Sen. Charles Clements

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 summarySenate Bill 587 sets new salary amounts for West Virginia county commissioners and other elected county officials, effective July 1, 2026, based on their county's population class (e.g., Class I commissioners will earn $53,731 annually, up from $45,535). To receive the increase, county officials must submit a written request to their county clerk, and the county auditor must certify sufficient fiscal health to cover the raise and related taxes. The bill applies directly to all elected county officials (including sheriffs, clerks, and assessors) across West Virginia's 55 counties, with salary tiers determined by county classification. It does not automatically increase pay; officials must actively request the raise, and counties must meet fiscal certification requirements before implementation.

Maddy summarySB 592 creates a tax credit program for West Virginia short line railroads and related infrastructure. It provides a 50% tax credit on qualified maintenance costs (capped at $5,000 per mile of track) and new infrastructure investments (capped at $2 million per project, with a $5 million annual limit). Eligible taxpayers include Class II/III railroads operating in West Virginia and owners/lessees of rail sidings or industrial spurs. Credits can be carried forward for up to five years or transferred to other taxpayers via written agreement. The bill directly supports rail infrastructure modernization by reducing costs for qualifying rail operators.

Maddy summaryThis Senate resolution formally recognizes the dedicated public service of Honorable Michael Andrew Woelfel, a former West Virginia State Senator. The bill honors his career as a prosecutor, juvenile court referee, university professor, and legislator who served three consecutive terms in the Senate. It expresses the Senate's appreciation for his contributions to West Virginia citizens and directs the Clerk to send a copy of the resolution to Woelfel. This is a commemorative measure with no policy changes or budgetary impact.

Maddy summarySJR 9 proposes amending West Virginia's constitution to require all voters to be U.S. citizens. It would change the voting eligibility rule to state: "Only citizens of the state who are citizens of the United States shall be entitled to vote at all elections." This would affect all voters in West Virginia elections by eliminating current exceptions allowing non-citizen residents to vote in certain local elections. The amendment must be approved by voters in the 2026 general election to take effect.

Maddy summarySB 774 allows county emergency medical services (EMS) officers to join the Emergency Medical Services Retirement System (EMSRS), removing a prior requirement that they be certified as law enforcement officers. It enables current EMS officers enrolled in the Public Employees Retirement System (PERS) to elect to switch to the EMSRS and transfer their eligible service years to the new system. The bill clarifies how retirement benefits are calculated for these officers, ensuring their prior service counts toward future benefits. This change directly affects county EMS officers by providing them with a retirement system tailored to their profession.

Maddy summarySB 928 defines "Low-Proof Spirit Alcohol Products" as beverages containing 0.5% to 15.5% alcohol by volume (not including wine, beer, or nonintoxicating beer), packaged in containers under 25 fluid ounces. It establishes new regulatory requirements for manufacturers, distributors, and retailers of these products, including specific sales and distribution rules. The bill also specifies a tax methodology for these products and grants the West Virginia Alcohol Beverage Control Commission authority to create implementing rules. This legislation directly affects businesses producing or selling low-proof alcohol beverages, creating a distinct regulatory category separate from traditional spirits, beer, or wine.

Maddy summarySB 972, or "Raylee's Law," temporarily restricts custodial parents or guardians from arranging home instruction for their child during an active West Virginia Department of Human Services (DHS) child abuse or neglect investigation where they are the alleged perpetrator. The law prohibits withdrawing a child from school for home instruction or resuming home instruction as the primary provider during the investigation. This restriction ends when DHS closes the case without substantiation or a court orders otherwise. The bill explicitly states it does not create a presumption of guilt, permanently ban home education, or limit court authority to order alternative educational placements for the child’s safety.

Maddy summarySB 676 would move employees in West Virginia's Division of Protective Services into the state police retirement system. This change directly affects staff currently covered under a different retirement plan, requiring them to participate in the West Virginia State Police Retirement Fund instead. The bill amends existing law to define these employees as "members" of the retirement system, aligning their contribution rates, benefit calculations, and eligibility rules with those of state police officers. This is a procedural policy change affecting retirement benefits for specific state workers.

Maddy summarySB 1081 creates a temporary School Finance Transparency Commission to study how West Virginia allocates and spends state education funds at the county level. The commission, including state officials, legislators, and local school representatives, will review spending data on personnel, operations, and instructional services across counties to identify trends and gaps between funding formulas and actual expenditures. It must submit findings and recommendations to the Governor and legislature by December 1, 2026, before terminating on December 31, 2026. This bill directly affects county school districts by examining their funding mechanisms and reporting on potential improvements to financial transparency.