Del. Erica Moore

Maddy summaryHB 4941 increases pay for special education staff in West Virginia. It requires special education aides (specifically Aide V) to be paid at the same rate as Early Childhood Classroom Assistant Teachers, plus an additional 5% raise. Self-contained special education teachers receive a 10% salary increase. The bill also defines a "critical vacancy" as a position needed for student success and safety, mandating that certified staff fill such roles until a permanent hire is made.

Maddy summaryHB 4942 requires a second adult to be present on West Virginia county school buses when elementary students (pre-kindergarten through 4th grade) are riding with middle or high school students (5th grade and above). This applies specifically to bus routes where younger children are mixed with older students. The bill mandates this additional adult to maintain order and safety during transportation. It directly affects county school bus systems operating routes with mixed-age groups in the specified grade ranges. The requirement is triggered only when elementary-aged children are present alongside middle/high school-aged students on the same bus route.

Maddy summaryHB 4833 removes a 30% cap on municipal stabilization funds in West Virginia, allowing cities and towns to set higher funding levels without restriction. Currently, a municipality's stabilization fund cannot exceed 30% of its general fund budget; this bill eliminates that maximum limit. The change would directly affect all West Virginia municipalities by giving them greater flexibility to build financial reserves from surplus funds.

Maddy summaryHB 4694 requires West Virginia's Division of Motor Vehicles to deactivate the barcodes on expired or expiring driver's licenses when a person renews their license. This applies to all license holders who present their expired license during renewal, directly affecting businesses selling alcohol or tobacco products by preventing them from using expired licenses for age verification. The bill amends state law to mandate that barcodes on expired licenses become inactive upon renewal, eliminating a potential loophole where expired licenses could still be used to falsely verify age. The purpose is to prevent underage individuals from using expired licenses to purchase age-restricted products.

Maddy summaryHB 4773 would increase the cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) for retired state employees by 20% - not 15% as the title states - applying to retirees from the Public Employees Retirement System and State Teachers Retirement System who voluntarily retired in good standing. The bill requires the first full payment of this 20% adjustment to be issued by June 30, 2026, with benefits also shared proportionally to eligible beneficiaries. The adjustment is subject to IRS limits and mandates a legislative review every decade to assess future COLA increases.

Maddy summaryHB 4714 creates a program allowing county jails and Regional Jail Authorities to involve inmates in voluntary litter cleanup on public lands like highways, roads, and parks. Inmates participating earn sentence reduction credits, with strict safety requirements including proper equipment, supervision ratios, and compliance with occupational regulations. The program is funded through the Litter Control Fund, and proceeds from recyclable materials collected during cleanups must be returned to that fund. The bill also mandates educational materials for schools about litter reduction and requires local governments to develop recycling plans for public facilities.

Maddy summaryHB 4650 modifies when defendants in West Virginia municipal court are entitled to a trial by jury. It specifies that only defendants charged with offenses carrying potential jail time or fines exceeding $5,000 qualify for a jury trial. This change directly affects individuals facing municipal court criminal charges where penalties could reach these thresholds, replacing previous eligibility rules with the new $5,000 fine standard. The bill does not alter jury size (still 12 members) or other procedural rules for municipal court trials.

Maddy summaryHB 4649 requires purchasers of property sold at tax sales (by the West Virginia Auditor for unpaid taxes) to satisfy any outstanding municipal liens (such as unpaid water or sewer charges) recorded against the property before securing a deed. Specifically, buyers must pay off these local government claims and provide the Auditor with a certified record of satisfaction from the municipality, in addition to existing requirements like preparing redemption notices and paying associated costs. Failure to meet this new requirement within 120 days (with a possible 60-day extension for a $100 fee) results in losing the property purchase. This change ensures new owners receive clear title without hidden municipal claims.

Maddy summaryHB 4567 requires retailers to verify the age of customers purchasing vape products by checking government-issued photo ID (like a driver's license or passport) for in-person sales to anyone appearing under 30, and using independent third-party verification services for online orders. The law directly affects all vape retailers (both physical stores and online sellers) and prohibits sales to anyone under 21. Key mechanisms include mandatory ID checks for in-person transactions and electronic age verification for remote purchases, modeled after requirements for prescription drugs. Violations may result in criminal or non-monetary penalties as specified in the bill.

Maddy summaryHB 4572 creates a pilot program allowing West Virginia county boards to designate struggling rural public schools as "Rural Innovation Schools" to prevent closures. It provides these schools with specific flexibilities unavailable to traditional public schools, including class-size waivers, staffing flexibility (like certification exemptions and bypassing seniority rules), calendar/scheduling adjustments, budget repurposing authority, and curricular choices - while keeping them under county board governance. Schools must meet criteria like low enrollment, geographic isolation, or recent closure threats to qualify, and must enter a performance agreement with the state charter school board for three-year reviews. The program also allows schools closed within the past two years to apply for reopening under these provisions if facilities are safe and viable.