Del. Bob Fehrenbacher

Maddy summaryHR 9 is a ceremonial resolution honoring the late West Virginia House Delegate Douglas John Skaff Jr. It expresses the House of Delegates' condolences to his family and commemorates his service, including his roles as a delegate representing multiple districts and as Minority Leader. The resolution has no policy impact - it is purely symbolic, acknowledging his career in public service, business, and community leadership. It was unanimously adopted by the House on February 5, 2026, the same day it was introduced.

Maddy summaryHB 5167, the Taxpayer Accountability for Public Service Act, requires candidates for any elected local, state, or public office in West Virginia to prove they have paid all personal property taxes or are in an approved payment plan. It mandates that candidates submit tax compliance certification when filing to run, and election officials must verify this with tax authorities before certifying candidates for the ballot. Exceptions allow candidates with approved payment plans or pending tax challenges to run. The bill takes effect immediately upon passage, with disqualification for false filings and removal from ballots for unpaid taxes without valid exceptions.

Maddy summaryHB 5177 creates a state sales tax rebate for builders constructing modest homes under 1,600 square feet in West Virginia. The bill provides a rebate equal to the state's 6% sales tax paid on qualifying building materials purchased from in-state suppliers, subject to strict fixed quantity limits (e.g., 174 sheets of sheathing, 475 pieces of lumber). Builders must use only specified materials, retain documentation for 60 months, and receive approval after the home is sold and inspected. The rebate excludes municipal taxes unless a municipality voluntarily participates, and materials like basement finishes or out-of-state purchases are ineligible.

Maddy summaryThis is a symbolic House Resolution (not a bill), introduced by multiple West Virginia delegates. It designates the month of June as "Fidelity Month" to promote the values of faith, family, and patriotism across the state. The resolution cites declining support for these values in polling and research, and calls for the state to "rededicate" itself to them during June. It has no binding policy requirements or direct impact on specific groups; it is purely a commemorative gesture.

Maddy summaryThis West Virginia House resolution states that the U.S. national debt (over $38 trillion in 2026) poses a national security threat, citing foreign debt ownership, projected Social Security/Medicare shortfalls, and warnings from military/intelligence leaders. It urges Congress to establish regular budgeting procedures but does not create new laws or alter federal spending. As a symbolic resolution, it has no direct legal effect on national debt policy or federal budgets. The resolution focuses on raising awareness rather than implementing concrete changes.

Maddy summaryHB 4508, the Public Utility Stability Act, allows publicly owned water and sewer utilities (like city or county systems) to automatically increase rates annually without needing commission approval or local government ordinances. The bill sets rate increases equal to the annual change in the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics' Water and Sewerage Maintenance Index, calculated between specific September dates. Utilities must file revised tariffs and provide notice, but increases matching the index are considered fair and reasonable. Smaller utilities (under 4,500 customers or $3 million revenue) face limited commission review if increases exceed the index, while larger systems may be reviewed by county commissions. The bill aims to simplify rate adjustments tied to inflation for essential water and sewer services.

Maddy summaryHB 5030 modifies West Virginia's tax code to expand tax exemptions for certain public safety pensions. It adds Division of Natural Resources police, deputy sheriffs, full-time firefighters, and municipal police officers to the existing list of law enforcement personnel who can exclude the first $2,000 of retirement benefits from state taxable income. The bill amends §11-21-12(c)(6) of the West Virginia Code to include these roles under the tax-exempt pension provision. This change directly affects current and future retirees in these specific public safety professions by reducing their state income tax burden on pension payments. The policy change is limited to the first $2,000 of qualifying pension income per year, consistent with existing tax rules.

Maddy summaryHB 4909 prohibits deceptive telephone solicitation in West Virginia by requiring prior written consent for automated calls (like robocalls) and banning caller ID spoofing, blocking, or calls between 8 PM and 8 AM. It directly affects consumers (protecting them from scams), businesses (requiring consent for sales calls), and telecom providers (mandating anti-spoofing technology like STIR/SHAKEN within 12 months). Violators face civil penalties of $100 per spoofed call, full reimbursement for customer damages, and a 5x restitution fee - 75% of which funds local fire and emergency medical services. Exemptions include charities, business-to-business calls, and communications within existing customer relationships.

Maddy summaryHB 4949 establishes rules for West Virginia's regulation of "chemicals of emerging concern," including PFAS (like PFOS/PFOA), microplastics, nanomaterials, and other substances posing potential environmental or health risks. The bill prohibits state rules on these chemicals from being stricter than existing federal standards for the same topic. If no federal rule exists, state regulations must be based on "best available science" and the "weight of scientific evidence," requiring a direct link between chemical exposure and proven human harm (not just risk). This applies to areas like drinking water, air quality, hazardous waste, and contaminated site cleanup, affecting state agencies developing environmental regulations.

Maddy summaryHB 4014, the Workforce Readiness and Opportunity Act, creates a state-run micro-credential program to recognize skills gained through project-based learning (like critical thinking or trade skills) outside traditional classroom settings. It expands tax credits for businesses funding apprenticeships, modifies tax rules to allow portable benefits contributions for independent contractors without creating employer-employee relationships, and removes proficiency exam requirements for military-trained individuals seeking professional licenses. The bill directly affects workers (especially in skilled trades), employers, training programs, and veterans pursuing licenses. Key mechanisms include standardizing micro-credential recognition across education and employers, and streamlining licensing for military veterans. The bill is currently in the House Finance Committee after passing the Education Committee.