Sen. Mike Woelfel

Maddy summaryThis Senate Resolution (SR 15) designates February 27, 2025, as Sexual Violence Awareness Day at the West Virginia Legislature. It does not create new laws or allocate funds; instead, it formally recognizes the issue through a symbolic resolution. The resolution directs the Clerk to send a copy to the West Virginia Foundation for Rape Information and Services, which has provided crisis support and prevention services for 45 years. It affects the Legislature by establishing a designated awareness day and acknowledges the state's high rates of sexual violence (ranked 5th nationally for lifetime contact sexual violence).

Maddy summarySB 619 allows a circuit judge or chief judge to appoint someone to fill a magistrate position *before* the vacancy actually occurs. This applies when a magistrate announces an upcoming resignation or retirement, or when a newly elected magistrate-elect hasn’t taken office yet. The bill amends West Virginia law to authorize this advance appointment, ensuring magistrate positions remain filled without waiting for the vacancy to open. It directly affects counties with multiple circuit judges and the process for filling magistrate roles. The change streamlines the appointment process for these specific vacancy scenarios.

Maddy summarySB 620 updates West Virginia's appellate filing rules by removing outdated statutory language about "petitions" and directing that all appeal deadlines (for notices, documents, and perfecting appeals) be set by the Supreme Court of Appeals through its own rules. This affects anyone filing appeals in the Intermediate Court of Appeals or Supreme Court of Appeals, aligning the process with current practice where appeals are not initiated by "petitions." The bill does not change the underlying time limits (e.g., 4 months for filing, with possible 2-month extensions) but transfers rule-making authority from the statute to the Supreme Court. It is a procedural update to modernize the legal framework.

Maddy summaryThis bill adds $223 million to West Virginia's Medicaid program for fiscal year 2025 by using unspent funds from the Department of Human Services' Health Care Provider Tax, Medical State Share Fund (fund 5090). It directly affects the state's Medicaid operations by increasing funding for medical services provided through the fund. The change amends an existing budget line item without creating new programs or altering eligibility. This is a routine budget adjustment to allocate previously unappropriated state funds.

Maddy summarySB 624 amends West Virginia law to allow the Governor to immediately appoint an acting official to fill vacancies in five specific state offices (Secretary of State, Auditor, Treasurer, Attorney General, and Commissioner of Agriculture) until a permanent appointment is made. This temporary appointment authority applies directly to these constitutional offices when a vacancy occurs. The bill does not change the process for permanent appointments or judicial vacancies but ensures these offices have leadership continuity during the vacancy period. The acting official performs all duties of the office until the Governor appoints a permanent replacement from the recommended list.

Maddy summaryThis bill specifies when retired West Virginia judges and justices (including circuit, family, and intermediate court judges, plus Supreme Court justices) can be temporarily recalled to serve. It allows the Supreme Court to assign them during specific situations, such as a sitting judge's long-term illness, suspension, or when a court has a backlog of cases identified through statistical analysis. Recalled judges receive daily pay (up to $430 for most, $325 for family court judges), but their total compensation plus retirement benefits cannot exceed a sitting judge's annual salary in a single year, unless the Chief Justice certifies extraordinary circumstances requiring extended service. The bill ensures these recalls comply with federal retirement system rules and requires the Chief Justice to notify state auditors and treasurers of any extended assignments.

Maddy summaryThis Senate Resolution (SR 13) memorializes Wanda Porterfield Casto, a 34-year part-time Senate Secretary/Administrative Assistant who served the West Virginia Senate and dedicated her life to public service. The resolution formally honors her legacy as a wife, mother, grandmother, and public servant, extending the Senate's deepest sympathies to her family following her passing on May 20, 2024. It directs the Senate Clerk to send a copy of the resolution to her family. As a commemorative resolution, it has no policy impact and serves solely to recognize her contributions.

Maddy summarySB 603 exempts retirement benefits received by retired West Virginia campus police officers from the state's personal income tax, effective July 1, 2025. This applies specifically to retirement income from any retirement system or qualified plan (including those sponsored by colleges/universities) that is taxable under federal law. The bill directly affects retired campus police officers employed at West Virginia institutions of higher education. The exemption is a standalone change to the state tax code, removing these retirement benefits from taxable income for qualifying individuals.

Maddy summaryThis Senate Resolution (SR 3) creates a Select Committee on Substance Use Disorder and Mental Health for the Eighty-Seventh Legislature. The committee, appointed by the Senate Presiding Officer (up to 17 members), will gather information on prevention, treatment, research, policies, access to care, and funding related to substance use disorders and mental health. It may meet during legislative interims and has jurisdiction over related legislative proposals, operating under Senate committee rules. This is a procedural resolution establishing a committee, not a law changing policy.

Maddy summarySB 582 allows current campus police officers at West Virginia state universities to join the West Virginia Division of Natural Resources (DNR) Police Officer Retirement System. It requires all new campus police hires starting January 1, 2026, to participate in this same retirement system. Current officers cannot transfer existing retirement credits or funds into the DNR system. The bill specifically affects campus police officers employed by state institutions, changing their retirement plan options without altering their current benefits or compensation. This policy change is limited to retirement system enrollment, not other employment terms.