Sen. Mike Woelfel

Maddy summaryThis bill removes a 10-absence limit for students participating in approved extracurricular and educational activities, such as SkillsUSA, FBLA, 4-H, or FFA programs. To qualify, activities must be pre-approved by a school principal, have parental consent, and be verified as educational by a teacher or sponsor. Students may miss school for these activities without the absence counting toward the yearly 10-absence cap, though they must still make up missed work without grade penalties. It directly affects students in recognized programs, parents, and school administrators who manage attendance policies.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a structured support system for West Virginia youth aging out of foster care (typically 18-21 years old). It requires the Department of Human Services to develop a three-phase living arrangement system (supervised independent living, scattered-site housing, and supportive independent living) plus mandatory life skills training in housing, employment, and education. Funding will use per diem rates designed to maximize federal reimbursement, include annual cost-of-living adjustments, and provide monthly stipends to youth for basic living costs. The system must incorporate input from former foster youth, providers, and community partners, with annual reporting on outcomes like housing stability and employment.

Maddy summarySB 918 establishes new civil service promotion criteria for municipal law enforcement officers in West Virginia. It requires officers to complete 40 hours of leadership training before taking promotional exams, which account for 40% of their score. The bill also mandates a 40% score from a board evaluation (using 1-10 ratings on tactics/leadership questions) and 20% from seniority, with all criteria applied uniformly. This directly affects municipal police officers seeking promotions, as it standardizes the process through specific, measurable requirements set by the law. The bill applies to all municipal law enforcement agencies covered by civil service provisions.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends West Virginia election laws to remove barriers that prevent disabled voters from casting ballots. It directly affects voters with physical or cognitive disabilities who may struggle with traditional voting procedures like signing their names or presenting identification. The key provision allows poll clerks to affix a voter's mark when they are unable to sign, and it clarifies that expired identification documents remain valid for voters aged 65 and older. Additionally, the bill ensures that voters accompanied by a trusted adult can vote without providing a valid identifying document if the poll worker knows the voter personally. These changes aim to increase accessibility while maintaining election security standards.

Maddy summaryThis bill removes time limits for workers to file or modify claims related to progressive massive fibrosis, a lung disease often linked to occupational exposure (like mining). It directly affects workers who develop this condition, allowing them to pursue or adjust compensation claims without being barred by past deadlines. The bill amends West Virginia's workers' compensation code to eliminate statute of limitations barriers specifically for these claims and adds a new impairment rating for progressive massive fibrosis. This change ensures affected workers can access benefits regardless of when symptoms first appeared or worsened.

Maddy summarySB 846 is a supplemental appropriation bill that adds $10,000,000 to the Department of Tourism’s fund 0293 (fiscal year 2026) for capital improvements. It specifically allocates funds under "Capital Outlay, Repairs and Equipment" for the Division of Culture and History (W.V. Code Chapter 29). The bill uses an unappropriated surplus balance identified in the Governor’s 2026 budget document. This funding directly supports tourism infrastructure projects managed by the Department of Tourism, without changing existing policy or creating new requirements.

Maddy summaryThis bill adds a $20 million supplemental appropriation to fund 0265 for the Department of Commerce's Division of Natural Resources, specifically for capital outlay, repairs, and equipment. It uses an unappropriated surplus balance from the State Fund, General Revenue, to fund existing capital projects without creating new programs or altering policy. The funding is designated for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2026, and directly affects the Division of Natural Resources' ability to maintain and upgrade infrastructure.

Maddy summarySB 842 is a supplemental funding bill that increases the 2026 budget allocation for the West Virginia Spay Neuter Assistance Fund (Fund 1481) by $200,000. This additional funding directly supports the state's existing spay/neuter program for companion animals, managed under the Department of Agriculture. The bill amends the current budget line for "Current Expenses" to raise the total appropriation to $330,000 for fiscal year 2026, using unappropriated funds already designated for this program. It does not create new services or change eligibility - it simply provides extra resources for the established program.

Maddy summarySB 876 allocates supplemental funds from West Virginia's unappropriated surplus to three state hospitals: $1 million for Welch Community Hospital, $3.4 million for William R. Sharpe Jr. Hospital, and $4.3 million for Mildred Mitchell-Bateman Hospital. The funds are designated specifically for capital improvements, repairs, and equipment at these facilities during the 2026 fiscal year. This appropriation directly affects the operational capacity of these three hospitals by providing resources for infrastructure maintenance. As a procedural supplemental bill, it reallocates existing surplus funds without creating new policy or affecting broader populations.

Maddy summaryThis bill (SB 847) redirects $70,099 from an unappropriated surplus balance in West Virginia’s General Revenue Fund to the Department of Human Services’ Foster Care program (fund 0489). The funds will be transferred to the "Bring Them Home Fund" for use during fiscal year 2026. It does not create new spending but reallocates existing unspent funds to support foster care services. The bill affects foster care programs administered by the Department of Human Services, ensuring funds are available for operational needs during the 2026 fiscal year.