Sen. Darren Thorne

Maddy summarySB 264 amends West Virginia law to allow the death penalty for individuals convicted of intentionally killing a law-enforcement officer or emergency responder while they are performing their official duties. The bill specifically adds this scenario as an aggravating circumstance that must be proven beyond a reasonable doubt, requiring direct evidence like witness testimony or DNA, not just circumstantial proof. It defines "emergency responder" to include firefighters and emergency medical personnel. This change applies only to first-degree murder cases where the victim was a qualified officer or responder on duty, and it mandates jury unanimity for death penalty sentencing while requiring consideration of mitigating factors. The bill does not change existing death penalty eligibility for other murder cases.

Maddy summarySB 242, the Equipment Right to Repair Act, requires manufacturers of farm equipment (like tractors, combines, and harvesters) to provide independent repair shops and farm owners with necessary repair manuals, parts, and diagnostic tools after a new equipment warranty expires. It directly affects farmers who lease or own equipment and local repair businesses not affiliated with manufacturers. The bill prohibits manufacturers from sharing trade secrets or violating existing repair agreements, while allowing the Agriculture Commissioner to enforce compliance. The requirement applies for 50 years after an equipment’s original manufacture date.

Maddy summarySenate Bill 699 prohibits any entity - including individuals, companies, or government bodies - from conducting geoengineering activities like weather modification, stratospheric aerosol injection, or cloud seeding within or over West Virginia. The bill defines "geoengineering" as the intentional release of atmospheric contaminants (such as aerosols or chemicals) that could harm human health, the environment, or agriculture. It requires the West Virginia Department for Environmental Protection to investigate credible reports of violations, issue immediate cessation orders, and pursue penalties for noncompliance. This law directly affects any party engaging in these activities in the state, with enforcement focused on preventing atmospheric pollution from such experiments.

Maddy summarySB 706 requires the West Virginia Department of Education (WVDE) to obtain legislative approval before implementing any new rules or changes to existing education regulations. Currently, the WVDE can issue such rules without direct legislative review, but this bill would mandate that the legislature must approve all proposed education rules before they take effect. The bill also requires the State Board of Education to submit proposed rules to the Legislative Oversight Commission on Education Accountability for review. This change would shift oversight so that the legislature formally reviews and approves education-related policies, affecting how state education regulations are enacted.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires all electric utilities in West Virginia to offer customers a choice between smart meters and traditional manual meters for residential, business, and rental properties. Utilities must allow customers to opt out of smart meters - those that emit signals, contain batteries, or require wireless data transmission - in favor of manual meters that are read physically and have no electronic emissions. The law specifically excludes normal electromagnetic radiation from electricity flow as a concern under this requirement. It directly affects all electricity customers in West Virginia who wish to avoid smart meter technology for personal reasons.

Maddy summarySenate Bill 676 allows veterinarians and veterinary technicians licensed in good standing in other U.S. states with equivalent requirements to practice in West Virginia without retaking exams or meeting all local licensing conditions. It requires applicants to have held an active license for five years in another state and provide documentation confirming no disciplinary actions. The bill directly affects licensed veterinary professionals seeking to work across state lines by simplifying their path to West Virginia licensure.

Maddy summarySB 688, the "Responsible Use of Facial Recognition Act," prohibits West Virginia law enforcement agencies from using facial recognition, real-time security monitoring, drones, license plate readers, and other specified surveillance technologies without a warrant based on probable cause. The bill requires that any facial recognition technology used must be developed and manufactured exclusively in the United States to address national security concerns about foreign technology providers. It establishes a working group within the Department of Homeland Security to create model policies for the responsible use of these technologies. The bill directly affects all law enforcement agencies in West Virginia and aims to strengthen Fourth Amendment protections against unreasonable searches.

Maddy summaryWest Virginia's SB 675 requires hospitals and clinics participating in the federal 340B Drug Pricing Program (called "340B covered entities") to annually report detailed financial data to the West Virginia Board of Pharmacy by April 1. This includes costs for drugs purchased under the program, payments received from insurers, payments to contracted pharmacies, and how savings are used for charity care or community health services. The data must be reported by payer type (commercial, Medicaid, Medicare), remains confidential, and the Board must then compile and publish an annual summary by November 15 for state lawmakers and the public. The bill aims to increase transparency about how 340B program savings benefit underserved patients.

Maddy summarySenate Bill 622 changes how salaries are set for specific lower court staff in West Virginia. It replaces fixed annual salary amounts for magistrate court clerks, magistrate assistants, magistrate court deputy clerks, family court secretary-clerks, and family case coordinators with a pay scale determined by the Administrative Director of the Supreme Court of Appeals. This means future salary adjustments for these positions will follow the same process as other state employees' raises, rather than using the previously set statutory figures. The bill directly affects these court staff members across all West Virginia counties.

Maddy summarySB 659, the "Parents' Bill of Rights," codifies specific rights for parents of minor children in West Virginia. It directly affects parents by establishing their fundamental right to direct their child's education, health care, moral upbringing, and access to school records without government interference. Key provisions include requiring state entities to demonstrate "compelling state interest" before infringing parental rights, listing specific parental rights (e.g., choosing schools, making health decisions), and allowing parents to sue for violations. The bill creates a legal framework for parents to seek remedies like injunctions or damages if their rights are violated by schools, government, or officials.