Del. Mark Zatezalo

Maddy summaryHCR 72 designates March 20, 2025 as "Black Lung Awareness Day" in West Virginia. It honors coal miners affected by black lung disease (coal worker's pneumoconiosis), a preventable occupational lung condition caused by coal dust exposure. The resolution does not create new laws, funding, or policy changes - it serves as a ceremonial observance recognizing the disease's impact and existing protections like the Black Lung Benefits Act. It follows the Federal Coal Mine Health and Safety Act's emphasis on miner safety without altering current regulations.

Maddy summaryThis concurrent resolution (HCR 47) requests that West Virginia's Division of Highways rename the Etam Bridge (Bridge Number 39-072/00-001.85) in Preston County as the "Clinton 'Randy' Dean 101st Airborne Vietnam Veterans Memorial Bridge." It honors Clinton "Randy" Dean, a West Virginia native and Vietnam War veteran who served with the 101st Airborne Division, received a Purple Heart, and later died from Agent Orange-related illness. The resolution specifically directs the Division of Highways to name the bridge and install prominent signage identifying it with this commemorative name. This is a ceremonial resolution, not a policy change affecting legislation or funding.

Maddy summaryHJR 40 proposes a constitutional amendment to change how members of the West Virginia State Board of Education are selected. It would replace the current system of nine appointed members with a hybrid model: five members elected on a partisan basis from five geographic regions (serving staggered four-year terms), and four members appointed by the Governor with Senate consent. The amendment would require the Board to submit any rules or policies they create to the Legislature for review, approval, amendment, or rejection. If approved by voters in the 2026 general election, these changes would take effect with the 2028 general election, modifying the current appointment system for the Board.

Maddy summaryHB 3122 would allow paid firefighters in West Virginia to work 48-hour shifts with majority department approval, replacing the current limit of 112 hours in a 14-day period. Firefighters could choose 48-hour shifts but must take at least 96 hours off afterward, and shifts exceeding 48 hours would only be permitted during emergencies requiring over half the department's service. This bill directly affects all paid firefighters in West Virginia fire departments by changing their allowable shift duration and rest requirements. The change aims to provide more flexible scheduling while maintaining safety standards through the emergency exception and mandatory rest period.

Maddy summaryHB 3045, the Farmer Protection Act, prohibits financial institutions in West Virginia from denying or restricting financial services to agriculture producers based on environmental or sustainability criteria. The bill defines "agriculture producer" and establishes clear standards to prevent unfair discrimination in financial service provision. It directly affects farmers and financial institutions by requiring state oversight to ensure compliance with these standards. The legislation was introduced to address concerns that ESG-related demands could harm small farms and increase food prices.

Maddy summaryHB 2727 requires that at least one member of both the West Virginia University (WVU) Board of Governors and the West Virginia State University (WVSU) Board of Governors must have a background in agriculture or an agricultural field. This bill amends existing law governing university board composition, adding a specific qualification requirement for these two boards. It directly affects WVU and WVSU governance by mandating this expertise in agricultural matters for one appointed board member. The change modifies current appointment rules without altering other board composition requirements.

Maddy summaryHB 2924 would abolish the legal doctrine of adverse possession in West Virginia, meaning individuals can no longer claim ownership of land simply by occupying it openly and continuously for a set period without the owner's permission. The bill amends the state code to remove the existing 10-year limitation period for land claims and explicitly states that "the doctrine and law of adverse possession is abolished." This change directly affects landowners, who will no longer face the risk of losing property through adverse possession claims, and individuals who might have sought to claim land under this rule. The bill does not alter other property laws but specifically eliminates adverse possession as a method to obtain title to land.

Maddy summaryHCR 65 is a West Virginia legislative resolution urging the U.S. Congress and Department of Energy to fulfill federal obligations under the Nuclear Waste Policy Act of 1982 regarding spent nuclear fuel. It highlights that over 90,000 metric tons of spent fuel are stored at 76 sites nationwide, with taxpayers bearing $9 billion in costs and nuclear customers having prepaid $46 billion for disposal, yet no permanent repository exists. The resolution specifically requests Congress and the DOE to implement recommendations from the Blue-Ribbon Commission, streamline regulations, and establish a deep geologic repository. It directly affects nuclear utilities, taxpayers, and communities hosting nuclear sites that face long-term storage challenges. The resolution is procedural and non-binding, aiming to prompt federal action on a decades-old policy gap.

Maddy summaryHB 2436 requires judicial officers to conduct mental health evaluations before setting bonds for individuals charged with specific misdemeanors in West Virginia. It directly affects people accused of crimes like violent misdemeanors, offenses against minors, drug violations under the Uniform Controlled Substances Act, sexual abuse, serious traffic offenses, or property crimes exceeding $250 in value. The bill mandates that for these offenses, judges must consider mental health evaluations when determining bond conditions, potentially requiring home incarceration, electronic monitoring, or other restrictions to ensure court appearance and community safety. It amends existing bond procedures to add this evaluation step as a standard consideration for the listed misdemeanor charges. The bill is currently pending in the House Judiciary Committee after its introduction on February 17, 2025.