Sen. Mike Stuart

Maddy summarySB 617 defines "gang" as any group of three or more people engaging in specific crimes, and creates new criminal penalties for gang membership and recruitment. It makes joining a gang or assisting in gang-related crimes a felony punishable by up to 10 years in prison or a $25,000 fine, separate from the underlying crimes. The bill also adds penalties for intimidating witnesses in gang-related cases, with up to 10 years in prison. This law directly affects individuals who join gangs or recruit others, targeting ongoing criminal activity under West Virginia's Anti-Organized Criminal Enterprise Act.

Maddy summarySenate Resolution 50 is a non-binding request to the federal government to study and implement waterway restoration projects in West Virginia. The resolution specifically asks federal agencies to evaluate and act on debris removal, river bed stabilization, and restoration of natural water flow patterns to address existing flooding damage and prevent future flooding. It was prompted by historic flooding in West Virginia during winter and spring 2025, which left streams and rivers filled with debris that continues to damage property and infrastructure. The resolution requests federal action to mitigate these issues and reduce future recovery costs. This resolution is addressed to President Donald J. Trump and Elon Musk, in his alleged capacity as a special government employee.

Maddy summarySCR 27 is a request for the Joint Committee on Government and Finance to study West Virginia's alcohol sales regulations. The bill asks the committee to examine current rules (many dating to the 1930s) that govern alcohol sales, distribution, and consumption. The study will assess whether these regulations are efficient, modern, and effective, considering input from businesses, consumers, health professionals, and law enforcement. The committee must report its findings and recommendations to the 2026 legislative session.

Maddy summarySenate Concurrent Resolution 26 directs the Joint Committee on Government and Finance to study smoke shops in West Virginia, focusing on products they sell, health risks, and sales to minors. The resolution specifically asks the committee to examine both legal and illegal tobacco, nicotine, CBD, kratom, and cannabis products, including their compliance with federal safety guidelines. The committee will assess how illegal products enter the state and their sources, with a report due to the 2026 legislative session. This study aims to inform potential regulatory changes regarding these products without proposing new laws. The resolution does not make policy changes but requests a comprehensive examination to address safety concerns.

Maddy summarySB 585, the Cohen Craddock Student Athlete Safety Act, requires all West Virginia high school and middle school student athletes participating in football practices to use impact-reducing soft-shell helmet covers starting July 1, 2026 (Section 18-36-4). The bill establishes a Student Athlete Safety Advisory Committee (composed of education, health, and sports medicine experts) to evaluate safety protocols, equipment, and injury data, and make recommendations to improve athlete safety (Section 18-36-3). It also creates the Cohen Craddock Memorial Grant Program to provide funding for schools to purchase required or additional safety equipment, administered through a dedicated grant fund (Sections 18-36-6 and 18-36-7). The law directly affects all student athletes in West Virginia interscholastic sports, with immediate focus on football safety equipment standards.

Maddy summarySB 761, the Joel Archer Substance Abuse Intervention Act, establishes a legal process for court-ordered, involuntary treatment of adults with substance use disorders who pose an imminent danger to themselves or others. It requires a petition from a spouse or a dependent (as defined by federal tax law) to initiate proceedings, with the court verifying the petitioner’s relationship and the respondent’s danger to self/family. The bill mandates a 14-day hearing timeline, a 24-hour pre-hearing medical exam by two professionals, and guarantees payment for treatment through the petitioner or state/federal programs. It specifically prohibits involuntary treatment unless the person meets all criteria: suffering from substance use disorder, presenting imminent danger, and reasonably benefiting from treatment.

Maddy summarySB 944 creates the West Virginia Child First Advisory Committee to evaluate and improve the state's child welfare system. The committee, composed of DHS officials, child welfare experts appointed by the governor, legislative members, and court representatives, will assess child abuse/neglect cases, foster care, adoption processes, and system efficiency. It must issue annual reports by January 1st with recommendations for reducing child removal rates, improving family reunification, and enhancing system transparency. The bill also establishes a dedicated fund (administered by DHS) to support these improvements, funded by state appropriations and federal resources.

Maddy summaryThis is a commemorative resolution (SCR 19) requesting the West Virginia Division of Highways name bridge number 23-016/83-000.02 (locally known as Bull Hollow Beam Span over Buffalo Creek) the "U.S. Army ST4 Gregory K. Stephens Memorial Bridge." It honors Gregory Kent Stephens, a West Virginia native and U.S. Army Specialist 4 who served from 1974-1983 and passed away in 2024. The resolution has no policy impact - it solely requests a symbolic name change for the bridge.

Maddy summaryThis bill (SCR 10) is a memorial resolution requesting the West Virginia Division of Highways rename a specific bridge in Lincoln County. It directs the agency to change the existing "U.S. Army TEC5 Donald 'Tiny' Lucas Memorial Bridge" (located at coordinates 38.10346, -82.17775) to include Ronald Lucas, honoring his life and service. The resolution cites Ronald Lucas's military service, community contributions, and efforts to memorialize his father. As a commemorative resolution, it does not create new laws or affect policy - it solely changes the bridge's official name.

Maddy summarySCR 16 is a commemorative resolution requesting the West Virginia Division of Highways name bridge number 11660 (located at 38.1177, -81.8426 on CR 119/93 Rock Creek Road over the Little Coal River in Boone County) as the "U.S. Army SPC Johnny Long Memorial Bridge." It honors Specialist Johnny Long, a Boone County native, coal miner, bridge construction worker, and decorated Vietnam War veteran who died in 2023. The resolution has no policy impact - it solely requests a permanent name change for a specific bridge to memorialize Long's life and service.