Sen. Darren Thorne

Maddy summarySenate Bill 574 prohibits state agencies and entities receiving state funds from implementing diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) policies that grant preferential treatment based on race, color, sex, ethnicity, or national origin. The bill bans state-funded DEI staff positions, mandatory DEI training, DEI statements in hiring, pronoun disclosure requirements, and any activities promoting preferential treatment. It requires all state departments to review existing DEI programs within 30 days and submit elimination plans within 90 days. This directly affects West Virginia state agencies, boards, and organizations receiving state funding. The law aims to align state practices with constitutional equal protection guarantees.

Maddy summarySenate Bill 583, titled the "West Virginia-Powered Data Center Incentive Act," provides property tax exemptions for new data centers meeting specific eligibility criteria and a tax credit for coal-fired electric utilities supplying them. Data centers must apply for these incentives and maintain compliance to continue receiving benefits. The bill aims to attract data center investments to West Virginia, which the state expects will create jobs and boost economic growth while supporting coal-powered electricity infrastructure. It establishes clear application processes, eligibility rules, and compliance requirements for both data centers and utilities.

Maddy summarySB 575 defines "community air monitoring programs" as non-governmental air quality monitoring systems operated by community groups (excluding those run by state agencies, the EPA, or polluters). It prohibits West Virginia's Department of Environmental Protection from using data collected through these programs for regulatory actions, including issuing fines, enforcement cases, rulemaking, or permitting decisions against polluters. The bill requires the state to verify monitoring equipment validity if community data is presented in violation complaints, but explicitly bars the use of such data for regulatory purposes under the Clean Air Act. This bill directly affects community monitors and state environmental enforcement processes.

Maddy summarySJR 11 proposes a constitutional amendment to West Virginia's Constitution that would change term limits for county sheriffs. Currently, a sheriff who serves two consecutive terms becomes ineligible for the next term. The amendment would specifically allow a person appointed to fill a sheriff's term with less than two years remaining to run for two consecutive terms after their appointment. This change would apply only to those appointed to finish terms with less than two years left, while maintaining the general rule for elected sheriffs. The amendment would require voter approval in the 2026 general election to take effect.

Maddy summarySB 567 prohibits employers from terminating employees who use reasonable force, including deadly force when necessary to prevent death or serious harm, to defend themselves or others during an attack at work. It applies when the attacker is not a co-worker and the employee reasonably believes they or others face imminent danger. The law ensures employees cannot face job loss solely for using such force in self-defense, as long as it is reasonable and proportionate. This extends workplace self-defense protections under existing West Virginia law.

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 summarySB 560 allows West Virginia counties and municipalities to adopt local ordinances restricting where utility-scale renewable energy facilities (defined as wind or solar projects ≥5 megawatts sold to the grid) can be built. These local rules can limit facility locations, set setbacks from homes and schools, restrict facility size/height, require environmental mitigation, and mandate land restoration after decommissioning. The bill explicitly states these local restrictions do not override federal or state requirements. It directly affects renewable energy developers seeking to build large-scale projects in rural areas, while counties and towns gain new authority to address community concerns like property values, farmland impacts, and scenic views.

Maddy summarySB 530, the West Virginia Land Sovereignty Act, blocks foreign governments and entities from designated high-risk countries (like China, Russia, Iran, and North Korea) from purchasing or acquiring title to real property in West Virginia. It requires existing foreign owners to register their land with the Department of Agriculture within 60 days or sell it within 180 days. The law includes exceptions for U.S. citizens/residents, primary residences (homesteads), and short-term leaseholds (under five years). The West Virginia Attorney General enforces the law through investigations, court actions, and property divestment.

Maddy summarySenate Bill 286 grants parents and legal guardians direct access to their minor child's health records without requiring the child's permission, except in four specific cases: the child has graduated high school, is emancipated, married, or if a criminal case for child abuse is pending against the parent. The bill removes the need for healthcare providers to obtain a minor's authorization for parents to access records, aligning with existing HIPAA guidelines. It also ensures managed care organizations, child placing agencies, and temporary custodians can access a child's medical records. This change applies to all healthcare providers and child welfare entities in West Virginia, streamlining access while maintaining clear exceptions.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires West Virginia's executive branch agencies, the State Police, and county school boards to create and report a policy for adjusting public employee salaries based on local market rates and cost of living differences across the state. The policy must specify which areas (like counties) and positions qualify for increases, set the amount of adjustments, and ensure these local salary changes occur before other raises (such as merit-based increases). It also mandates annual policy reviews and explicitly states that the policy does not create any right to file a grievance or lawsuit. The goal is to help retain public employees in high-cost areas by making state salaries competitive with private employers, federal jobs, and other state governments.