Sen. Ben Queen

Maddy summarySB 929, the "Taxpayer Transparency in Education Act," requires West Virginia county school boards to publish detailed annual financial statements within 120 days of each fiscal year. These statements must disclose all expenditures over $250 to individuals or firms, debts, school personnel pay, and budget estimates, either as legal ads or on public websites. County boards failing to submit these reports within 90 days face a State Auditor noncompliance notice, and after 60 days of noncompliance, they lose access to discretionary state education funds. The bill directly affects all 55 county school boards by mandating greater financial transparency for taxpayers.

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 summarySB 144 would gradually increase West Virginia's homestead property tax exemption for eligible homeowners aged 65+ or permanently disabled residents. The bill phases in a higher exemption amount (beyond the current $20,000) over time, but only if voters approve a related constitutional amendment. It also repeals a provision limiting how much property tax rates can rise when property appraisals increase. This change directly affects qualifying homeowners by reducing their property tax burden, contingent on constitutional approval.

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 summaryThis bill amends West Virginia law to give the Governor more flexibility in setting the annual salary for the state lottery director. Currently, the director's salary is fixed by statute, but this change allows the Governor to establish the initial salary in an appointment letter and adjust it annually through subsequent letters, provided the lottery has sufficient budget funding. The legislation directly affects the state lottery director and the Governor's office by removing the previous requirement for a legislatively mandated salary amount. The bill maintains other existing requirements, including the director's appointment by the Governor, background investigation, and eligibility restrictions, while simplifying the compensation process.

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 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 206 would allow sheriffs who are members of West Virginia's public retirement system to retire at age 62 with eight or more years of service as an elected sheriff. Currently, new members (joining after July 1, 2015) require 10 years of service for retirement at 62, but this bill creates a specific exception for sheriffs. The change applies only to sheriffs not participating in another retirement system and directly affects elected sheriffs seeking retirement under the state's public retirement program. This policy adjustment lowers the required service years for sheriffs from 10 to 8, making retirement eligibility more accessible for this group.