Del. Bill Ridenour

Maddy summaryHB 3295 establishes a "Troops-to-Teachers" program to recruit veterans into teaching positions in West Virginia public schools. The bill requires the state superintendent to create this program specifically targeting veterans, including retirees, for teaching roles. Veterans will receive a hiring preference in public school employment, as outlined in existing law (§6-13-1). This program is integrated into West Virginia’s teacher certification framework under revised education code sections (§18A-3-1 and §18A-3-2a).

Maddy summaryHB 3479 would reinstate civil lawsuits for "alienation of affection" (suing someone who caused a marriage to break down) and "criminal conversation" (suing for adultery) in West Virginia. It removes a 1969 law that banned these claims, allowing new cases to be filed for acts occurring after the bill's effective date. The bill sets a three-year deadline to file such claims and prohibits lawsuits if the couple permanently separated before the alleged act. This directly affects individuals who believe a third party damaged their marriage or engaged in adultery with their spouse, but only for incidents happening after the law takes effect.

Maddy summaryHJR 38 proposes a constitutional amendment to transfer control of most roads in West Virginia from the state to local counties. If approved by voters in 2026, it would repeal existing road-related constitutional amendments and establish that counties - not the state - would be solely responsible for maintaining and repairing all roads, excluding National Highway System routes and designated state highways. The state Legislature would still provide funding through the regular budget process to support county road maintenance. This is a procedural constitutional amendment requiring voter approval, not an immediate law.

Maddy summaryHB 3493 creates "The Deployed Servicemembers Protection Act" to protect service members deployed for 30+ days. It prohibits spouses from selling property or vehicles over $10, closing joint accounts, removing more than 50% of funds, or taking children out of state without the service member's written permission during deployment and for two months after. The law applies to both active-duty service members and National Guard members called for state service. Violations carry misdemeanor penalties, including up to 30 days in jail or a $5,000 fine. This directly affects service members, their spouses, and families during military deployments.

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 3450 would reclassify titled vehicles (such as cars and trucks) in West Virginia from Class IV to Class II for property tax purposes, excluding mobile homes. This change directly affects vehicle owners in municipalities who pay personal property tax on titled vehicles, reducing their tax burden by moving these vehicles to a lower tax bracket. The bill amends state law to adjust the property classification system, shifting titled vehicles from a higher municipal tax class (Class IV) to a lower residential class (Class II). As a result, owners would pay less tax on their vehicles, though mobile homes remain unaffected by this change.

Maddy summaryHB 3451 proposes a phased increase in the homestead property tax exemption for West Virginia residents aged 65 or older, or those certified as permanently and totally disabled. Starting in 2027, the exemption for primary homes would rise from $20,000 to $40,000 over four years, contingent on a state constitutional amendment. To qualify, applicants must have lived in West Virginia for two consecutive years (with limited exceptions for military veterans or returning residents), and cannot claim a similar exemption in another state. The bill also removes limits on property tax rates and levy rates, which would allow for higher property tax collections overall.

Maddy summaryHB 3442 would expand self-defense protections in West Virginia by allowing residents to use deadly force without retreating in their home, residence, or curtilage (immediate surrounding area) when they reasonably fear death or serious harm from an intruder. It creates a complete legal defense against both civil lawsuits and criminal charges for lawful defensive use of force, including against intruders attempting to enter or commit felonies on property. The bill also extends these protections to situations outside the home where a person reasonably believes they or others face imminent death or serious harm that can only be stopped with deadly force. It specifically states that individuals acting within these rules are not required to retreat and will be entitled to recover court costs and fees if sued. This bill directly affects homeowners, residents, and others defending their property or persons under these specified circumstances.

Maddy summaryHB 3455 would require foreign governments, companies, or organizations (called "foreign principals") and their agents to register and report their lobbying activities in West Virginia, similar to domestic lobbying rules. The bill establishes new requirements for these entities, including mandatory registration, detailed reporting of lobbying expenditures and communications, and prohibitions on unregistered lobbying efforts. It also creates criminal penalties and fines for violations of these registration and reporting rules. This bill directly affects foreign entities seeking to influence West Virginia state legislation or regulations through lobbying, as well as the lobbyists representing them.

Maddy summaryHB 3463 would move the election of West Virginia Supreme Court justices from primary elections to general elections. The bill requires justices to be elected on nonpartisan ballots during general elections, with multiple seats elected via numbered divisions (one per seat) statewide. This change affects all candidates running for the state's Supreme Court of Appeals, as they would no longer compete in partisan primaries but instead be chosen directly by voters in general elections. The bill specifies that candidates in each numbered division would be certified based on the highest votes received within that division.