Sen. Tom Takubo

Maddy summarySB 621 creates a tax credit for West Virginia corporations that operate existing employer-provided or employer-sponsored child care facilities on workplace premises. It allows corporations to claim a credit equal to 100% of their annual operational costs (excluding property costs) for these facilities, minus any amounts paid by employees. The credit is limited to the corporation’s tax liability for the year and can be carried forward up to five years if unused. This bill directly affects businesses operating qualifying on-site child care, providing a financial incentive to maintain or expand such services.

Maddy summaryThis Senate Resolution (SR 13) designates January 23, 2026, as "Dental Hygienists Day" at the West Virginia Capitol. It commemorates dental hygienists' contributions to public health in West Virginia, recognizing their work in prevention, treatment, and care for vulnerable populations. The resolution specifically acknowledges dental hygienists from West Virginia colleges (BridgeValley Community and Technical College, West Liberty University, and West Virginia University) and directs the Senate Clerk to share the resolution with the West Virginia Dental Hygienists Association. As a ceremonial resolution, it has no legal effect or policy changes.

Maddy summarySJR 16 proposes a constitutional amendment to limit state constitutional officers to three consecutive terms. It directly affects the Secretary of State, Auditor, State Treasurer, Commissioner of Agriculture, and Attorney General. The amendment would prevent anyone from serving more than three consecutive terms in these offices for terms beginning after January 1, 2029; terms starting before that date do not count toward the limit. This amendment must be approved by voters in the 2026 general election to take effect.

Maddy summarySB 568, the Oral Health and Cancer Rights Act, requires health insurers in West Virginia to cover medically necessary dental procedures directly related to cancer treatment (such as surgery, chemotherapy, or radiation). This affects cancer patients needing dental care to eat, breathe, speak, or swallow after treatment, and all health benefit plans offered by insurers in the state. The bill mandates that covered services must be billed using the specific modifier "West Virginia Code §33-64-1" (or a unique prescription identifier for medications), ensuring insurers recognize these procedures as covered. The law takes effect July 1, 2027, applying to all nonexempt health insurance contracts.

Maddy summarySB 526 modifies how public employee health insurance premiums are calculated under West Virginia's Public Employees Insurance Agency (PEIA). It requires the finance board to develop annual financial plans with actuarial review, ensuring plans cover all costs including claims. The bill establishes specific reimbursement rates (110% of Medicare for providers), sets employer/employee cost-sharing percentages, and allows different cost levels based on ability to pay for current employees and retirees. It also permits subsidizing retired employees' coverage through employer premiums. This directly affects all West Virginia public employees, retirees, state employers, and healthcare providers participating in PEIA.

Maddy summarySB 515 requires drug testing for individuals enrolled in office-based medication-assisted treatment (MAT) programs for substance use disorders in West Virginia. It mandates an initial comprehensive test upon admission, followed by direct observation screening tests every two weeks for six weeks during early treatment, every 45 days for one year during stabilization, and every six months during maintenance. Providers may request additional testing for compliance, with unexpected results requiring confirmatory testing. This bill directly affects patients in MAT programs and their healthcare providers, establishing specific testing schedules under the state's treatment licensing rules.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires West Virginia dental insurance companies to publicly report how much of each premium dollar is spent on actual dental care versus administrative costs, using a standardized format similar to federal requirements. It mandates annual transparency reports showing medical loss ratios (the minimum percentage of premiums spent on care), allows consumers to compare insurers online, and requires rebates to policyholders if less than 80% of premiums fund patient care. The law also prohibits insurers from forcing dentists to accept only credit card payments with fees and ensures clear payment method options. It directly affects dental insurers, dentists, and dental insurance customers in West Virginia.

Maddy summarySB 516 sets a new state minimum salary of $50,000 for all West Virginia public school teachers beginning in the 2026-2027 school year, replacing the previous minimum schedule. It also provides a $2,000 annual base salary increase for every teacher and an additional $1,200 annual increase specifically for teachers providing math instruction or special education services. The bill amends the state salary schedule to reflect these changes, ensuring all teachers meet the new $50,000 minimum regardless of experience level or degree. This policy directly affects every public school teacher in West Virginia, with the changes taking effect for the 2026-2027 school year.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes rules for local religious organizations that want to disaffiliate from a parent denomination or conference. It requires a two-thirds vote of the local membership to approve disaffiliation and classifies property into three types: real estate (Class A), movable items like furniture (Class B), and financial assets (Class C). Local groups can keep specific real estate parcels if over 50% of the costs for that parcel were raised locally, while parent denominations must provide detailed property accounting within 60 days and prove ownership claims with documentation. The law directly affects local religious groups seeking to leave a denomination and their parent organizations, focusing on how property ownership is determined during separation.

Maddy summarySB 492 creates a new tax deduction for West Virginia residents, reducing their taxable income based on federal deductions for qualified tips and overtime pay. For tax years 2026-2028, it allows a deduction equal to federal tip and overtime deductions claimed on federal returns. Starting in 2029, it limits the deduction to $25,000 annually for tips and $12,500 for overtime, phasing out for taxpayers with modified adjusted gross income over $150,000. Nonresidents can only claim deductions for work performed in West Virginia. The bill directly affects service industry workers and overtime earners who itemize federal deductions.