Rep. Patrick Lucas

Maddy summaryHB 2732 would amend West Virginia law to allow parents to exempt their children from school-required vaccines (chickenpox, measles, polio, and others) based on religious beliefs. Specifically, it adds a provision permitting parents to submit a notarized "Certificate of Religious Exemption" to schools instead of vaccination records. This change directly affects school-aged children and their families who object to vaccines on religious grounds. The bill maintains existing medical exemption requirements but creates a new pathway for religious objections, without altering the list of required vaccines or the school enrollment process for vaccinated students.

Maddy summaryHB 2729 prohibits mandatory vaccine requirements for students in private, parochial, charter, virtual charter, and remote public schools in West Virginia. It removes applicability of existing vaccine mandates (§16-3-4) for these schools while requiring student athletes to still follow athletic commission rules on physicals and vaccinations. The bill directly affects students attending these specific school types by exempting them from state vaccine mandates. It does not change athletic program requirements, as student athletes must continue adhering to existing guidelines for participation.

Maddy summaryHB 2547 raises the cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) threshold for retired municipal police officers, firefighters, and employees of water/sewage systems from $15,000 to $45,000 of their annual pension benefit. This means more of their retirement income will be adjusted annually for inflation based on the U.S. consumer price index, rather than just the first $15,000. The bill modifies existing law (§8-22-26a) to expand the portion of pension benefits subject to COLA increases, which currently caps adjustments at $15,000. It directly affects retirees in these specific public safety and utility roles who receive supplemental pension benefits.

Maddy summaryHB 2670 would double West Virginia's homestead property tax exemption from $20,000 to $40,000. This change directly affects homeowners aged 65 or older, or those certified as permanently and totally disabled, who occupy their primary residence and meet residency requirements. The bill increases the dollar amount covered by the exemption, meaning eligible homeowners would pay property taxes on the value above $40,000 instead of $20,000. It maintains existing eligibility conditions, including two years of continuous West Virginia residency (with exceptions for returning residents and military personnel), without altering other provisions.

Maddy summaryHB 2407 would exempt overtime pay from West Virginia's personal income tax for full-time hourly employees. Specifically, it modifies the tax code to exclude income earned for work exceeding 40 hours per week from taxable gross income. This directly affects hourly workers who receive overtime compensation, reducing their state tax burden on that additional earnings. The bill amends West Virginia Code §11-21-12 to exclude overtime income from adjusted gross income calculations for tax purposes. It is currently in the House Finance Committee following its introduction on February 17, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 2476 would increase all West Virginia state teacher salaries by 25% across every salary scale, effective for the 2024-2025 school year and continuing annually. This bill directly affects all public school teachers in the state, raising base pay rates shown in the State Minimum Salary Schedule table. The legislation amends existing law to implement this across-the-board increase, replacing current salary figures with new rates calculated at 125% of the existing amounts. It also maintains existing provisions for special education and math teachers (adding three years of experience for salary purposes) and the $600 annual payment for teachers with 20+ years of experience.

Maddy summaryHB 2404 creates a tax credit for West Virginia businesses that donate to local pregnancy or birth centers. Businesses can claim a credit equal to their donation amount (nonrefundable), provided they submit proof of the contribution to the Tax Commissioner. The credit directly affects businesses operating in West Virginia that choose to support these specific health centers. The bill requires no new state funding, as it offsets existing tax revenue based on private donations. This policy change aims to incentivize private financial support for facilities offering pregnancy-related services.

Maddy summaryHB 2435 repeals a West Virginia law (§55-2-1) that set a time limit for lawsuits involving entry onto or recovery of land. This change removes a specific statute of limitations, meaning property owners or others involved in land disputes would no longer face a fixed deadline to file such legal actions. The bill directly affects individuals or entities pursuing or defending claims related to land ownership or access. As a repeal bill, it eliminates an existing legal restriction without adding new provisions.

Maddy summaryHB 2481 requires most West Virginia retail businesses - including those selling food, goods, or services - to accept physical cash as payment without discrimination, meaning they cannot force customers to use credit cards or digital payments. The bill applies to in-person transactions at physical locations but excludes online, mail-order, or remote sales. Businesses violating the rule face a maximum $500 fine, and the Treasurer’s Office may create exemptions for specific situations like small transactions or certain business types. The law takes effect immediately upon passage.