Del. Daniel Linville

Maddy summaryHB 3025 requires West Virginia's Secretary of Environmental Protection to develop a comprehensive State Water Resources Management Plan by November 30, 2013 (per the referenced code section). The bill mandates the collection of detailed data on surface and groundwater resources, including inventory of watersheds, assessments of current and future water use by large users (like industries and utilities), and identification of areas where demand may exceed supply in "growth counties." Key provisions include tracking water withdrawals, evaluating conflicts between uses, and reviewing existing water management policies. This plan aims to guide future infrastructure planning and resource allocation for state agencies and water users.

Maddy summaryHB 3026 redefines "use" in West Virginia zoning law to include only domestic, farming, or activities on land where water was drawn (e.g., on-site water use), excluding commercial extraction or transport of water outside the state. It protects existing farms, manufacturers, and agricultural operations from new zoning restrictions on their current land uses, and prevents vacant land from being deemed abandoned after one year if not used for commercial water extraction. The bill ensures zoning ordinances cannot prohibit local land/water use for farming, domestic purposes, or non-commercial water activities, while explicitly excluding commercial bottling, storage, or pipeline transport.

Maddy summaryHB 3007 would increase salaries for sheriffs who have prior law enforcement experience. To qualify, sheriffs must submit a written request to their county commission before the effective date, and counties must demonstrate fiscal capacity to cover the raise through auditor certification. The bill amends existing law to establish this higher pay rate for sheriffs meeting the experience requirement, effective July 1, 2025. It does not apply automatically; sheriffs must proactively request the increase, and counties must prove they can afford it without relying on federal grants or unencumbered funds. This change directly affects sheriffs with qualifying experience in counties that meet fiscal criteria.

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 2966 requires individuals and groups spending over $1,000 annually on independent election activities (like ads not coordinated with candidates) to disclose detailed information publicly. This includes the spender's name, the source of funds (reporting contributors who gave over $1,000), and specific details about each contribution (like donor occupation and employer). The bill mandates these disclosures within 48 hours for certain last-minute spending before elections, with tighter 24-hour deadlines for large expenditures targeting specific candidates. It directly affects political committees, advocacy groups, and donors engaging in election-related spending, aiming to increase transparency in campaign finance. The law also clarifies that federal entities must comply with these state disclosure rules.

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 summaryHB 2817 requires political action committees (PACs) to follow the same detailed reporting rules as candidates for public office regarding independent political spending. Specifically, it mandates that PACs disclose contributors' names, addresses, occupations, and employers for all contributions over $1,000 annually, and file immediate reports within 24 hours for large expenditures (over $5,000 for statewide/legislative races or $500 for local races) made within 12 hours of an election. The Secretary of State must compile and publish these reports by candidate before elections to increase transparency. This bill directly affects PACs, independent spending groups, and their contributors by standardizing disclosure requirements across campaign finance activities.

Maddy summaryHB 2751 authorizes Mason County to levy a special sales tax on tangible personal property and services sold within the Town of Henderson's Economic Opportunity Development District. This tax, which would fund local economic development efforts, applies specifically to businesses operating in Henderson and requires no additional approval from the state development office. The bill amends state law to allow Mason County Commission to establish this district and set tax rates without seeking prior state authorization. It directly affects businesses selling goods or services in Henderson and directs the tax revenue toward supporting the town's economic growth.

Maddy summaryHB 2804 would increase criminal penalties for assaulting or battering athletic officials during sporting events in West Virginia. It raises fines for assault to a minimum of $500 (up to 6 months jail) and for battery to a minimum of $1,000 (up to 12 months jail). The bill defines "athletic official" to include umpires, referees, and coaches acting in their official capacity. This amendment would change current penalties under West Virginia Code §61-2-15a, applying specifically to incidents occurring while officials are enforcing rules or supervising events. The bill is currently pending in the House Judiciary Committee.

Maddy summaryHB 2562 would remove the state sales tax on gun safes and specific firearm safety devices, such as trigger locks or storage containers. The bill amends West Virginia's tax code to explicitly exempt these products from the consumer sales tax, which currently applies to most retail purchases. This change would directly affect consumers who purchase these safety items, making them less expensive at the point of sale. The policy focuses on reducing the cost of legally storing firearms safely, without altering firearm ownership laws or regulations.