Sen. Tom Willis

Maddy summaryThis bill requires West Virginia election officials to capture and publish digital images of ballots cast in statewide elections, along with cast vote records, to enable public verification of election results. It mandates that each printed ballot include a unique number and a designated space for voters to voluntarily mark their ballot with a personal identifier using ink, without denying acceptance of ballots based on the presence or absence of such marks. The Secretary of State must publish these records and images within 24 hours of receiving them from counties, while implementing privacy protections that prevent individual voter identification in precincts with fewer than 10 absentee or provisional ballots.

Maddy summaryThis bill removes time limits for workers to file or modify claims related to progressive massive fibrosis, a lung disease often linked to occupational exposure (like mining). It directly affects workers who develop this condition, allowing them to pursue or adjust compensation claims without being barred by past deadlines. The bill amends West Virginia's workers' compensation code to eliminate statute of limitations barriers specifically for these claims and adds a new impairment rating for progressive massive fibrosis. This change ensures affected workers can access benefits regardless of when symptoms first appeared or worsened.

Maddy summarySB 615 (West Virginia Senate Bill 615) requires all state and local law enforcement agencies in West Virginia to notify U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) when they determine an individual is in the U.S. without legal authorization. The bill directly affects undocumented immigrants in West Virginia and mandates that law enforcement cooperate with federal immigration authorities under federal law. Key provisions include prohibiting any state or local policies that would block this notification, and requiring agencies to follow federal immigration enforcement procedures. This bill changes how West Virginia law enforcement handles immigration status determinations, making notification to ICE mandatory rather than optional.

Maddy summarySB 807 allows physician assistants (PAs) in West Virginia to own medical practices or businesses, which was previously restricted under state law. The bill amends licensing rules to permit PAs to be shareholders in medical corporations and to form professional LLCs under the Uniform Limited Liability Company Act. It also prohibits PAs from receiving licenses or authorizations for referrals where they have a financial interest in the referral source. This directly affects PAs seeking greater business ownership opportunities while maintaining safeguards against conflicts of interest in patient referrals. The policy change updates professional licensing provisions without altering PA scope of practice or clinical responsibilities.

Maddy summarySenate Bill 798 authorizes the West Virginia Board of Medicine to implement a rule (11 CSR 06) requiring physicians and podiatric physicians to complete continuing education. This rule directly affects licensed doctors and podiatrists in West Virginia by mandating ongoing education to maintain their professional licenses. The bill does not change the rule's content but formally approves its adoption, allowing the Board to enforce the continuing education requirements.

Maddy summarySB 70 prohibits West Virginia state agencies and their employees or contractors (except law enforcement officers acting in their official capacity) from using or accessing social media platforms, applications, or artificial intelligence tools owned by entities located in "foreign countries of concern" (nations designated by U.S. regulations as adversaries). The bill bans downloading, using, or accessing such foreign-owned software on state-owned or leased internet-capable devices, including social media platforms owned by entities in designated adversary nations. It includes a waiver process allowing the Secretary of State to grant exceptions for specific job duties. The law aims to protect state government systems, citizen data, and access to government services from potential cyberattacks or surveillance by foreign entities.

Maddy summarySB 683 removes a requirement that private, parochial, and church schools in West Virginia must be formally recognized by the West Virginia Department of Education under Policy 2330 to qualify for an exemption from child care licensing rules. The bill directly affects these schools by allowing them to automatically qualify for the exemption without needing separate recognition from the Department of Education. This change modifies Section 49-2-113 of West Virginia law, specifically removing the reference to Policy 2330 recognition in the exemption clause for school education programs operated by such institutions. The policy change simplifies regulatory compliance for these schools by eliminating an administrative step.

Maddy summarySJR 17 proposes a constitutional amendment that would permit the West Virginia legislature to pass a law exempting owner-occupied homes from property tax. This exemption would apply to homes used as a primary residence by the owner (or one owner) who is a West Virginia citizen, but only for one home per household. If approved by voters in 2026, the legislature could implement this exemption through specific rules, while requiring these homes to continue undergoing regular property appraisals under current law. The amendment does not automatically eliminate property taxes but enables future legislative action to do so under defined conditions.

Maddy summarySB 413 would make gold and silver bullion (including certified coins) legal tender in West Virginia for paying debts, taxes, and fees. It requires depositories storing gold/silver to meet specific standards (like London Bullion Market Association guidelines) and creates a tax exemption for transactions using these metals. The bill affects individuals, businesses, and authorized depositories within West Virginia by establishing a legal framework for using precious metals as a medium of exchange, while setting duties for the State Treasurer's Office.

Maddy summaryThis bill clarifies that solar generation facilities are not considered "farm property" or "agricultural operations" for tax and regulatory purposes in West Virginia. Specifically, it amends §11-1A-10 (tax valuation) and §19-19-2 (agricultural definitions) to exclude solar farms that sell electricity commercially from farm property tax rates and agricultural classifications. This directly affects solar energy developers and operators, who will no longer qualify for agricultural tax treatment on land used for commercial solar generation. The law explicitly states that operating solar panels for commercial electricity sales - regardless of panel height - disqualifies the land from being classified as farm or agricultural property. The change ensures solar farms are taxed under standard commercial property rates rather than agricultural rates.