Del. Bill Ridenour

Maddy summaryHB 5377, the Burial Equity Act, expands eligibility for burial in West Virginia's state veterans' cemetery to include former National Guard and military reserve members (such as IMA, AGR, ART, and TR) who served at least four years, were West Virginia residents for two years before death, or served in the West Virginia National Guard, with retroactive application to deaths after March 15, 2022. It creates a Burial Equity Grant Program administered by Veterans Affairs, providing up to $1,000 per family to cover burial costs on a first-come, first-served basis. The bill also establishes a dedicated Burial Equity Fund in the state treasury, initially funded with $50,000 from the legislature, plus federal funds and private donations, to sustain the grant program without annual budget reversion.

Maddy summaryHB 5357 requires West Virginia state agencies to remove trees on state-owned or leased property threatening damage to nearby private structures within six months of a written request from the affected property owner. If the state fails to act, the private property owner may cut down the trees after providing seven days' written notice to the state, with no liability for doing so. Property owners can then file a claim against the state for costs incurred, limited to $10,000 under a streamlined process in §14-2-17b. This bill directly affects private property owners whose structures face tree-related risks on adjacent state land.

Maddy summaryHB 5274 would amend West Virginia law to grant the Secretary of State new investigative powers when enforcing the Charitable Solicitation Act. Specifically, it allows the Secretary to administer oaths, issue subpoenas for witnesses and documents, involve circuit courts to enforce subpoenas, and request legal assistance from the Attorney General during investigations of charitable organizations, professional fund-raisers, or solicitors. These changes would directly affect the Secretary of State’s ability to conduct investigations and the entities subject to the Charitable Solicitation Act. The bill does not alter penalties for violations but streamlines enforcement procedures.

Maddy summaryHB 5275 clarifies and expands the circumstances under which West Virginia voters can request absentee ballots by mail. It specifically authorizes absentee voting by mail for voters who: (1) have a medical reason, disability, or are confined due to advanced age; (2) are absent due to work, school, or military service; (3) are overseas or uniformed service voters; (4) participate in the Address Confidentiality Program; or (5) are first responders on emergency duty. The bill also establishes emergency absentee ballots for voters hospitalized on election day or confined due to illness after the 7th day before an election, requiring physician verification in some cases. This bill directly affects all registered West Virginia voters who meet these specific eligibility criteria.

Maddy summaryHB 5229 amends West Virginia law to address fraudulent financing statements that harass or defraud debtors. It prohibits filing false records under specific circumstances (e.g., unauthorized filings, material false statements) and imposes penalties: misdemeanor fines ($100-$1,000) or jail time (up to 12 months) for first offenses, and felony penalties (1-5 years in prison) for repeat violations. Debtors who believe they were harmed can file an affidavit with the Secretary of State, triggering an investigation; the Secretary may then terminate fraudulent filings and require additional documentation. Affected parties include debtors targeted by false filings, secured creditors (lenders), and the Secretary of State’s office, which gains authority to investigate and enforce penalties. Civil liability for victims includes up to $10,000 in damages, attorney fees, and punitive damages.

Maddy summaryHB 5226 amends West Virginia law to permanently prohibit the refund of filing fees paid by candidates for any elected office. The bill affects all candidates who pay fees under §3-5-8, including those running for statewide offices, judges, county officials, and party committee positions. It specifically states that fees paid - whether for president, governor, sheriff, or party committee roles - will not be returned if a candidate withdraws or fails to appear on the ballot. This change applies to all filing fees described in the existing statute, with no exceptions. The bill does not alter the fee amounts themselves but makes refunds impossible.

Maddy summaryHB 5220 clarifies who may be present near polling places during elections for normal non-voting activities, such as business operations or routine tasks. It explicitly states that people conducting legitimate business or engaging in activities that normally occur at polling places (like retail or services) may remain within 100 feet of the entrance, as long as they do not engage in electioneering. The bill also specifies that vehicles delivering voters may stop within 100 feet to drop off passengers (including those with disabilities) but must move away after discharge. It does not change existing restrictions on electioneering or voting procedures. The bill aims to remove ambiguity for businesses and residents near polling locations during election periods.

Maddy summaryHB 5224 creates a personal income tax credit for West Virginia election officials who serve in elections. It provides a $100 credit per election (capped at $200 annually) that directly reduces the tax bill of eligible officials who meet service requirements. To claim the credit, officials must obtain certification from their county commission documenting their election service, which must be submitted to both the Tax Commission and Secretary of State. The credit is nonrefundable, cannot be carried forward to future years, and applies only to taxable years beginning after December 31, 2028.

Maddy summaryHB 5218 requires the West Virginia Secretary of State to notify individuals or entities named as respondents in election law complaints. Respondents must then submit a written response within 10 business days of receiving this notice. The bill applies to all complaints filed under West Virginia election law regarding alleged violations of campaign finance or election rules. This change establishes a clear timeline for respondents to address allegations before the Secretary of State proceeds with further action.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits operating any drone within 100 feet of a polling place entrance or above polling grounds on election day. It makes such violations a misdemeanor, punishable by fines up to $1,000 or up to one year in jail. The law specifically targets drone activity near voting locations to prevent potential disruptions, without affecting commercial drone operators with FAA approval or law enforcement use. It applies only to election day operations at designated polling sites.