Maddy summarySenate Bill 23 (SB 23) clarifies that wind power projects in West Virginia are not classified as "pollution control facilities" for tax purposes and instead must be taxed as real property. This change directly affects wind energy developers and local tax assessors, as it removes the previous allowance for wind turbines and towers to be treated as personal property with reduced valuation. The bill specifies that wind turbines and their towers (including foundations) will be taxed as real property if permanently affixed to the ground, ending prior tax treatment that allowed them to be considered pollution control facilities. This adjustment aligns wind power projects with standard real property taxation, eliminating a prior distinction that impacted how these facilities were valued for local taxes.
Sponsored bills
Maddy summarySB 15 requires carbon storage operators to protect mineral owners' interests before permits are issued for underground carbon storage projects in West Virginia. It mandates that applicants must verify if coal, oil, or gas minerals exist in the project area and obtain written agreements ensuring these interests won't be harmed by the carbon dioxide plume. The bill also requires operators to notify mineral owners and lessees, secure written consent from at least 75% of pore space owners, and compensate nonconsenting owners fairly. This directly affects coal and oil/gas mineral rights holders and carbon storage operators by adding legal safeguards to project planning and approval.
Maddy summarySB 1052 requires West Virginia county commissions to approve or disapprove any purchase exceeding $10,000 made by volunteer fire departments using funds from county fire fee levies. This applies specifically to volunteer fire departments that receive money from local fire tax collections. The bill mandates that such departments submit all purchases over $10,000 to their county commission for approval before purchasing. The requirement takes effect July 1, 2026, and does not apply to purchases under $10,000.
Maddy summarySB 549 would increase the daily payment for jurors in West Virginia from a current range of $15 to $40 per day to a new range of $40 to $100 per day. This change applies to both trial jurors (petit jurors) and grand jurors serving on court cases. The bill replaces the previous minimum of $15 with a new minimum of $40 and raises the maximum from $40 to $100. The reimbursement remains determined by the court and paid from the state treasury, but ensures jurors receive at least $40 per day.
Maddy summaryThis Senate Resolution (SR 32) expresses the West Virginia Senate's commitment to protecting coal-dependent communities and energy infrastructure. It specifically requires coal-fired power plants to operate at a minimum 69% annual capacity factor to maintain grid reliability and protect over 10,000 coal jobs, while opposing actions that threaten mine closures or job losses. The resolution also pledges to prioritize local coal jobs over "out-of-state contracting" and prevent ratepayers from bearing higher costs due to reduced coal generation. As a non-binding resolution (adopted February 18, 2026), it does not create new law but formally commits the Senate to supporting coal through policy advocacy and oversight.
Maddy summarySB 984 allows individuals petitioning to restore their right to possess firearms to also request restoration of their right to serve on a jury in the same application. It automatically restores both firearms possession and jury service rights for certain nonviolent felons without requiring a separate petition. The bill clarifies eligibility for these petitions, specifies court authority to grant these rights, and mandates the Attorney General to publish public guidance on the process. This law directly affects West Virginia residents with prior felony convictions who seek to regain civil rights related to firearms and jury service.
Maddy summarySB 975 amends West Virginia law to exclude counties from receiving reimbursement for inmates declared mentally unfit to stand trial. Specifically, it removes such inmates from the list of individuals for whom counties must pay daily costs to the state correctional fund. This change directly affects counties that currently cover housing costs for inmates in state facilities under §15A-3-16(g). The bill modifies the reimbursement mechanism by excluding these inmates from the per-day cost calculation, shifting the financial responsibility entirely to the state.
Maddy summarySR 42 is a ceremonial Senate resolution honoring the late Walter Dolph Helmick, a former West Virginia state legislator and public servant. It memorializes his life and career, noting his service as a coal miner, teacher, businessman, Mason, West Virginia House of Delegates member, Senate member (1989-2013), and Commissioner of Agriculture. The resolution formally recognizes his contributions to West Virginia and extends condolences to his family following his death in 2025. As a non-binding memorial resolution, it has no policy impact or effect on legislation.
Maddy summarySB 30 (West Virginia) removes the requirement for 18- to 20-year-olds to obtain a permit to carry a concealed weapon. The bill repeals prior restrictions that mandated permits for this age group and explicitly states that individuals aged 18-20 may carry concealed deadly weapons without a license, except when prohibited by other laws. Key exceptions remain in place, such as for carrying on personal property, transporting unloaded firearms from purchase to home, or during lawful hunting. The law clarifies that 18-20-year-olds are not subject to the "carrying without a license" crime under specific circumstances. This directly affects young adults in West Virginia who wish to carry concealed weapons without state-issued permits.
Maddy summarySB 615 (West Virginia Senate Bill 615) requires all state and local law enforcement agencies in West Virginia to notify U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) when they determine an individual is in the U.S. without legal authorization. The bill directly affects undocumented immigrants in West Virginia and mandates that law enforcement cooperate with federal immigration authorities under federal law. Key provisions include prohibiting any state or local policies that would block this notification, and requiring agencies to follow federal immigration enforcement procedures. This bill changes how West Virginia law enforcement handles immigration status determinations, making notification to ICE mandatory rather than optional.