Maddy summarySB 739, the "Protecting Shareholders Act," establishes that corporate directors and officers in West Virginia breach their fiduciary duty if they prioritize "environmental, social, and governance" (ESG) factors over shareholders' financial interests. The bill defines ESG to include diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives, and specifies that DEI efforts must not involve race-, ethnicity-, or national origin-based hiring, benefits, or programs unless required by law. It states that prioritizing ESG elements (like DEI or environmental goals) over financial returns to shareholders is "prima facie evidence" of a fiduciary breach. The law directly affects corporate leaders in West Virginia who manage publicly traded or private companies subject to fiduciary duties. The bill is currently pending in the Senate Banking and Insurance Committee.
Sponsored bills
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 summarySenate Bill 730 requires West Virginia's Bureau for Family Assistance to meet two specific program standards by January 1, 2027: (1) reduce its error rate in processing applications to 6% or below, and (2) block individuals living in the U.S. illegally from receiving supplemental nutrition benefits. The bill directly affects the Bureau’s operations and applicants seeking nutrition assistance. It aims to align the state’s program with federal requirements, as noted in the bill’s purpose statement. The provisions focus on operational accuracy and eligibility verification for nutrition benefits.
Maddy summarySB 731 removes hepatitis-B and meningitis vaccines from West Virginia's mandatory school immunization requirements for students entering public, private, or parochial schools and state-regulated child care centers. The bill amends West Virginia Code §16-3-4 to delete these two vaccines from the list of required immunizations, which previously included chickenpox, measles, mumps, and others. This change aligns with updated Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommendations that no longer include hepatitis-B and meningococcal meningitis vaccines in the standard childhood schedule. The policy directly affects all students seeking enrollment in schools or childcare centers across West Virginia.
Maddy summarySB 681 would allow localities (like towns, cities, or counties) contiguous to West Virginia's borders to join the state. To qualify, these areas must hold a binding referendum requiring majority voter approval, pay a $1 per capita tax to West Virginia based on the latest U.S. Census, and gain legislative approval through a simple majority vote in the state legislature. The bill also requires voter approval in the next general election for final admission, sets procedures for tax collection starting July 1, and provides transition periods for licensing and government compliance. This bill directly affects contiguous localities seeking state admission and outlines the formal process for their integration into West Virginia's governmental and fiscal systems.
Maddy summaryThis bill allows classroom teachers who joined the West Virginia Teachers Retirement System on or after July 1, 2015, to sell up to 10 unused personal leave days to their county school board for a cash payment. Teachers would receive 80% of the rate paid to a substitute teacher with a bachelor's degree and 10 years of experience for each day sold, with payment required by June 30. Once sold, the leave days are forfeited and cannot be used for future absences.
Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits West Virginia's Public Service Commission from approving utility rate increases that include costs for intermittent power sources like solar or wind energy. It specifically blocks the Commission from considering construction, operation, maintenance, or decommissioning costs for facilities relying solely on variable energy sources (defined as those dependent on weather and not fully controllable). Existing contracts signed before the law takes effect are exempt, but new expansions or commitments to such projects cannot be included in rate hikes. The bill also requires the Commission to submit an annual report to the Legislature assessing the law's impact on energy rates, reliability, and affordability.
Maddy summarySB 424, the Affordable Electricity and Economic Growth Act of 2026, would amend West Virginia law to streamline regulations for coal-based electricity generation and coke production (used in steelmaking) by requiring state agencies to simplify permitting processes. The bill directs the Department of Economic Development to lead efforts in promoting these industries, with the goal of leveraging the state's metallurgical coal resources to boost economic growth. It states that developing these sectors would improve economic opportunities, stabilize electricity prices, and strengthen West Virginia's competitiveness with neighboring states. The legislation aims to address regulatory barriers that have hindered coal-related projects compared to other states.
Maddy summaryThis bill allows county school boards participating in multicounty vocational centers to choose whether to operate career technical education (CTE) programs within local high schools instead of at centralized centers. The programs can be either state-approved (per 20 U.S.C. §2342) or locally created. It gives school boards flexibility to better serve students by bringing CTE programs closer to their home schools, without requiring withdrawal from multicounty centers. The bill does not mandate program relocation but provides a new option for program placement within existing high school structures.
Maddy summarySenate Bill 654 establishes a new salon training program for barbering and cosmetology professionals in West Virginia and exempts certain "safe services" from standard licensure requirements. The bill amends existing licensing codes to define key terms (like "aesthetics" and "cosmetology") and creates a specific training program under §30-27-8c. It directly affects salon professionals seeking licenses, training programs, and the Board of Barbers and Cosmetologists by introducing this new pathway and expanding exemptions for low-risk services. The policy change focuses on streamlining training requirements and reducing licensure barriers for certain routine services.