Sen. Tom Willis

Maddy summarySB 796 would repeal a specific section (§51-8-5) of West Virginia law that currently governs how certain official state reports must be distributed. This bill removes the existing legal requirement for distributing these reports but does not establish a new distribution process. The repeal directly affects state agencies responsible for producing and sharing these reports, eliminating the current procedural framework. No new mechanisms or alternatives are specified in the bill text.

Maddy summarySB 793 defines a "day of local significance" as a date when local events like fairs, festivals, parades, or celebrations make court business impractical in a county. It establishes that county courts may designate such days through the chief justice of the Supreme Court or local chief judge, allowing courthouses to close without disrupting court schedules. If a court proceeding is scheduled on a designated day of local significance, it automatically moves to the next non-holiday, non-emergency weekday. This bill clarifies courthouse closure rules for local events while maintaining consistent court operations on standard legal holidays.

Maddy summaryWest Virginia's SB 800 updates jury selection procedures to ensure a fair cross-section of the population. It requires counties to compile a master list of potential jurors using voter registration, driver's license records, or state tax returns (selecting the same percentage from each source), replacing outdated methods like physical "jury boxes" with electronic systems. The bill clarifies that court clerks must maintain these lists, remove jurors who served within the past two years, and make the lists publicly accessible. This directly affects citizens summoned for jury duty and streamlines administrative tasks for court clerks and the state's administrative director.

Maddy summarySB 794 clarifies that the Intermediate Court of Appeals cannot hear appeals of adoption orders or decrees. It specifically removes these cases from the court's jurisdiction, as stated in amended Section 51-11-4(d)(12). Adoption cases will now proceed directly to the West Virginia Supreme Court of Appeals for review. This change applies to all adoption orders entered under West Virginia Code §48-22-704. The bill modifies procedural appeal pathways without altering adoption laws themselves.

Maddy summaryThis bill (SB 1038) increases salaries by 15% for three specific positions at the Unemployment Compensation Board of Review: Chief Administrative Law Judge, Administrative Law Judge 1, and Administrative Law Judge 2. The adjustment applies to salary levels effective when the bill takes effect and is separate from other 2026 budget salary changes. The stated purpose is to help ensure unemployment compensation hearings occur in a timely manner. The funding for this increase is exempt from standard budget constraints, and the law explicitly states it creates no legal liability for implementation.

Maddy summarySB 1026 creates a new criminal offense for disturbing lawful meetings, specifically increasing penalties when the disruption targets religious worship gatherings. It defines prohibited acts like obstructing meetings or making displays that outrage a group's sensibilities. Violations become a felony if committed to disrupt religious worship at tax-exempt places (including virtual meetings via video/teleconferencing), otherwise remaining a misdemeanor. The law directly affects individuals who interfere with religious services or gatherings, with enhanced penalties applying specifically to religious contexts. This is a policy change establishing concrete criminal penalties for targeted disruptions of religious activities.

Maddy summarySB 502 establishes permanent endowments to protect women’s collegiate Olympic sports programs at West Virginia’s public NCAA Division I universities. It requires that only endowment earnings - not principal - fund scholarships, coaching, equipment, and facilities for these programs. The bill creates tax credits (50% of donations) for private contributions and matching funds for institutions that document verified operational savings (e.g., energy efficiency, shared services), while prohibiting cuts to academic programs or Title IX compliance. All endowments must undergo annual audits, and institutions must report on cost savings, donations, and Title IX adherence to the state education commission.

Maddy summarySB 575 clarifies that county prosecuting attorneys must personally attend all refusal review hearings for drivers who refused chemical tests during traffic stops. This directly affects drivers facing license suspension for refusing tests and county prosecutors, who now have a clear duty to represent the state at these hearings. The bill amends existing law to specify that county attorneys - not other legal representatives - must handle all proceedings to protect the state’s interests. It does not change the hearing process or criteria for determining refusal but ensures prosecutors are present to present evidence. This aims to streamline the review of license suspensions under West Virginia’s DUI laws.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a value-based payment system for West Virginia's Medicaid addiction care services, shifting from fee-for-service to rewarding providers based on patient recovery outcomes. It directly affects Medicaid providers treating substance use disorders by requiring them to use standardized billing codes starting in 2027 and report on five specific outcome metrics: housing stability, sobriety, avoidance of criminal justice involvement, self-sufficiency (employment/education), and provider transition plans. The bill mandates data collection and analysis by the Bureau for Medical Services to develop these metrics, with value-based payments requiring implementation by 2028. The goal is to create a coordinated care system focused on long-term recovery success rather than fragmented service volume.

Maddy summarySB 1, the Small Business Growth Act, creates a new tax credit program administered by the West Virginia Department of Commerce to incentivize investment in small businesses. It provides insurance companies with a credit against their state premium tax equal to 15% of qualifying capital investments made by certified "growth funds" into eligible West Virginia businesses. Eligible businesses must have fewer than 250 employees and principal operations in the state, and investments are limited to 20% of a growth fund's capital authority or $7.5 million per business. The credit is claimed annually based on certified investments, with the program requiring annual reporting and prohibiting certain investment types.