Sen. Chris Rose

Maddy summarySenate Bill 397 would reduce West Virginia's corporate income tax rate to 6.5% for tax years beginning on or after January 1, 2027. It directly affects corporations operating in the state or earning income from West Virginia sources, excluding those already exempt under current law. The bill includes a condition that the tax reduction would be suspended for one year if the state's reserve funds fall below a specified threshold relative to the budget. This change follows a series of previous rate reductions in the state's corporate tax structure.

Maddy summarySB 408 prohibits state laws from requiring anyone to receive or use a medical product, such as vaccines or treatments. It also bans penalties or denial of benefits (like healthcare access or services) for refusing a medical product or refusing to disclose whether one has been used. This bill directly affects all West Virginia residents subject to state health regulations regarding medical products. The law amends West Virginia Code §16-3-1 to ensure individual choice in medical care without state coercion or punitive consequences. It applies to all medical products covered under state health laws, including those related to infectious disease prevention.

Maddy summaryThis is a symbolic Senate resolution (SR 4) expressing the West Virginia Senate's support for law enforcement professionals. It does not create new laws or allocate funding; instead, it formally thanks officers for their service and acknowledges their role in community safety. The resolution directs copies to the West Virginia State Police Association, Sheriff’s Association, and Chiefs of Police Association. It is purely a gesture of recognition, with no concrete policy changes or direct impact on affected individuals or communities.

Maddy summarySB 416 bans political subdivisions (like cities, counties, and school districts) from using public funds to pay for lobbying activities starting July 1, 2026. It requires these entities to disclose lobbying contracts, costs, and related details to the West Virginia Ethics Commission and exempts law enforcement officers from the ban. Taxpayers or residents can sue to stop prohibited lobbying and recover attorney fees if they win the case. The law aims to prevent public money from being used to influence legislation by local governments.

Maddy summaryThis bill revises West Virginia's school immunization requirements by expanding exemption options. It eliminates the State Immunization Officer position, removes school reporting requirements for unvaccinated students, and adds new religious and philosophical exemptions for parents who object to mandatory vaccines. The medical exemption process remains but is streamlined, requiring only a physician's written statement instead of commissioner approval. These changes directly affect school and childcare center enrollment for children in West Virginia.

Maddy summaryWest Virginia's SB 143, the "Inflation Protection Act of 2026," allows the state Treasury Board and state retirement funds to invest up to 10% of public funds in specified assets. These include precious metals (gold, silver, platinum), digital assets with a $750 billion+ average market cap (like Bitcoin), and approved stablecoins. The bill requires all digital assets to be held via secure custody solutions meeting strict security standards (e.g., encrypted storage, multi-party governance), and mandates physical or exchange-traded holding for precious metals. This directly affects West Virginia's state treasury management and retirement fund operations, enabling new investment options while imposing clear limits and security requirements.

Maddy summarySB 16, the Child Protection Investigations Reform Act, requires West Virginia's Department of Human Services to provide specific information to parents or custodians accused of child abuse or neglect at the start of an investigation. The bill mandates two key notifications: (1) a plain-language "Parent’s Guide" explaining investigation steps, court processes, and confidentiality, and (2) a verbal/written summary detailing the person’s rights, including the right to legal counsel, refusal of medical exams, and protection under the Fourth Amendment. These requirements apply only to investigations initiated on or after July 1, 2026, and do not change existing investigation procedures. The law aims to ensure individuals understand their rights during child protective services proceedings.

Maddy summarySJR 3 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 in West Virginia. It would amend Article X, Section 1b of the state constitution to expand the existing homestead exemption - currently limited to seniors or disabled residents - to include veterans who are owners and residents of their primary home. The amendment requires voter approval in the 2026 general election to take effect. If passed, it would directly affect eligible veterans by eliminating property tax on their primary residence and personal property. This is a constitutional change, not a new law, and does not specify new administrative mechanisms or fiscal impacts beyond the tax exemption.

Maddy summarySJR 13 is a proposed constitutional amendment (not a regular bill) that would require the West Virginia Board of Education to seek legislative approval for education policies. It mandates the Board hold public hearings before proposing rules, submit them to the legislature within 30 days, and gives lawmakers 60 days after the next session to approve, amend, or reject them (with policies deemed approved if no action is taken). This amendment directly affects the Board of Education and the legislature by shifting oversight authority to lawmakers for education policy decisions. It does not change the Board's composition or the superintendent's role but adds a formal legislative review step for all education policies.

Maddy summarySenate Bill 22, the "Defend the Guard Act," requires the U.S. Congress to formally declare war or take specific constitutional action before West Virginia National Guard members can be deployed to active-duty combat. The bill defines "active-duty combat" as participating in armed conflict, performing hazardous foreign service, or carrying out war-related duties. It mandates that the West Virginia Governor cannot release Guard members from state control for such deployments without either a congressional war declaration or an official action under the Constitution’s militia clause. This directly affects the West Virginia National Guard, its members, and the Governor’s authority to deploy them.