Sen. Mike Woelfel

Maddy summarySB 98 requires political action committees (PACs) in West Virginia to disclose the names and addresses of contributors who gave more than $1,000 in a calendar year to the Secretary of State. For individual contributors, this includes additional details like occupation, employer, or business information. The Secretary of State must then make this information publicly available online within five business days of receiving the disclosure. This bill directly affects PACs and their major contributors by increasing transparency in campaign funding.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits individuals listed on West Virginia's state sex offender registry from entering public school property, attending school events, or participating in school activities - including those involving their own children - without permission from the county superintendent. It requires parent-teacher conferences involving such individuals to be held via phone or virtual meeting instead of in person. Violating this prohibition carries penalties: a first offense is a misdemeanor (up to six months in jail), and subsequent offenses are felonies (one to five years in prison). The State Board of Education may also develop rules to implement these provisions.

Maddy summaryThe bill title "SB 3: Allowing Supreme Court discretion to create uniform pay scales" does not match the provided text. The actual document is **House Concurrent Resolution 3 (HCR 3)**, a procedural resolution requesting the Division of Highways to name specific bridges and roads in West Virginia after veterans and community figures. It lists 23 infrastructure locations (e.g., "John and Virginia Skidmore Memorial Bridge," "U.S. Army PFC Edwin L. Mackey Memorial Bridge") with geographic coordinates and dedications, seeking commemorative naming for public infrastructure. This is a non-substantive, commemorative resolution with no policy changes or mechanisms beyond naming.

Maddy summarySB 7 increases West Virginia's homestead property tax exemption from $20,000 to $40,000, reducing tax bills for eligible primary homeowners. It applies to residents aged 65 or older, or those certified as permanently and totally disabled, who meet residency requirements (such as living in the state for two consecutive years). The exemption is applied as a direct deduction from a home's assessed value, meaning no property tax is due on the first $40,000 of a home's value. The bill also updates residency rules to include exceptions for military service members and returning residents within five years.

Maddy summarySB 5 exempts retirement income for retired West Virginia campus police officers from state personal income tax, effective July 1, 2026. This applies specifically to retirement benefits received under any qualified retirement system (including those sponsored by colleges/universities) that would otherwise be taxable under federal rules. The exemption covers all retirement income received after the effective date, including survivorship annuities. It directly affects retired campus police officers employed by West Virginia institutions of higher education. The bill amends West Virginia Code §11-21-12 to add this specific exemption to the state's tax code.

Maddy summarySB 456, enacted as Chapter 202 of the 2025 Regular Session, defines "men" and "women" in state law based on biological sex assigned at birth. This bill directly affects state agencies, programs, and statutes that use gender classifications, requiring them to use these definitions instead of gender identity. Key provisions mandate that all state laws, including those governing healthcare access, education, and public accommodations, must apply these biological sex definitions. The law became effective upon the governor’s approval on March 12, 2025.

Maddy summarySB 621 authorizes state courts to create and maintain digital copies of court records instead of relying solely on paper documents. It directly affects courts, court staff, and individuals involved in legal proceedings who interact with court records. The key provision allows courts to implement digital record-keeping systems, streamlining access and storage while maintaining legal validity. The bill was approved by the Governor on April 1, 2025, and became law as Chapter 70 of the 2025 regular session.

Maddy summarySB 825 allows public and private higher education institutions to form agreements with non-profit organizations to support economic development and job creation in their communities. The bill removes legal barriers that previously restricted these partnerships, enabling colleges and universities to collaborate with non-profits on initiatives like workforce training, business incubators, or local business support programs. This directly affects higher education institutions and qualifying non-profit organizations by expanding their ability to partner on economic growth projects. The law became effective on August 8, 2025, following Governor approval on April 25, 2025.

Maddy summarySB 464 creates a special license plate design for recipients of the Medal of Valor, an award given to law enforcement and emergency personnel for acts of heroism. The bill establishes a distinct plate with "Medal of Valor" wording, allowing eligible recipients to display it on their vehicles. This change directly affects individuals who have been honored with the Medal of Valor by their agency or state. The legislation was signed into law on April 24, 2025, and became Chapter 176 of the 2025 regular session acts.

Maddy summarySB 283 requires public high school students to complete a personal finance course as a graduation requirement across expanded grade levels. The bill directly affects all students in public high schools by mandating financial literacy education earlier in their academic journey. Key provisions change the current grade range for this requirement, ensuring students take the course in more grades (e.g., moving from 11th grade to include 9th or 10th grade). This policy change standardizes personal finance education as a core graduation requirement statewide.