Sen. Craig Hart

Maddy summarySB 481 amends West Virginia law to explicitly permit off-duty law enforcement officers to carry concealed weapons in public schools and school events. This change directly affects off-duty officers (including those with active law enforcement credentials) and public schools, clarifying that they are exempt from existing restrictions that prohibit weapons on school grounds. The bill modifies the exemption language in §61-7-11a(b)(2)(A) to specifically include "off duty" officers, removing ambiguity about whether current exemptions cover them. It does not change restrictions for civilians or other personnel, maintaining the existing prohibition for non-exempt individuals.

Maddy summarySB 437 creates the West Virginia Coal Marketing Program, administered by the Governor, to protect and expand the state's coal markets and facilities while addressing economic impacts on coal-dependent communities. It allocates $1 million from the general fund for the program, requiring the Governor to spend funds only on projects benefiting coal markets or mitigating community impacts from market changes. The bill mandates annual reports to the Joint Committee on Government and Finance detailing funded projects, recipients, and amounts, and requires Attorney General certification for all transactions. The program is funded through a dedicated account with continuous appropriations, effective 90 days after enactment.

Maddy summarySB 77 would direct 5 percent of the coal severance tax (the tax on coal mining) to the specific counties where coal was extracted, after increasing the allocation from 1% in 2012 to 5% by 2016. Funds would be distributed quarterly based on each county's share of the state's coal production, capped at $20 million annually. Counties must use these funds exclusively for economic development and infrastructure projects like roads, broadband, or water systems, and cannot deposit them into general county funds.

Maddy summarySB 25 creates the West Virginia Coal Marketing Program, administered by the Governor, to protect and expand the state's coal markets and facilities while addressing economic impacts on communities affected by coal market changes. It allocates $1 million from the general fund specifically for this program, requiring funds to support projects with public benefits related to coal markets or community impacts. The Governor must annually report to the Joint Committee on Government and Finance on funded projects, including recipient details and descriptions, and all transactions require Attorney General legal certification. The program becomes effective July 1, 2025.

Maddy summarySB 17, the Fetal Heartbeat Act, bans most abortions in West Virginia once a fetal heartbeat is detected via ultrasound (typically around 6 weeks of pregnancy), affecting pregnant people seeking abortions and medical providers. The law applies only to intrauterine pregnancies and includes exceptions for medical emergencies that endanger a patient’s life or pose a serious risk of irreversible bodily harm. It defines "fetal heartbeat" as cardiac activity visible in the gestational sac and requires medical documentation of heartbeat detection. Violations could trigger criminal penalties or civil lawsuits, though the bill explicitly states it does not restrict existing laws beyond its specific provisions.

Maddy summarySB 23 creates a Special Road Repair Fund within West Virginia's State Road Fund, allowing up to $80 million annually to be transferred specifically for repairing nonfederal aid eligible county roads. It establishes an Enhanced Road Repair Program requiring county supervisors (with county commissions and local legislators) to submit annual priority road repair requests by July 1, based on traffic counts and road condition. Funding is distributed proportionally by mileage of eligible roads, with a minimum $1 million allocation per county, and mandates contracting private vendors for repairs if 50% of core maintenance projects were unfinished the prior year. The program covers pothole repair, paving, ditching, and mowing on county roads, while requiring drainage work before paving. This directly affects county governments, private contractors, and residents who use nonfederal aid roads.

Maddy summarySJR 4 proposes a constitutional amendment to West Virginia's Bill of Rights, explicitly protecting the right to keep and bear arms. It prohibits state, county, municipal, and local government entities from restricting this right through regulations on ammunition capacity, caliber, carry methods, or other means. The amendment would require voter approval in the 2026 general election to take effect. If adopted, it would directly affect all West Virginians by preventing local and state governments from enacting most gun-related regulations.

Maddy summarySB 66 would exempt coal sold to coal-fired power plants located within West Virginia from the state's 5% severance tax. This directly affects coal producers who sell coal to in-state power plants, removing the tax on those specific sales. The bill amends existing tax law to create this targeted exemption, meaning coal sold to power plants outside West Virginia would still be subject to the tax. The change would reduce tax revenue for the state specifically on coal used by in-state electricity generators.

Maddy summarySB 43 updates West Virginia law to require certified registered nurse anesthetists (CRNAs) to meet specific new credentialing standards when administering anesthetics under physician or dentist supervision. To qualify, CRNAs must now hold a registered nursing license, an advanced practice nursing license, graduate from an accredited nurse anesthetist program, and hold board certification from the National Board of Certification. The bill clarifies that this supervision requires active collaboration ("cooperation") between the CRNA and the physician or dentist, with each working within their respective expertise. This directly affects CRNAs, physicians, and dentists providing anesthesia services in the state.

Maddy summaryThis bill, SB 19, provides civil and criminal immunity for individuals who use reasonable force - including deadly force - to defend themselves, their home, property, or others from imminent threat of death or serious harm. It removes the legal requirement to retreat when defending one's residence or a place where they lawfully reside or are present, and mandates courts to cover legal costs, fees, and expenses for those acting lawfully in defense. The law applies to homeowners, occupants, and individuals in public spaces with legal right to be, but excludes those provoking violence, committing felonies, or resisting police acting within legal authority. It creates a complete defense against civil lawsuits or criminal charges for justified defensive actions.