Sen. Rupie Phillips

Maddy summaryWest Virginia's SB 531, the First Amendment Preservation Act, prohibits state agencies from entering contracts with media monitoring organizations that rate news sources for factual accuracy, bias, or adherence to journalistic standards. It directly affects all state departments, institutions of higher education using state funds, and companies bidding for state advertising contracts. The bill requires contractors to provide written certifications confirming they do not use such media monitoring services, and clarifies that contracts for aggregating news or tracking ad performance are still permitted. The law takes effect July 1, 2026, for all new or renewed state contracts.

Maddy summarySB 194 updates the definition of "disabled veteran taxpayer" in West Virginia's property tax law to clarify eligibility for the disabled veteran real property tax credit. The bill specifies that a qualifying veteran must have a 90% or greater service-connected disability rating from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) or meet VA eligibility for individual unemployability due to service-related injuries since September 11, 2001. This change directly affects veterans seeking the property tax credit, ensuring only those with the required VA determinations qualify. The bill does not alter the tax credit amount or eligibility for other benefits, focusing solely on refining the definition for administrative clarity.

Maddy summarySB 648, titled the "Strategic and Critical Resources Act," defines specific minerals (like lithium, cobalt, uranium, and others vital for national security) and establishes statewide regulations for their extraction. It prevents local governments from restricting or regulating extraction activities or facility development outside urban areas, reserving this authority for the state and federal governments. The bill also prohibits foreign adversaries (as defined by federal law) from owning, controlling, or operating facilities related to these resources. It explicitly states that federal environmental and health laws remain fully applicable, and does not affect standard business licenses or taxes. This bill directly affects mining companies, local governments, and foreign entities seeking to develop these critical resources in West Virginia.

Maddy summarySB 28 allows members of the West Virginia State Police Retirement System to convert accrued annual or sick leave into additional retirement credit. It specifically affects current and future State Police retirees, with different rules based on membership start dates: members joining before July 1, 2015, receive two days of retirement credit for each day of accrued leave, while those joining on or after that date receive one day of credit per day of leave. The bill clarifies that each leave day equals eight hours and establishes how remainders (e.g., less than 10 workdays) are handled, ensuring the conversion aligns with existing retirement service calculations.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies insurance coverage rules for drivers using vehicles provided by businesses that sell, repair, lease, or service motor vehicles. It establishes that the driver's personal auto insurance will be primary coverage, while the business's insurance acts as secondary coverage when the vehicle is used as a replacement while the driver's own car is being repaired or serviced. The change applies only when no additional payment is made for the vehicle's use and the driver has the business owner's permission. An exception exists for employees using company vehicles during work hours, where the business's insurance remains primary.

Maddy summarySB 686 modifies West Virginia's coal law to allow mining operations when some co-owners of coal land consent, even if others do not. It states that operators mining with consent from at least one co-owner are not committing "waste" or "trespass," and nonconsenting co-owners (including unknown or unlocatable owners) must receive a royalty payment based on their ownership share. The bill creates a new "Unknown and Unlocatable Coal Interest Owners Fund" managed by the State Treasurer to hold royalties from unlocated owners, with funds later transferred to the Special Reclamation Fund. This directly affects coal operators, surface owners, and all co-owners of coal estates, streamlining mining operations while ensuring nonconsenting owners receive compensation.

Maddy summaryThis bill (SB 208) adds a new exemption to West Virginia's public records law, protecting specific military records from public release. It directly affects National Guard personnel and agencies by shielding classified information related to national security, terrorism response plans, intelligence shared with federal partners, and operational details like deployment locations or tactics. The key provision prevents disclosure of records that could endanger military personnel, threaten public safety, or provide an advantage to adversaries. The exemption applies to sensitive data maintained by the National Guard, Department of Defense, and homeland security agencies under state law.

Maddy summaryThis Senate resolution formally recognizes the dedicated public service of Honorable Michael Andrew Woelfel, a former West Virginia State Senator. The bill honors his career as a prosecutor, juvenile court referee, university professor, and legislator who served three consecutive terms in the Senate. It expresses the Senate's appreciation for his contributions to West Virginia citizens and directs the Clerk to send a copy of the resolution to Woelfel. This is a commemorative measure with no policy changes or budgetary impact.

Maddy summaryThis Senate resolution formally recognizes the dedicated public service of Honorable Charles Houston Clements, a former West Virginia state senator. The bill honors Clements for his legislative career, including his service as Chair of the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee and his decision not to seek reelection in 2026. It expresses the Senate's appreciation for his commitment to serving West Virginia citizens and directs the Clerk to send a copy of the resolution to Clements.

Maddy summarySB 805 adds "abortion pill reversal" to West Virginia's Mothers and Babies Pregnancy Support Program, allowing funding for this service through eligible pregnancy help organizations. The bill defines "abortion pill reversal" as using progesterone to counteract the abortion pill (mifepristone) and specifies that only organizations that do not support or perform abortions can receive program funds for this purpose. Abortion industry organizations are explicitly excluded from receiving these funds. This is a procedural change to the existing program's funding eligibility, not a new law restricting abortion access.