Sen. Glenn Jeffries

Maddy summarySB 942, the Advanced-Baseload Energy Development Act, creates a framework to support nuclear reactors and hydrogen energy projects that use carbon capture technology. It establishes a new Advanced Energy Division within the Office of Energy to coordinate development, permit projects, and partner with universities for workforce training. The bill provides tax incentives for qualifying projects, requires community benefit agreements, and allows utilities to recover project costs through rate increases. It specifically targets advanced-baseload energy projects using advanced nuclear reactors or fossil-fuel-derived hydrogen with carbon capture, aiming to leverage West Virginia’s energy infrastructure and workforce.

Maddy summarySB 706 modifies West Virginia's severance tax for oil and natural gas producers by temporarily reducing the tax rate for newly drilled wells. It lowers the tax rate to 3% (from 5%) for 24 months starting from the first sale of natural gas or oil from wells drilled after June 30, 2026. This applies specifically to newly completed wells, while existing wells and other production types maintain their standard rates (2.5% or 5% depending on production volume and drilling method). The bill directly affects oil and gas producers who drill new wells after the effective date, offering a short-term tax incentive to encourage new development. The change is part of the state's severance tax structure under §11-13A-3a of the West Virginia Code.

Maddy summaryThis bill removes time limits for workers to file or modify claims related to progressive massive fibrosis, a lung disease often linked to occupational exposure (like mining). It directly affects workers who develop this condition, allowing them to pursue or adjust compensation claims without being barred by past deadlines. The bill amends West Virginia's workers' compensation code to eliminate statute of limitations barriers specifically for these claims and adds a new impairment rating for progressive massive fibrosis. This change ensures affected workers can access benefits regardless of when symptoms first appeared or worsened.

Maddy summarySenate Resolution 30 designates February 9, 2026, as "WVSU Day" at the West Virginia Capitol to honor West Virginia State University (WVSU). The resolution formally recognizes WVSU's historical significance as a public HBCU founded in 1891, its land-grant status, and its contributions to education and economic development in the state. This is a ceremonial resolution with no policy changes or direct impact on constituents, solely serving to acknowledge the university's legacy.

Maddy summarySB 807 allows physician assistants (PAs) in West Virginia to own medical practices or businesses, which was previously restricted under state law. The bill amends licensing rules to permit PAs to be shareholders in medical corporations and to form professional LLCs under the Uniform Limited Liability Company Act. It also prohibits PAs from receiving licenses or authorizations for referrals where they have a financial interest in the referral source. This directly affects PAs seeking greater business ownership opportunities while maintaining safeguards against conflicts of interest in patient referrals. The policy change updates professional licensing provisions without altering PA scope of practice or clinical responsibilities.

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 447 amends West Virginia's Industrial Access Road Fund to clarify spending rules and raise monetary limits. It increases the annual county allocation cap for unmatched funds from $400,000 to $800,000 and sets a $300,000 cap for matched funds. The fund can only finance roads to existing or planned industrial sites (e.g., manufacturing, distribution, or West Virginia Business Ready Sites Program locations), not schools, shopping centers, or private property. Counties must provide surety bonds if sites aren't built on time, and projects require Division of Highways approval within 90 days.