Maddy summarySB 739 creates a certification system for recovery residences in West Virginia, which are drug- and alcohol-free housing facilities supporting long-term substance use disorder recovery. The bill requires these residences to obtain a "certificate of compliance" from the Department of Human Services, defines key terms (like "immediate jeopardy" for safety risks), and prohibits patient brokering involving recovery residences. It directly affects recovery residences operating in the state, mandating they meet nationally recognized standards to ensure resident safety and quality care. The law aims to protect residents and communities by preventing poorly managed or fraudulent facilities from operating under the recovery residence model.
Sponsored bills
Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a new market pay enhancement for certified teachers in West Virginia to address regional cost-of-living disparities. It calculates an additional payment based on comparing the median home price in a teacher's county (or surrounding region including bordering states) to the statewide median home price, using data from the National Association of Realtors. The state board of education will determine the higher of two multipliers (regional or county-based) to apply to the average teacher base salary, with the enhancement capped at 50% of that base salary. The adjustment will occur annually starting December 1, 2026, aiming to make teacher compensation more competitive with neighboring states.
Maddy summarySB 763, the "Creating Public Electrical Savings Act," establishes rules for solar power agreements between utility customers and third-party providers. It directly affects residential, commercial, and industrial customers installing solar systems, as well as public entities (like schools or government buildings) entering into power purchase agreements (PPAs) for onsite solar. Key provisions include limiting total PPAs to 3% of a utility’s peak demand, setting size caps (50kW for homes, 1,000kW for businesses), requiring 48-hour backup power during outages, and mandating that public entity PPAs offer rates cheaper than the utility’s standard rate for the full agreement term. The bill also requires utilities to notify customers if caps are reached within 30 days or allow agreements to proceed if they don’t respond.
Maddy summarySB 820 creates the Whistleblower Protection Fund to support reporting of unethical practices in specific healthcare facilities, including clinical inpatient medical treatment centers, office-based medication-assisted treatment programs, and opioid treatment programs. The fund, administered by the Office of the Inspector General, will finance public awareness campaigns - such as advertisements, social media outreach, and informational materials - to encourage whistleblowers to report misconduct without fear of retaliation. Funding sources include legislative appropriations, donations, and public health grants. The Inspector General must submit annual reports to the Health Committee detailing campaign activities, the number of reports received, and their outcomes. This bill focuses on creating a reporting mechanism, not altering existing legal penalties.
Maddy summarySB 105 updates retirement eligibility for county sheriffs in West Virginia who are enrolled in the public retirement system. It clarifies that sheriffs may retire at age 62 with at least eight years of actual, contributing service as an elected sheriff, instead of the standard requirement of age 60 with five years of service for other public employees. The bill specifically applies to sheriffs not participating in another retirement system administered by the retirement board. This change modifies Section 5-10-20 of West Virginia’s retirement law to explicitly address sheriffs’ eligibility.
Maddy summarySB 579 prohibits municipalities participating in West Virginia's Home Rule Program from creating local nondiscrimination ordinances that add protected classes beyond those specified in state law. This directly affects cities and towns seeking to expand anti-discrimination protections for groups like LGBTQ+ residents or other categories not covered by existing state statutes. The bill restricts local authority by requiring all municipal nondiscrimination policies to align strictly with state-defined protected classes, preventing communities from implementing broader local protections. It does not change other aspects of the Home Rule Program, such as board structure or fee requirements.
Maddy summarySB 743 authorizes county clerks to move funds between accounts with approval from the county commission. This bill does not change the existing requirement that counties retain 100% of real estate transfer tax revenues starting July 1, 2025 (a provision already established in current law). The bill directly affects county clerks and county commissions by increasing flexibility in managing county funds.
Maddy summarySB 595, the Mountain Bike Responsibility Act, establishes rules for commercial mountain bike trail operators and riders in West Virginia. It requires operators to post trail maps, mark difficulty levels with standardized symbols, maintain emergency plans, and display a specific risk-assumption warning stating that riders accept inherent trail hazards. The law explicitly limits operator liability for injuries or damage caused by natural terrain features like roots, rocks, uneven surfaces, or other trail conditions. It directly affects commercial trail operators (not public or non-profit entities) and mountain bicyclists using designated trails. The bill aims to clarify responsibilities while defining the risks riders assume when using mountain bike trails.
Maddy summarySB 821 requires West Virginia child protective services (CPS) workers to wear visible body-worn cameras during all investigations of child abuse or neglect reports. The bill directly affects CPS workers who conduct these investigations, mandating camera use to document interactions in real time. It also requires the state department to develop specific implementation rules, which must be approved by the legislature. This policy change establishes a new standard for recording CPS fieldwork, focusing on transparency during sensitive cases.
Maddy summaryThis bill requires electric utility generators in West Virginia to operate at a 69% capacity level until 2040 and maintain a 45-day supply of coal fuel on site to ensure reliable power generation. It mandates that power-generating utilities submit detailed plans within 90 days outlining how they will keep existing coal plants operational through 2040, including maintenance schedules and cost estimates, while prohibiting the use of securitized funds to close or decommission plants without Public Service Commission approval. The West Virginia Public Service Commission will evaluate these plans, coordinate participation in regional capacity auctions, and may require additional upgrades to maintain plant operations. The legislation aims to protect ratepayers from rate increases, preserve local jobs, and extend the operational life of the state's coal-fired power plants.