Del. Kathie Hess Crouse

Maddy summaryHB 4074 creates a three-year pilot program in West Virginia where state, employer, and employee each pay one-third of childcare costs for eligible employees. It directly affects low-income workers (household income 150%-250% of Federal Poverty Level) in three urban and two rural counties who don’t qualify for existing childcare subsidies. The program requires the Department of Human Services to develop guidelines, provide technical assistance, and report annually on participation and impacts. If successful, it could lead to a permanent statewide program to improve childcare affordability, access, and quality for working parents.

Maddy summaryHB 4094 would repeal three sections of West Virginia law (§19-20-1, §19-20-2, and §19-20-11) that imposed a tax on dogs. This bill directly affects dog owners in West Virginia who currently pay this tax under existing code. The key mechanism is the removal of the legal requirement for the dog tax by eliminating these specific code provisions. As a result, dog owners would no longer be subject to this tax obligation.

Maddy summaryHB 4184 would exempt safe gun storage devices (such as gun safes, lock boxes, and secure storage containers) from West Virginia's state sales tax. This change applies directly to individuals purchasing these devices for personal firearm storage. The bill amends West Virginia's tax code (§11-15-9) to add "safe gun storage devices" to the list of exempt items, meaning buyers would no longer pay the standard 6% state sales tax on these purchases. The policy change is limited to the tax treatment of these specific storage products.

Maddy summaryHB 4097, the "Protection of Shared Physical and Digital Property from Warrantless Searches Act," requires government agents to obtain a warrant based on probable cause or a person’s consent before accessing information shared with third parties (like banks or cloud services) when obtaining goods or services. It directly affects West Virginia residents whose personal data is held by third parties for commercial purposes, such as financial records or online accounts. The bill defines "digital property" and "physical property" to include information shared for services, and prohibits warrantless searches of this shared information, overturning the "Third Party Doctrine" that previously allowed government access without warrants. This law would take effect upon passage, creating a new legal standard for government access to shared personal data.

Maddy summaryHB 4175 would remove West Virginia's requirement for annual vehicle safety inspections. It repeals specific sections of state law (§17C-16-1 through §17C-16-9) that currently mandate these inspections for most vehicles. This change would directly affect vehicle owners who currently must complete annual inspections to register or operate their vehicles. The bill makes no new provisions or funding changes - its sole effect is to eliminate the existing inspection mandate.

Maddy summaryHB 4149 amends West Virginia law to clarify and limit when conservation officials (like the Division of Natural Resources) may enter private land without a warrant. It directly affects private landowners and conservation officers by adding specific restrictions on entry for surveys, inspections, or enforcement related to wildlife and natural resources. Key provisions include establishing clear limits on entry, defining the process for entering posted private lands, and clarifying rules about using surveillance cameras near such properties. The bill does not change existing conservation authorities but adds procedural safeguards for landowners. It focuses on concrete changes to entry procedures, not broader policy shifts.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires mental health evaluations before setting bonds for specific misdemeanor crimes, directly affecting defendants charged with offenses like violent misdemeanors, crimes against minors, drug violations, or property crimes exceeding $250 value. Key provisions mandate judicial officers to consider mental health status when determining bond conditions for these cases, adding it to the list of factors alongside safety concerns and prior criminal history. The law modifies existing bail procedures under West Virginia Code §62-1C-1a to ensure evaluations are conducted prior to bond decisions for the specified offenses.

Maddy summaryHB 4092 requires all new law enforcement officers hired in West Virginia to provide proof of U.S. citizenship as a condition for state certification. The bill applies to all new hires by law enforcement agencies, state institutions, hospitals, or the Public Service Commission, effective upon the law's passage. Existing officers already employed as of the effective date are exempt from this requirement. The bill does not affect commercial vehicle enforcement officers hired before July 1, 2007, who were previously certified under different rules.

Maddy summaryHJR 1 proposes a constitutional amendment to increase West Virginia's homestead exemption from $20,000 to $50,000. This exemption currently protects the first $20,000 of assessed value on a primary residence (or mobile home) from property taxes for homeowners aged 65 or older, or permanently disabled residents. The change would reduce property taxes for qualifying homeowners by exempting an additional $30,000 of their home's assessed value. As a constitutional amendment, it requires voter approval in the 2026 general election to take effect.

Maddy summaryHB 4190 would automatically restore the right to possess firearms and serve on a jury for eligible nonviolent felons in West Virginia upon completion of their sentences, without requiring a court petition. The bill clarifies that petitions for firearm rights may include restoration of jury service rights and specifies who can file such petitions (e.g., individuals with certain nonviolent felony convictions). It also requires the Attorney General to publish public guidance on the process. This change directly affects individuals with prior nonviolent felony convictions who have met the eligibility criteria for automatic restoration.