Sen. Anne Charnock

Maddy summarySJR 15 proposes a constitutional amendment to exempt honorably discharged veterans of the U.S. armed forces from property taxes on their primary residence and personal property. Currently, West Virginia offers property tax exemptions for residents aged 65+ or permanently disabled, but this amendment would expand that benefit to include veterans. If approved by voters in the 2026 general election, the change would amend Article X, Section 1b of the state constitution. This is a procedural constitutional change requiring voter ratification, not an immediate law.

Maddy summaryThis is a Senate resolution (SR 34), not a bill with binding policy changes. It expresses symbolic support for President Felix Tshisekedi and citizens of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), condemning M23 rebel groups backed by Rwanda and calling for an immediate end to hostilities. The resolution specifically urges the cessation of violence, accountability for alleged crimes against humanity, and humanitarian aid. It does not create new laws or allocate funds; instead, it directs copies to federal officials and West Virginia's congressional delegation.

Maddy summaryThis bill (SB 753) modifies West Virginia's dog racing licensing rules. It removes requirements that racetrack applicants must race a minimum number of dates to obtain or maintain a license, and eliminates similar requirements for securing telecast contracts or wagers. The bill also clarifies that racetracks conducting only simulcast racing (not live races) still need a racing license, and allows them to operate video lottery games in areas previously used for live racing. These changes primarily affect dog racetracks, license applicants, and video lottery operators at racetracks by simplifying licensing processes and expanding operational flexibility.

Maddy summarySB 740, the Stop Squatters Act, establishes a new process for property owners to quickly remove unauthorized occupants (squatters) from residential or commercial properties. It allows owners or their agents to request immediate police removal if conditions are met (e.g., occupant isn’t a tenant/family member, owner previously demanded they leave, and no court case is pending). The bill also creates criminal penalties: misdemeanors for damaging property under $1,000 during unlawful occupation, felonies for greater damage, and felonies for falsely listing property for sale/rent without legal title. Property owners must submit a verified complaint, and the law includes a civil remedy if removal is wrongful.

Maddy summarySB 742 increases the civil jurisdiction limit for West Virginia magistrate courts from $10,000 to $20,000 for claims like small debts, landlord-tenant disputes, or property detainer cases. It clarifies that corporations may be represented by agents (non-lawyers) or attorneys when pursuing their own legal claims, but not third-party rights. The bill also explicitly prohibits magistrates from representing any party in their own court. This affects individuals and businesses filing civil cases under $20,000 in magistrate court.

Maddy summarySB 713, the West Virginia Workplace Security Act, prohibits specific types of picketing that block workplace access, disrupt public travel, or target private residences. It directly affects employers, workers, and labor organizations by making mass picketing that hinders work, obstructs entrances, or blocks roads unlawful. Key provisions allow employers to seek immediate court orders to stop prohibited activity without proving "irreparable harm," and impose fines of $1,000 per day for individuals or $10,000 per day for unions that violate the law. The bill also requires fines to be paid to the court, with compensation for business losses directed to affected employers.

Maddy summarySB 703 would allow West Virginia's Supreme Court of Appeals to establish uniform pay scales for magistrate court clerks, assistants, and deputy clerks instead of relying on fixed statutory salaries. Currently, these positions have set annual salaries ($54,596 for clerks, $49,232 for assistants as of 2023), but the bill would transfer authority to the Administrative Director of the Supreme Court to create standardized pay structures. The change would let these judicial support staff receive general state employee salary increases (e.g., percentage-based raises) after July 1, 2023, rather than requiring separate legislative action. This bill directly affects all magistrate court support staff across West Virginia’s counties. It focuses on streamlining compensation processes without altering their duties or current job classifications.

Maddy summarySB 664, the First Amendment Preservation Act, prohibits West Virginia state agencies from contracting with companies that rate news sources for accuracy, bias, or misinformation. It requires advertising and marketing firms bidding for state contracts to provide written certification that they do not use such rating services. The law applies to all state advertising contracts executed, renewed, or modified on or after July 1, 2025. The bill does not restrict services that aggregate news articles or provide ad performance analytics, as long as they do not involve media monitoring organizations.

Maddy summaryThis Senate Resolution (SR 13) memorializes Wanda Porterfield Casto, a 34-year part-time Senate Secretary/Administrative Assistant who served the West Virginia Senate and dedicated her life to public service. The resolution formally honors her legacy as a wife, mother, grandmother, and public servant, extending the Senate's deepest sympathies to her family following her passing on May 20, 2024. It directs the Senate Clerk to send a copy of the resolution to her family. As a commemorative resolution, it has no policy impact and serves solely to recognize her contributions.

Maddy summarySB 599, the "Creating Sound Science in Regulations Act," requires West Virginia state agencies to base new environmental regulations on "best available science" before proposing or finalizing rules related to drinking water, air quality, hazardous waste, or chemical safety. It defines "best available science" as reliable, unbiased studies published in refereed journals with independent verification, excluding industry-funded research or non-peer-reviewed data. The law applies only to new state regulations stricter than federal standards or created without federal equivalents, exempting existing rules, federal compliance actions, and regulations mirroring federal standards. This bill directly affects state environmental agencies and their rulemaking processes for public health and environmental protection.