Sen. Tom Takubo

Maddy summarySB 682 authorizes West Virginia's Director of Natural Resources to create rules requiring motorboat operators with engines larger than 9.9 horsepower to run in idle mode on lakes designated for smaller boats. This directly affects boat operators using lakes where smaller engines (9.9 hp or less) are typically permitted. The bill enables the Director to establish these operational rules and impose fines for violations, without specifying exact lake locations or penalty amounts. It modifies existing law to give the Director authority to regulate motorboat operations on specific waterways, aligning with federal navigation standards. The policy change focuses on reducing noise and disturbance in designated quiet-lake areas.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows classroom teachers who joined the West Virginia Teachers Retirement System on or after July 1, 2015, to sell up to 10 unused personal leave days to their county school board for a cash payment. Teachers would receive 80% of the rate paid to a substitute teacher with a bachelor's degree and 10 years of experience for each day sold, with payment required by June 30. Once sold, the leave days are forfeited and cannot be used for future absences.

Maddy summarySB 661 clarifies that commercial and industrial property insurance policies in West Virginia can be written for any agreed-upon amount between the insurer and property owner, even if that amount is less than the property's replacement cost. This directly affects commercial property owners and insurers by removing ambiguity about policy limits. The bill specifies that policies may be based on Replacement Cost Value (repair/replacement cost without depreciation), Actual Cost Value (depreciated cost), market value, or any other mutually agreed amount. It amends existing law to explicitly state that insurers are not required to cover full replacement costs, allowing flexibility in policy terms.

Maddy summarySB 660 amends West Virginia's Public Employees Insurance Agency (PEIA) rules to change how spousal health coverage is paid. It removes the requirement for a "spousal surcharge" and instead requires employees to pay for their spouse's coverage based on their own salary and plan tier. This directly affects PEIA-covered state employees who wish to add a spouse to their health plan, particularly when the spouse already has employer-based insurance. The bill specifies that employees must cover the full "actuarial value" of the spouse's coverage (as defined by healthcare actuaries), rather than the previous surcharge model. This change applies to active employees, not retirees or certain other covered groups.

Maddy summaryThis is a ceremonial resolution, not a policy bill. It designates January 29, 2026, as "Jan Lilly-Stewart Disability Advocacy Day" at the West Virginia Capitol. The resolution aims to increase awareness among lawmakers and the public about issues affecting West Virginians with disabilities, honoring Jan Lilly-Stewart's advocacy work. It does not create new laws or funding but serves as a symbolic observance supported by disability advocacy organizations.

Maddy summarySB 638 creates a program to help West Virginia forensic pathologists repay student loans by covering up to 10% of their outstanding balance annually (capped at $300,000 total over 10 years). It directly affects full-time, board-certified forensic pathologists employed by the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner who hold a West Virginia license, have an accredited medical degree, and carry eligible student loans in good standing. Applicants must submit annual documentation by July 1 to the Department of Health, which verifies eligibility and disburses funds directly to lenders based on available funding. The program requires annual legislative appropriations and limits payments to 12 consecutive months of employment per year of repayment.

Maddy summarySB 637 creates a tax credit for physicians who move to West Virginia and practice in medically underserved areas. To qualify, physicians must have graduated from an accredited U.S. medical school, completed residency within the past year, and agree to practice in designated underserved areas for six years. The credit equals up to their personal taxable income for three consecutive years, but any unused portion is forfeited after that period. This aims to address West Virginia’s physician shortage by incentivizing new medical professionals to locate in communities with limited healthcare access.

Maddy summarySB 546 establishes requirements for clothing and necessity allowances for children in foster care in West Virginia. It mandates that placement providers (foster parents, kinship caregivers, or residential providers) assess each child’s wardrobe and approved necessities (non-clothing items like hygiene products) at initial placement. If lacking, providers must obtain an initial allowance of at least $375 for immediate clothing and essentials, or supplementary allowances up to $175 for extraordinary needs like illness or damaged items. Payment options include a reloadable card (issued within 48 hours), a case worker’s purchasing card, or reimbursement (last resort), with requirements to maintain an inventory tracking the child’s items throughout all placements. The bill directly affects foster children, their caregivers, and the Department of Human Services.

Maddy summarySB 639 levies a new user fee on cigarette sales in West Virginia, directed specifically to fund Emergency Medical Services (EMS) programs. The bill creates a special revenue fund to collect and allocate all fee revenue exclusively for EMS support, including staffing, equipment, and training. It applies only to traditional cigarettes (as defined in the bill), not other tobacco products like e-cigarettes or smokeless tobacco. The fee will be paid by cigarette manufacturers and retailers as part of their tax obligations, with all funds legally required to support state EMS services.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows physician assistants (PAs) in West Virginia to own medical practices and have ownership stakes in healthcare businesses, which was previously prohibited. It removes restrictions preventing PAs from having a "proprietary interest" in practices they refer patients to and permits medical corporations to have PA shareholders. The bill also updates the state’s legal definition of "physician assistant" to align with the American Academy of Physician Associates and classifies PA services as a "professional service" under limited liability company laws. These changes directly affect PAs seeking practice ownership and impact how medical corporations structure ownership.