Del. Dave Foggin

Maddy summaryHCR 21 is a commemorative resolution requesting the West Virginia Division of Highways rename a specific bridge in Wetzel County. It asks to name bridge number 52-250/12-000.02 (at coordinates 39.68344, -80.45906), currently known as Church Fork Bridge, as the "U.S. Army Private Terry F. Tustin Memorial Bridge." The resolution cites Private Tustin's military service in Vietnam, his long residence in Hundred, West Virginia, and his family ties as reasons for the memorial. The bill directs the Division of Highways to install signs identifying the bridge by its new name. This is a symbolic naming request with no policy changes or funding impact.

Maddy summaryHCR 25 is a procedural resolution requesting the West Virginia Division of Highways rename a specific section of U.S. Route 250 (north of Moundsville city limits to just north of WV Route 891) to "Waynesburg Pike Road" and install a sign at the intersection of WV Route 88 and U.S. Route 250. It directly affects road signage and identification for drivers using this segment of road. The resolution follows a prior designation by the Marshall County 911 Infrastructure Renaming Committee and does not change traffic laws or regulations. It is a non-binding request for the Division of Highways to implement the name change and signage.

Maddy summaryHB 3494 requires individuals convicted in West Virginia of specific crimes to formally acknowledge their firearm prohibition and transfer firearms at the time of sentencing. It directly affects people convicted of felonies (over one year imprisonment, under §61-7-7(a)(1)) or misdemeanor domestic violence assaults/batteries involving intimate partners, spouses, or household members (under §61-7-7(a)(8)). The bill mandates they sign a form confirming the prohibition and hand over firearms to someone legally allowed to possess them. This adds a new procedural step to existing firearm restrictions, focusing on immediate compliance at conviction. The bill is currently in the House Judiciary Committee for review.

Maddy summaryHB 3468 modifies West Virginia tax law to expand tax exemptions for certain public safety workers' pension benefits. It removes a $2,000 annual cap on tax-free treatment for pension payments, making full pension benefits exempt for Division of Natural Resources police, deputy sheriffs, full-time firefighters, and municipal police officers. The bill amends Section 11-21-12 of the West Virginia Code to include these specific professions in the existing pension exemption, which previously applied only to some public employees. This change directly affects law enforcement and emergency service workers receiving retirement benefits under state pension systems, eliminating federal adjusted gross income tax on their full pension payments.

Maddy summaryHB 3466 requires West Virginia's Division of Highways to install "blue light" emergency alert stations at all state rest areas and welcome centers by July 1, 2025. Each station must include a help button, camera/video capability, and direct connection to local emergency dispatch. The bill aims to provide immediate assistance for individuals in distress, including potential prevention of human trafficking or domestic violence incidents. This affects travelers using state rest areas and welcome centers, with the Division of Highways responsible for funding and installing the stations.

Maddy summaryHB 3385 requires medication-assisted treatment (MAT) programs in West Virginia to establish written policies for community engagement and location planning. The bill prohibits new MAT programs from locating within 0.5 miles of schools or daycares (with limited variances for existing programs), bans recruitment incentives like rewards for patient referrals, and mandates 60-day public notice before new locations. Programs must notify county commissions and mayors via certified mail, detailing their community impact plans, and obtain local approval before operating. These requirements apply to all MAT facilities, including opioid treatment programs and office-based providers, with a waiver process requiring written justification and safety documentation.

Maddy summaryHB 3384 prohibits West Virginia public and private colleges and universities from requiring vaccines as a condition for enrollment, employment, or participation in campus activities. It bans institutions from offering incentives (like rewards or discounts) for vaccinations and allows free vaccines only with informed consent. The bill ensures students, faculty, and staff cannot be denied access to education or jobs based solely on vaccination choices. Institutions may still offer free vaccines on campus, but cannot mandate them or deny services for opting out.

Maddy summaryHB 2774, the "Coach Protection Act," amends West Virginia law to increase penalties for assault and battery against athletic officials and participants during sports events. It establishes minimum jail terms (5 days for assault, 10 days for battery) and fines ($250-$500 for assault, $500-$1,000 for battery), explicitly defining "athletic official or participant" to include coaches, referees, players, and team supervisors. The bill also authorizes school boards to ban convicted offenders from all state school sports events for at least one year, with violations treated as trespassing. This directly affects individuals who commit violence at sports events, schools enforcing bans, and participants in organized sports.

Maddy summaryHB 3266 amends West Virginia's compulsory school attendance law to establish specific requirements for families choosing home instruction. It requires parents to submit a notice of intent, provide proof of educational qualifications (like a high school diploma or college degree), and have children assessed annually through standardized tests, public school testing programs, or certified teacher-reviewed portfolios. The bill also specifies that county boards may deny home instruction requests only after a court order showing clear evidence of educational neglect. This directly affects families opting for home schooling, ensuring they meet state educational standards while maintaining county oversight.

Maddy summaryHB 2060 creates a tax exemption for agricultural cooperative associations in West Virginia, directly affecting these organizations operating under Chapter 19 of the state code. The bill exempts qualifying cooperatives from the business and occupation tax on their in-state units starting January 1, 2025, with proration for any tax year containing that date. It defines "agricultural cooperative association" as organizations formed under §19-4-1, which include entities handling agricultural products, food, and related services. The exemption applies retroactively to January 1, 2025, and aligns with existing cooperative association laws. This policy change reduces tax liability for these specific agricultural cooperatives operating within the state.