Sen. Mike Oliverio

Maddy summaryThis bill increases the annual funding cap for West Virginia's Critical Needs and Failing Systems Sub Account from $12 million to $14 million. It raises the maximum project cost for service extensions from $2 million to $3 million and adds a new $300,000 cap for grants to upgrade water/wastewater facilities to reduce maintenance, operations costs, or leakages. The changes directly affect local water systems facing aging infrastructure or service disruptions by expanding eligibility for grants. The authority can now fund more facility upgrades under this sub account without applying standard grant limits.

Maddy summarySB 161 establishes West Virginia’s Uniform Mortgage Modification Act, creating standardized rules for modifying residential mortgages. It defines key terms like "mortgage modification" (covering changes to interest rates, maturity dates, or capitalizing unpaid interest) and clarifies that such modifications do not alter a mortgage’s priority or require recording. The bill directly affects homeowners and lenders by ensuring modifications to loan terms (e.g., switching to a fixed rate or adjusting interest rates via a recognized index) remain valid without changing the mortgage’s security position. It excludes modifications involving property releases, changes to obligors, or mortgage assignments, and applies only to changes made on or after the law’s effective date.

Maddy summaryThis Senate Resolution (SR 5) designates January 14, 2026, as "Foster Care Child Welfare Day at the Capitol" in West Virginia. It formally recognizes an existing annual event where child welfare partners, including organizations like WV CASA Association and Fairmont State University, gather at the state Capitol for collaboration and dialogue. The resolution does not create new laws or alter policies; it simply honors the event and encourages continued family-centered collaboration in child welfare. The designation applies to the statewide child welfare community, including children, families, caregivers, and advocates.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends West Virginia law to require all legal actions or injunctions concerning the West Virginia Secondary School Activities Commission (WVSSAC) to be filed exclusively in Wood County or Kanawha County courts. It directly affects anyone filing lawsuits against WVSSAC, such as schools, students, or organizations challenging its rules or decisions. The key provision changes the venue for these cases, mandating that they be heard in one of two specific counties rather than elsewhere in the state. This is a procedural change with no impact on WVSSAC's operational rules or student eligibility policies.

Maddy summarySB 13 requires West Virginia law enforcement to collect DNA samples from individuals convicted of felonies and certain misdemeanors (including domestic battery), as well as from those charged with a felony after a grand jury indictment or waiver of indictment. The bill establishes procedures for maintaining DNA records in a state database, specifies testing methods, and mandates expungement of records in certain cases. Failure to expunge DNA records properly will not invalidate criminal proceedings based on database matches. This law aims to enhance law enforcement's ability to solve violent and sex-related crimes through DNA evidence.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires all West Virginia public schools to provide age-appropriate Holocaust education starting in the sixth grade. It mandates instruction on the systematic annihilation of European Jews and other groups by Nazi Germany, emphasizing human behavior and responsible citizenship. Schools must use guidance from the West Virginia Commission on Holocaust Education to develop this curriculum. The requirement applies to all public schools in the state and explicitly prohibits teaching this content before sixth grade.

Maddy summarySB 85 shortens the deadline for filing lawsuits to recover money on contracts, fiduciary bonds, and recognizances. It reduces the time limit from 5 years to 2 years for most contracts (both oral and written) and from 10 years to 5 years for claims involving fiduciary bonds (such as those held by executors or guardians) and non-bail recognizances. This change directly affects individuals and businesses seeking to enforce contracts or recover funds from fiduciaries or recognizance agreements. The bill requires claimants to initiate legal action more quickly under these specific circumstances.

Maddy summaryThis bill reduces the time limit for suing to recover money on most contracts and debts. It shortens the statute of limitations from five years to two years for both oral and written contracts (except for specific cases like partnership settlements or merchant accounts). The bill also affects claims involving bonds held by fiduciaries (like executors or guardians) and certain legal recognizances. People seeking to sue over unpaid contracts, debts, or fiduciary obligations would now have less time - only two years - to file a lawsuit.

Maddy summarySB 145 increases compensation for attorneys representing indigent clients in criminal, juvenile, and abuse/neglect cases, as well as for guardians ad litem appointed by West Virginia courts. It requires Public Defender Services to process payment claims within 45 business days and establishes clear procedures for resolving disputes over rejected or reduced payments, including court review. The bill also mandates an annual report summarizing legal services provided by guardians ad litem. This directly affects panel attorneys, guardians ad litem, and the Public Defender Services agency.

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.