receive two days of retirement credit for each day of accrued leave, while those joining on or after that date receive one day of credit per day of leave. The bill clarifies that each leave day equals eight hours and establishes how remainders (e.g., less than 10 workdays) are handled, ensuring the conversion aligns with existing retirement service calculations.

Maddy summarySB 643 repeals all sections of West Virginia law (§3-12-1 through §3-12-16) that established the West Virginia Supreme Court of Appeals Public Campaign Financing Program. The bill directly discontinues a program that provided public funding to candidates running for the state Supreme Court. Key provisions include removing all legal references to this financing mechanism, effectively ending the program's operation. This is a procedural repeal with no new funding or requirements added.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies documentation requirements for licensed residential mortgage lenders, brokers, and servicers in West Virginia by updating how they must record loan fees or points. The key provision requires these financial institutions to create written documentation proving a reasonable, tangible net benefit to borrowers when charging loan origination fees, investigation fees, or points in a refinancing or additional loan within 24 months of an existing loan. This documentation must be kept in the loan file to demonstrate that the new loan terms provide clear advantages to the borrower. The changes apply to all licensed residential mortgage lenders, brokers, and servicers operating in West Virginia and focus on maintaining clearer records of fee justifications rather than altering fee amounts or borrower rights.

Maddy summarySB 712 allows the West Virginia Division of Highways to authorize cattle guards on specific public roads used by agricultural operations. It permits installation only on local access, farm-to-market, or dead-end roads (not major highways) in active farming areas, subject to strict conditions. Applicants must cover all costs, prove a genuine agricultural need, sign liability waivers, and comply with Division design and maintenance rules. The Division retains full authority to deny, condition, or revoke approvals if safety, maintenance, or infrastructure concerns arise. This directly affects farmers and landowners needing to prevent livestock from crossing roads on eligible public rights-of-way.

Maddy summarySB 697 regulates access points to West Virginia state highways for commercial, industrial, and agricultural properties. It requires new access points to get approval from the Commissioner of Highways before opening, while automatically treating existing entrances (established before July 1, 2016) as legally valid unless safety hazards are identified. The bill mandates safety reviews for existing entrances if accident reports or traffic surveys show significant risks, allowing the Commissioner to order changes at state expense. It also requires "no parking" signage or yellow markings for wide entrances (>50 feet) on highways with speed limits over 45 mph, applying to both pre-2016 and newer access points. This directly affects landowners, businesses, and rural operations relying on highway access.

Maddy summarySB 672 amends West Virginia law to expand the list of violations that could lead to real estate license suspension or revocation by the West Virginia Real Estate Commission. Key provisions require brokers to disclose financial incentives received from lenders (e.g., rebates for steering clients to specific institutions) and to reveal if they personally purchase properties they are selling. This directly affects licensed real estate agents and brokers, who may face disciplinary action for these specific failures to disclose. The bill clarifies existing rules without creating new penalties, focusing on transparency in transactions.