Sen. Jay Taylor

Maddy summarySenate Bill 589 removes the mandatory certification requirement for recovery residences in West Virginia. It eliminates the need for these facilities - drug- and alcohol-free housing supporting individuals in substance use disorder recovery - to obtain a "certificate of compliance" from the Department of Human Services. The bill amends relevant code sections to delete the registration process while retaining definitions and other provisions. This change directly affects recovery residences and their operators by reducing regulatory requirements. The policy shift focuses on deregulation rather than altering the operational standards for these facilities.

Maddy summarySB 758 would provide extra state funding to West Virginia school districts for students enrolled in schools designated as "extremely remote" under the bill. It prohibits county school boards from closing such schools during the fiscal year they receive the additional aid and requires submission of specific documentation and reporting. The bill also allows waivers for certain documentation requirements. These provisions aim to support remote schools by ensuring stable funding and operational continuity.

Maddy summaryThis ceremonial Senate Resolution (SR 27) designates February 4, 2026, as "West Virginia University Day" at the West Virginia Capitol. It recognizes West Virginia University (WVU) as the state's flagship land-grant institution, highlighting its educational programs, extension services, and community impact across all 55 counties. The resolution has no legal effect or policy changes - it serves only as symbolic recognition, directing the Senate Clerk to send a copy to WVU leadership. It was adopted unanimously by voice vote on February 4, 2026.

Maddy summarySB 732 would permit Child Protective Services (CPS) workers to audio record all investigatory interactions with individuals under investigation for child abuse or neglect allegations. This applies to all CPS interactions, including home visits, but requires either the person’s informed consent or a court order when privacy expectations exist (e.g., in private homes). Recordings must be stored for the entire duration of the case. The bill directly affects CPS workers, families under investigation, and CPS offices, changing how investigations are documented without restricting case types or requiring new court referrals.

Maddy summarySB 716 would lower the participation requirement for West Virginia's volunteer firefighter tax credit from 30% to 20% of department activities. This change directly affects volunteer firefighters seeking the tax credit, making it easier to qualify by reducing the minimum activity threshold. The bill amends Section 11-13JJ-4 of the state code to update the participation percentage while keeping other eligibility conditions unchanged. Currently, firefighters must participate in 30% of activities; the bill would require only 20%.

Maddy summaryThis bill (SB 48) prohibits West Virginia's Public Service Commission (PSC) from approving new electric utility rates or fee increases that would take effect between November 20 of any year and April 1 of the following year. It directly affects electric utilities requiring PSC approval for rate changes, preventing them from implementing new winter rates during this period. The key mechanism is a seasonal restriction on rate approval timing, aiming to limit rate changes during colder months when energy demand typically rises. The bill amends existing statutes governing the PSC's rate-setting authority to enforce this specific timeframe.

Maddy summarySB 445 adds Potomac State College of West Virginia University as an eligible institution for West Virginia's Learn and Earn Program, making its participation permanent instead of temporary. The bill removes the previous "pilot program" designation for Potomac State, which had limited eligibility through the 2025-2026 academic year. The Learn and Earn Program allows students in technical programs to work with participating employers while studying, requiring employers to provide a dollar-for-dollar cash match (not in-kind contributions) for student salaries. This change directly affects Potomac State College students and employers partnering with the college to offer paid work-study opportunities.

Maddy summaryThis Senate Concurrent Resolution (SCR 1) requests the West Virginia Division of Highways to rename specific bridges and road segments after military veterans and community members. It directly affects the Division of Highways, which would implement the proposed names for 15+ existing infrastructure locations across 10 counties. The resolution specifies exact locations (e.g., a bridge in Wayne County to be called the "Hercie Maynard Memorial Bridge" or a section of WV Route 10 as the "Purple Heart Trail") without creating new laws or funding. It is purely a naming request, not a policy change, and honors individuals with military service or local significance. The resolution was quickly adopted by both legislative chambers in January 2026.

Maddy summarySB 546 establishes requirements for clothing and necessity allowances for children in foster care in West Virginia. It mandates that placement providers (foster parents, kinship caregivers, or residential providers) assess each child’s wardrobe and approved necessities (non-clothing items like hygiene products) at initial placement. If lacking, providers must obtain an initial allowance of at least $375 for immediate clothing and essentials, or supplementary allowances up to $175 for extraordinary needs like illness or damaged items. Payment options include a reloadable card (issued within 48 hours), a case worker’s purchasing card, or reimbursement (last resort), with requirements to maintain an inventory tracking the child’s items throughout all placements. The bill directly affects foster children, their caregivers, and the Department of Human Services.

Maddy summaryWest Virginia's SB 612 designates November 7 as "Victims of Communism Day" for public schools, requiring high school students in the mandated U.S. Government class to receive at least 45 minutes of annual instruction on this topic. The bill specifies instruction must cover historical communist regimes (including Mao Zedong's Cultural Revolution, Stalin's Soviet system, and others) and how victims suffered through poverty, violence, and suppression. It directs the State Board of Education to revise social studies standards by April 2026 to include these requirements. The observance applies to all public schools, with make-up days if November 7 falls on a non-school day. This bill directly affects West Virginia public school students and educators in required U.S. Government courses.