Sen. Trenton Barnhart

Maddy summarySB 889 requires West Virginia schools to develop and implement cardiac emergency response plans for athletic activities and school grounds. It mandates annual staff training in CPR and AED use, informational meetings for parents about sudden cardiac arrest warning signs, and written parental acknowledgment of the plan before student athletic participation. The bill also sets specific protocols for students with syncope history, requiring medical clearance before returning to sports. These requirements apply directly to public and private K-12 schools and youth sports teams operating under school jurisdiction, focusing on preventing fatalities during cardiac emergencies. The law specifies AED placement, maintenance, and integration with local emergency services as part of school safety protocols.

Maddy summarySB 885 allows teachers who joined West Virginia's Teachers Retirement System on or after July 1, 2015 (Tier II members) to convert unused sick and annual leave into retirement benefits. Specifically, it permits them to count two days of accrued sick/annual leave as one day of additional retirement service credit. This change directly affects eligible Tier II teachers by increasing their retirement benefits based on unused leave balances. The bill amends existing retirement system rules to implement this conversion at a 2:1 ratio, providing a concrete policy change for affected educators.

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 727 clarifies disclosure requirements for out-of-state banks merging with or acquiring West Virginia state-chartered banks or branches. The bill mandates that acquiring banks provide written confirmation to the West Virginia Banking Commissioner, committing to comply with all state laws (including consumer protection), maintain proper deposit insurance, and meet capital standards if the merged bank becomes state-chartered. This applies specifically to mergers where an out-of-state bank takes control of a West Virginia bank or its branches. The law does not change existing deposit limits but ensures clearer and more specific disclosure processes for such transactions.

Maddy summarySB 716 would lower the participation requirement for West Virginia's volunteer firefighter tax credit from 30% to 20% of department activities. This change directly affects volunteer firefighters seeking the tax credit, making it easier to qualify by reducing the minimum activity threshold. The bill amends Section 11-13JJ-4 of the state code to update the participation percentage while keeping other eligibility conditions unchanged. Currently, firefighters must participate in 30% of activities; the bill would require only 20%.

Maddy summaryThis is a symbolic House Resolution (not a bill), introduced by multiple West Virginia delegates. It designates the month of June as "Fidelity Month" to promote the values of faith, family, and patriotism across the state. The resolution cites declining support for these values in polling and research, and calls for the state to "rededicate" itself to them during June. It has no binding policy requirements or direct impact on specific groups; it is purely a commemorative gesture.

Maddy summaryThis West Virginia House resolution states that the U.S. national debt (over $38 trillion in 2026) poses a national security threat, citing foreign debt ownership, projected Social Security/Medicare shortfalls, and warnings from military/intelligence leaders. It urges Congress to establish regular budgeting procedures but does not create new laws or alter federal spending. As a symbolic resolution, it has no direct legal effect on national debt policy or federal budgets. The resolution focuses on raising awareness rather than implementing concrete changes.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates new criminal offenses for intentionally abusing or desecrating human remains, including mutilation, dismemberment, or unauthorized disposal of a deceased body or cremated remains. It establishes a base felony offense (1-5 years in prison or up to $5,000 fine) and an aggravated offense (2-10 years or $2,000-$10,000 fine) when the act involves concealment, obstruction, commercial exploitation, or connection to other felonies. The law applies to both bodies and cremated remains but exempts lawful activities by medical professionals, funeral directors, law enforcement, and researchers acting within legal authority. Prosecutions may occur in the county where the conduct happened or where the remains were discovered.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows classroom teachers who joined the West Virginia Teachers Retirement System on or after July 1, 2015, to sell up to 10 unused personal leave days to their county school board for a cash payment. Teachers would receive 80% of the rate paid to a substitute teacher with a bachelor's degree and 10 years of experience for each day sold, with payment required by June 30. Once sold, the leave days are forfeited and cannot be used for future absences.

Maddy summarySB 131 creates a tax credit against West Virginia's severance tax for businesses that make qualifying investments in road/highway infrastructure improvements or coal production/processing facilities. It directly affects coal industry businesses and infrastructure developers in coal-producing regions by allowing them to reduce their severance tax liability. The credit covers costs for labor, materials, and real property improvements tied to certified road projects or coal facilities, with applications required through the Transportation Secretary. Unused credits can be carried forward, and the credit may be transferred to successors. This policy aims to incentivize private investment in infrastructure and coal sector capital projects.