Sen. Eric Tarr

Maddy summarySB 133 prohibits the use of ranked choice voting (also called instant runoff voting) in all West Virginia elections. The bill bans this voting method for local, county, statewide, and federal elections, including all offices elected by voters. It defines ranked choice voting as a system where voters rank candidates and votes transfer between candidates in rounds until a winner achieves a majority. The law applies to all election offices and voids any local government ordinances that conflict with this prohibition.

Maddy summarySB 202 creates a new criminal offense called "sexual assault in the fourth degree" for school employees who require minor students to engage in sexually explicit discussions, gender persuasion, or view specific materials as a condition for academic advancement (such as grades or course requirements). This applies specifically when the requirement is not uniformly applied to all classmates - meaning a student cannot be singled out for such conditions. Violating this law is a felony punishable by 1-5 years in prison, a $5,000 fine, or both. The bill directly affects teachers, principals, counselors, and other school staff in West Virginia’s public and private K-12 schools, and protects minor students from coercive academic demands.

Maddy summaryWest Virginia Senate Bill 107 requires parties entering carbon offset agreements (where landowners receive payment to restrict development for carbon capture) to register with the State Tax Department within 60 days, providing details like property location, agreement terms, and restrictions. It imposes an excise tax on receipts from these agreements and mandates annual reports to the Governor and legislature on the number, acreage, and locations of such agreements. The bill also voids any agreement restricting land or timber development for carbon purposes if it exceeds a 20-year term, unless renegotiated for a new 20-year period. This affects landowners, forestry entities, and companies involved in carbon offset programs across West Virginia.

Maddy summaryThis bill authorizes Mason County Commission to levy a special excise tax on sales within the Town of Henderson Economic Opportunity District. It directly affects businesses operating in Henderson by subjecting their sales to this new tax, with revenue designated for local economic development. Key provisions include removing the requirement for approval from the state development office's executive director and allowing the county commission to set the tax rate and revenue targets independently. The tax applies to tangible personal property and services sold within the defined district boundaries.

Maddy summaryThis bill defines "drag shows" as events where adults wear exaggerated gender-costume makeup for entertainment. It prohibits all West Virginia government funding for organizing, promoting, or hosting such shows, and bans minors from participating in or attending them. Event organizers must verify attendees' ages, and violations could require organizers or guardians to complete services like parenting classes. The law directly affects state agencies (by restricting funding), minors (by barring attendance), and event organizers (by imposing age checks and potential penalties).

Maddy summarySB 206 removes a provision allowing the West Virginia Department of Agriculture to cancel leases for less than $5 per acre annually. The bill specifically amends §19-12A-5(c)(4) of the state code to eliminate this cancellation authority, which previously applied to leases where the Department was a party. This change directly affects current lessees of state agricultural lands who held leases at or below the $5 per acre rate. The bill makes a technical correction to the existing lease management rules without altering other department powers or responsibilities.

Maddy summarySB 209 creates the West Virginia Guardian Program, allowing county school boards to contract with retired law enforcement officers (veterans, state troopers, or deputy sheriffs) to provide security on public school grounds. These "West Virginia Guardians" must meet strict requirements, including proof of U.S. citizenship, high school/GED education, concealed carry training, background checks, and passing a fitness and drug screening. The program explicitly states Guardians cannot make arrests (they are not law enforcement) and excludes individuals with dishonorable discharges, certain criminal convictions (like domestic violence or drug offenses), or recent illegal drug use. The bill aims to enhance school safety by authorizing trained retired officers to address threats like violence, bullying, or weapons on campus.

Maddy summarySenate Bill 130 requires West Virginia's Bureau for Medical Services to create policies prioritizing in-state medical care for Medicaid beneficiaries, including hospital services. This applies to all Medicaid recipients covered under fee-for-service and managed care plans, with exceptions for cases where necessary services aren't available or reasonably accessible within West Virginia. The Bureau must implement these policies by July 1, 2026, and submit progress reports to the legislature by December 2025 and a final effectiveness report by July 2026. The bill directly affects Medicaid beneficiaries and the state's healthcare delivery system by shifting focus toward in-state service provision.

Maddy summarySB 131 creates new state criminal offenses for undocumented immigrants entering or reentering West Virginia without authorization. It defines "illegal entry" as entering outside designated ports (like Charleston) and makes this a misdemeanor ($50-$500 fine or up to 90 days jail), or a felony with harsher penalties for repeat offenses or prior convictions involving drugs/crimes. The bill also establishes a "return order" process (§61-17-4) allowing judges to dismiss charges if immigrants agree to leave the state, after verifying identity and security checks. It prohibits courts from halting prosecutions due to pending federal immigration status decisions (§61-17-5). The bill directly affects undocumented immigrants entering West Virginia, shifting enforcement to state criminal penalties for violations previously handled federally.

Maddy summarySB 281 requires parties to carbon offset agreements in West Virginia to register with the State Tax Department and pay an excise tax on income from these agreements. It revises the definition of "managed timberland" to exclude land subject to carbon offset agreements that restrict timber harvesting, and it voids any covenant restricting land use for carbon purposes beyond a 20-year term without requiring renegotiation for renewals. This law directly affects landowners entering carbon offset contracts and state agencies like the Tax Department and Division of Forestry, which must manage registrations and reports. The bill establishes concrete regulatory mechanisms for carbon offset agreements through registration, taxation, and limits on long-term land use restrictions.