Del. Kathie Hess Crouse

Maddy summaryHB 4076 exempts the sale of nonpotentially hazardous homemade foods (like baked goods, jams, and honey) from state licensing, permitting, and inspection requirements when sold directly by producers to consumers. It applies only to foods that don’t require special temperature controls for safety (excluding dairy, meat, poultry, and acidified foods), and requires producers to provide written safety notices to buyers. Health departments can investigate foodborne illness claims related to these sales. The bill does not affect sales of potentially hazardous foods (like dairy or meat), which still require permits and labeling.

Maddy summaryHB 4066 imposes fines on West Virginia county and state boards of education for providing false or misleading information to parents about homeschooling and educational rights. It levies $500 per incident for general misinformation (e.g., incorrect homeschool filing guidance) and $5,000 for errors on official websites/social media, with daily penalties. Fines go directly to affected parents or to homeschool advocacy groups like the West Virginia Home Educators Association. The bill specifically targets inaccuracies regarding homeschool paperwork (Notice of Intent), diploma validity, public school access for homeschooled students, and HOPE Scholarship eligibility. Its goal is to ensure accurate information and protect parental rights in education.

Maddy summaryHB 4123 provides annual pay increases for West Virginia Capitol Police officers and support staff to address retention challenges. It mandates a $5,000 annual pay raise for all Capitol Police officers starting July 1, 2026, with additional $5,000 increases each subsequent July 1 through 2029. Support staff receive only the initial $5,000 increase in 2026. Funding for these raises will come from the Capitol Police’s existing general revenue budget, as specified in the bill. The legislation directly affects all employees working at Capitol Complex properties under the Division of Protective Services.

Maddy summaryHB 4079 requires all West Virginia state offices, departments, and commissions to replace specific terms in government communications with traditional alternatives. It mandates replacing phrases like "pregnant people" with "pregnant women," "chestfeeding" with "breastfeeding," "menstruating person" with "woman," and "womxn" with "woman." The bill applies to official documents, websites, literature, and in-person communications, effective June 1, 2026. It directly affects how state agencies describe health, reproductive, and gender-related topics in public materials. The law does not alter policies but changes the language used in government communications.

Maddy summaryHB 4068 requires West Virginia's Department of Health to propose rules adding alpha-gal syndrome (a meat allergy triggered by tick bites) to the list of diseases that must be reported to the CDC. This bill amends existing public health reporting requirements under West Virginia Code §16-1-4, directing the Department to include alpha-gal syndrome as a reportable condition. It affects the Department of Health's reporting procedures but does not change testing or treatment for patients. The law focuses on standardizing data collection for public health monitoring, not on patient care or new medical requirements.

Maddy summaryHB 4051 amends West Virginia law to allow certain nonviolent offenders to possess firearms by removing specific convictions from the list of prohibited offenses. It clarifies that convictions for drug offenses under §60A-4-401-403 (not classified as violent crimes) no longer bar firearm rights, and individuals in recovery from substance use disorders for at least one year regain rights (excluding those in MAT treatment). The bill also reinforces that law enforcement cannot infringe on the right to bear arms under the Second Amendment and state constitution. It directly affects people previously barred due to nonviolent drug convictions or substance use disorder history. The change takes effect after the specified waiting periods or recovery periods, without altering restrictions for violent offenses or domestic violence convictions.

Maddy summaryHB 4143, the "West Virginia Women's Bill of Rights," defines "woman," "man," "female," and "male" based solely on biological sex at birth, excluding gender identity as a synonym for sex in state law. It requires state agencies, schools, and public entities to collect and report data on biological sex (not gender identity) for public health, anti-discrimination compliance, and statistics. The bill also permits separate single-sex facilities - such as bathrooms, shelters, and athletic programs - without violating anti-discrimination laws, as long as they are based on biological sex. This directly affects how West Virginia state government and public institutions classify individuals and manage services related to sex.

Maddy summaryHB 4064 modifies West Virginia's motor vehicle sales tax rules to allow buyers to deduct tax already paid on a traded-in vehicle from the new purchase price. It increases the tax rate from 5% to 6% for vehicles purchased on or after July 1, 2017, and applies this tax to all used vehicles purchased within the state, regardless of where the vehicle was originally bought. The bill clarifies that "exchange" includes trading in a vehicle titled in the same name within seven days, requiring a notarized bill of sale. This directly affects motor vehicle buyers, sellers, and dealers participating in trade-in transactions across West Virginia.

Maddy summaryHB 4153 creates a tax credit for West Virginia employers who hire interns or apprentices in high-demand fields like advanced manufacturing, IT, healthcare, and skilled trades. Eligible employers receive a 50% tax credit on wages paid to qualifying interns/apprentices, up to $10,000 per person annually (capped at $150,000 total per employer yearly). To qualify, positions must include at least 120 hours of structured training and exclude retail, food service, janitorial, and general administrative roles. Employers must apply for certification through the West Virginia Department of Economic Development and report details annually to claim the credit.

Maddy summaryHB 4162 creates a tax credit program to encourage property rehabilitation in West Virginia. It provides businesses and property owners a 25% credit (up to $2 million) on eligible renovation costs or a 50% credit on increased property value (annual for 5 years), requiring a $50,000 investment, 30% value increase, and 5 years of active commercial use. Additional credits (up to 15% total) apply for projects in rural areas (population <50,000, high unemployment, or designated zones), brownfield sites, or registered historic properties. The program is budget-neutral, capped at $50 million annually, and requires annual reporting on investments, jobs created, and property use.