Del. Jim Butler

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 summaryHCR 48 is a concurrent resolution from the West Virginia Legislature urging Congress to call a constitutional convention under Article V of the U.S. Constitution. It specifically requests a convention limited to proposing amendments focused on federal fiscal responsibility, citing rising national debt ($36 trillion) and inflation concerns. The resolution directs West Virginia to seek federal court action if Congress fails to comply and invites other states to convene a state-level meeting by July 2026 to draft fiscal amendments for state ballot consideration. As a procedural resolution - not a law - it does not change policy but formally requests action from Congress.

Maddy summaryHB 2517 would eliminate mandatory vaccination requirements for students entering West Virginia schools and state-regulated child care centers. Currently, children must provide proof of specific immunizations (including measles, polio, and whooping cough) to enroll; this bill removes that requirement, making immunizations voluntary. The key mechanism is amending state law to replace mandatory vaccination with a voluntary system, eliminating the need for vaccination certificates for school entry. This directly affects all students entering public, private, or parochial schools and child care centers in West Virginia. The bill does not change medical exemption processes or vaccine access for low-income families.

Maddy summaryHB 2105, the "Citizen and State Accountability Act," requires state and local government agencies to obtain the Governor's written approval before applying for certain grants. For grants over $1 million (major grants), agencies must submit a detailed pre-grant analysis - including a 10-year cost-benefit projection, policy impact assessment, and compliance requirements - at least one week before applying. For smaller grants ($1 million or less), the same analysis must be provided three weeks in advance. The Governor may reject applications that impose financial burdens, conflict with state law, interfere with existing funding, or risk loss of state sovereignty, but automatic approval occurs if no written response is given within a week.

Maddy summaryHB 2182 establishes privacy rights for patients regarding medical treatments by prohibiting mandatory disclosure or administration of medical products unless the manufacturer is liable for related deaths or serious injuries. The bill directly affects patients who might otherwise be compelled to disclose treatment history or receive specific medical products (including drugs, devices, or biologics). Its key provision blocks any requirement for patients to take, receive, or disclose medical product use unless the manufacturer is held accountable for harm. The law applies broadly to all medical products and aims to prevent involuntary medical actions without manufacturer liability. (Note: This bill is procedural and has not yet been voted on, as it was introduced on February 12, 2025.)

Maddy summaryHB 2074 exempts small, temporary food operations like county fair booths, church vendors, and fire department kitchens from requiring expensive commercial ventilation hoods and automatic fire suppression systems. Instead, it mandates simpler safety measures: at least two fire extinguishers per 1,000 square feet (including grease-specific extinguishers if cooking with grease), constant monitoring of cooking equipment, and basic ventilation to disperse fumes. The bill defines "limited use facilities" as stationary booths operating 15 days or fewer annually, separate from residential structures. The West Virginia State Fire Marshal will establish specific rules for these requirements in collaboration with local fire and health departments. This change directly affects non-profits, community groups, and seasonal vendors currently burdened by full commercial fire code standards.

Maddy summaryHB 2073, the West Virginia Refugee and Immigrant Absorptive Capacity Act, requires the state to evaluate whether communities can support new refugees and immigrants by assessing factors like healthcare access, housing availability, school capacity, and job market conditions before resettlement. The state refugee office must coordinate with local governments through quarterly meetings and provide at least 30 days of public notice before arrivals, including direct notice to residents who request it. The bill mandates a fiscal impact assessment and regular reports to ensure resettlement plans align with community capacity without straining local resources. This law directly affects the state Department of Human Services, local governments, and refugee resettlement organizations operating in West Virginia.

Maddy summaryHB 2028 would amend West Virginia law to grant the Intermediate Court of Appeals (ICA) jurisdiction to rule on "certified questions" about whether state statutes, rules, or executive orders are constitutional. This allows parties in circuit court cases to request the ICA to quickly answer constitutional questions within 60 days of the issue being raised, by filing a written motion with a concise statement of the question and their proposed answer. The ICA would then provide a timely ruling, streamlining resolution of state-wide legal concerns that arise during lower court proceedings. This change updates the ICA's authority under existing court jurisdiction rules, specifically adding certified constitutional questions to its review scope.

Maddy summaryHB 2029 would allow employees of out-of-state plumbing businesses to perform plumbing work in West Virginia without obtaining their own individual plumbing license, provided they work under the direct supervision of a West Virginia-licensed employer. This change specifically affects out-of-state plumbing companies and their employees who currently face licensing barriers when working on-site in West Virginia. The bill amends existing law (§21-14-3(c)(9)) to clarify that supervision by an in-state licensed employer satisfies the licensing requirement. It does not change the need for the employer business to hold a valid West Virginia plumbing license.

Maddy summaryThis House Concurrent Resolution asks the West Virginia Legislature to refuse to recognize the results of the 2024 presidential election under specific conditions. It states that the state will not accept an election outcome if the Republican presidential or vice-presidential candidate is assassinated, seriously injured, barred from the ballot, or if election officials determine that fraud or interference by the federal government or other entities significantly influenced the results. The resolution defines these concerns to include issues such as non-citizen voting, vote manipulation, and government censorship, and it directs copies of the document to state officials and the U.S. Congress. Currently, the measure is a non-binding request that has been referred to the Judiciary Committee for review.