Del. Evan Worrell

Maddy summaryHB 2618 would automatically restore firearm rights to West Virginia residents who complete sentences for nonviolent felonies, eliminating the need for separate court petitions. It specifically applies to individuals convicted of nonviolent crimes but excludes those convicted of violent felonies, certain drug offenses (like Schedule I-III controlled substances except marijuana), or domestic violence misdemeanors. The bill amends West Virginia law to remove automatic firearm prohibitions once sentences and court-ordered penalties like fines are fully served. This changes current practice where individuals must seek judicial restoration of rights after completing their sentence. The bill is currently pending in the House Judiciary Committee after being introduced on February 19, 2025.

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 3475, the West Virginia Clean Water Act of 2025, sets new drinking water quality standards that exceed federal requirements and requires public water systems to test for contaminants like lead and bacteria quarterly. The bill mandates public reporting of test results within 30 days via a state website and immediate notification to residents if standards are violated. It creates the West Virginia Safe Water Fund to provide grants and low-interest loans for infrastructure upgrades, prioritizing rural and low-income communities, and requires phased replacement of all lead service lines by 2035 with financial assistance for eligible households. Violations of water quality standards could result in fines of $10,000-$100,000 per incident, with collected funds reinvested into the fund.

Maddy summaryHB 3436, the Genetic Privacy Act, would require companies and organizations collecting genetic data in West Virginia to obtain clear, specific consumer consent before using or sharing that information. It defines "genetic data" broadly to include DNA sequences, health-related information connected to genetic testing, and related analyses. The bill mandates that entities provide privacy notices about data collection, use, and disclosure, and allows consumers to access or delete their data. It includes exceptions for healthcare providers under HIPAA, research with proper consent, and government use (with new warrant requirements starting in 2027), directly affecting genetic testing companies and any business handling consumer genetic information in the state.

Maddy summaryHB 3477 requires manufacturers of "liability shield products" (medical/pharmaceutical/biological/technological products with federal liability immunity) to conduct placebo-controlled safety studies before marketing in West Virginia. It mandates that these studies track specific safety metrics (allergenicity, carcinogenicity, etc.) for five years, with results made publicly available on the Department of Health website. The bill also requires the Department to monitor adverse outcomes using existing health data systems, publish post-market surveillance data, and issue alerts about safety concerns. Additionally, it grants individuals the right to refuse such products without coercion. This proposed legislation applies to manufacturers distributing these products in West Virginia and is currently in committee review.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates West Virginia's campaign finance rules by allowing corporations and membership organizations (including nonprofits and LLCs) to directly contribute to candidates, candidate committees, or political action committees. It clarifies reporting requirements for these contributions and defines key terms like "corporation" and "contribution" to improve transparency. The changes affect candidates, their committees, and corporate donors by streamlining disclosure rules for campaign spending. The bill focuses on modernizing reporting standards rather than restricting contributions.

Maddy summaryHB 3301 would amend West Virginia law to prohibit any requirement that a person receive or use a medical product, such as vaccines or treatments. It also bans penalties or denial of benefits for refusing a medical product or for declining to disclose whether one has been used. The bill would override existing health regulations to ensure individuals cannot be forced to use medical products or face legal consequences for refusing them. This applies broadly to all medical products and all state laws, effectively blocking mandatory use in public health contexts.

Maddy summaryHB 3303 would expand the authority of bail bond enforcers (often called bounty hunters) in West Virginia to apprehend defendants for specific serious offenses, including drug trafficking near schools, violent assaults, stalking, sexual assault, and human trafficking. The bill requires enforcers to give law enforcement at least four hours' notice before apprehension and to deliver defendants to court or police within 24 hours. It also mandates the Secretary of State to publish a list of registered enforcers and clarifies prohibited conduct. The bill directly affects defendants charged with the listed offenses and the bail bond industry, but does not apply to all criminal cases.

Maddy summaryHB 3308 terminates West Virginia's Health Care Authority's certificate of need program, which previously required health care facilities to seek state approval before expanding services. This directly affects hospitals, clinics, and behavioral health providers that previously needed certificate approvals for new services or expansions. The bill repeals all related statutes, transfers the Authority's remaining powers, assets, records, and employees to the Secretary of the Department of Health, and moves funds to the general revenue fund. It also establishes a new summary review process for certain behavioral health services to meet federal Medicaid waiver requirements, but eliminates the broader certificate of need requirement.

Maddy summaryHB 3186 amends West Virginia's labor laws to strengthen the "West Virginia Jobs Act" for public construction projects. It requires employers receiving a local labor utilization waiver (to hire outside the local area) to hire outside workers at the same qualifications and wage rates they provided to Workforce West Virginia. The bill clarifies that the Jobs Act applies to all public construction projects, including those managed by the West Virginia Development Authority, and mandates the Division of Labor to create a public online database of certified payroll records (with personal information redacted) for all employers working on public contracts. This database will include employee residence locations and occupations, making the data accessible to the public for transparency.