Sen. Joey Garcia

Maddy summarySB 121 requires that the full text of proposed constitutional amendments appear on official ballots in West Virginia elections, alongside the existing title and summary. This change directly affects voters who will see the complete wording of each amendment - including any struck-through or underlined language - rather than just a brief summary. The bill amends state law to mandate that ballot commissioners include the full text as it appears in the legislative resolution proposing the amendment. It does not alter voting procedures or election administration beyond this ballot requirement. This policy change aims to provide voters with complete information when deciding on constitutional amendments.

Maddy summaryThis Senate Joint Resolution proposes adding a constitutional amendment to West Virginia's Bill of Rights, guaranteeing individuals the right to make reproductive decisions - including contraception, fertility treatment, pregnancy continuation, miscarriage care, and abortion - without state interference. The amendment prohibits the state from restricting these rights unless it uses the "least restrictive means" to protect health, with abortion allowed after fetal viability only when necessary to protect the patient's life or health, as determined by a physician. It defines "fetal viability" as the point a fetus can survive outside the womb with medical care, assessed case-by-case by a treating physician. The amendment requires voter approval in the 2026 general election to take effect.

Maddy summarySB 60 allows brewers, brewpubs, manufacturers, and resident brewers without a distributor for an existing nonintoxicating beer or nonintoxicating craft beer brand to create private labels for that brand. These private labels must be sold exclusively to a single buyer who purchases all the product at regular price (no discounts), in quantities not exceeding 25 cases. The labels cannot promote drinking or target underage consumers. This bill changes labeling rules for nonintoxicating beer and nonintoxicating craft beer in West Virginia.

Maddy summarySB 110 creates West Virginia's State Black Lung Program to provide financial benefits to coal miners diagnosed with occupational pneumoconiosis (black lung disease). It establishes a conclusive presumption of entitlement to pain and suffering benefits after 10 years of exposure (with 15 years required for full benefits), requiring no total disability proof. Benefits are calculated as $200 monthly base plus $15 per additional year beyond 15 years of exposure, and recipients may claim these as a state tax credit. The program is funded by a new 10% tax on coal severance and electricity generation from solar/wind devices, depositing revenue into the State Black Lung Fund.

Maddy summarySB 103 would allow any West Virginian to sue if their rights under the state constitution or state law are violated by a government official or entity acting under state authority. The bill permits lawsuits seeking compensatory, nominal, and punitive damages, and requires courts to award attorney fees and court costs to the winning party. This law directly affects individuals who believe their rights were denied and state or local government actors who could face such legal claims.

Maddy summarySB 113 provides a cost-of-living adjustment for certain retired public employees and teachers in West Virginia. It applies to retirees under the Public Employees Retirement System (PERS) and Teachers Retirement System (TRS) who are at least 60 years old and have received retirement payments for five or more years. Starting July 1, 2026, these retirees will receive an additional monthly payment equal to the annual increase in the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics' Consumer Price Index. This adjustment is added to existing retirement benefits and is automatically calculated based on official inflation data each year.

Maddy summarySB 116, "Raylee's Law," prohibits county superintendents from authorizing home instruction for a child if a schoolteacher or school personnel has initiated a child abuse or neglect investigation against the child's custodial parent/guardian or the home instructor. It requires county superintendents to notify the county board when such an investigation is reported and to request confirmation of the investigation's status from the Department of Human Services within 48 hours. If the abuse complaint is not substantiated within 14 days, the superintendent must approve home instruction. This law directly affects families seeking home schooling during active child welfare investigations, adding a verification step to ensure child safety.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires contractors working on state or public construction projects (like roads, buildings, or infrastructure) to pay workers the prevailing wage rate for their trade in the local area. It mandates that public authorities determine and include this rate in contract specifications each year, based on the rate paid to most workers in that trade and location. Contractors must pay at least this rate, maintain records, post wage information, and face criminal penalties for violations, with these rules applying only to new contracts after the law takes effect. The bill does not affect existing contracts or temporary emergency repairs.

Maddy summarySB 106 authorizes the West Virginia Commissioner of Highways to provide additional locality pay to employees working in specific jurisdictions where such pay is needed to recruit and retain staff. The bill allows this extra pay - up to $10,000 annually - to exceed standard salary ranges for those positions. The commissioner must propose rules for legislative approval to implement this policy. This directly affects Division of Highways employees in designated areas, aiming to improve workforce stability through localized pay adjustments.

Maddy summarySB 105 (Restricting public access to crime records) allows certain individuals with pardoned or dismissed criminal charges to petition a court to limit public access to their records. Eligible individuals must have received a full pardon (with no recent non-traffic convictions or pending charges) or had charges dismissed/reduced to a local ordinance violation. The court can restrict access if it determines the harm to the person outweighs public interest, after a hearing and publication notice. Records remain accessible for sentencing, law enforcement, bar admissions, and other specific official uses, but are restricted for general public view. This bill does not apply to violent crimes, animal violence, or certain drug offenses involving violence.