Del. Daniel Linville

Maddy summaryHB 4585 modifies eligibility requirements for West Virginia volunteer firefighters seeking a state tax credit. To qualify, firefighters must now obtain certification from their fire department chief confirming they were active members for the full year, participated in at least 30 hours of on-site activities, met all required training, and provided specific details like rank, years of service, emergency responses, and training attendance. This certification must be submitted to the Tax Commissioner to claim the credit. The bill directly affects volunteer firefighters who currently or will seek this tax credit under West Virginia’s Volunteer Firefighter Tax Credit Act.

Maddy summaryHB 4498 clarifies West Virginia's Right to Farm Act to specifically protect urban beekeeping and residential agricultural operations. It defines "agricultural residential land" as property zoned residential where owners may keep apiaries (beehives) within municipal boundaries for food production or non-hazardous sales, while maintaining that Homeowners Associations can still restrict beekeeping per their bylaws. The bill amends the Apiary Act to clarify that the state commissioner, not local governments, has authority over beekeeping regulations, except for HOA rules. This directly affects urban residents who keep bees or grow food on residential property within city limits. The key change is legally protecting these activities under agricultural protections while preserving local HOA authority.

Maddy summaryHB 4432 establishes new tenant protections and landlord notice requirements for residents in factory-built home rental communities (including mobile homes, manufactured homes, modular homes, and house trailers). It defines "good cause" for eviction, requiring landlords to provide written notice before terminating tenancy for reasons like rent arrears or lease violations, and clarifies that tenants cannot be deemed to have abandoned their home due to catastrophic events like floods or tornadoes. The bill also defines key terms like "factory-built home rental community" and "good cause" to standardize protections. These changes directly affect tenants and landlords in multi-unit factory-built home communities across West Virginia.

Maddy summaryHB 2742 creates a temporary waiver for certain water and sewer service projects from needing a "certificate of public convenience and necessity" permit. This waiver applies specifically to projects funded in whole or part by American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) or Coronavirus State Fiscal Recovery Fund (SFR) money, and approved by the Infrastructure and Jobs Development Council (or the Water Development Authority for Economic Enhancement Grants). The waiver expires on April 30, 2025, and applies to projects that meet technical feasibility standards. It directly affects utility providers with at least 4,500 customers and $3 million in annual revenue, streamlining approval for eligible infrastructure projects.

Maddy summaryHB 2067, the West Virginia Firearms Liability Clarification Act, clarifies that firearm owners or sellers are generally not liable for civil lawsuits related to firearms they lawfully possess or transfer, unless negligence or intentional misconduct is proven. This law directly affects firearm owners, sellers, and businesses involved in gun transactions by limiting their civil liability in specific scenarios. The bill, now law after being approved by the Governor on April 25, 2025, establishes clear legal standards to prevent frivolous lawsuits targeting lawful firearm activities.

Maddy summaryHB 3187 establishes a West Virginia Task Force on Artificial Intelligence to study the impacts of AI on the state's economy, workforce, and public services. The task force, composed of state officials and industry experts, must analyze AI's effects on jobs, ethics, and regulatory needs, then submit recommendations to the legislature by 2026. This law directly affects state agencies responsible for implementing AI-related policies and provides a structured process for addressing emerging technology challenges. The bill became effective on July 31, 2025, after approval by the Governor.

Maddy summaryHB 3181 allows all retired law enforcement officers to purchase firearms without restrictions that previously applied to them. The bill removes a prior ban on retired police and sheriff's department officers buying guns directly. It became effective on July 31, 2025, after being signed by the governor on April 28, 2025. This change directly affects retired officers who now have the same firearm purchasing rights as other state residents.

Maddy summaryHB 2576, the NIL Protection Act, protects college student-athletes' rights to earn income from their Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) without penalty from public universities. It directly affects student-athletes at public institutions in the state by prohibiting colleges from restricting or penalizing them for participating in NIL deals, such as endorsements or social media promotions. The law ensures athletes can monetize their personal brand without losing eligibility or facing disciplinary action from their schools. Effective July 30, 2025, this legislation aligns with broader state efforts to support student-athlete financial opportunities.

Maddy summaryHB 2511 allows charitable organizations to sell and serve alcohol during bingo events they host for fundraising. It directly affects nonprofit groups, such as churches or community centers, that operate charitable bingo games. The bill removes previous restrictions by permitting alcohol sales and consumption while bingo is being played, aligning with updated regulations for these events. This change became law after the governor approved it on April 28, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 3144 establishes clear timelines for local governments to review wireless infrastructure applications in West Virginia. It requires local authorities to approve or deny applications for colocation (adding equipment to existing structures) within 90 days or for new structures within 150 days, creating a "shot clock" mechanism. If a local government fails to act within these periods, it is presumed not to have acted within a reasonable timeframe. The bill directly affects wireless companies seeking to deploy facilities and local governments responsible for reviewing applications, while explicitly preserving existing state laws on small wireless facilities and pre-emption of local ordinances.