Del. Pat McGeehan

Maddy summaryHCR 78 is a non-binding resolution urging West Virginia's Division of Highways to prioritize completing I-73 (the "King Coal Highway") across Wayne, Mingo, McDowell, Mercer, and Wyoming counties. It requests the highway agency treat the project as a high priority to improve economic development and emergency access, especially after recent flooding exposed transportation challenges in the region. The resolution asks the state to provide necessary funding and executive support to expedite the highway's completion but does not allocate new funds or create new law. It directly affects the Division of Highways and residents of the five specified counties by formally advocating for this infrastructure project.

Maddy summaryHB 3304 (West Virginia House Bill 3304) directs the state to create four patriotic statues commemorating the 250th anniversary of the U.S. founding. The bill establishes a state commission (chaired by the Tourism Secretary) to oversee construction of these statues in each of West Virginia's four geographic regions, requiring completion by the 2026 anniversary date. The statues must honor both U.S. history and West Virginia's heritage, with construction to follow state purchasing laws. This is a procedural bill focused on commemorative monuments, not policy changes.

Maddy summaryHB 2456 establishes the West Virginia Mothers and Babies Pregnancy Support Program under the Bureau for Public Health to provide state funding to pregnancy help organizations (excluding abortion industry organizations). The program funds capital improvements, new services, compliance with licensing standards, and staff training for eligible organizations. Funding is distributed through a fee-per-service model, with specific rates set by the managing agency. This bill directly affects pregnancy help organizations by providing targeted financial support for operational needs.

Maddy summaryHB 2543 requires state agencies to prepare and submit detailed economic impact statements for certain proposed legislative rules before they are finalized. These statements must analyze potential costs to the public, including regulatory expenses, effects on business competitiveness, job creation, private investment, and economic growth. The bill applies specifically to "legislative rules" (rules that have legal force, impose liability, or grant/deny specific benefits), excluding interpretive or exempt rules. This change aims to provide transparency about the economic consequences of new regulations before they take effect.

Maddy summaryHCR 72 designates March 20, 2025 as "Black Lung Awareness Day" in West Virginia. It honors coal miners affected by black lung disease (coal worker's pneumoconiosis), a preventable occupational lung condition caused by coal dust exposure. The resolution does not create new laws, funding, or policy changes - it serves as a ceremonial observance recognizing the disease's impact and existing protections like the Black Lung Benefits Act. It follows the Federal Coal Mine Health and Safety Act's emphasis on miner safety without altering current regulations.

Maddy summaryThis resolution expresses the West Virginia House of Delegates' support for the Southern Regional Education Board's (SREB) Crisis Recovery Network, which would provide long-term mental health counseling support to schools after crises like natural disasters or shootings. It recognizes that schools - especially rural ones - often lack sufficient counselors to address ongoing student and staff needs during recovery. The resolution does not create new programs or funding but affirms state participation in the existing SREB network, which coordinates specialized counselors and resources for schools in extreme need.

Maddy summaryHJR 40 proposes a constitutional amendment to change how members of the West Virginia State Board of Education are selected. It would replace the current system of nine appointed members with a hybrid model: five members elected on a partisan basis from five geographic regions (serving staggered four-year terms), and four members appointed by the Governor with Senate consent. The amendment would require the Board to submit any rules or policies they create to the Legislature for review, approval, amendment, or rejection. If approved by voters in the 2026 general election, these changes would take effect with the 2028 general election, modifying the current appointment system for the Board.

Maddy summaryHB 3458 would modify West Virginia's tax on racetrack table games by exempting the first $7,142,857.14 of annual revenue from a 35% tax. It directly affects racetracks operating lottery table games, replacing all other state and local taxes on these operations (except property tax) with this single tax. The bill requires weekly tax payments on revenue exceeding the exemption threshold, calculated using the accrual method, and allows negative weekly revenue to be carried forward. This changes the tax structure to reduce burdens on lower-revenue operations while maintaining a 35% rate on higher earnings.

Maddy summaryHB 3384 prohibits West Virginia public and private colleges and universities from requiring vaccines as a condition for enrollment, employment, or participation in campus activities. It bans institutions from offering incentives (like rewards or discounts) for vaccinations and allows free vaccines only with informed consent. The bill ensures students, faculty, and staff cannot be denied access to education or jobs based solely on vaccination choices. Institutions may still offer free vaccines on campus, but cannot mandate them or deny services for opting out.

Maddy summaryHB 2598 requires parents or guardians to participate in programs for juveniles in out-of-home placements (such as foster care), unless a court determines participation isn't in the juvenile's best interest. The bill amends West Virginia law to mandate that court orders for juvenile services include this participation requirement and that programs like family therapy must involve parents/guardians. It directly affects juveniles in care, their families, and child welfare agencies responsible for implementing court-mandated services. The law aims to strengthen family involvement in juvenile care plans but does not create new services - only requires existing programs to include parental participation where appropriate.