Sen. Bob Plymale

Maddy summaryThis bill directs the West Virginia Legislature to replace the state's existing statue of John Kenna in the National Statuary Hall Collection at the U.S. Capitol with a new statue honoring Hershel "Woody" Williams. The legislation recognizes Williams as a Medal of Honor recipient and founder of the Gold Star Families Memorial Monument program, citing his military service and community contributions as worthy of national commemoration. To implement this change, the bill establishes a commission to select a sculptor, authorizes the Governor to fund the project from a contingency fund, and mandates that the removed John Kenna statue be displayed at the State Culture Center.

Maddy summaryThis Senate resolution honors David Allen Stover for his public service in West Virginia. It acknowledges his career as a teacher, his time as Wyoming County Circuit Clerk, and his single term in the state Senate. The bill formally expresses the Senate's appreciation for his dedication and directs the Clerk to send a copy of the resolution to him.

Maddy summaryThis Senate resolution urges the U.S. Department of the Treasury to negotiate a tax agreement with Taiwan to prevent double taxation and stop tax evasion. The bill aims to address current issues where Taiwanese companies face a 30 percent withholding tax and individuals might be taxed by both nations. By establishing these rules, the measure seeks to encourage more trade and investment between the two economies while aligning with similar agreements other countries have made with Taiwan. It is a non-binding recommendation intended to guide future negotiations rather than directly changing laws.

Maddy summaryThis bill is a Senate resolution that formally recognizes the dedicated public service of the Honorable William Chandler Swope, Sr. It directly affects Swope, a former West Virginia State Senator who served two terms and held various committee leadership roles. The resolution expresses the Senate's appreciation for his commitment to serving West Virginia citizens and directs the Clerk to send a copy of the document to him. This measure is commemorative in nature and does not create new laws or change existing policies.

Maddy summaryThis Senate resolution formally recognizes the dedicated public service of Honorable Craig Philip Blair, a former West Virginia legislator who served in the House of Delegates and Senate before becoming the state's 53rd President of the Senate. The bill honors his specific contributions, including his leadership roles as committee chair and majority whip, and expresses the Senate's gratitude for his commitment to serving citizens of West Virginia. The primary mechanism of the bill is a ceremonial acknowledgment that directs the Senate Clerk to send a copy of the resolution to Blair as a token of appreciation. This measure is a commemorative action that does not alter any laws or policies but serves to record and celebrate Blair's legislative career.

Maddy summaryThis Senate resolution formally recognizes the dedicated public service of Honorable Charles Samuel Trump IV. It acknowledges his extensive career in West Virginia government, including his time as a county prosecutor, a six-term House delegate, a Senate member, and his recent election to the state Supreme Court. The bill directs the Senate Clerk to send a copy of the resolution to Mr. Trump as an expression of appreciation for his commitment to serving citizens.

Maddy summaryThis bill is a Senate resolution that formally recognizes the dedicated public service of West Virginia Senator Michael Lynn Caputo. It honors his long career in state government, including his time as a House Delegate, Senate member, and leader in various committees focused on energy, mining, and judiciary matters. The resolution expresses the Senate's gratitude for his contributions and directs the Clerk to send a copy of the document to Caputo. This measure does not change any laws or policies; it serves solely as a ceremonial acknowledgment of his past service.

Maddy summarySenate Resolution 201 formally acknowledges the dedicated public service of Senator Robert Lee Karnes. This non-binding resolution honors his tenure in the West Virginia Senate, highlighting his leadership roles on various committees such as Natural Resources, Tax Reform, and Pensions. The bill directs the Senate Clerk to send a copy of the resolution to Senator Karnes as an official expression of gratitude. It does not create new laws or alter any policies but serves solely as a commemorative gesture.

Maddy summaryThis legislative resolution urges the U.S. Department of Education to speed up the processing of the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and ensure that financial aid is promptly issued to students and colleges in West Virginia and nationwide. The bill calls for the federal government to fully repair the FAFSA website, clear application backlogs for both online and paper submissions, and provide round-the-clock customer support to assist applicants with errors. It also requests that the Department of Education award financial aid to returning students at last year's levels if processing delays prevent new applications from being finalized. The measure aims to address significant drops in FAFSA completion rates and protect access to federal funding for higher education.

Maddy summaryThis bill extends a state of emergency in West Virginia from June 29, 2024, to October 15, 2024, to address ongoing issues with the federal FAFSA application process. The measure maintains the suspension of certain state rules that previously required students to complete the FAFSA to qualify for state-funded financial aid programs. By keeping these regulations paused, the legislation allows students to access state financial assistance without being blocked by the delayed federal application rollout. The change directly affects West Virginia residents seeking college funding and ensures that emergency powers remain active until the specified date.