Del. Mark Zatezalo

Maddy summaryHB 5359 creates a new tax method for high voltage electric transmission line property in West Virginia, directing property tax revenue from newly constructed transmission projects into the existing Electric Grid Stabilization and Security Fund. This fund will use the collected revenue to support grid stabilization, security, and efficiency upgrades for regulated utilities, including maintenance of coal and natural gas generation facilities serving West Virginia ratepayers. The bill specifies that these funds must be used to lower electricity rates for West Virginia consumers, directly benefiting all ratepayers by reducing costs through improved grid infrastructure. Key provisions include defining "high voltage transmission line property," requiring tax returns to the Board of Public Works, and ensuring unspent fund balances carry forward annually. The bill is currently in the House Finance Committee for review.

Maddy summaryHB 4624 allows West Virginia county commissions to lease, rent, or permit the use of county-owned wireless towers (or parts of them) to private companies or organizations, while requiring them to provide free access to public safety operations (like 911, police, and fire departments), the West Virginia Department of Highways, and other state agencies. Counties may charge fees for tower use by non-exempt entities but cannot levy charges for the specified public safety and state agency uses. The bill also permits counties to establish rules for managing such leases and optionally create panels to oversee tower allocations. This legislation directly affects county governments, private wireless providers, and state/local public safety agencies by clarifying tower leasing authority and access requirements.

Maddy summaryThis House Resolution (HR 11) encourages West Virginia's K-12 students to design a new state highway route number shield for the 2026 anniversaries of the U.S. founding (250th) and the U.S. numbered highway system (100th). It directs the West Virginia Division of Highways and Department of Tourism to hold a statewide student design competition, requiring the shield to maintain federal safety standards for legibility while incorporating West Virginia identity. The winning design would be implemented gradually on state highways starting July 2027, replacing existing signs only as they wear out, and the student designer would receive legislative recognition. The resolution is procedural and non-binding, focusing on celebration and civic engagement rather than new policy.

Maddy summaryHR 9 is a ceremonial resolution honoring the late West Virginia House Delegate Douglas John Skaff Jr. It expresses the House of Delegates' condolences to his family and commemorates his service, including his roles as a delegate representing multiple districts and as Minority Leader. The resolution has no policy impact - it is purely symbolic, acknowledging his career in public service, business, and community leadership. It was unanimously adopted by the House on February 5, 2026, the same day it was introduced.

Maddy summaryThis West Virginia House resolution states that the U.S. national debt (over $38 trillion in 2026) poses a national security threat, citing foreign debt ownership, projected Social Security/Medicare shortfalls, and warnings from military/intelligence leaders. It urges Congress to establish regular budgeting procedures but does not create new laws or alter federal spending. As a symbolic resolution, it has no direct legal effect on national debt policy or federal budgets. The resolution focuses on raising awareness rather than implementing concrete changes.

Maddy summaryHB 5007 would create a state income tax exemption for West Virginia residents who pay for gym memberships at gyms located within the state. The bill allows taxpayers to reduce their taxable income by $60 per month, capped at $720 annually for gym membership costs. It directly affects individual taxpayers who maintain gym memberships at in-state facilities and would lower their state income tax liability. The policy change is limited to qualifying gym memberships purchased within West Virginia, with no additional eligibility requirements specified.

Maddy summaryHB 5014 modifies West Virginia's real property tax rules for farm structures used in agricultural activities. It phases out taxes on eligible structures over three years: 33% reduction in 2026, 67% in 2027, and full exemption by 2028 for structures appraised in 2025. The exemption applies only to farm structures on agricultural land (per §19-19-2b) used for farming operations, excluding commercial solar installations, wood processing facilities, and event venues. This directly affects farm property owners who maintain qualifying structures for agricultural production, storage, or distribution.

Maddy summaryHB 4985, the "Strategic and Critical Resources Act," defines specific minerals (like lithium, cobalt, and rare earth elements) as critical to West Virginia's security and economy. It prohibits local governments outside cities from regulating the extraction of these resources or the development of related facilities, preempting local ordinances. The bill also restricts foreign adversaries (entities designated by federal law) from owning or controlling land used for extracting these resources. Importantly, the law does not override federal environmental regulations or state building codes, and it aligns with existing federal restrictions on foreign ownership.

Maddy summaryHB 4949 establishes rules for West Virginia's regulation of "chemicals of emerging concern," including PFAS (like PFOS/PFOA), microplastics, nanomaterials, and other substances posing potential environmental or health risks. The bill prohibits state rules on these chemicals from being stricter than existing federal standards for the same topic. If no federal rule exists, state regulations must be based on "best available science" and the "weight of scientific evidence," requiring a direct link between chemical exposure and proven human harm (not just risk). This applies to areas like drinking water, air quality, hazardous waste, and contaminated site cleanup, affecting state agencies developing environmental regulations.

Maddy summaryHB 4627 requires health insurance plans and self-insured employer health plans in West Virginia to cover preventive cancer screenings for professional firefighters without cost-sharing (such as copays or deductibles), except in high-deductible health plans where standard deductibles apply. The bill applies to all firefighters employed by state, county, or municipal entities and mandates coverage based on the International Association of Fire Fighters' current screening guidelines. This ensures firefighters can access regular cancer screenings at no additional cost, promoting early detection and health monitoring for this occupational group.