Del. Bill Ridenour

Maddy summaryHB 5665 amends West Virginia's ethics code to require House and Senate clerks to record individual roll call votes in the journal when a legislative vote concerns a member's direct personal or financial interest and more than one-third of members present vote using a voting machine. This provision increases transparency for votes involving potential conflicts of interest by mandating specific documentation of electronic votes. The bill does not change existing conflict-of-interest rules but adds a new record-keeping requirement for such circumstances. It directly affects legislative clerks (who must implement the recording) and members who may vote on matters involving their personal interests.

Maddy summaryHB 5644 requires all West Virginia public K-12 schools and accredited colleges/universities to record students' immigration status and nationality as defined by federal law. This includes categories like U.S. citizens, permanent residents, non-immigrants, undocumented individuals, and refugees. Schools must annually publish aggregated demographic data (without individual student details) on immigration status to the state education superintendent, who will post it online. The bill directly affects every public educational institution in West Virginia by mandating this data collection and reporting process. It does not change student eligibility for education but creates a statewide database for tracking enrollment demographics.

Maddy summaryHB 5666 amends West Virginia law to change the phrase on state-issued driver's licenses and IDs from "Not for REAL ID Purposes" to "Authorized for all West Virginia State ID Purposes." This change directly affects all residents who hold or apply for a West Virginia driver's license or state ID card. The bill modifies §17B-2-8 of the state code to require this new wording at the top of all licenses, clarifying that they are valid for any state ID purpose within West Virginia. The change removes a previous disclaimer about federal REAL ID requirements, making state IDs more clearly usable for routine state services without confusion.

Maddy summaryHB 5680 establishes a system requiring all West Virginia state agency rules to automatically expire after set periods (2, 4, or 6 years) unless agencies prove their necessity. Agencies must justify renewal with "clear and convincing evidence" showing each rule is legally authorized, necessary for public safety, cost-effective, and not duplicative. This "zero-based review" shifts the burden of proof entirely to agencies, mandating they demonstrate benefits outweigh compliance costs and restrictions on businesses, citizens, and healthcare providers. The bill creates a new oversight commission and requires annual reductions in regulatory burdens, aiming to eliminate outdated or unnecessary rules without requiring legislative action for each repeal.

Maddy summaryWest Virginia's HCR 19 is a resolution urging Congress to call a Convention of States under Article V of the U.S. Constitution. The resolution states that two-thirds of state legislatures have already applied for such a convention to propose a balanced budget amendment, making it Congress's constitutional duty to convene it immediately. It specifies the convention would be limited to fiscal responsibility proposals, with states selecting their own commissioners. The resolution also declares West Virginia's readiness to host the convention if chosen, emphasizing states' constitutional right to initiate this process without congressional interference.

Maddy summaryHJR 39 proposes a constitutional amendment to change how the West Virginia State Board of Education is structured. It would replace the current system of nine governor-appointed members with five elected regional members (serving four-year terms, limited to two terms) and four appointed members (serving staggered terms). The amendment requires the Board to submit proposed policies to the Legislature for review, approval, or rejection. This change, if approved by voters in 2026, would take effect for the 2028 election cycle and directly affects how board members are selected and how education policies are reviewed.

Maddy summaryHB 4993 would amend West Virginia law to authorize the Division of Highways to use green flashing warning lights on its vehicles and equipment, at the Commissioner of Highways' discretion. Currently, only specific colors are permitted for certain emergency vehicles (e.g., blue for police, red for ambulances and fire trucks), with strict authorization rules. This bill adds green as an approved color for Highway vehicles, without mandating its use. It directly affects the Division of Highways' fleet, allowing flexibility in warning light colors for their operations. The change is procedural, focusing on updating vehicle lighting regulations rather than altering emergency response protocols.

Maddy summaryHB 4997 prohibits individuals convicted of terroristic threats involving schools or children (under §61-6-24(b)) from residing within 1,000 feet of any educational facility, including public/private schools, preschools, or daycares where children are regularly present. This residency restriction applies automatically during probation or parole, or as a sentencing condition if no supervision is ordered. Violations are classified as felonies punishable by 1-5 years in prison, up to $10,000 in fines, or both, and may lead to revocation of probation. The bill uses GIS or property records to measure proximity and aligns with existing sex offender residency rules under §62-12-26.

Maddy summaryHB 5561 would require West Virginia's Secretary of State to refer potential election fraud cases directly to the state Attorney General for prosecution, rather than to a county prosecuting attorney. Currently, the Secretary refers such cases to the Prosecuting Attorneys Institute, which appoints a county-level special prosecutor. This change would shift the primary responsibility for prosecuting election fraud from local county authorities to the state Attorney General's office. The bill affects how election fraud allegations are handled, moving the referral process from county to state level.

Maddy summaryHB 5611 creates a "Certified Microgrid Program" to streamline development of microgrid projects and large data centers in West Virginia. It directly affects data center developers and microgrid operators by prohibiting local governments from applying zoning, building permits, or other local regulations to these certified projects. The bill requires the Department of Commerce to appoint a "Data Economy Liaison" to coordinate project development and mandates that certified projects pay standard municipal business taxes. This law overrides local ordinances and home rule authority to ensure uniform state-level support for these projects.