Sen. Chris Rose

Maddy summaryThis Senate resolution formally recognizes honeybees and their vital role in West Virginia's agriculture and economy. It highlights that honeybees pollinate crops worth billions of dollars annually and supports over 16,000 beekeeping colonies in the state. The document also notes challenges like disease and habitat loss that threaten bee populations while affirming the state's commitment to supporting beekeepers and healthy pollinator populations. This measure does not change laws or create new regulations but serves as an official acknowledgment of honeybees' importance.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires West Virginia's State Treasurer to participate in a federal tax credit scholarship program. Specifically, the Treasurer must annually identify and publish a list of qualified nonprofit scholarship organizations operating in the state by December 1st, accept applications year-round for inclusion on this list, and certify the list for federal submission. It defines eligible schools (meeting existing WV requirements) and students (eligible for public school enrollment), allowing scholarship funds to cover standard K-12 education expenses under federal rules. The bill directly affects the State Treasurer's office, scholarship organizations seeking to participate, and students receiving scholarships under the program.

Maddy summarySB 979 requires West Virginia's Division of Highways to publish all road and bridge project bids exclusively on its website, removing the current requirement to advertise them in daily newspapers. This change directly affects the Division of Highways (which manages state road projects) and contractors bidding on construction or materials contracts for state roads. The bill modifies existing law to mandate website publication as the sole method for sharing bid details, while maintaining the 14-day advance notice period and $3,000 threshold for simplified bidding. This policy shift aims to modernize transparency by moving bid announcements from print media to a centralized digital platform.

Maddy summarySB 966 would remove existing requirements for homeschooling parents in West Virginia, specifically eliminating the need for parental certifications and mandating that home instruction cover the same subjects as public schools. The bill keeps annual academic assessments and notice-of-intent procedures but removes the requirement for homeschool providers to submit proof of a high school diploma or higher education credentials. It directly affects parents who choose to homeschool their children, as it reduces administrative barriers while maintaining basic oversight through annual assessments. The bill aims to simplify homeschooling compliance without altering the core structure of home education oversight.

Maddy summarySB 880, titled "Recognizing Judea and Samaria," requires West Virginia state agencies to replace the term "West Bank" with "Judea and Samaria" in all official government materials, including rules, press releases, and communications. The bill defines "official government material" broadly and prohibits using state funds to create such materials referencing the territory as the "West Bank." It allows limited waivers for agency heads who provide written justification to the Legislature or Governor. This is a procedural naming change affecting only state communications, not land policy or citizen rights.

Maddy summarySB 935 repeals a tax exemption for certain coal-fired power plants in West Virginia, directly affecting owners/operators of coal plants operational before January 1, 1995. The bill reduces the taxable generating capacity for these plants to 45% of their official capability (instead of 100%) for tax years starting July 1, 2021, but requires plants to remain operational until at least July 1, 2025, to qualify. If such plants close before July 1, 2025, owners must repay tax savings through a recapture tax, though federal mandates exempting closures avoid this requirement. The law applies specifically to "merchant power plants" (independent generators) and modifies existing tax calculation rules under West Virginia Code §11-13-2o.

Maddy summarySB 888, the Judicial Deference Reform Act, prohibits West Virginia state courts and administrative hearing officers from deferring to state agency interpretations of statutes, regulations, or informal guidance documents (like agency memos). Instead, courts must independently review these materials using standard legal analysis ("de novo") and resolve any remaining ambiguities by limiting agency power and prioritizing individual liberty. The law applies to all state court cases and administrative proceedings starting July 1, 2026, but does not affect federal law or cases involving federal agencies. It directly affects how state courts interpret and apply West Virginia laws and agency guidance.

Maddy summarySB 560, the Financial Accountability Stable Token Act (FAST Act), allows West Virginia to use stable digital tokens fully backed by U.S. dollars for payments to state vendors and contractors. The State Treasurer will maintain a list of approved tokens meeting strict criteria (e.g., 1:1 U.S. dollar backing, quarterly audits, and U.S. regulatory compliance) and may authorize them without further legislative action. Vendors and contractors can choose to accept these tokens voluntarily but cannot be required to do so, and such payments will satisfy the state’s financial obligations. The Treasurer must also submit annual reports to the Legislature detailing token usage, cost savings, and risk assessments.

Maddy summarySenate Resolution 49 is a ceremonial resolution adopted by the West Virginia Senate on February 25, 2026, to formally commend volunteers for their efforts in recovering from the May 2025 flash flooding at Chief Logan State Park. It specifically recognizes community members, organizations, and local officials - including park staff, students, business leaders, and emergency personnel - who volunteered to clear debris, restore facilities, and support recovery under difficult conditions. The resolution expresses the Senate’s gratitude for their "extraordinary service" and "selfless dedication" but contains no new policy, funding, or legal obligations. As a symbolic gesture, it does not affect any laws or directly impact specific groups beyond acknowledging their contributions.

Maddy summarySJR 21 proposes a constitutional amendment (designated "Amendment 1") that would require West Virginia's state government to limit annual spending increases to no more than the combined growth of the state's population plus inflation. This would directly affect state budget decisions by imposing a strict cap on how much spending can rise each year. The amendment would be submitted to voters in the 2026 general election for approval. If adopted, it would become part of the West Virginia Constitution, altering how state expenditures are managed. The resolution includes procedural steps to number and name the proposed amendment as the "Taxpayers' Bill of Rights Amendment."