Sen. Jay Taylor

Maddy summarySB 23 creates a Special Road Repair Fund within West Virginia's State Road Fund, allowing up to $80 million annually to be transferred specifically for repairing nonfederal aid eligible county roads. It establishes an Enhanced Road Repair Program requiring county supervisors (with county commissions and local legislators) to submit annual priority road repair requests by July 1, based on traffic counts and road condition. Funding is distributed proportionally by mileage of eligible roads, with a minimum $1 million allocation per county, and mandates contracting private vendors for repairs if 50% of core maintenance projects were unfinished the prior year. The program covers pothole repair, paving, ditching, and mowing on county roads, while requiring drainage work before paving. This directly affects county governments, private contractors, and residents who use nonfederal aid roads.

Maddy summarySB 47 authorizes the West Virginia Secondary School Activities Commission (WVSSAC) to create and implement rules governing interscholastic athletics and extracurricular activities for public, private, and parochial schools, as well as home-schooled students participating in the Hope Scholarship Program or microschools. The bill requires WVSSAC’s rules to ensure equal treatment of private and public schools, including identical fees and benefits, and specifies eligibility criteria for home-schooled students (e.g., academic progress, age limits, and compliance with disciplinary rules). It also allows private school students to join public school activities if their school doesn’t offer the same activity. As a procedural rule-making bill, it clarifies WVSSAC’s authority without creating new programs. (SB 47, §18-2-25(c)-(d))

Maddy summarySB 94 mandates that West Virginia public schools include human growth and development instruction starting in grade 3, beginning with the 2025-2026 school year. The law requires specific curriculum materials, including a high-definition ultrasound video showing early fetal organ development and the "Meet Baby Olivia" video detailing human development from fertilization through birth. This requirement is part of the "Baby Olivia Act" and applies to all public schools in the state. The bill specifies that these videos must be used as part of health education courses, without allowing parental exemptions for this component.

Maddy summarySB 108 would amend West Virginia law to allow private schools (including parochial and church schools) to make immunizations voluntary for students, rather than requiring them. Currently, private schools must maintain immunization records (per §18-28-2(b)), but this bill removes that mandate. The change directly affects students enrolled in private schools and their families, as it eliminates the requirement for schools to enforce vaccine compliance. The bill does not alter immunization rules for public schools or child care centers.

Maddy summaryThis bill renames the "School Building Authority" to the "School Maintenance Authority" across West Virginia law, shifting its primary focus from financing new school construction to funding maintenance and repairs. It directly affects how school districts access state funds for facility upkeep, requiring county boards to update their 10-year facilities plans to prioritize maintenance over construction projects. Key provisions include updating all legal references to the new name and clarifying that the Authority’s purpose is now centered on "financing school maintenance" rather than construction. The change takes effect upon passage, altering how school facility funding decisions are made statewide.

Maddy summarySB 43 updates West Virginia law to require certified registered nurse anesthetists (CRNAs) to meet specific new credentialing standards when administering anesthetics under physician or dentist supervision. To qualify, CRNAs must now hold a registered nursing license, an advanced practice nursing license, graduate from an accredited nurse anesthetist program, and hold board certification from the National Board of Certification. The bill clarifies that this supervision requires active collaboration ("cooperation") between the CRNA and the physician or dentist, with each working within their respective expertise. This directly affects CRNAs, physicians, and dentists providing anesthesia services in the state.

Maddy summaryThis bill directs the West Virginia Legislature to replace the state's existing statue of John Kenna in the National Statuary Hall Collection at the U.S. Capitol with a new statue honoring Hershel "Woody" Williams. The legislation recognizes Williams as a Medal of Honor recipient and founder of the Gold Star Families Memorial Monument program, citing his military service and community contributions as worthy of national commemoration. To implement this change, the bill establishes a commission to select a sculptor, authorizes the Governor to fund the project from a contingency fund, and mandates that the removed John Kenna statue be displayed at the State Culture Center.

Maddy summaryThis Senate resolution honors David Allen Stover for his public service in West Virginia. It acknowledges his career as a teacher, his time as Wyoming County Circuit Clerk, and his single term in the state Senate. The bill formally expresses the Senate's appreciation for his dedication and directs the Clerk to send a copy of the resolution to him.

Maddy summaryThis Senate resolution asks federal lawmakers to apply the same food safety standards to imported products as those required for goods produced and sold within the United States. The bill highlights concerns that dangerous substances have been found in foreign foods at levels exceeding safe limits, arguing that current differences in standards create unfair advantages for foreign producers while potentially endangering American consumers. It further requests that imported foods be clearly labeled to inform buyers about their origin and associated risks, and directs the Senate to send this request to relevant federal agriculture committees. Ultimately, the measure serves as a formal appeal for stricter oversight and enforcement of food safety regulations on imported items to protect public health and ensure market fairness.

Maddy summaryThis Senate resolution urges the U.S. Department of the Treasury to negotiate a tax agreement with Taiwan to prevent double taxation and stop tax evasion. The bill aims to address current issues where Taiwanese companies face a 30 percent withholding tax and individuals might be taxed by both nations. By establishing these rules, the measure seeks to encourage more trade and investment between the two economies while aligning with similar agreements other countries have made with Taiwan. It is a non-binding recommendation intended to guide future negotiations rather than directly changing laws.