Del. Bill Ridenour

Maddy summaryHJR 8 proposes a constitutional amendment to increase West Virginia's homestead exemption for property taxes. Currently, the exemption covers the first $20,000 of assessed value for primary residences owned by residents who are 65 or older, permanently disabled, or citizens of the state. If approved by voters in the 2026 general election, the amendment would raise this exemption amount, reducing property tax burdens for qualifying homeowners. This change directly affects eligible homeowners meeting the age, disability, and residency criteria.

Maddy summaryHB 2080 bars public schools in West Virginia from using school resources - like facilities, staff time, or materials - for election-related activities. It also prohibits school employees from engaging in political activities during work hours or while representing the school administration. The bill specifically prevents staff from advocating for candidates, distributing campaign materials, or participating in political events using school time or equipment. This directly affects school employees and students, as it restricts political involvement during school operations.

Maddy summaryHB 2171 would change when local school board elections occur in West Virginia, moving them from primary elections to general elections held on the same day as other statewide general elections. The bill requires these elections to use a nonpartisan ballot and includes rules limiting the number of school board members elected from any single local district to two. It also establishes procedures for filling unexpired terms based on vote counts and repeals the current law that scheduled school board elections during primaries. This change would directly affect all West Virginia county school boards and voters participating in these elections.

Maddy summaryHB 2062 requires all West Virginia cities, towns, and villages to hold municipal elections on the same day as state and federal general elections, eliminating their previous ability to schedule elections on other dates like the second Tuesday in June. The bill mandates that municipalities align election dates with statewide or federal election days, overriding existing charter provisions that allowed separate scheduling. Key mechanisms include requiring cost-sharing for election administration (proportional to the municipality's voter registration) and prohibiting term extensions beyond 18 months when adjusting election schedules. This change directly affects every local government in West Virginia that holds elections for mayors, councils, or other municipal officers.

Maddy summaryThis House Concurrent Resolution asks the West Virginia Legislature to refuse to recognize the results of the 2024 presidential election under specific conditions. It states that the state will not accept an election outcome if the Republican presidential or vice-presidential candidate is assassinated, seriously injured, barred from the ballot, or if election officials determine that fraud or interference by the federal government or other entities significantly influenced the results. The resolution defines these concerns to include issues such as non-citizen voting, vote manipulation, and government censorship, and it directs copies of the document to state officials and the U.S. Congress. Currently, the measure is a non-binding request that has been referred to the Judiciary Committee for review.