Rep. Vernon Criss

Maddy summaryHB 5682 redirects $72 million in unused funds from previous fiscal years to support biomedical research at West Virginia medical schools. It expires $37 million from the 2023 Governor’s Civil Contingent Fund and $35 million from the 2017 fund, adding these to the General Revenue surplus for the 2026 fiscal year. The funds are specifically allocated to: $30 million for Marshall University School of Medicine, $5 million for West Virginia University Dental School, $32 million for West Virginia University School of Medicine, and $5 million for the West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine. This supplemental appropriation expands biomedical research capacity without creating new taxes or spending.

Maddy summaryThis bill moves approximately $2.98 million from the Attorney General's Consumer Protection Recovery Fund to the Department of Health's general revenue account for fiscal year 2026. The transfer is intended to support the Department of Health's Tobacco Education Program, which is designated under fund 0407 and organization 0506. The legislation expires the surplus funds in the original account and creates a new appropriation line item to allocate the money to the health department. This action is part of the state's regular budget process for managing unappropriated surplus balances within the State Fund, General Revenue.

Maddy summaryThis bill directs the West Virginia General Assembly to transfer $4,025,000 from the state's unappropriated surplus funds to the Adjutant General's budget for fiscal year 2026. The money is specifically designated for the Armory Board Transfer, which supports the state militia's operations and facility management. This supplemental appropriation increases the existing budget allocation for the Adjutant General's office without creating new spending categories. The legislation takes effect immediately upon passage and uses general revenue funds already available in the state treasury.

Maddy summaryThis bill provides additional funding from the State Road Fund to the West Virginia Department of Transportation's Division of Highways for the 2026 fiscal year. It authorizes the use of unappropriated money already available in the state treasury to supplement existing budget allocations for road maintenance and construction projects. The legislation does not create new spending categories but rather increases the amount of money designated for the department's current operational fund. Once passed, the additional funds become available for the department to allocate toward its approved highway and infrastructure initiatives during the fiscal year ending June 30, 2026.

Maddy summaryThis bill directs the West Virginia Legislature to move approximately $4.5 million in unspent funds from the Department of Tourism's 2021 budget into the state's general surplus account, where the money becomes available for future use. The legislation then allocates that same amount to the Department of Tourism's Division of Culture and History for the 2026 fiscal year, specifically for capital projects and maintenance needs. The bill affects the state's budget management by reassigning leftover money from one tourism-related fund to another within the same department, ensuring the funds remain available for approved government spending.

Maddy summaryThis bill directs the West Virginia Legislature to allocate surplus state funds to the Department of Homeland Security for fiscal year 2026. The appropriation specifically supports the Division of Corrections and Rehabilitation within the department, funding information technology services and special services for correctional units. The legislation uses existing unappropriated surplus money from the State Fund's General Revenue rather than creating new revenue sources. This action increases the available budget for these specific correctional facility operations during the fiscal year ending June 30, 2026.

Maddy summaryHB 5353 requires virtual currency kiosks (machines for buying/selling digital currencies like Bitcoin) to obtain a money transmission license, bringing them under the same regulatory framework as traditional money transfer services. The bill sets daily transaction limits for all customers and mandates clear disclosures about terms, risks, and fees before transactions occur. It also clarifies that kiosks operate as delegates of licensed money transmitters and resolves conflicts between state and federal money transmission laws. This law directly affects kiosk operators and their customers in West Virginia.

Maddy summaryHB 5480 establishes the West Virginia Youth Summer Employment and Career Readiness Program to provide paid summer jobs and career training for youth aged 14-20, with priority given to those in foster care, receiving public assistance (like TANF or SNAP), or involved in the justice system. Administered by the Department of Commerce’s Division of Workforce Development, the program requires partnerships with private businesses, nonprofits, and government agencies to create work placements and career exploration opportunities. It mandates annual reporting on program effectiveness, allows private funding through matching contributions, and creates a special revenue account to support operations. The goal is to address workforce shortages, retain youth in West Virginia, and build a skilled local workforce through structured employment experiences.

Maddy summaryHB 5686 changes the timing for annual deposits into West Virginia's Hope Scholarship accounts. Starting July 1, 2026, the total annual deposit must be paid in four equal installments: by August 15, October 15, January 15, and April 15 each year. This replaces the previous single annual payment requirement under §18-31-6(d). The bill directly affects Hope Scholarship recipients who receive these annual deposits. The change aims to provide more consistent funding throughout the year.

Maddy summaryHB 5459 imposes an annual tax on certified health maintenance organizations (HMOs) operating in West Virginia that provide Medicaid services. It establishes tiered tax rates based on Medicaid member months (with higher rates for larger volumes) and non-Medicaid member months, adjusting annually using West Virginia's Medicaid capitation rate changes. Starting July 1, 2027, the tax shifts to a flat 2.5% of each HMO's gross premiums in the state, applying uniformly regardless of membership type. The bill exempts Medicare Advantage plans and certain government health plans as specified in federal law.