Del. Scot Heckert

Maddy summaryHB 3059 would require a mandatory minimum 25-year prison sentence for anyone convicted of maliciously assaulting a law enforcement officer while the officer is performing their duties. The bill specifically targets assaults on law enforcement officers (defined under West Virginia law), not animals as the title incorrectly states - this appears to be an error in the bill's title. It replaces the current sentencing range of 3-15 years for malicious assault with a fixed 25-year minimum. This change would apply to individuals who intentionally cause bodily injury to officers acting in their official capacity.

Maddy summaryHJR 29 is a constitutional amendment proposal that would allow West Virginia's legislature to exempt certain business property from ad valorem taxation by general law. Specifically, it would authorize exemptions for tangible machinery/equipment used in business, tangible inventory used in business, and personal property tax on motor vehicles. This change requires voter approval at the 2026 general election, as the resolution mandates submitting the amendment to voters for ratification. The proposal does not change current tax rates but provides a constitutional basis for future legislative exemptions affecting businesses that own these property types.

Maddy summaryHB 3060 allows West Virginia counties and municipalities to require property owners to clean up unsafe buildings or debris that pose risks to public safety. Local governments can declare a property hazardous via resolution, give owners 15 days to remove hazards, and hold hearings if owners object. If owners fail to act, local governments can clean up the property and charge the cost as a lien against the property. This directly affects property owners of unsafe structures, with appeals possible through county commissions and circuit courts.

Maddy summaryHB 3065 creates new felony charges for individuals who assault West Virginia police officers or police dogs while they are performing official duties. The bill amends existing law to specifically include police dogs under the definition of "law-enforcement officer" for protection purposes. It establishes two felony levels: malicious assaults (3-15 years in prison) and unlawful assaults (2-5 years), with battery offenses escalating to felonies after a second or third violation. This bill directly affects anyone who intentionally harms officers or their working dogs during official duties, increasing penalties for such attacks.

Maddy summaryHB 3046 requires West Virginia's 55 county school districts to consolidate into no more than 27 regional or area school districts by July 1, 2028. The bill mandates the State Board of Education to study consolidation options and submit recommendations by October 31, 2025, including a new School District Unification Committee with 11 members representing educators, unions, and school boards. This committee must meet monthly until October 2025 to assist the State Board in developing consolidation plans, including regional processes for school boards and superintendents. The legislation directly affects all county school districts and their stakeholders, aiming to address shared challenges like funding and geography through a structured unification process.

Maddy summaryHB 3064 would add a $20,000 property tax exemption specifically for West Virginia farmers who earn more than half their income from farming. This additional exemption applies to qualifying farmers' primary residences (homesteads) beyond the existing $20,000 homestead exemption for older residents or disabled individuals. The bill directly affects West Virginia citizen farmers whose farm income constitutes over 50% of their total earnings. It provides concrete tax relief by reducing the taxable value of their primary residence by $20,000, lowering their annual property tax burden.

Maddy summaryHB 3062 would eliminate property taxes on farm structures (like barns or equipment sheds) for farmers who live on their property and earn at least 40% of their income from farming. The bill amends West Virginia law to add this exemption to existing tax rules for agricultural property. It specifically applies to structures used for farming operations, not the farmland itself, and requires farmers to reside on the property. This change directly affects qualifying farm owners by reducing their property tax burden on essential farm infrastructure.

Maddy summaryHB 3044 increases penalties for animal cruelty and updates protections for domestic animals in West Virginia. It directly affects pet owners, dog breeders, animal shelters, and humane officers by requiring breeders to provide written disclosures to buyers, setting minimum care standards, and defining when dogs are unfit for sale. Key provisions include raising fines for repeat cruelty offenses, creating new criminal penalties for animal hoarding and unlawful confinement, and mandating humane officers to report suspected child/elder abuse during cruelty investigations. The bill also clarifies enclosure requirements (e.g., limiting temporary confinement to 48 hours) and updates duties for animal care facilities. Introduced in February 2025, it is currently before the House Government Organization Committee.

Maddy summaryHJR 28 proposes a constitutional amendment to increase West Virginia's homestead property tax exemption. It would raise the current $20,000 exemption threshold for qualifying homeowners to a higher amount, specifically targeting owners with annual incomes under $20,000 who are 65 or older or permanently disabled. The bill requires voter approval at the 2025 general election to amend the state constitution, as it seeks to change Article X, Section 1b, which governs property tax exemptions. This change would directly affect low-income senior citizens and disabled homeowners by reducing their property tax burden.

Maddy summaryHB 3036, introduced in West Virginia's 2025 legislative session, requires the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) secretary to adopt standardized rules for oil and gas leases, deeds, and contracts. The bill directly affects landowners who sign these agreements with energy companies by mandating clearer, consistent document formats to reduce confusion. Key provisions direct the DEP to create standardized templates covering terms and conditions, ensuring uniformity across all such contracts. This policy change aims to improve transparency for landowners without altering existing contractual obligations or regulatory requirements. The bill is currently pending referral to the House Judiciary Committee.