Sen. Craig Hart

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 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 summaryThis bill exempts home producers from most state food regulations for selling nonpotentially hazardous foods (like baked goods, jams, or non-alcoholic beverages) directly to consumers. It applies to individuals producing these items at their residential property, excluding dairy, meat, poultry, or alcoholic products. Producers must sell directly to consumers (not through retailers), deliver items to consumers, and provide required notices about the food's origin. The exemption covers licensing, permitting, inspection, packaging, and labeling requirements for these specific foods, while potentially hazardous foods (like dairy) still require department permits and oversight.

Maddy summarySB 530, the West Virginia Land Sovereignty Act, blocks foreign governments and entities from designated high-risk countries (like China, Russia, Iran, and North Korea) from purchasing or acquiring title to real property in West Virginia. It requires existing foreign owners to register their land with the Department of Agriculture within 60 days or sell it within 180 days. The law includes exceptions for U.S. citizens/residents, primary residences (homesteads), and short-term leaseholds (under five years). The West Virginia Attorney General enforces the law through investigations, court actions, and property divestment.

Maddy summaryThis bill repeals a specific tax provision (§11-6A-5a) that previously applied to wind power projects in West Virginia. It removes the existing tax treatment for wind energy facilities from the state code. The repeal directly affects developers and operators of wind power projects in the state by eliminating this specific tax requirement. The bill makes a concrete change to the tax code without adding new provisions or rates.

Maddy summaryThis is a ceremonial resolution (not a bill with legal effect) that formally commemorates the 75th anniversary of the Sport Fish Restoration Program. It recognizes the program's history since 1950, which uses excise taxes on fishing equipment and motorboat fuels to fund state fisheries conservation efforts through the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. The resolution honors anglers, the sportfishing industry, state agencies, and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service for their role in restoring fish populations. It does not create new laws, change funding, or affect any specific individuals or groups beyond acknowledging their historical contributions.

Maddy summarySB 510, the "Creating Stable Energy Rates Protection Act," prohibits West Virginia's Public Service Commission from including costs for wind or solar energy facilities in utility rate increases. Specifically, the Commission cannot approve rate hikes based on construction, operation, maintenance, or decommissioning costs for new wind or solar projects. Existing contracts signed before the law's effective date are exempt, but no future rate increases can use costs from new commitments under those contracts. The Commission must annually report to the Legislature on the policy's impact on energy rates and reliability. The bill takes effect immediately upon passage.

Maddy summarySB 507 prohibits drag performances in public venues where minors could attend, specifically banning them in schools, libraries, and other public spaces. It defines "drag performance" as shows where performers use clothing/makeup to exaggerate gender identity for entertainment, intended to appeal to prurient interest. The bill also prohibits state agencies from using public funds to host such performances. This directly affects schools, libraries, and state-funded events by restricting where drag shows may occur. The law amends West Virginia’s obscenity statutes to add this specific restriction.

Maddy summarySB 476 increases funding flexibility for West Virginia's Water Development Authority by raising the annual transfer limit to its Critical Needs and Failing Systems Sub Account from $12 million to $14 million. It raises the project cost cap for certain infrastructure extensions from $2 million to $3 million and allows grants for facility upgrades (under $300,000) to reduce maintenance, operations costs, or waterline leakages. This directly affects local water and wastewater systems facing aging infrastructure or service disruptions. The bill modifies existing rules to expand eligible projects without changing grant allocation limits.

Maddy summarySB 469, the WV Constitutional Carry Act of 2025, would amend West Virginia law to allow residents aged 18 to 20 to carry concealed deadly weapons without a permit, matching the current rule for those 21 and older. The bill removes the existing prohibition requiring a permit for this age group, updating penalties and provisions in the state code while maintaining current exceptions (such as on private property or during hunting). It does not change the list of individuals prohibited from possessing firearms under state law. This change would directly affect 18- to 20-year-olds who are not barred from firearm possession under existing state law.