Del. Bill Ridenour

Maddy summaryHB 2949 prohibits individuals or organizations from charging fees for helping veterans apply for U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) benefits, except as allowed under federal law. It bans compensation for preparing claims, referring veterans to others for assistance, guaranteeing specific benefit amounts, or charging excessive fees - requiring all fee agreements to follow federal standards (38 CFR §14.636). This directly affects veterans’ advocates, legal service providers, and any entity offering assistance with VA claims. Violations would be treated as breaches of West Virginia’s consumer protection laws, not as new criminal offenses. The bill does not change VA eligibility rules but aims to prevent unfair fees from being charged during the application process.

Maddy summaryHB 2951 exempts the sale of small arms (rifles, shotguns, pistols under specific size limits), small arms ammunition, and related accessories (including optics, holsters, cleaning supplies, and storage devices) from West Virginia's sales and service taxes. It directly affects consumers purchasing these items for personal use, as well as shooting ranges hosting events. The bill defines "small arms accessories" broadly to cover equipment like target systems, scopes, reloading tools, and range gear. This policy change reduces the cost of acquiring firearms and related equipment by removing applicable state taxes. The bill is currently in the House Finance Committee after being introduced on February 25, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 2970 requires election officials to include specific verification information on absentee ballot envelopes in West Virginia. This information allows election officials to confirm a voter's identity with high confidence when ballots are returned, without publishing personal details like signatures. The bill directly affects absentee voters and election officials who process mail-in ballots. It modifies existing absentee voting procedures under §3-3-5 of West Virginia law to add this verification step, ensuring identity confirmation while protecting voter privacy. The change applies to all absentee ballots returned by mail or electronically.

Maddy summaryHB 2954 requires medical professionals in West Virginia to report all vaccine side effects and injuries to the Bureau for Public Health. It also mandates that professionals administering vaccines receive annual educational materials about vaccine side effects and complete formal training every five years. The bill creates a public reporting mechanism allowing individuals, including parents, to submit vaccine-related concerns directly to the Bureau. The Bureau must then produce an annual report for the West Virginia Legislature summarizing this data. This legislation directly affects healthcare providers, patients, and parents by expanding vaccine safety monitoring.

Maddy summaryHB 2966 requires individuals and groups spending over $1,000 annually on independent election activities (like ads not coordinated with candidates) to disclose detailed information publicly. This includes the spender's name, the source of funds (reporting contributors who gave over $1,000), and specific details about each contribution (like donor occupation and employer). The bill mandates these disclosures within 48 hours for certain last-minute spending before elections, with tighter 24-hour deadlines for large expenditures targeting specific candidates. It directly affects political committees, advocacy groups, and donors engaging in election-related spending, aiming to increase transparency in campaign finance. The law also clarifies that federal entities must comply with these state disclosure rules.

Maddy summaryHB 2974, the "Second Amendment Preservation Act," declares federal regulations on intrastate firearm sales within West Virginia invalid, prohibiting state officials from enforcing such rules. It imposes $50,000 civil penalties for violations and requires the West Virginia Attorney General to defend residents facing federal charges over intrastate firearm transactions or prosecute federal agents who enforce prohibited regulations. The bill directly affects West Virginia residents engaging in local firearm sales, law enforcement, and federal agencies like the ATF operating within the state. It explicitly states that federal laws restricting intrastate firearm transfers violate both the U.S. and West Virginia constitutions.

Maddy summaryHB 2938 would allow pharmacists in West Virginia to sell ivermectin over the counter without a prescription, directly affecting pharmacies and residents seeking the medication. The bill amends state law to remove the requirement for a prescription for ivermectin, permitting its sale, distribution, or possession by individuals without medical authorization. This change applies specifically to human-use ivermectin, not veterinary products. The legislation does not alter medical guidelines or safety standards but shifts access from prescription-dependent to over-the-counter availability. The bill is currently pending in the Health and Human Resources Committee.

Maddy summaryHCR 66 is a symbolic House Concurrent Resolution (not a bill) introduced by Delegates Ridenour and Butler. It declares West Virginia's position that the state has the sovereign right to nullify federal actions it deems unconstitutional, citing provisions from the West Virginia Constitution and historical arguments about states' rights. The resolution references state constitutional clauses on reserved powers, the Founding Fathers' principles, and critiques of federal court decisions, but it does not establish any legal mechanism or affect any specific policies. As a concurrent resolution, it has no binding effect and serves only to express the state's position on federal overreach.

Maddy summaryThis West Virginia House Resolution (HR 7) requests Congress to create a combined investigative task force to examine the origins of the COVID-19 pandemic and the government response. It specifically asks the task force to coordinate with existing state, national, and international investigations, and to recommend corrective actions for pandemic-related issues like vaccine side effects, business closures, and alleged restrictions on public discussion. The resolution cites concerns about adverse health reactions from emergency-approved vaccines, employment discrimination against unvaccinated individuals, and business impacts from public health mandates. It is a non-binding request to Congress - not a law - and does not create any new government authority. The resolution was introduced on February 24, 2025, and referred to the House Judiciary Committee.

Maddy summaryHB 2814 requires West Virginia's Governor to create comprehensive crisis preparedness plans to address five specific threats: nuclear attacks, major energy grid disruptions, long-term cyber-attacks, invasion, and insurrection. The bill mandates that these plans include preventative measures, mitigation strategies, immediate response protocols, remediation steps, and recovery efforts. The Governor must brief the legislature on initial plans by August 31, 2025, with final plans due by November 30, 2025, followed by annual updates. The legislation directly affects state government operations and aims to protect all West Virginia residents by preparing for high-risk scenarios.