Maddy summarySB 930 amends West Virginia law to increase the amount of pension benefits subject to annual cost-of-living adjustments for municipal police, firefighters, and employees of waterworks, sewage, and combined water/sewage systems. The bill raises the threshold for calculating these adjustments from $15,000 to $45,000 of an annual pension benefit, meaning a larger portion of their retirement income will now be tied to inflation. This change applies to existing retirees and future beneficiaries under the pension system, without altering the 4% annual cap on adjustments or the two-year waiting period for new retirees. The policy directly affects these municipal workers by potentially increasing their annual pension increases based on inflation data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Sponsored bills
Maddy summarySB 923, the "GRANITE Act," creates a legal cause of action for West Virginia residents and businesses in digital communication, blockchain, and internet services to sue foreign governments or international organizations that enforce censorship laws conflicting with U.S. or West Virginia constitutional protections. It allows lawsuits against foreign entities for imposing penalties (like fines or platform shutdowns) for speech protected under the First Amendment and West Virginia’s Constitution, shifting the burden of proof to the foreign entity to justify such laws. The bill prohibits West Virginia from recognizing or enforcing foreign judgments that compel censorship or criminalize protected U.S. speech, and it establishes civil penalties for violations. This directly affects West Virginia’s digital innovation sector by aiming to shield it from extraterritorial censorship efforts, such as those seen in the UK’s Online Safety Act enforcement against 4chan or Brazil’s court orders against X. The bill is currently in the Senate Judiciary Committee (introduced February 12, 2026).
Maddy summarySB 931 establishes the "West Virginia Utility Affordability and Economic Competitiveness Act" to address high utility costs by imposing a moratorium on rate increases for electricity and water utilities. The bill defines "affordability" as the lowest total cost of electricity (including all rates, fees, and charges) that minimizes financial burden on households and businesses while considering competitiveness with neighboring states. It sets reliability standards requiring electricity sources to maintain 80% performance without intermittent availability (excluding peaker plants) and mandates comprehensive cost evaluations factoring in environmental impacts and supply chain risks. These provisions aim to restore affordability and reliability for West Virginia residents and businesses, which the legislature states are foundational to economic development.
Maddy summarySB 30 (West Virginia) removes the requirement for 18- to 20-year-olds to obtain a permit to carry a concealed weapon. The bill repeals prior restrictions that mandated permits for this age group and explicitly states that individuals aged 18-20 may carry concealed deadly weapons without a license, except when prohibited by other laws. Key exceptions remain in place, such as for carrying on personal property, transporting unloaded firearms from purchase to home, or during lawful hunting. The law clarifies that 18-20-year-olds are not subject to the "carrying without a license" crime under specific circumstances. This directly affects young adults in West Virginia who wish to carry concealed weapons without state-issued permits.
Maddy summarySB 921 prohibits West Virginia Medicaid from funding abortions (except as allowed under existing law) or gender transition procedures. It disqualifies healthcare providers performing these services from participating in Medicaid and bans Medicaid payments for referrals related to them. The bill defines "public funds" broadly to include state and federal healthcare funds and allows lawsuits by affected individuals or the Attorney General to enforce these restrictions. It directly affects Medicaid recipients seeking these services and healthcare providers who perform them.
Maddy summarySB 706 modifies West Virginia's severance tax for oil and natural gas producers by temporarily reducing the tax rate for newly drilled wells. It lowers the tax rate to 3% (from 5%) for 24 months starting from the first sale of natural gas or oil from wells drilled after June 30, 2026. This applies specifically to newly completed wells, while existing wells and other production types maintain their standard rates (2.5% or 5% depending on production volume and drilling method). The bill directly affects oil and gas producers who drill new wells after the effective date, offering a short-term tax incentive to encourage new development. The change is part of the state's severance tax structure under §11-13A-3a of the West Virginia Code.
Maddy summarySB 615 (West Virginia Senate Bill 615) requires all state and local law enforcement agencies in West Virginia to notify U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) when they determine an individual is in the U.S. without legal authorization. The bill directly affects undocumented immigrants in West Virginia and mandates that law enforcement cooperate with federal immigration authorities under federal law. Key provisions include prohibiting any state or local policies that would block this notification, and requiring agencies to follow federal immigration enforcement procedures. This bill changes how West Virginia law enforcement handles immigration status determinations, making notification to ICE mandatory rather than optional.
Maddy summaryThis Senate Resolution (SR 15) formally recognizes the 154th anniversary of Glenville State University, established in 1872 as a West Virginia state normal school. It acknowledges the university's historical role in teacher training and its current expansion into diverse academic programs (including business, health sciences, and criminal justice). The resolution expresses the Senate's appreciation for the university's contributions to West Virginia's education and economy and directs a copy to the university president. As a ceremonial resolution, it has no policy or financial impact.
Maddy summaryThis Senate Resolution (SR 28) expresses legislative support for extending Interstate 68 from Morgantown, West Virginia, to Kent, West Virginia, then across the Ohio River to Clarington, Ohio, and further to I-77 near Caldwell, Ohio. It does not create new policies or funding but urges state and federal officials to secure resources for this transportation corridor project. The resolution specifically references the "I-68 Energy Manufacturing AI Corridor" as a means to support economic growth in the Shale Crescent region, though it does not establish any new programs or obligations. It is a symbolic measure, not a substantive legislative bill.
Maddy summaryWest Virginia's SB 850 creates the "Second Amendment Preservation Act," prohibiting state enforcement of federal regulations on intrastate firearm sales, transfers, or possession within West Virginia. The bill declares such federal rules "null and invalid" and imposes civil penalties of $50,000 per violation plus attorney fees against federal entities like the ATF that attempt to enforce them. It requires the state Attorney General to defend West Virginia residents prosecuted by federal authorities for intrastate firearm transactions and to sue federal actors violating the act. The law specifically applies to transactions occurring entirely within West Virginia, not interstate commerce.