Sen. Chris Rose

Maddy summarySB 806 clarifies West Virginia's definition of "farm" or "farmland" for property tax purposes. It allows landowners or tenants to operate non-farming business activities (like agritourism or small retail) on qualifying farmland without losing its tax classification, as long as farming remains the primary and predominant use. The bill specifies that land cannot be considered "primarily for farming" if other commercial enterprises fundamentally alter the land's agricultural use. This directly affects farmers who diversify their operations but maintain farming as their main activity, ensuring they retain eligible tax treatment. The commissioner of agriculture will help determine if land qualifies under this definition.

Maddy summarySB 758 would provide extra state funding to West Virginia school districts for students enrolled in schools designated as "extremely remote" under the bill. It prohibits county school boards from closing such schools during the fiscal year they receive the additional aid and requires submission of specific documentation and reporting. The bill also allows waivers for certain documentation requirements. These provisions aim to support remote schools by ensuring stable funding and operational continuity.

Maddy summarySB 783 proposes that defendants convicted of sexual battery (or attempted sexual battery) causing injury to the sexual organs of a child under 12 years old face a mandatory death penalty or life imprisonment without parole. The bill requires a separate sentencing hearing after conviction, where a jury must unanimously find at least two aggravating factors to consider the death penalty. If eight or more jurors recommend death, the court must impose it; otherwise, life without parole is required. This bill directly affects individuals convicted of this specific child sexual abuse offense in West Virginia.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends West Virginia law to update advertising rules for licensed limited video lottery retailers and permittees. It gives the Lottery Commission authority to create advertising rules, requiring all promotional materials to get prior approval from the Lottery Commission Director before being published or released. The bill clarifies that new advertising rules override any previous restrictions on such advertising. It directly affects businesses operating video lottery machines in the state by changing how they can advertise their services. The key change is the mandatory pre-approval process for all advertising content.

Maddy summaryThis bill clarifies that solar generation facilities are not considered "farm property" or "agricultural operations" for tax and regulatory purposes in West Virginia. Specifically, it amends §11-1A-10 (tax valuation) and §19-19-2 (agricultural definitions) to exclude solar farms that sell electricity commercially from farm property tax rates and agricultural classifications. This directly affects solar energy developers and operators, who will no longer qualify for agricultural tax treatment on land used for commercial solar generation. The law explicitly states that operating solar panels for commercial electricity sales - regardless of panel height - disqualifies the land from being classified as farm or agricultural property. The change ensures solar farms are taxed under standard commercial property rates rather than agricultural rates.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates the legal definitions and requirements for certified public accountants in West Virginia, affecting individuals seeking CPA certification, accounting firms, and the state Board of Accountancy. It clarifies key terms like "firm," "attestation services," and "affiliated entity" to align with current accounting standards and modernizes education, examination, and experience requirements for certification. The legislation also modifies the Board's rule-making authority and revises provisions regarding practice privileges for out-of-state practitioners, while updating rules on unlawful acts and disciplinary measures for licensees and firms.

Maddy summarySB 734 updates the filing fee structure for time-share developers in West Virginia. It sets an initial filing fee at $500 plus $1 per time-share period (capped at $1,500 total) and requires a $250 fee for changes that add inventory to public offering statements. These fees apply to developers submitting time-share sales documents to the state division. The bill also clarifies procedural timelines for fee payments and document reviews, directly affecting time-share developers who must comply with these filing requirements.

Maddy summarySB 735 would eliminate West Virginia's corporate net income tax over a four-year period by reducing the tax rate annually until it reaches zero. The bill applies to corporations conducting business in the state, excluding those already exempt under current law. The key mechanism is a scheduled annual reduction in the tax rate, with the tax fully phased out by the end of the four-year period. This change would remove a direct tax on corporate profits, altering the state's primary revenue source for business taxation.

Maddy summaryThis ceremonial Senate Resolution (SR 27) designates February 4, 2026, as "West Virginia University Day" at the West Virginia Capitol. It recognizes West Virginia University (WVU) as the state's flagship land-grant institution, highlighting its educational programs, extension services, and community impact across all 55 counties. The resolution has no legal effect or policy changes - it serves only as symbolic recognition, directing the Senate Clerk to send a copy to WVU leadership. It was adopted unanimously by voice vote on February 4, 2026.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes the West Virginia Professional Charter School Board and sets specific qualifications for its appointed voting members. It requires board members to be state citizens with experience in public or nonprofit governance, school leadership, or education law, while also mandating geographic diversity and limiting political party representation to no more than three members. The legislation also creates conflict-of-interest rules that prevent appointments for individuals currently employed by charter schools or companies serving them, and it defines the board's duties including authorizing charter schools, investigating complaints, and conducting audits.