Sen. Tom Willis

Maddy summarySB 738 creates a West Virginia National Guard TRICARE premium reimbursement program for eligible members. It allows the state military department to reimburse National Guard members who pay premiums for TRICARE Reserve Select or TRICARE Dental coverage, subject to state-established application rules. The program stops reimbursing any portion later covered by federal government payments. This requires separate state funding approval and does not create new spending authority.

Maddy summarySB 613 caps interest rates on debts for active-duty West Virginia military members and their spouses at 6% per annum during deployment periods. It applies to all debts incurred on or after July 1, 2026, including mortgages, credit cards, and loans. Military members must provide creditors written notice with military orders within 180 days of ending duty, triggering a reduction in payments for forgiven interest above 6%. The bill extends existing protections to cover all debt types, not just specific loans.

Maddy summarySB 1005 requires oil and gas operators in West Virginia to provide detailed monthly reports to royalty owners (mineral rights holders) for all wells. Reports must include well identification, production volumes, sale prices, deductions, and the owner's share of proceeds. Operators must pay royalties within 120 days of production (or 90 days for subsequent sales) and may accumulate payments until exceeding $100, but must pay at least annually. Late payments trigger interest penalties at the prime rate plus 2%, compounded quarterly, with operators liable for legal fees if sued for noncompliance. The bill aims to increase transparency and ensure timely payments for royalty owners.

Maddy summaryWest Virginia Senate Bill 992 requires the state Department of Health to conduct a study comparing health outcomes between vaccinated and unvaccinated pediatric populations using existing state data. The study will analyze datasets like Medicaid claims, immunization records, and hospital discharge data to examine associations with conditions such as asthma, autoimmune disorders, and neurodevelopmental diagnoses. Researchers must account for confounding factors like socioeconomic status and geographic location using established epidemiologic methods. The final report, to be submitted to the legislature, aims to inform public health policy through transparent data analysis without altering vaccination requirements.

Maddy summaryThis bill, SB 965, creates a new law (§5A-8-21a) allowing current or retired district attorneys, assistant district attorneys, and district attorney investigators (referred to as "protected individuals") to request that their personal information be withheld from public disclosure by government bodies or third parties. It requires only basic verification of their protected status to process such requests, and permits the judicial administrator's office to make requests on their behalf. The bill explicitly states that this protection does not apply to personal information already publicly posted by the Office of the Secretary of State. The law takes effect on July 1, 2026.

Maddy summarySB 962 requires all West Virginia high school students (public, private, parochial, and denominational) to pass a civics examination, the U.S. Naturalization Exam, and tests on the West Virginia Constitution as a graduation prerequisite. The bill mandates that required courses include instruction on American government structure, historical ideologies (including critical analysis of communism and socialism), and primary source materials. Students must demonstrate factual knowledge of U.S. history, government, and the dangers of historical socialist/communist systems through cumulative assessments. The law also requires schools to provide voter registration opportunities for eligible students. This affects every high school student in West Virginia seeking graduation.

Maddy summarySB 967 amends West Virginia’s Aboveground Storage Tank Act by removing a specific exemption for electrical equipment like transformers. The bill eliminates subsection (L) in §22-30-3, which previously excluded transformers, circuit breakers, and voltage regulators from tank regulations. This change means transformers used as storage containers (e.g., for fluids) will now be subject to the same registration, notice, and signage requirements as other aboveground storage tanks. The bill directly affects owners and operators of such transformers that meet the tank definition under the law. It does not alter how transformers function but clarifies their regulatory status under the state’s tank oversight framework.

Maddy summarySB 964 creates a "Safe Library Books for Kids Committee" within West Virginia's Department of Tourism. The committee, appointed by the Governor, must review all children's and teen books in public libraries to establish age-appropriate ratings. It will start with youngest readers' books and move up, requiring libraries to place books only in sections matching their rating - unrated books cannot be in children's or teen sections. Violating this rule carries a $500 misdemeanor fine per occurrence. The bill directly affects public libraries and their children's/teen book collections.

Maddy summarySB 960 adjusts liquor license rules for private clubs operating as bakeries, specifically allowing them to sell baked goods infused with alcohol (like wedding cakes with alcohol in icing or infused packets). It directly affects private bakeries with at least 50 members that meet strict kitchen equipment requirements, including ovens, refrigeration, and food preparation facilities. The bill permits alcohol infusion in baked goods but prohibits direct sales of liquor, wine, or beer - only the infused baked goods may be sold for on- or off-premises consumption. Key provisions include mandatory member minimums, specific kitchen standards, and restrictions on alcohol processing methods.

Maddy summarySR 42 is a ceremonial Senate resolution honoring the late Walter Dolph Helmick, a former West Virginia state legislator and public servant. It memorializes his life and career, noting his service as a coal miner, teacher, businessman, Mason, West Virginia House of Delegates member, Senate member (1989-2013), and Commissioner of Agriculture. The resolution formally recognizes his contributions to West Virginia and extends condolences to his family following his death in 2025. As a non-binding memorial resolution, it has no policy impact or effect on legislation.