Del. Sarah Drennan

Maddy summaryWest Virginia's HB 2006 defines "sex," "male," and "female" in state law based on biological characteristics observed at birth, stating there are only two sexes. It specifies that "female" refers to individuals with reproductive anatomy for producing ova, and "male" refers to those with anatomy for producing sperm, while clarifying that intersex individuals ("DSD conditions") do not constitute a third sex. The bill aims to preserve single-sex spaces like women's restrooms, changing rooms, and domestic violence shelters by requiring state institutions to classify people based on this biological definition. It explicitly states the law cannot be enforced in conflict with the *Grimm v. Gloucester School Board* court ruling, which protects transgender students' access to facilities matching their gender identity.

Maddy summaryHB 3071 requires all West Virginia workplaces to include an FDA-approved opioid overdose reversal medication (like naloxone) in first aid kits by December 1, 2027, and to train employees on its use. This applies directly to every employer across the state, mandating accessible emergency response tools for opioid overdoses. The bill specifies that the medication must be naloxone hydrochloride or another FDA-approved opioid antagonist, along with clear usage instructions. It aims to ensure immediate access to life-saving treatment in workplace settings without altering existing safety regulations.

Maddy summaryHB 3054 prohibits West Virginia municipalities from requiring larger minimum lot sizes for properties with accessory dwelling units (ADUs, like backyard cottages) compared to standard single-family homes in the same zoning district. This bill directly affects local governments that create zoning ordinances and homeowners seeking to add ADUs. The key provision removes a specific requirement from zoning rules that would otherwise mandate bigger lots for ADU properties, allowing more flexibility in housing development. The bill does not change other zoning regulations but targets this one provision to support accessory housing options.

Maddy summaryHB 3005, the West Virginia Consumer Privacy Act of 2025, requires businesses to obtain explicit consumer consent ("opt-in") before selling or sharing their personal financial information. It directly affects West Virginia consumers and businesses like financial institutions, credit reporting agencies, mortgage lenders, and brokers that handle consumer financial data. The law mandates that businesses clearly disclose what information is being shared and gives consumers control over their data to prevent identity theft and unsolicited marketing. Violations carry fines of up to $10,000 per offense, with additional penalties for bad-faith lawsuits.

Maddy summaryHB 2888 amends West Virginia Code §17-2A-8 to clarify and expand the West Virginia Commissioner of Highways' authority over road maintenance and repair. The bill requires the commissioner to implement "reasonable design techniques to minimize flood damage" during road projects and mandates public hearings with virtual participation options before closing or discontinuing state roads. It also updates procedures for acquiring land for road projects, establishing road standards, and maintaining public records related to road rights-of-way. The bill directly affects the state highway department's operational procedures and public engagement processes for road maintenance decisions. (This is a procedural amendment to existing duties, not a new funding or program.)

Maddy summaryHB 2405 creates a tax credit for West Virginia residents who homeschool or send children to private schools for primary and secondary education. It provides a credit equal to the annual HOPE Scholarship amount per taxpayer, regardless of how many children are homeschooled or in private school. Families already eligible for the HOPE Scholarship are excluded from this credit. The State Tax Commissioner must establish rules for claiming the credit, which reduces income tax liability but does not impose new education regulations on homeschooled children.

Maddy summaryHB 2971 updates West Virginia's back-to-school sales tax holiday by increasing the price limits for exempt items. It raises the maximum price for clothing to $150 (from $125), school supplies to $60 (from $50), instructional materials to $25 (from $20), laptops/tablets to $600 (from $500), and sports equipment to $180 (from $150). The holiday remains active during the first Sunday of August plus the preceding Friday and Saturday and the following Monday. This change directly affects West Virginia consumers purchasing qualifying school items during this period, excluding business or trade purchases.

Maddy summaryHB 2972 amends West Virginia law to clarify which tree removal activities qualify as "timbering operations" for sediment control regulations. It narrows existing exemptions by specifying that tree cutting for oil/gas infrastructure, highway maintenance, or personal use (on one's own property without hiring a professional) only counts as timbering if the trees are sold for commercial wood products. The bill directly affects timber operators, landowners, and entities like oil/gas companies that previously might have been exempt from sediment rules. It updates the legal definition to ensure sediment control measures apply to commercial timber harvesting activities, excluding incidental removals not tied to commercial wood sales.

Maddy summaryHB 2839 requires all West Virginia public elementary, middle, and high schools to provide free feminine hygiene products to female students. County boards of education must supply these products using existing funds allocated for hygiene items, without requiring new state spending. The bill directly affects female students in public K-12 schools by ensuring access to these essential products during school hours. It establishes a clear policy change to address period poverty in educational settings through existing budget mechanisms.

Maddy summaryHB 2862 exempts ambulances transporting patients for non-emergency appointments from paying tolls on West Virginia turnpikes. The bill amends state law to specifically exclude these vehicles from toll obligations under the electronic toll collection system. This change directly affects ambulance operators and emergency service providers using toll roads for scheduled non-emergency medical transports. The provision removes the requirement for these vehicles to pay tolls, though it does not apply to emergency response trips. The bill focuses solely on removing a financial burden for this specific type of vehicle during non-urgent patient transport.