Sen. Anne Charnock

Maddy summarySB 944 creates the West Virginia Child First Advisory Committee to evaluate and improve the state's child welfare system. The committee, composed of DHS officials, child welfare experts appointed by the governor, legislative members, and court representatives, will assess child abuse/neglect cases, foster care, adoption processes, and system efficiency. It must issue annual reports by January 1st with recommendations for reducing child removal rates, improving family reunification, and enhancing system transparency. The bill also establishes a dedicated fund (administered by DHS) to support these improvements, funded by state appropriations and federal resources.

Maddy summarySenate Concurrent Resolution 25 requests the Joint Committee on Government and Finance to study incentives and policies to better fund public libraries across West Virginia. The resolution highlights that public libraries serve as vital community resources, particularly in underserved and rural areas, providing free access to books, digital resources, educational programs, and job training. The committee is directed to report its findings, conclusions, and recommendations - including potential legislation - to the 2026 Legislature. This resolution does not directly fund libraries but aims to identify effective strategies for improving their financial support. The study will focus on how to best sustain library services that support literacy, workforce development, and community engagement statewide.

Maddy summarySCR 24 is a procedural resolution requesting the Joint Committee on Government and Finance to study West Virginia's medical residency program shortages. It directs the committee to examine why medical graduates remain "unmatched" in residency programs and explore solutions like allowing unmatched graduates to intern with licensed physicians in the state and addressing federal funding constraints for residency programs. The resolution specifically asks the committee to consider creating an Unmatched Medical Graduate Advisory Council to address these issues. The committee must report its findings and recommendations to the 2026 legislative session, with any proposed legislation drafted based on those recommendations. This resolution does not enact new policy but initiates a study to inform future action on physician shortages.

Maddy summaryThis is a ceremonial Senate Resolution (SR 44) honoring basketball legend Jerry West, a native of West Virginia. It memorializes his life and legacy, recognizing his birth in Chelyan, West Virginia; his high school and college career at West Virginia University; his NBA playing career with the Los Angeles Lakers; and his contributions to basketball as a player, coach, and executive. The resolution also acknowledges his philanthropy, including the Jerry West Scholarship for WVU students. It does not create new laws or affect any policies - it is a formal tribute expressing the Senate's respect and extending sympathy to his family.

Maddy summarySB 943 clarifies that apiaries (beekeeping operations) are protected agricultural activities under West Virginia law. The bill amends the Code to explicitly state that beekeeping and honeybee colonies are agricultural operations regulated by the Commissioner of Agriculture, directly affecting beekeepers and agricultural regulations. Key provisions include legislative findings that pollinator decline threatens agriculture, that beekeeping supports the economy and food security, and that apiaries are critical to agricultural operations relying on pollinators. This legal clarification ensures apiaries are treated as agricultural operations for regulatory purposes, not subject to conflicting classifications. The bill does not create new regulations but formally recognizes existing beekeeping practices within agricultural protections.

Maddy summaryThis is a ceremonial resolution (SR 37), not a bill with policy changes. It formally recognizes the Energy Council's 50th anniversary and commends the organization for its work since 1975. The resolution expresses the West Virginia Senate's appreciation for the Council's role in fostering nonpartisan collaboration among energy policymakers across 14 U.S. states and two Canadian provinces. It has no binding effect or impact on energy policy, funding, or regulations.

Maddy summarySB 841 prohibits all West Virginia state government entities - including public schools, universities, healthcare facilities, and social services offices - from promoting, facilitating, or funding any discussions, programs, or medical procedures related to sexual orientation or gender transitioning. The bill bans state funds for gender transition treatments (like hormone therapy or puberty blockers), restricts school materials discussing gender identity, and prohibits staff from engaging in related training or curriculum. Violations could result in employee termination, funding suspension, or lawsuits by West Virginia residents. This directly affects state-funded institutions and their educational, medical, and administrative activities.

Maddy summaryThis bill would exempt private passenger automobiles that are 25 years old or older from West Virginia's personal property tax. It amends state tax code §11-3-9 to add these older vehicles to the list of property types already excluded from taxation. The change would directly affect owners of vintage and classic cars who currently pay this tax on their vehicles. The policy removes a specific tax burden for this category of personal property without altering other tax provisions.

Maddy summarySB 804 gives public charter schools direct control over all extracurricular activities for their students, replacing county board oversight. It allows charter schools to optionally delegate athletic and band activities to the West Virginia Secondary School Activities Commission (WVSSAC), which would now be a state agency managing rules for competitive balance (including transfer counts) and handling disputes through its executive director. The bill removes a written permission requirement for homeschoolers, Hope Scholarship participants, and microschool students to join school activities, while modifying fees they pay. It also changes commission membership to include athletic directors (or their representatives) from schools that delegate authority, and shifts all commission funds to public funds.

Maddy summarySB 796 requires all voter identification documents presented at polling places in West Virginia to include a photograph, with exceptions for Medicare and Social Security cards. The bill specifies that state-issued driver's licenses and ID cards without "NV" markings (indicating non-citizens) are acceptable, but non-citizen IDs marked "NV" are not valid for voting unless accompanied by proof of naturalization. This change affects voters who must show ID at polls and poll workers who verify identification, directly impacting how voter ID is validated during elections.