Sen. Chris Rose

Maddy summaryThis Senate Resolution (SR 36) formally commemorates the 100th anniversary of the State Fair of West Virginia, which began as the Greenbrier Valley Fair in 1921 and became the State Fair in 1941. The resolution recognizes the fair's historical significance, its annual economic impact ($16.9 million), and its role in supporting agriculture, education, and community engagement through events, scholarships, and local employment. It does not create new laws or allocate funds; instead, it serves as a symbolic gesture of appreciation directed to the State Fair's CEO. The resolution was adopted unanimously by the Senate on March 19, 2025.

Maddy summarySB 803 requires that rules governing data centers operated by utility companies must undergo legislative review by the Legislative Rule-Making Review Committee, removing a previous exemption that allowed such rules to bypass this process. The bill defines "data center" as a facility storing computing hardware and states legislative concerns about opaque energy deals for these facilities that could raise electricity rates for consumers. It amends existing law to ensure data center regulations follow standard rule-making procedures, aligning them with other utility regulations. This change focuses on increasing transparency in how utility companies structure data center energy contracts, without setting new rates or directly altering consumer rates.

Maddy summarySB 697 creates a nonrefundable tax credit for West Virginia family caregivers who provide unpaid care to eligible relatives. It allows a 50% credit on qualifying out-of-pocket expenses for caregiving, capped at $2,000 annually, covering costs like home modifications, medical equipment, hiring aides, or transportation. To qualify, the caregiver must be a West Virginia resident, and the care recipient must be 18+ years old, live in a private home (not a facility), and require assistance with daily activities like bathing or eating, as certified by a healthcare provider. The credit applies to expenses incurred after January 1, 2027, and excludes general home maintenance or reimbursed costs.

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 summaryThis Senate Resolution designates March 18, 2025, as "West Virginia Homeschool Day" at the state legislature. It recognizes homeschooling families, students, and educators for their contributions to education, citing studies about academic achievement and citizenship. The resolution has no binding policy impact - it is purely a commemorative gesture, directing the Senate Clerk to send a copy to the West Virginia Home Educator’s Association. It does not alter education laws, funding, or requirements for homeschooling families.

Maddy summarySB 678, the "Affordable Electricity and Economic Growth Act of 2025," directs West Virginia's Department of Economic Development to identify suitable sites for coal-fired electricity generation and coke production facilities. The bill aims to streamline state regulations and reduce delays for projects using West Virginia coal, specifically targeting sites near coal deposits, transmission infrastructure, and steel manufacturing facilities. It requires agencies to review and simplify permitting processes to support coal-based electricity and steel production, which the bill states will boost economic development and stabilize electricity prices. The legislation directly affects coal producers, steel manufacturers, and local communities near proposed facilities.

Maddy summarySB 516 provides additional state funding to West Virginia school districts for students attending "extremely remote schools," defined as schools in counties with a student population density below five students per square mile. The bill increases the funding calculation by counting each student in such schools as 2.5 students instead of one for state aid purposes. County school boards receiving this extra funding are prohibited from closing an extremely remote school during the fiscal year they receive the aid. The bill also requires school districts to submit specific documentation and meet reporting requirements to qualify for the additional funding.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends West Virginia tax and agriculture codes to clarify that solar generation facilities are not considered "farming" for property tax valuation or agricultural classification purposes. Specifically, it removes solar farms from definitions of "farm property" and "agricultural operation" if they produce commercially sold electricity or are used beyond supporting farm residences or farming activities. The change applies to any acreage using solar facilities for non-farming purposes, though farms retain their classification if solar panels are installed only on farm buildings like barns or residences. This directly affects property tax assessments for solar farm operators and ensures solar development isn't classified under agricultural land use rules.

Maddy summarySB 532 clarifies that ad valorem taxes on property must be paid to the county where the property itself is located, not the county where a well's physical location (well seat) is situated. This directly affects property owners and local governments in counties where wells are drilled in one county but draw from property in another. The bill mandates that tax payments follow the property's location, resolving potential confusion about jurisdiction. It does not change tax rates or create new obligations, only specifies the correct county for tax remittance. This is a procedural clarification under West Virginia's property tax rules.

Maddy summarySB 21 requires operators of wind power projects in West Virginia to pay a wildlife impact fee if their wind turbines injure or kill protected birds (like eagles, hawks, and bats) or bats. The fee, paid to the Division of Natural Resources, funds the Wildlife Endowment Fund for conservation efforts such as habitat management and education. The bill explicitly states that such wildlife injuries or deaths do not constitute criminal violations under state law. It defines "wind turbine and tower and related components" broadly to cover all parts of wind projects posing collision risks to wildlife.