Del. Bill Ridenour

Maddy summaryHB 5547 requires healthcare providers to obtain specific written consent from parents before conducting newborn genetic screening, which cannot be fulfilled by general consent forms signed at hospital admission. It limits blood collection to only what's necessary for screening and mandates destruction of blood samples after three weeks unless parents give additional written consent for retention. The bill also prohibits using newborn blood samples for research, law enforcement, or other purposes without separate consent from parents or the adult who was a minor when the sample was taken. Healthcare facilities must provide written information about screening options and the right to opt out during pregnancy.

Maddy summaryHB 5604 would recognize physical gold and silver bullion meeting purity standards (99.5% for gold, 99.9% for silver) as legal tender in West Virginia. It allows bullion to be used for private debts between consenting parties and for paying state taxes, fees, and obligations, though no one can be forced to accept it. The bill requires bullion to be held in certified depositories meeting specific storage standards, with transactions involving physical bullion redeemable on demand. It defines "bullion" to include government-issued coins and certified bars, establishing a framework for its use in state transactions.

Maddy summaryHB 5551 requires West Virginia to continue issuing non-REAL ID compliant driver's licenses and ID cards, clearly marked "NOT FOR REAL ID ACT PURPOSES," which remain valid for all state purposes like driving and identity verification. The bill prohibits the state from collecting biometric data (such as facial scans or fingerprints), retaining copies of identity documents (like birth certificates or Social Security cards), or sharing personal information from these licenses with federal or interstate databases. It mandates that applicants be informed of their choice between REAL ID and non-REAL ID options and provided with a list of TSA-acceptable IDs, while banning digital IDs and requiring physical licenses for all purposes. The law also prohibits state agencies from entering agreements that conflict with these protections.

Maddy summaryHB 5552 prohibits West Virginia state and county agencies from purchasing or operating drones made by entities from China or Russia, or entities under their control, starting May 1, 2029. It defines "covered foreign entities" as those on U.S. sanctions lists or linked to China/Russia, and bans state funds from being used for such drones. The bill creates a grant program to help public safety agencies replace non-compliant drones with U.S.-made or certified alternatives (like those with Defense Innovation Unit or AUVSI certifications) by reimbursing based on the drone’s current value. This applies to all public entities using drones under 55 pounds, with grants available for compliant replacements after the 2029 deadline.

Maddy summaryHB 5546 requires medical professionals in West Virginia to report all vaccine-related injuries and side effects to the Bureau for Public Health. It also mandates that these professionals receive annual educational materials about vaccine side effects and complete formal training every five years. The bill further requires the Bureau to produce an annual report for the Legislature and create a public mechanism for individuals, including parents, to report vaccine-related adverse effects. These provisions aim to improve data collection on vaccine safety without advocating for or against vaccination.

Maddy summaryHB 5533, the West Virginia Federal Constitutional Authority Clarification Act, establishes a process for the state to review and potentially reject federal court decisions it deems unconstitutional or exceeding federal authority. The bill creates a Joint Committee on Constitutional Review to evaluate federal judicial rulings that conflict with West Virginia's state constitution or the U.S. Constitution's Tenth Amendment, which reserves powers to states. State officials would be required to follow this review process, and enforcing rejected federal rulings could face criminal penalties under the bill. It directly affects state government operations, including courts and executive agencies, by mandating state-level constitutional review of federal court decisions.

Maddy summaryHB 5534 would reclassify titled vehicles (like cars and trucks) in West Virginia from a higher tax class (Class IV) to a lower tax class (Class II) for property tax purposes. This change would directly affect vehicle owners in municipalities who pay personal property tax on their titled vehicles, excluding mobile homes. The bill modifies West Virginia Code §11-8-5 to move titled vehicles from municipal Class IV valuation to residential Class II valuation. If passed, this would lower the taxable value of these vehicles, reducing their property tax burden compared to current rates. The bill is currently pending in the House Finance Committee.

Maddy summaryHB 5538 creates a new "Master Esthetician" license in West Virginia for professionals seeking to perform advanced, noninvasive skin treatments beyond basic esthetics. To qualify, applicants must hold a current esthetician license, complete 600 hours of advanced training (including skin analysis and safety protocols), pass an exam, and pay fees. The bill defines the scope of practice to include advanced services affecting the epidermis/superficial dermis but explicitly prohibits medical procedures or deeper skin penetration. It establishes renewal requirements with continuing education and grants the Cosmetology Board authority to set safety rules for these advanced services. This directly affects estheticians aiming to expand their practice and aims to enhance consumer safety through clearer licensing standards.

Maddy summaryHB 5532 prohibits West Virginia counties and municipalities from imposing additional property taxes on residential rental properties beyond the rate applied to owner-occupied homes. It directly affects rental property owners and tenants by preventing local governments from charging higher taxes on rentals due to zoning classifications. The bill requires all county/municipal property taxes on rental properties to match those for owner-occupied homes and bans extra taxes based on zoning. This aims to reduce costs for tenants by preventing "double-taxing" that could raise rents, without altering sales or service taxes for businesses. The bill is currently in the House Finance Committee after introduction on February 16, 2026.

Maddy summaryThis is a commemorative House resolution honoring former West Virginia House Speaker and Chief Justice Timothy P. Armstead following his passing. It memorializes his service, names a conference room in the House as the "Speaker Tim Armstead Memorial Conference Room," and extends condolences to his family. The resolution does not create new laws or affect policy - it formally recognizes his legacy and contributions to West Virginia.