Sen. Mike Oliverio

Maddy summaryThis Senate Resolution (SR 40) designates February 16, 2026, as "Child Advocacy Center Day" in West Virginia. It formally recognizes the work of the state's 21 Child Advocacy Centers, which support child abuse victims and families through coordinated services across 48 counties. The resolution has no policy impact - it is a symbolic observance inviting legislators and citizens to acknowledge these centers' role in child safety and healing.

Maddy summarySenate Bill 959 closes West Virginia's Parent Education Fund on July 1, 2026, and redirects its remaining balance to the Family Court Fund. It also changes where fees collected from parents attending required parent education classes (up to $25 per person) and civil penalties for violating parenting plans (up to $1,000 for repeat offenses) are sent - now to the Family Court Fund instead of the Parent Education Fund. This bill does not alter the requirement for parents to attend parent education classes or the fee amounts, only the destination of the funds. The change applies to all fees and penalties collected after the fund's closure date.

Maddy summarySB 940 establishes a state-funded pilot program offering free, comprehensive cancer screenings to all active and retired permanent firefighters in West Virginia. The program provides blood tests, organ ultrasounds (including heart and abdominal scans), lung CTs if needed, and skin cancer screenings, with a maximum cost of $1,300 per participant. Firefighters may self-fund screenings before July 2026 and seek reimbursement up to the $1,300 limit during the program’s 24-month duration (extendable with approval). The state covers all costs, requires vendors to meet specific screening standards, and mandates annual reports on participation and results to the Governor and legislature. Participation is voluntary, and the program begins July 1, 2026.

Maddy summarySB 938 aims to clarify the specific powers, duties, and responsibilities of key public health officials in West Virginia, including the Secretary of the Department of Health, the Commissioner of the Bureau for Public Health, and the State Health Officer. The bill proposes amendments to multiple sections of the West Virginia Code (such as §5-14-3, §15-5A-4, and numerous sections in Chapter 16) to better define these officials' roles and responsibilities. This clarification is intended to provide clearer guidance for how these public health leadership positions operate within the state's health system. The bill was introduced in the West Virginia Senate on February 13, 2026, and referred to the Committee on Health and Human Resources and the Committee on the Judiciary.

Maddy summarySB 704 prohibits most compensation for assisting veterans with benefits claims, directly affecting advocates, attorneys, and support organizations who help veterans navigate the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) system. Key provisions require written fee agreements filed with the VA, ban guarantees of specific benefit amounts, prohibit charging for services before a VA decision, and forbid contingent fees for medical evidence or testimony. The bill also restricts excessive fees and mandates compliance with federal fee guidelines (38 C.F.R. § 14.636). It does not override federal law but adds state-level safeguards to prevent exploitative practices in veterans' benefits assistance.

Maddy summaryThis Senate Resolution (SR 34) designates February 12, 2026, as "Hospital Day" at the West Virginia Legislature. It formally recognizes hospitals' economic contributions (including 54,000 direct jobs and $16.9 billion in economic activity) and community benefits (like $92 million in annual community programs). The resolution has no policy impact - it is purely ceremonial, directing the Clerk to send a copy to the West Virginia Hospital Association. It was adopted by voice vote on February 12, 2026.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates tax credits for West Virginia manufacturers that transform locally harvested wood into finished "value-added" products like plywood, wood pellets, or engineered lumber. It provides tiered credits ($1.25-$3 per ton) based on the volume of West Virginia-sourced wood processed, with higher rates for new facilities or expansions ($2.50-$6 per ton) for five years. To qualify, manufacturers must meet a "minimum transformation standard" (e.g., altering wood’s structure), avoid basic handling like debarking, and self-report production data. Credits are capped at $1.25 million annually per facility and apply to corporate or personal income tax. The law aims to incentivize local processing of forest resources while preventing credits for raw log handling.

Maddy summarySB 930 amends West Virginia law to increase the amount of pension benefits subject to annual cost-of-living adjustments for municipal police, firefighters, and employees of waterworks, sewage, and combined water/sewage systems. The bill raises the threshold for calculating these adjustments from $15,000 to $45,000 of an annual pension benefit, meaning a larger portion of their retirement income will now be tied to inflation. This change applies to existing retirees and future beneficiaries under the pension system, without altering the 4% annual cap on adjustments or the two-year waiting period for new retirees. The policy directly affects these municipal workers by potentially increasing their annual pension increases based on inflation data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Maddy summarySB 708 requires the West Virginia Division of Highways to evaluate and potentially create public river access facilities during bridge projects over navigable waterways. It prohibits using eminent domain for access points but allows voluntary property acquisition (through purchase or donation) to improve safety for recreational users like fishermen and boaters. The law mandates that any new access facilities must prioritize public safety, avoid interfering with traffic, and be limited in size to address documented hazards. It applies directly to the Division of Highways, recreational users, and property owners near river crossings.

Maddy summarySB 934 modifies retirement benefits for West Virginia Natural Resources Police officers who retire after July 1, 2026. It increases the accrued benefit calculation from 2.5% to 2.75% of an officer's final average salary multiplied by their years of credited service. This change applies only to officers retiring after the specified date and does not affect those retiring before July 1, 2026. The bill also includes provisions for additional funding to support the retirement system.