Sen. Eric Tarr

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a new market pay enhancement for certified teachers in West Virginia to address regional cost-of-living disparities. It calculates an additional payment based on comparing the median home price in a teacher's county (or surrounding region including bordering states) to the statewide median home price, using data from the National Association of Realtors. The state board of education will determine the higher of two multipliers (regional or county-based) to apply to the average teacher base salary, with the enhancement capped at 50% of that base salary. The adjustment will occur annually starting December 1, 2026, aiming to make teacher compensation more competitive with neighboring states.

Maddy summarySB 743 authorizes county clerks to move funds between accounts with approval from the county commission. This bill does not change the existing requirement that counties retain 100% of real estate transfer tax revenues starting July 1, 2025 (a provision already established in current law). The bill directly affects county clerks and county commissions by increasing flexibility in managing county funds.

Maddy summarySB 450 allows West Virginia county school boards to hire retired law enforcement officers - such as former state troopers, deputies, or federal officers - as "West Virginia guardians" to provide security on public school grounds. These guardians must meet specific requirements, including U.S. citizenship, a high school diploma, concealed carry certification, and training in law enforcement standards, and must apply for a sheriff-issued permit with a $50 fee. Guardians wear identifiable uniforms but are not law enforcement officers and cannot make arrests; their role focuses on protecting students and staff from threats on school property. Participation by county boards is voluntary and depends on available funding, with the program exempt from standard purchasing rules.

Maddy summarySB 853 clarifies registration requirements for individuals and organizations bidding at public auctions of tax-abandoned land held by West Virginia's State Auditor. It requires bidders to register in advance with the Auditor's office or submit a notarized affidavit on the auction day, and prohibits registration for those with past payment defaults, delinquent property taxes, repeated code enforcement violations, or unresolved legal disputes related to property ownership. The bill specifically allows 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations focused on housing or public facilities to bid at auctions, provided their bid is no more than 5% lower than the highest non-nonprofit bid. This affects anyone seeking to purchase tax-foreclosed land through county auctions, ensuring bidders meet specific eligibility criteria before participating.

Maddy summarySB 841 prohibits all West Virginia state government entities - including public schools, universities, healthcare facilities, and social services offices - from promoting, facilitating, or funding any discussions, programs, or medical procedures related to sexual orientation or gender transitioning. The bill bans state funds for gender transition treatments (like hormone therapy or puberty blockers), restricts school materials discussing gender identity, and prohibits staff from engaging in related training or curriculum. Violations could result in employee termination, funding suspension, or lawsuits by West Virginia residents. This directly affects state-funded institutions and their educational, medical, and administrative activities.

Maddy summarySB 501 amends West Virginia law to clarify documentation requirements for mortgage lenders regarding loan fees and points. It requires lenders to document any "reasonable, tangible net benefit" to borrowers when charging origination fees during refinancing within 24 months, maintaining this on a commissioner-prescribed form. The bill also prohibits blank spaces in loan documents to be filled after closing and mandates lenders provide borrowers with copies of all signed documents at closing. This directly affects residential mortgage lenders and borrowers in West Virginia by increasing transparency around loan fees and closing processes.

Maddy summarySB 740, the Stop Squatters Act, establishes a new process for property owners to quickly remove unauthorized occupants (squatters) from residential or commercial properties. It allows owners or their agents to request immediate police removal if conditions are met (e.g., occupant isn’t a tenant/family member, owner previously demanded they leave, and no court case is pending). The bill also creates criminal penalties: misdemeanors for damaging property under $1,000 during unlawful occupation, felonies for greater damage, and felonies for falsely listing property for sale/rent without legal title. Property owners must submit a verified complaint, and the law includes a civil remedy if removal is wrongful.

Maddy summarySB 552 modifies West Virginia's Certified Business Expansion Development Program by removing specific requirements for designated "high impact business development districts." It eliminates the need for renewable energy generation in these districts, removes restrictions on district locations (including land previously used for coal mining), and removes acreage limits. The bill also clarifies that regulated utility customers won't bear costs for utilities within certified districts. This change primarily affects businesses seeking to locate or expand new industrial facilities in designated districts by simplifying program eligibility and operational rules.

Maddy summaryWest Virginia's SB 204 requires opioid treatment programs (specifically those providing methadone) to transition to an integrated care model by July 1, 2026. This model mandates on-site medical, counseling, and recovery services provided in person at the program location during regular hours, prohibiting telehealth or referrals. Programs failing to comply must cease operations by October 1, 2026, though a 12-month administrative transition period allows existing patients to continue care without accepting new patients. Non-compliance incurs daily civil penalties up to $2,500, and the Director may seek court-ordered enforcement. The bill directly affects methadone treatment programs, excluding those issuing prescriptions for partial opioid agonists.

Maddy summarySB 109 establishes a rewards program for West Virginia residents who provide information leading to arrests or prosecutions for drug trafficking. The bill imposes a 1-cent excise tax on opioid antagonists (like naloxone), opioid antagonist kits, and fentanyl test strips, with the revenue funding the program. Administered by the State Police under the Secretary of Homeland Security, the program will pay rewards to citizens who provide actionable information about drug trafficking, with rewards exempt from taxation. The bill includes privacy protections for participants and specifies that funds will cover marketing, administration, and reward payments. This program aims to engage community members in combating drug trafficking through financial incentives.