Del. Jarred Cannon

Maddy summaryThis House Resolution (HR 8) is a symbolic request from the West Virginia House of Delegates asking Congress to pass the federal National Concealed Carry Reciprocity Act (HR 38). It states that West Virginia residents with valid concealed carry permits should be able to carry concealed weapons in any state that allows concealed carry, without needing to verify if that state recognizes their West Virginia permit. The resolution does not change any laws itself but urges Congress to enact HR 38, which would require all states to honor out-of-state concealed carry permits, similar to how driver's licenses are recognized across state lines. It directly affects West Virginia permit holders traveling to other states.

Maddy summaryHB 3069 creates a salary adjustment for West Virginia teachers based on regional housing costs. It provides a "market pay enhancement" to certified teachers in counties where base salaries fall below competitive levels relative to neighboring areas, calculated using median home prices from the National Association of Realtors. The enhancement amount is determined annually by comparing the median home price in a teacher’s county and adjacent counties (including border states) to West Virginia’s statewide median, then applying a percentage-based multiplier to the county’s average teacher salary. This adjustment applies only to teachers in counties where base pay is deemed insufficiently competitive, with the first calculation effective July 15, 2025, and updated every five years thereafter. The policy directly affects public school teachers in West Virginia counties facing regional pay disparities.

Maddy summaryHB 2690, the Dental Insurance Transparency Act, requires dental insurance carriers in West Virginia to publicly report how much of collected premiums are spent on actual patient care versus administrative costs. Carriers must file annual reports with the Insurance Commissioner detailing medical loss ratios (MLRs), similar to federal standards, including enrollment data, cost-sharing details, and coverage limits. If a carrier spends less than 80% of premium funds on patient care (the MLR threshold), they must issue rebates to policyholders as reduced premiums. The law also mandates transparency around payment methods, requiring carriers to notify providers of fees for electronic payments and offer fee-free alternatives. These reports will be summarized and made publicly available yearly by the commissioner.

Maddy summaryHB 2870 amends West Virginia's DUI statute to clarify that fleeing the scene after driving while impaired is treated as part of the DUI offense itself, not a separate violation. This change directly affects drivers who flee after being stopped for DUI, as it will subject them to enhanced penalties under existing DUI sentencing structures. The key mechanism adds fleeing while impaired to the definition of the offense, ensuring it triggers the same license revocation periods (up to life) and jail terms (e.g., 2+ years for bodily injury) as a standard DUI. The bill does not create new penalties but corrects a legal gap where fleeing was previously not counted toward DUI sentencing.

Maddy summaryHB 3053 requires West Virginia municipalities to allow accessory dwelling units (ADUs) - secondary homes on single-family lots - by right, without discretionary approvals like public hearings or variances. It limits ADU size to 75% of the main home’s floor area or 1,000 sq. ft. (whichever is smaller) and bans municipalities from imposing extra parking, design matching, occupancy, or impact fees. Municipalities may charge a $250 one-time review fee for ADU applications but cannot restrict ADUs more strictly than main homes. The bill applies to all cities and towns with zoning authority, requiring compliance by January 1, 2026, and explicitly excludes mission-driven non-profit housing from its provisions (despite the bill’s title suggesting otherwise).

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 2874 requires West Virginia high schools to inform 11th and 12th grade students placed in a "free" or "teacher-assistant" period about available online college courses. Schools must provide this information to students not scheduled in a regular academic class during those periods. The bill aims to increase student awareness of college-level course options accessible while in high school. It does not mandate enrollment in these courses, only that schools share this information with affected students.

Maddy summaryHB 2865 modifies parole eligibility for specific violent offenses in West Virginia. It increases the minimum time inmates must serve before becoming parole-eligible for second-degree murder (from 10 to 20 years) and for attempted second-degree murder (from 5 to 20 years), as outlined in amended sections §61-2-3 and §61-11-8. The bill also clarifies that inmates convicted of attempted first-degree murder remain subject to a minimum 10-year parole eligibility period under §61-11-8(4). These changes directly affect individuals serving prison sentences for these specific crimes, raising the required time served before parole consideration.

Maddy summaryHB 2869 clarifies that West Virginia judicial officers must explicitly consider a person's residency status when setting bail or release conditions for misdemeanor offenses. The bill specifically requires judges to evaluate whether the person is a West Virginia or U.S. resident, has community ties, and poses a flight risk. It applies to all misdemeanor cases except those listed in subsection (a)(1) (e.g., violent offenses, crimes against minors, or offenses involving stolen property over $250). The law adds residency status as a mandatory factor in the existing list of considerations under §62-1C-1a, alongside factors like criminal history and community safety. This change directly affects individuals charged with qualifying misdemeanors who seek release before trial.

Maddy summaryHB 2798 creates a pilot program for public high schools in West Virginia to offer a trades-focused elective course. This course, taught at community colleges across the state, replaces standard English, language arts, and science instruction with trade-specific content while counting toward graduation credit. It directly affects high school students interested in trade careers by providing career preparation, resume help, and exposure to available trade fields. The pilot, funded through existing state resources and potential industry grants, begins in the 2025/2026 school year and requires annual reports on its effectiveness.