Sen. Patricia Rucker

Maddy summaryWest Virginia Senate Bill 4 creates a new law requiring people to stay at least 30 feet away from first responders (including police, firefighters, probation officers, and emergency medical personnel) while they are lawfully performing duties. It makes it a misdemeanor to knowingly approach within 30 feet after being verbally warned, if the action impedes their work, threatens them, or harasses them (defined as causing substantial emotional distress without legitimate purpose). Violators face fines of $50-$500, up to one year in jail, or both. The bill directly affects individuals near emergency scenes and aims to protect responders from interference. It amends West Virginia Code §61-5-30.

Maddy summaryThis bill protects vulnerable adults from financial exploitation by giving banks new tools to intervene. It applies to adults 65+ or 18+ with significant mental/functional impairments that interfere with financial decisions, as known to their bank. Banks may delay or block suspicious transactions (like large withdrawals to another account), must report suspected exploitation to state agencies (like the Department of Human Services), and are exempt from certain privacy laws when acting in good faith. The law explicitly states banks aren't required to override a customer's valid instructions.

Maddy summaryThis bill authorizes several divisions within West Virginia's Department of Commerce to issue legislative rules on specific topics without requiring new legislation for each change. The provisions allow the Division of Economic Development to regulate tourism development districts, the Division of Forestry to set managed timberland certification standards, and the Division of Labor to establish child labor guidelines. Additionally, the Office of Miners' Health, Safety, and Training can approve mine safety programs for coal operations, while the Division of Natural Resources can create rules covering hunting, trapping, wildlife rehabilitation, boating, and related outdoor activities. The Division of Rehabilitation Services is also authorized to issue rules concerning the Ron Yost Personal Assistance Services Act Board. These rules must be filed with the state and may be modified by a review committee before taking effect.

Maddy summaryThis bill authorizes West Virginia county commissions to lease or permit the use of county-owned wireless towers to private entities, provided those entities meet specific security and compliance requirements. The legislation mandates that any lessee must not be associated with foreign adversaries, terrorist organizations, or entities linked to countries supporting terrorism, and must use secure cellular and cyber defense measures that do not threaten critical infrastructure like voting systems. County commissions are required to conduct due diligence before approving any tower use and are granted immunity from liability if they perform this review in good faith. Additionally, the bill prohibits counties from charging fees for tower use by public safety agencies, state departments of transportation, and other state agencies, though counties may recover actual costs for installation and maintenance.

Maddy summaryThis bill authorizes the West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection to officially adopt and enforce a series of legislative rules covering air quality, water quality, and hazardous waste management. It specifically validates rules related to emissions from industrial sources, startup and shutdown operations, cross-state pollution controls, and carbon dioxide sequestration fees. The legislation also includes minor amendments to two existing rules, adjusting a water quality standard timeline and clarifying fee assessment procedures for carbon sequestration. These rules will apply to businesses and facilities regulated by the state environmental agency.

Maddy summarySB 84 prohibits West Virginia law enforcement officers from installing surveillance cameras on private property without either the property owner's consent or a valid search warrant. This directly affects police departments and private landowners by requiring legal authorization before placing cameras on fenced, posted, or cultivated land owned by non-government entities. Exceptions allow installation in areas visible to the public without authorization or during emergencies where obtaining consent/warrant isn't feasible. The bill defines "surveillance camera" to exclude police vehicle dash or body cameras but explicitly covers devices like game cameras used for observation. It applies to all law enforcement officers, including state natural resources agents, under West Virginia law.

Maddy summarySB 1033 clarifies the West Virginia Commissioner of Agriculture's authority to manage state-owned land, including leasing it for farming or recreation (with restrictions on toxic use) and developing it for agriculture, forestry, or mining (requiring environmental restoration). It specifies that the Commissioner must sell institutional farm products to state institutions at market rates, allows inmate labor for farm operations under Corrections Department oversight, and mandates that all funds from land sales, leases, or mineral rights go into a special revenue account - excess over $1 million annually transfers to a capital improvements fund. This bill directly affects the Commissioner of Agriculture, state institutions (like prisons and health facilities), the Corrections Department, and public land management. The changes aim to streamline land use while ensuring taxpayer savings and environmental compliance.

Maddy summaryThis Senate Concurrent Resolution requests the Joint Committee on Government and Finance to study the effects of using voluntary separation and irreconcilable differences as grounds for divorce in West Virginia. The study will examine how these divorce grounds impact children's academic performance and mental health, as well as adults' reliance on state assistance and mental well-being. It will also analyze how much court funding is used for these specific divorce cases and review similar policies in other states. The committee is asked to report its findings and recommendations to the Legislature in 2027, with study costs covered by legislative appropriations.

Maddy summaryThis Senate Concurrent Resolution requests the Joint Committee on Government and Finance to study how state and local funds are spent by county school boards under the Public School Support Program. The study will examine spending patterns, enrollment changes, and staffing costs to determine if a new School Finance Transparency Commission is needed to improve financial reporting and public understanding of education funding. The committee must submit its findings and recommendations to state leaders by December 31, 2026, with any proposed legislation to be reported to the 2027 legislative session. This measure does not change current funding laws but instead initiates a review process to inform potential future policy adjustments.

Maddy summaryThis Senate resolution formally recognizes the dedicated public service of Honorable Michael Andrew Woelfel, a former West Virginia State Senator. The bill honors his career as a prosecutor, juvenile court referee, university professor, and legislator who served three consecutive terms in the Senate. It expresses the Senate's appreciation for his contributions to West Virginia citizens and directs the Clerk to send a copy of the resolution to Woelfel. This is a commemorative measure with no policy changes or budgetary impact.