Del. Bill Ridenour

Maddy summaryHB 3113 increases the percentage of precincts required to undergo manual ballot audits during election canvassing in West Virginia. The bill mandates that a higher random selection of precincts (beyond the current threshold) must have voter-verified paper ballots manually counted. If discrepancies exceed 1% or change the election outcome in an audited precinct, all ballots in that precinct must be manually recounted, with the manual count becoming the official record. This directly affects election officials conducting canvasses and candidates who may demand recounts. The bill amends existing election code sections to implement these audit requirements.

Maddy summaryHB 3114 prohibits lobbyists from receiving compensation for lobbying West Virginia state officials on behalf of designated "foreign adversaries," such as governments of China, Russia, Iran, Cuba, and other entities listed in the bill. It requires lobbyists representing these entities to self-identify as agents of foreign adversaries and creates penalties including civil fines, court-ordered return of payments ("disgorgement"), and injunctive relief for violations. The bill defines "foreign adversaries" broadly to include specific countries, terrorist organizations, and entities controlled by them, with the list updated annually by the Secretary of Homeland Security. It directly affects lobbyists and lobbying firms working with these designated foreign entities within West Virginia. The bill is currently in the introduction phase, having been filed with the House Judiciary Committee on March 4, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 3124 would increase West Virginia's homestead property tax exemption from $20,000 to $40,000 of a home's assessed value for qualifying homeowners. It directly affects residents aged 65 or older, or those certified as permanently and totally disabled, who own and occupy their homes as primary residences. The bill changes the exemption amount in Section 11-6B-3 of the state code, applying to the first $40,000 of assessed value (instead of $20,000) for eligible homeowners meeting residency requirements. The change would reduce property tax bills for qualifying homeowners but does not alter the existing eligibility criteria or residency rules. The bill was introduced on March 4, 2025, and referred to the House Finance Committee.

Maddy summaryHCR 74 is a West Virginia state resolution urging Congress to call a constitutional convention under Article V of the U.S. Constitution. It specifically requests a convention limited to proposing an amendment to repeal the 17th Amendment, which established the direct popular election of U.S. Senators (replacing state legislature selection). The resolution states West Virginia joins other states in this effort, noting applications on this topic will be counted together to meet the two-thirds state requirement for a convention. This is a procedural request - it does not repeal the 17th Amendment or change voting rules, but seeks to initiate the constitutional process for such a change.

Maddy summaryWest Virginia's HCR 75 is a state resolution urging Congress to call a constitutional convention under Article V of the U.S. Constitution, specifically to propose repealing the 16th Amendment. This amendment authorizes Congress to levy federal income taxes, so the resolution targets the legal foundation of the federal income tax system. The resolution does not repeal the 16th Amendment itself but requests Congress to convene a limited convention for that purpose, aggregating West Virginia's application with similar efforts from other states to reach the required two-thirds state support. It also proposes potential legal action if Congress fails to act, though the resolution itself has no binding effect and must be referred to Congress for consideration.

Maddy summaryHCR 73 is a West Virginia state resolution urging Congress to call a constitutional convention under Article V of the U.S. Constitution. It seeks to propose amendments requiring that U.S. Representatives, Senators, federal judges (Article III), and Cabinet Secretaries be natural-born U.S. citizens with sole U.S. citizenship. The resolution does not change current law but requests Congress initiate a convention to amend the Constitution on these specific eligibility requirements. This is a procedural state-level application, not a direct legislative change, and would require support from two-thirds of state legislatures to proceed.

Maddy summaryHB 3148 creates a four-year pilot program in Kanawha, Ohio, Mineral, and Raleigh counties to provide firefighting training through community colleges. The bill covers tuition and fees for eligible high school students and others taking approved Fire Fighter I and II courses, which align with state fire commission requirements. It requires the West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission to fund these courses directly and mandates annual reports to the Legislature on participation, credentials earned, costs, and program effectiveness. The program will sunset after four years (ending July 2029) unless extended by the Legislature based on evaluation findings.

Maddy summaryHCR 49 is a West Virginia legislative resolution (not a bill) requesting the Maryland General Assembly reject proposed changes to the North Branch Potomac River's water classification. It argues that designating the river as "Cold Water Aquatic Life" (instead of "Warm Water") would require West Virginia industrial facilities to install costly thermal controls like cooling towers to meet stricter discharge standards, imposing unnecessary costs. The resolution claims this would violate the U.S. Constitution's dormant commerce clause by unduly burdening interstate commerce, citing Supreme Court precedents like *Sporhase v. Nebraska*. It asks Maryland to withdraw the proposal and directs West Virginia's Attorney General to investigate the constitutional issues. (Note: This is a procedural resolution, not a law affecting policy changes.)

Maddy summaryHB 2704 revises transportation and reimbursement rules for individuals involuntarily committed to mental health facilities in West Virginia. It allows counties to use multiple deputies during transport and permits counties to contract with closer out-of-state facilities if available. The bill amends existing law (§27-5-4) to give counties flexibility in managing transportation logistics after commitment. This directly affects individuals under involuntary commitment orders and local county mental health authorities. The changes aim to improve efficiency in the post-commitment transportation process.

Maddy summaryHB 3091 updates West Virginia's legal framework for the State Guard, establishing it as a distinct force separate from the National Guard. The bill requires the Governor to organize the State Guard by September 2025, authorizing it to defend the state, respond to emergencies (including natural disasters), and maintain order during crises. It specifies that members must be U.S. citizens aged 16 or older (including women), supplemented by reserve militia if needed, and mandates an annual budget line item through the Adjutant General's office. The bill revises multiple code sections to formalize membership rules, funding mechanisms, and operational requirements for this state military force.