Sen. Scott Fuller

Maddy summarySB 716 would lower the participation requirement for West Virginia's volunteer firefighter tax credit from 30% to 20% of department activities. This change directly affects volunteer firefighters seeking the tax credit, making it easier to qualify by reducing the minimum activity threshold. The bill amends Section 11-13JJ-4 of the state code to update the participation percentage while keeping other eligibility conditions unchanged. Currently, firefighters must participate in 30% of activities; the bill would require only 20%.

Maddy summarySB 424, the Affordable Electricity and Economic Growth Act of 2026, would amend West Virginia law to streamline regulations for coal-based electricity generation and coke production (used in steelmaking) by requiring state agencies to simplify permitting processes. The bill directs the Department of Economic Development to lead efforts in promoting these industries, with the goal of leveraging the state's metallurgical coal resources to boost economic growth. It states that developing these sectors would improve economic opportunities, stabilize electricity prices, and strengthen West Virginia's competitiveness with neighboring states. The legislation aims to address regulatory barriers that have hindered coal-related projects compared to other states.

Maddy summaryWest Virginia's SB 612 designates November 7 as "Victims of Communism Day" for public schools, requiring high school students in the mandated U.S. Government class to receive at least 45 minutes of annual instruction on this topic. The bill specifies instruction must cover historical communist regimes (including Mao Zedong's Cultural Revolution, Stalin's Soviet system, and others) and how victims suffered through poverty, violence, and suppression. It directs the State Board of Education to revise social studies standards by April 2026 to include these requirements. The observance applies to all public schools, with make-up days if November 7 falls on a non-school day. This bill directly affects West Virginia public school students and educators in required U.S. Government courses.

Maddy summarySB 522, the West Virginia Jobs Protection Act, requires all employers in West Virginia - including businesses, government agencies, and contractors - to use the federal E-Verify system to confirm the work authorization of every new hire within three business days of their start date. This applies to all employers regardless of size, with violations subject to fines of $5,000-$15,000 per unauthorized worker, license suspension, or loss of state contracts. Employers must enroll in E-Verify and begin compliance by July 1, 2026, and retain verification records for at least three years. The law aims to ensure all employees have legal work authorization under federal law, with the West Virginia Division of Labor overseeing enforcement and reporting compliance data annually.

Maddy summarySB 516 sets a new state minimum salary of $50,000 for all West Virginia public school teachers beginning in the 2026-2027 school year, replacing the previous minimum schedule. It also provides a $2,000 annual base salary increase for every teacher and an additional $1,200 annual increase specifically for teachers providing math instruction or special education services. The bill amends the state salary schedule to reflect these changes, ensuring all teachers meet the new $50,000 minimum regardless of experience level or degree. This policy directly affects every public school teacher in West Virginia, with the changes taking effect for the 2026-2027 school year.

Maddy summarySB 423, the "Public Electrical Savings Act," establishes rules for public entities (like schools, government buildings, and municipal facilities) entering power purchase agreements (PPAs) for on-site solar energy. It requires that any PPA must guarantee customers a lower cost per kilowatt-hour than the local utility’s rate, limits PPA contracts to five years (with renewal allowed), and caps total solar generation from PPAs at 3% of a utility’s statewide peak demand. The bill also sets individual capacity limits (50kW for homes, 1,000kW for businesses) and mandates utility meter inspections and cost reporting. These provisions aim to ensure public solar projects provide actual cost savings while preventing grid strain.

Maddy summarySB 177 provides tuition-free education for West Virginia certified law enforcement officers (LEOs) at public and private colleges, up to the highest public tuition rate in the state. It covers certificates, undergraduate degrees, master's degrees, and medical degrees (MD/DO), with officers limited to one degree per level (except for two MD/DO slots annually). Officers must serve one year for every year of tuition covered, and payments coordinate with existing benefits like the GI Bill or PROMISE Scholarship. The program is administered by the Secretary of Homeland Security, requiring legislative funding for implementation.

Maddy summarySB 765 establishes the Troops-to-Teachers Program to help military veterans transition into teaching careers. The law directly affects veterans seeking to become licensed teachers by waiving certain state licensing requirements and providing support services. Key provisions include streamlined certification processes, tuition assistance for education programs, and partnerships with school districts to place qualified veterans. The program became effective upon the governor's approval on April 30, 2025, as Chapter 90 of the 2025 Regular Session Acts.

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 942 modifies state regulations governing diesel-powered equipment used in mining operations. It directly affects mining companies and operators who use such equipment at mine sites. The bill changes specific requirements related to emissions standards, maintenance, or equipment specifications for diesel machinery in mines (though the exact technical modifications are not detailed in the provided context). The legislation was enacted into law as Chapter 182 of the 2025 Regular Session Acts on April 25, 2025. Without additional bill text, the precise nature of the "modifications" cannot be specified.