Maddy summarySB 804 gives public charter schools direct control over all extracurricular activities for their students, replacing county board oversight. It allows charter schools to optionally delegate athletic and band activities to the West Virginia Secondary School Activities Commission (WVSSAC), which would now be a state agency managing rules for competitive balance (including transfer counts) and handling disputes through its executive director. The bill removes a written permission requirement for homeschoolers, Hope Scholarship participants, and microschool students to join school activities, while modifying fees they pay. It also changes commission membership to include athletic directors (or their representatives) from schools that delegate authority, and shifts all commission funds to public funds.
Sponsored bills
Maddy summarySB 796 requires all voter identification documents presented at polling places in West Virginia to include a photograph, with exceptions for Medicare and Social Security cards. The bill specifies that state-issued driver's licenses and ID cards without "NV" markings (indicating non-citizens) are acceptable, but non-citizen IDs marked "NV" are not valid for voting unless accompanied by proof of naturalization. This change affects voters who must show ID at polls and poll workers who verify identification, directly impacting how voter ID is validated during elections.
Maddy summaryThis is a Senate resolution (SR 34), not a bill with binding policy changes. It expresses symbolic support for President Felix Tshisekedi and citizens of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), condemning M23 rebel groups backed by Rwanda and calling for an immediate end to hostilities. The resolution specifically urges the cessation of violence, accountability for alleged crimes against humanity, and humanitarian aid. It does not create new laws or allocate funds; instead, it directs copies to federal officials and West Virginia's congressional delegation.
Maddy summaryWest Virginia's SB 758 establishes new rules for vape and smoke shops, requiring them to obtain permits from county health departments and comply with specific location and operating standards. The bill prohibits these shops from operating within 1,000 feet of schools or residential areas, bans advertising that appeals to minors (like candy flavors or cartoon characters), and mandates inspections with fines for violations. It directly affects vape and smoke shop owners by creating a permit system and restricting where they can operate, while aiming to protect youth from nicotine product marketing. The law also defines key terms like "alternative nicotine products" and sets standards for business compliance.
Maddy summarySenate Resolution 28 designates March 14, 2025, as West Virginia State University Day at the West Virginia Legislature. The resolution recognizes the university’s history as a public historically Black college (HBCU) founded in 1891, its role as a land-grant institution, and its contributions to education and economic development across West Virginia. As a ceremonial resolution with no policy changes, it serves only to formally acknowledge the university’s legacy and impact on the state.
Maddy summarySB 740, the Stop Squatters Act, establishes a new process for property owners to quickly remove unauthorized occupants (squatters) from residential or commercial properties. It allows owners or their agents to request immediate police removal if conditions are met (e.g., occupant isn’t a tenant/family member, owner previously demanded they leave, and no court case is pending). The bill also creates criminal penalties: misdemeanors for damaging property under $1,000 during unlawful occupation, felonies for greater damage, and felonies for falsely listing property for sale/rent without legal title. Property owners must submit a verified complaint, and the law includes a civil remedy if removal is wrongful.
Maddy summarySJR 6 is a proposed constitutional amendment (not a bill) that would eliminate West Virginia's tax on business inventory, including raw materials, work-in-process, and finished goods held for sale or manufacturing. This change would directly affect businesses (reducing their tax burden) and local governments (counties, municipalities, school districts), which would lose revenue from this tax. The amendment requires the state legislature to provide alternative funding to replace lost revenue for impacted communities, ensuring no net fiscal harm to local governments. It must be ratified by voters in the 2026 general election to take effect.
Maddy summarySB 614 would allow West Virginia pharmacists to sell Ivermectin for human use without a prescription once the federal Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approves it for over-the-counter sale. The bill requires pharmacists to provide the FDA-approved patient information sheet at the time of sale and eliminates the need for a pharmacist consultation. It also protects pharmacists and healthcare providers from liability or disciplinary action for dispensing or recommending Ivermectin under these conditions, provided they act in good faith and follow applicable laws. This change would directly affect patients seeking Ivermectin and pharmacists operating in West Virginia.
Maddy summarySB 604 requires West Virginia’s Department of Human Services (DHS) to automatically notify the Public Service Commission (PSC) when a person qualifies for utility bill discounts through programs like SSI, TANF, or SNAP. This eliminates the need for customers to apply separately, as the PSC must then order utilities to apply a 20% discount for eligible households during December through April billing months. The bill specifically limits eligibility to named beneficiaries of these programs and their spouses. It streamlines access to existing discounts by shifting the notification responsibility from individuals to DHS.
Maddy summarySB 612 amends West Virginia law to require the Public Service Commission's (PSC) rules and regulations to undergo the same legislative review process as other state agency rules. Currently, PSC rules are exempt from this review; the bill removes that exemption. This change directly affects the PSC, which regulates utilities like gas, water, and electricity, by subjecting its rulemaking to legislative oversight. The key mechanism is amending §24-1-7 of the code to eliminate the existing exemption for PSC rules from legislative review procedures.