Del. Scot Heckert

Maddy summaryHB 2547 raises the cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) threshold for retired municipal police officers, firefighters, and employees of water/sewage systems from $15,000 to $45,000 of their annual pension benefit. This means more of their retirement income will be adjusted annually for inflation based on the U.S. consumer price index, rather than just the first $15,000. The bill modifies existing law (§8-22-26a) to expand the portion of pension benefits subject to COLA increases, which currently caps adjustments at $15,000. It directly affects retirees in these specific public safety and utility roles who receive supplemental pension benefits.

Maddy summaryHB 2640 amends West Virginia law to increase the maximum age for appointment as a State Police trooper from 39 to 45 years. This change directly affects individuals seeking to join the West Virginia State Police as troopers. The bill modifies the existing qualification requirement in §15-2-7(c) of the code, removing the 39-year cap and replacing it with 45 years. The policy change aims to expand the pool of eligible applicants without altering other recruitment or qualification standards.

Maddy summaryHB 2639 prohibits public schools in West Virginia from allowing students in pre-kindergarten through sixth grade to use any electronic calculators. The bill directly affects all K-6 public school students and their teachers by banning calculator use in math instruction. Its key provision requires schools to eliminate electronic calculator access for these grades to focus on developing foundational math and arithmetic skills without digital aids. The bill's stated purpose is to ensure students master basic math concepts before using electronic tools.

Maddy summaryHB 2641 provides a state tax credit to West Virginia employers (both for-profit and nonprofit corporations) who operate existing on-site or sponsored childcare facilities for their employees. The credit equals 100% of the employer’s annual operational costs (excluding property costs) for these facilities, minus any employee fees paid. Employers can apply the credit against their state corporate net income tax or personal income tax, with unused credits carryable forward for up to five years. The credit is limited to the employer’s total tax liability for the year and requires certification of employee usage to ensure compliance.

Maddy summaryHB 2638 requires West Virginia courts to initiate criminal charges against parents when children are removed from their custody due to abuse or neglect. Specifically, it mandates that courts must bring criminal charges in two situations: (1) when a parent is convicted of an offense against a child (as defined in state law), and (2) when a parent's rights are terminated following a child's removal due to abuse or neglect. The bill directs courts to follow existing state laws (§61-8D-3 through §61-8D-5) to determine applicable penalties and fines for these offenses. This change directly affects parents whose children are removed from their care due to abuse or neglect, ensuring legal consequences are pursued.

Maddy summaryHJR 13 proposes amending the West Virginia Constitution to prohibit non-U.S. citizens from voting in any state election. It directly affects non-citizen residents who currently participate in West Virginia elections. The bill would add a new provision to Article IV of the state constitution explicitly stating that "no person who is not a citizen of the United States shall be entitled to vote at any election held within this state." This is a constitutional amendment requiring voter approval at the next general election, not an immediate law.

Maddy summaryHB 2526 requires West Virginia public schools to designate shared restrooms and changing areas exclusively for students based on the sex assigned at birth, as listed on their original birth certificate. It mandates that schools provide single-occupancy restrooms as a "reasonable accommodation" for students unable to use designated facilities, but prohibits access to restrooms designated for the opposite sex. Violations could result in fines up to $500 for school officials like principals or superintendents, with parents able to sue if students encounter opposite-sex individuals in designated areas without permission. The bill excludes accommodations needed under the Americans with Disabilities Act or for young children requiring physical assistance.

Maddy summaryHB 2510 allows hunters to use drones equipped with thermal imaging to locate and recover legally harvested big game (black bear, deer, elk, and turkey) after a legal kill during open season. The bill requires drone operators to get landowner permission before flying, prohibits carrying weapons while drones are in use (except concealed firearms), and bans disturbing wildlife with drones. It exempts drone operators from hunting license requirements (as long as they didn’t kill the animal) and clarifies that drone-assisted recovery doesn’t count as "pursuing" wildlife under existing laws. This directly affects hunters using drones for recovery and landowners who control access to their property for drone operations.

Maddy summaryHR 5 is a non-binding resolution designating October as "Military Toxic Exposure Awareness Month" in West Virginia. It recognizes the health impacts of toxic exposures on military personnel, veterans (including Agent Orange veterans), workers, and their families, particularly those linked to West Virginia military sites. The resolution encourages public awareness campaigns, educational initiatives, and community outreach to support affected individuals, directing copies to state agencies and congressional leaders. It does not create new laws or funding but aims to raise visibility for ongoing health and environmental concerns.

Maddy summaryHB 2480 proposes merging West Virginia's 55 county school boards into 11 consolidated boards, with each new board covering five counties and having two members per county. The bill requires this consolidation to take effect on July 1, 2026, and directs the State Board of Education to establish rules for the transition. It cites declining enrollment, rising costs, and inequitable funding as reasons for the change, stating savings from reduced administration could be reinvested in teacher salaries, school programs, or tax relief. This directly affects all 55 counties by altering how local school governance operates.