Sen. Patricia Rucker

Maddy summaryThis bill amends West Virginia law to update advertising rules for licensed limited video lottery retailers and permittees. It gives the Lottery Commission authority to create advertising rules, requiring all promotional materials to get prior approval from the Lottery Commission Director before being published or released. The bill clarifies that new advertising rules override any previous restrictions on such advertising. It directly affects businesses operating video lottery machines in the state by changing how they can advertise their services. The key change is the mandatory pre-approval process for all advertising content.

Maddy summarySB 767 establishes a new system for distributing West Virginia's emergency medical services (EMS) funding based on actual community needs rather than equal shares. The bill requires the state health department to conduct a biennial assessment evaluating factors like call volume, response times, financial stability, rural service gaps, and equipment shortages across all EMS agencies. Funding priorities will then target areas with high call volumes, slow response times, personnel shortages, or coverage deficits in rural and underserved communities. The law includes safeguards to prevent arbitrary funding cuts and mandates annual reports to the legislature detailing assessment results and funding allocations. This replaces the current equal-funding approach with a data-driven method to ensure resources reach the most critical areas.

Maddy summarySB 760 requires contractors performing residential improvements (like roof or plumbing work) to include a written warranty in all contracts. This warranty must guarantee work meets building codes, uses new materials, and covers specific repairs for at least one year for major systems (foundation, roof, plumbing, electrical, etc.). The bill prohibits contractors from limiting or excluding these warranties or requiring arbitration more than 50 miles from the home, and mandates dispute resolution terms be clearly visible in contracts. It also adds disciplinary actions for contractors violating these requirements, including fines or license suspension. This directly affects homeowners and subsequent purchasers of homes with recent improvements.

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.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates the legal definitions and requirements for certified public accountants in West Virginia, affecting individuals seeking CPA certification, accounting firms, and the state Board of Accountancy. It clarifies key terms like "firm," "attestation services," and "affiliated entity" to align with current accounting standards and modernizes education, examination, and experience requirements for certification. The legislation also modifies the Board's rule-making authority and revises provisions regarding practice privileges for out-of-state practitioners, while updating rules on unlawful acts and disciplinary measures for licensees and firms.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes the West Virginia Professional Charter School Board and sets specific qualifications for its appointed voting members. It requires board members to be state citizens with experience in public or nonprofit governance, school leadership, or education law, while also mandating geographic diversity and limiting political party representation to no more than three members. The legislation also creates conflict-of-interest rules that prevent appointments for individuals currently employed by charter schools or companies serving them, and it defines the board's duties including authorizing charter schools, investigating complaints, and conducting audits.

Maddy summarySB 732 would permit Child Protective Services (CPS) workers to audio record all investigatory interactions with individuals under investigation for child abuse or neglect allegations. This applies to all CPS interactions, including home visits, but requires either the person’s informed consent or a court order when privacy expectations exist (e.g., in private homes). Recordings must be stored for the entire duration of the case. The bill directly affects CPS workers, families under investigation, and CPS offices, changing how investigations are documented without restricting case types or requiring new court referrals.

Maddy summarySB 733, the Energy Freedom and Fairness Act, allows certain large non-residential electricity customers (over 1MW) to choose their own power suppliers from competitive providers, while utilities retain responsibility for transmission and distribution. The bill establishes a "subscription queue" for businesses seeking to switch providers and requires the Public Service Commission to oversee the process, prohibit unfair cost-shifting to ratepayers, and ensure utility rate transparency. It directly affects major industrial users and data centers by giving them procurement options to reduce costs, while protecting residential and small business customers through commission safeguards. Key provisions include licensing competitive service providers, defining terms like "aggregation program," and mandating annual reporting to ensure the system remains reliable and affordable for all ratepayers.

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%.