Sen. Amy Grady

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 870 proposes a $10,000 total pay increase for West Virginia teachers over five years, distributed through annual adjustments to the state minimum salary schedule based on experience and education level. It also mandates a 25% pay raise for school service personnel (such as aides and support staff) over the same five-year period. The bill amends existing law to establish new salary tiers, with specific pay amounts listed for different experience levels and qualifications (e.g., starting at $39,057 for teachers with zero experience and a master's degree). This policy directly affects all public school teachers and support staff in West Virginia, aiming to increase base compensation through structured, incremental raises.

Maddy summaryThis Senate Resolution (SR 29) symbolically designates February 6, 2026, as "Recovery Advocacy Day" at the West Virginia Legislature. It does not create new laws or allocate funding, but formally recognizes the work of addiction and recovery professionals. The resolution directs the Senate Clerk to send copies to organizations including the West Virginia Association of Addiction and Prevention Professionals and the West Virginia Alliance of Recovery Residences. Its purpose is to acknowledge ongoing efforts in addiction prevention and recovery support across the state.

Maddy summarySB 803 requires public schools in West Virginia to assess the academic competency of students transferring from nonpublic schools (including homeschools, microschools, learning pods, or individualized instruction plans) before transcribing their previous grades onto a public school transcript. This applies specifically to students enrolling in public schools after receiving education outside the traditional public system. The key mechanism is a mandatory competency assessment administered by the public school upon enrollment, ensuring students meet academic standards before their prior coursework is recognized. The bill does not change graduation requirements or affect students already enrolled in public schools.

Maddy summarySJR 17 proposes a constitutional amendment that would permit the West Virginia legislature to pass a law exempting owner-occupied homes from property tax. This exemption would apply to homes used as a primary residence by the owner (or one owner) who is a West Virginia citizen, but only for one home per household. If approved by voters in 2026, the legislature could implement this exemption through specific rules, while requiring these homes to continue undergoing regular property appraisals under current law. The amendment does not automatically eliminate property taxes but enables future legislative action to do so under defined conditions.

Maddy summaryThis Senate Joint Resolution (SJR 18) proposes a constitutional amendment to eliminate property taxes on the primary residence of West Virginia residents aged 65 or older who are state citizens. The amendment would exempt real property (including mobile homes) used as a primary residence from ad valorem taxation, but only one home per household (owner and spouse) could qualify for the exemption. Existing property appraisal and reappraisal procedures would continue under current law for all properties, including those covered by the exemption. The amendment requires legislative approval and voter ratification in the 2026 general election to take effect.

Maddy summaryThis Senate Resolution (SR 26) formally congratulates Hurricane High School's boys soccer team for winning the inaugural 2025 AAAS Boys State Soccer Championship - the first championship in the new AAAS classification. It recognizes the team's 18-3-1 record, sportsmanship, and the role of coaches Kent Bailey and assistants in achieving this historic milestone. The resolution contains no policy changes or funding; it is purely a ceremonial acknowledgment adopted by the Senate on February 4, 2026.

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 Senate Resolution designates February 3, 2026, as "Marshall University Day" at the Capitol to honor the university's contributions. It recognizes Marshall University's history, alumni achievements, academic programs (including cybersecurity and health care), economic impact, and student-athlete success. The resolution has no binding policy effect - it is purely ceremonial, with no new requirements or funding for the university. The Senate adopted it unanimously by voice vote on February 3, 2026.

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%.