Sen. Jason Barrett

Maddy summarySB 936 defines "West Virginia certified thoroughbred" horses and sets requirements for these horses to compete in restricted races, including specific purse calculations and eligibility rules. The bill increases the $1 million annual funding cap for restricted races at racetracks that previously didn't participate in the West Virginia Development Fund before 1992, and adds an inflation adjustment to revenue from betting pools deposited into the state Excess Lottery Revenue Fund. It directly affects West Virginia racetracks, thoroughbred horse owners, and the state's funding distribution for horse racing operations. The bill modifies existing code sections to implement these eligibility standards and financial adjustments for restricted thoroughbred racing events.

Maddy summarySB 923, the "GRANITE Act," creates a legal cause of action for West Virginia residents and businesses in digital communication, blockchain, and internet services to sue foreign governments or international organizations that enforce censorship laws conflicting with U.S. or West Virginia constitutional protections. It allows lawsuits against foreign entities for imposing penalties (like fines or platform shutdowns) for speech protected under the First Amendment and West Virginia’s Constitution, shifting the burden of proof to the foreign entity to justify such laws. The bill prohibits West Virginia from recognizing or enforcing foreign judgments that compel censorship or criminalize protected U.S. speech, and it establishes civil penalties for violations. This directly affects West Virginia’s digital innovation sector by aiming to shield it from extraterritorial censorship efforts, such as those seen in the UK’s Online Safety Act enforcement against 4chan or Brazil’s court orders against X. The bill is currently in the Senate Judiciary Committee (introduced February 12, 2026).

Maddy summarySenate Resolution 20 (SR 20) is a symbolic resolution recognizing and honoring Vietnam War veterans exposed to Agent Orange. It directly affects living veterans and their families who suffered health consequences from the chemical herbicide, including cancers, birth defects, and other serious illnesses. The resolution formally acknowledges these veterans' sacrifices through Senate recognition, emphasizing their service and health struggles without creating new benefits or policy changes. It does not alter existing VA programs or provide financial compensation, as it is purely a commemorative measure.

Maddy summaryWest Virginia's SB 547, the Truth in Giving Act, requires thrift stores to clearly disclose whether donations support charities or for-profit businesses. It mandates that stores selling donated goods display specific information: nonprofits must share the charity's name and contact details, while for-profit stores must state "THIS IS NOT A CHARITY" along with the business owner's information. This disclosure must appear on drop boxes, at donation points, and at checkout locations. Violations carry fines up to $1,000 for repeat offenses, enforced by the Secretary of State.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires West Virginia dental insurance companies to publicly report how much of each premium dollar is spent on actual dental care versus administrative costs, using a standardized format similar to federal requirements. It mandates annual transparency reports showing medical loss ratios (the minimum percentage of premiums spent on care), allows consumers to compare insurers online, and requires rebates to policyholders if less than 80% of premiums fund patient care. The law also prohibits insurers from forcing dentists to accept only credit card payments with fees and ensures clear payment method options. It directly affects dental insurers, dentists, and dental insurance customers in West Virginia.

Maddy summaryThis Senate Resolution (SR 1) authorizes the appointment and compensation of specific Senate staff for the 2026 legislative session. It sets pay rates for per diem employees (e.g., administrative assistants at $100-$150/day, legal counselors at $250-$400/day) and establishes fixed monthly salaries for 22 full-time salaried positions (e.g., Clerk at $9,620.83/month, Chief Counsel at $11,908.33/month). The presiding officer of the Senate holds authority to approve appointments, set compensation, and supervise all staff, with flexibility to adjust staffing needs during or between sessions. As a procedural resolution, it directly affects Senate operations and internal staffing, not public policy.

Maddy summaryThis bill reduces the time limit for suing to recover money on most contracts and debts. It shortens the statute of limitations from five years to two years for both oral and written contracts (except for specific cases like partnership settlements or merchant accounts). The bill also affects claims involving bonds held by fiduciaries (like executors or guardians) and certain legal recognizances. People seeking to sue over unpaid contracts, debts, or fiduciary obligations would now have less time - only two years - to file a lawsuit.

Maddy summarySB 576 authorizes fixed odds racing operations at licensed horse and dog racing venues in the state. It directly affects racetracks and their operators by permitting a new betting format where odds are set in advance rather than calculated after bets are placed. The law establishes the legal framework for this type of wagering, allowing venues to offer fixed odds racing as an additional revenue stream. The bill became law on April 28, 2025, after approval by the Governor.

Maddy summaryWest Virginia's SB 75 redirects $9 million annually from the state's excess lottery fund to the Licensed Racetrack Modernization Fund for racetrack upgrades. It suspends all other planned distributions from the lottery fund (reducing them by 100%) for fiscal years starting July 1, 2014, and beyond, instead directing those funds to the State Excess Lottery Revenue Fund. The bill specifies that debt payments from this fund must be made first, followed by pro-rata payments for other mandated distributions. It also includes provisions allowing the Governor to redirect lottery revenues to the General Revenue Fund under specific budget shortfall conditions. This bill directly affects how lottery revenue is allocated between racetracks, state debt obligations, and other state programs.

Maddy summarySB 299 prohibits medical professionals in West Virginia from prescribing or dispensing "gender altering medication" (including puberty blockers and supraphysiologic hormone therapy) to patients under 18 years old. This directly affects doctors, physician assistants, and advanced practice nurses who provide care to minors. The bill requires telehealth regulations to include this prohibition and mandates that violations result in revocation of professional licenses. It amends existing health codes to define these prohibited practices and establishes enforcement through the Attorney General. The law takes effect July 11, 2025.