Sen. Jay Taylor

Maddy summarySenate Resolution 11 recognizes Cottage Hill Farm in Grant County, West Virginia, as the state's outstanding family-owned Hereford cattle farm for 2024. This ceremonial resolution highlights the farm's conservation practices, community involvement, and environmental stewardship efforts, including its work on water quality protection and Chesapeake Bay watershed initiatives. The resolution serves as a formal acknowledgment of the farm's achievements and contributions to agriculture in West Virginia.

Maddy summaryWest Virginia's Senate Bill 562 establishes the "Uniform Child Abduction Prevention Act," creating a standardized legal process to prevent child abduction in custody cases. It allows courts to issue prevention orders when there is a credible risk of abduction, based on specific risk factors like prior domestic violence or travel plans. The bill requires detailed petitions (including child and respondent locations) and sets clear procedures for courts to act on their own motion or through petitions from parents, guardians, or prosecutors. This law directly affects families involved in custody disputes, courts handling those cases, and individuals seeking to prevent potential abductions by requiring objective risk assessments before court orders are issued.

Maddy summarySB 519 makes unauthorized camping in public spaces a misdemeanor in West Virginia, directly affecting individuals who camp without consent in areas like sidewalks, parks, or under bridges. The bill establishes fines ($100-$1,000), potential jail time (up to 30 days), and community service for violations, while requiring a warning citation for first offenses instead of penalties. Officers must first suggest alternative camping locations and connect individuals with services (like anti-trafficking resources) before issuing citations, unless public safety is immediately threatened. The law does not override stricter local ordinances but defines "camp" as residing with shelter, including activities like cooking, sleeping, or storing belongings in public.

Maddy summaryThis proposal would require West Virginia's State Board of Education to submit all new education policies to the legislature for approval. Before submission, the board must hold public hearings on proposed policies. The legislature would have 60 days during a regular session to approve, amend, or reject policies; if no action is taken, the policy would automatically take effect. This directly affects the State Board of Education (which must seek approval) and the legislature (which gains oversight authority over education policies).

Maddy summaryThis Senate Resolution (SR 4) commemorates Frances Jones' community service on Mineral County Day at the West Virginia Legislature. It recognizes her decades of work founding nonprofits like Restoration of the Heart and Loving Hands Outreach Center, which provided support for homeless women, abuse survivors, and individuals recovering from addiction. The resolution specifically honors her role as the first woman to open the legislative session with prayer on Mineral County Day. As a symbolic gesture, it does not create new laws or policies.

Maddy summaryWest Virginia Senate Bill 426 would replace the state-run Public Employees Insurance Agency (PEIA) with an employer-owned mutual insurance company. It directly affects all state and public school employees currently covered by PEIA, as well as the state government as the primary employer. Key mechanisms include dissolving PEIA, transferring its assets and functions to the Insurance Commissioner and a new Public Employees Insurance Council, establishing governance for the mutual company, and setting capital requirements. The bill also includes provisions for laid-off PEIA employees, including retraining benefits and preferential placement for those affected during the transition.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires health insurers in West Virginia to cover medically necessary dental procedures directly related to cancer treatment, such as surgery, chemotherapy, radiation, or immunotherapy. It specifically covers services like exams, medications, dental devices, and rehabilitation needed to restore functions like eating, speaking, or swallowing after cancer care. Insurers must use a unique billing code ("West Virginia Code §33-64-1") for these services, with prescriptions for covered medications using a designated identifier. The law takes effect July 1, 2026, applying to most health insurance plans under the Affordable Care Act.

Maddy summarySB 48 creates a mobile training team within the West Virginia Department of Homeland Security to improve school safety. The team, led by a chief officer and 16 regional officers (requiring peace officer licensure or military veteran status), provides schools with training on emergency planning, security protocols, and tactical medical services. It allows teachers and administrators to become "school protection officers" after completing state-approved training - including firearms instruction - to carry concealed weapons in schools, with a bonus incentive (revocable if they lose certification). The bill directly affects public and nonpublic schools, staff members, and the Department of Homeland Security, focusing on concrete training requirements rather than speculative outcomes.

Maddy summarySB 18 would allow West Virginia county commissions to impose a tax on admission to public entertainment venues (like theaters, concerts, or amusement parks) for private profit. The tax rate cannot exceed 2% of the admission price (or 1 cent minimum), excludes state-regulated lotteries, and must be collected by sellers and added to the ticket price. County ordinances would need to outline how the tax is collected and paid to the county. This would directly affect businesses charging admission fees and counties seeking new revenue sources, but would not apply in cities already taxing such activities under existing law.

Maddy summarySB 25 creates the West Virginia Coal Marketing Program, administered by the Governor, to protect and expand the state's coal markets and facilities while addressing economic impacts on communities affected by coal market changes. It allocates $1 million from the general fund specifically for this program, requiring funds to support projects with public benefits related to coal markets or community impacts. The Governor must annually report to the Joint Committee on Government and Finance on funded projects, including recipient details and descriptions, and all transactions require Attorney General legal certification. The program becomes effective July 1, 2025.