Sen. Eric Tarr

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits West Virginia public schools, school employees, and education agencies from requiring students, teachers, or staff to affirm, adopt, or adhere to five specific concepts (e.g., that one race is inherently superior, or that individuals bear racial guilt). It allows academic discussion of these topics in classrooms and protects free speech rights. Individuals who believe the bill is violated may file complaints under existing state policies, with verified complaints reported annually to the Legislative Oversight Commission on Education Accountability. The law focuses on preventing compelled belief while permitting educational discourse about race and historical events.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends West Virginia law to prevent the Department of Agriculture from canceling certain agricultural leases. It removes language allowing the department to terminate leases with annual consideration under $5 per acre, which previously required 30 days' notice and a legislative authorization clause. The change directly affects land lessees who hold low-cost agricultural leases with the state, ensuring these agreements cannot be unilaterally ended by the department under the current threshold. The amendment is a technical correction to the existing leasing authority provisions.

Maddy summarySB 205, the Prompt Payment Act of 2025, requires West Virginia state agencies to pay registered vendors for legitimate, uncontested invoices within 45 days of receipt. If payment is late, a 3% weekly interest rate (compounded from day 46) is added to the invoice amount. The bill defines "received" as the earlier of the postmark date, electronic log date, or date of service acceptance, and mandates state agencies to itemize interest on payments. It applies to vendors supplying services or commodities but excludes debarred vendors, disputed claims, or fraudulent invoices. The law takes effect for purchases made on or after July 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryThis bill limits employer liability when an employee's drug addiction-related criminal record has been expunged. It requires the state to create a database tracking such expungements and mandates courts to check this database in employment-related cases. Employers are exempt from providing health insurance or covering health care costs for addiction or addiction-related diseases if an employee with an expunged drug offense record relapses during employment. The law specifically applies to drug addiction-related offenses, not all expunged records, and affects employers and employees in West Virginia who participate in return-to-work programs for recovering addicts.

Maddy summaryWest Virginia's SB 203 makes syringe exchange programs unlawful statewide, requiring all existing programs to cease operations immediately upon the bill's effective date. The bill allows harm reduction services (like overdose prevention education, referrals to treatment, and wound care) to continue without syringe exchanges during a 120-day transition period for patient care. Operators who continue syringe exchanges after the effective date face daily civil penalties of up to $2,500. The law specifically prohibits providing sterile syringes without a prescription, while permitting non-syringe harm reduction services to remain operational.

Maddy summaryWest Virginia's SB 4 prohibits individuals or entities from receiving compensation for helping veterans or their families apply for U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) benefits, except where federal law permits. It bans charging fees for preparing, presenting, or advising on VA claims, guaranteeing specific benefit amounts, or charging excessive fees (with federal guidelines governing reasonableness). Before providing services, any provider must secure a written agreement signed by the veteran, meeting federal fee standards. Violations would be treated as breaches of West Virginia's Consumer Credit and Protection Act. This directly affects veterans seeking assistance and service providers (like advocates or attorneys) who previously charged for such support.

Maddy summarySB 110 would require West Virginia's Medicaid program to implement cost-sharing fees and premiums for Medicaid recipients who use tobacco. Specifically, it mandates that individuals must acknowledge their tobacco use to qualify for coverage, with fees limited to those who sign such an acknowledgment. The bill requires the state to notify current and new Medicaid applicants about these costs, including payment amounts and consequences for non-payment. It does not change eligibility for Medicaid but adds financial obligations for tobacco users under federal Medicaid rules.

Maddy summarySB 112 prohibits election officials from accepting absentee ballots that do not meet West Virginia's state requirements for absentee voting. It specifically targets officials who intentionally accept non-compliant ballots, imposing criminal penalties including fines of $1,000-$10,000 or up to one year in jail. The bill amends existing election law to clarify that ballots failing to follow proper procedures - such as incorrect submission or missing documentation - must be rejected without exception, removing discretion for officials to count them as "technical errors." This directly affects election officials responsible for processing absentee ballots during elections. The law aims to strengthen ballot integrity by holding officials accountable for accepting invalid ballots.

Maddy summarySJR 4 proposes a constitutional amendment to West Virginia's Bill of Rights, explicitly protecting the right to keep and bear arms. It prohibits state, county, municipal, and local government entities from restricting this right through regulations on ammunition capacity, caliber, carry methods, or other means. The amendment would require voter approval in the 2026 general election to take effect. If adopted, it would directly affect all West Virginians by preventing local and state governments from enacting most gun-related regulations.

Maddy summaryThis bill directs the West Virginia Legislature to replace the state's existing statue of John Kenna in the National Statuary Hall Collection at the U.S. Capitol with a new statue honoring Hershel "Woody" Williams. The legislation recognizes Williams as a Medal of Honor recipient and founder of the Gold Star Families Memorial Monument program, citing his military service and community contributions as worthy of national commemoration. To implement this change, the bill establishes a commission to select a sculptor, authorizes the Governor to fund the project from a contingency fund, and mandates that the removed John Kenna statue be displayed at the State Culture Center.