Sen. Robbie Morris

Maddy summarySJR 11 proposes a constitutional amendment to increase West Virginia's homestead exemption from $20,000 to $25,000 for qualifying homeowners. It would exempt the first $25,000 of assessed value on primary residences owned by residents aged 65+ or permanently disabled. The amendment requires voter approval in the 2026 general election to take effect. This change would directly affect eligible homeowners by reducing their property tax burden on their primary residence. The bill is a constitutional proposal, not an immediate law, and must be ratified by voters.

Maddy summarySJR 8 proposes a constitutional amendment to West Virginia's Constitution (Article IX, Section 3) regarding sheriff term limits. It modifies the rule that prevents someone from serving two consecutive terms as sheriff by adding an exception: if a sheriff is appointed to fill a term with less than two years remaining, they would be eligible to run for two consecutive full terms afterward. This directly affects county sheriffs in West Virginia who are appointed to finish short remaining terms. The amendment, titled the "Sheriff's Succession Amendment," requires voter approval at the 2026 general election to take effect.

Maddy summarySB 972, or "Raylee's Law," temporarily restricts custodial parents or guardians from arranging home instruction for their child during an active West Virginia Department of Human Services (DHS) child abuse or neglect investigation where they are the alleged perpetrator. The law prohibits withdrawing a child from school for home instruction or resuming home instruction as the primary provider during the investigation. This restriction ends when DHS closes the case without substantiation or a court orders otherwise. The bill explicitly states it does not create a presumption of guilt, permanently ban home education, or limit court authority to order alternative educational placements for the child’s safety.

Maddy summarySenate Resolution 48 memorializes the late Sarah Abigail (Mullennex) Minear, a former West Virginia State Senator (1994-2006) and community leader, by formally honoring her life and public service. The resolution recognizes her roles as a philanthropist, founding president of the Tucker Community Foundation and West Virginia Grantmakers Association, and her decades of volunteer work across West Virginia. It extends the Senate’s condolences to her family and directs the Clerk to send a copy of the resolution to her loved ones. This is a ceremonial resolution with no policy or financial impact, solely commemorating her legacy.

Maddy summarySB 718 increases the annual salary for magistrates in West Virginia to $70,000, effective July 1, 2026. This bill amends West Virginia Code §50-1-3, which sets magistrate compensation, building on previous increases from $60,375 (2021) to $63,250 (2022). The measure directly affects all magistrates serving in West Virginia courts. The change is a straightforward salary adjustment with no additional mechanisms or eligibility requirements specified in the bill text.

Maddy summarySB 1006 adds a 1% tax on fire and casualty insurance premiums in West Virginia. Insurance companies pay this tax, and the revenue is allocated as follows: 10% to the Teachers Retirement System Reserve Fund, 25% to volunteer and part-volunteer fire departments via the Fire Protection Fund, and 65% to municipal police and fire pension funds. The bill requires annual reporting by municipalities and the State Treasurer to distribute funds according to these percentages. This policy directly affects insurance providers (through the tax) and the specific state funds supporting teachers, fire departments, and municipal pension systems.

Maddy summarySB 893 creates a state tax credit equal to 10% of the federal carbon storage credit (under IRS Section 45Q) earned by businesses operating new biochar manufacturing facilities in West Virginia that began operations after July 1, 2025. It directly affects eligible businesses that qualify for the federal credit, allowing them to reduce their state corporation income tax by up to 50% of their tax liability for the year. The credit lasts up to 12 years and requires verification through IRS certification and documentation proving biochar production occurred in the state. Businesses must submit federal tax return copies and evidence of carbon sequestration meeting nationally recognized standards to claim the credit.

Maddy summarySB 1015 creates the Drainage Remediation Fund in West Virginia's State Treasury to address drainage issues affecting state roads. The fund, administered by the Commissioner of Highways, provides financial support for drainage projects that protect state roads, including work on private property when necessary. County commissions, municipalities, and private landowners can apply for funding but must reimburse the fund for any requested project upgrades. Unobligated funds at year's end may revert to the State Road Fund at the Commissioner's discretion.

Maddy summarySB 757 amends West Virginia's government construction contracting rules to give bidders a 10-day grace period after the bid closing date to submit valid bid bond documentation, correcting minor errors without disqualifying otherwise qualified bids. This change applies to all government construction projects over $50,000 requiring competitive bidding, directly affecting contractors who submit bids. Currently, bidders must provide bid bond documentation within 10 business days of contract award, but the bill shifts this deadline to 10 days after the bid closing date. The provision aims to prevent disqualification due to administrative errors in bond documentation, ensuring qualified bidders aren't unfairly excluded from contracts.

Maddy summaryThis bill ensures county school boards receive funding for students who qualify for West Virginia's Hope Scholarship but choose not to use it. Specifically, if a student isn't enrolled in a public school but is eligible for the scholarship (and declines it), the county board gets the same funding they would receive if the student attended a public school. The funding comes from the Hope Scholarship Program Fund and applies to students residing in the county. This change directly affects county school budgets and students who opt out of the scholarship program.