Del. Sean Hornbuckle

Maddy summaryHB 3359 reallocates $9.5 million from the Economic Development Authority's (EDA) budget to Medicaid services using existing lottery revenue funds. It decreases the EDA's Economic Development Project Fund appropriation by $9.5 million while increasing the Department of Human Services' Medicaid Medical Services funding by the same amount for fiscal year 2025. This transfer directly affects Medicaid program funding and economic development projects funded through the EDA. The bill, enacted in April 2025, makes no new spending but shifts existing resources between two state agencies.

Maddy summaryHB 3349 is a supplemental appropriation bill that allocates additional state funds to the Medicaid program for the 2025 fiscal year. It directly affects Medicaid recipients and providers by providing extra funding to cover program costs. The bill does not change eligibility rules or services but ensures existing Medicaid funding is supplemented to maintain coverage. This measure was approved by the Governor and enacted as Chapter 17 of the 2025 Regular Session Acts.

Maddy summaryHB 2011 is a procedural budget bill that added supplemental funding to an existing, pre-approved state budget line item for fiscal year 2025. It directly affects the designated state agency or program using that specific budget allocation, though the exact recipient isn't specified in the bill text. The bill was enacted after passing both legislative chambers and receiving the Governor's signature on April 17, 2025, becoming Chapter 15 of the 2025 regular session laws. As a funding measure, it does not create new programs or alter policy, but rather increases available resources for an existing budgeted purpose.

Maddy summaryHB 3521 reallocates $1,192,452 from the Attorney General’s Consumer Protection Recovery Fund (fund 1509) to the State Fund’s surplus balance, then directs that same amount to the Department of Health’s Central Office for the Tobacco Education Program (fund 0407). It specifically uses excess funds identified in the Attorney General’s account, which the bill states "exceeds that which is necessary" for its purpose. The bill does not create new policy or affect public services directly - it only moves existing surplus funds between state accounts. This is a routine budget adjustment, not a substantive legislative change.

Maddy summaryHCR 88 is a ceremonial resolution honoring two West Virginia first responders nominated for the Medal of Valor. It specifically recognizes Captain Donald Lawson (New Martinsville Police) for rescuing two people from carbon monoxide poisoning despite his own hospitalization, and Darrell Lambert (Lake Volunteer Firefighter) for entering a burning building without protective gear to save a trapped resident, sustaining burns in the process. The resolution formally confirms the Legislature's approval of their award and directs the House Clerk to send a copy to Governor Morrisey. This is a symbolic honor with no new policy or funding changes, directly affecting only these two nominees. It passed unanimously in both chambers on April 3, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 2010 amends West Virginia's real estate licensing law to exempt non-resident brokers from maintaining a physical office within the state. Specifically, it creates an exception for brokers who have a definite office in their home state and whose home state has an active reciprocity agreement with West Virginia that doesn't require West Virginia licensees to maintain an office there. This change directly affects out-of-state real estate brokers working in West Virginia who hold licenses in a state with such a reciprocity agreement. The bill removes a prior requirement that would have forced these brokers to establish a separate West Virginia office, streamlining their ability to conduct business across state lines under existing reciprocity terms.

Maddy summaryHCR 97 establishes the West Virginia Justice Reinvestment Taskforce to address challenges in the state's criminal justice system, including prison backlogs, high jail mortality rates, aging inmate populations, and behavioral health needs. The 21-member taskforce - comprising state officials, legislators, judges, community stakeholders (including formerly incarcerated individuals), and representatives from law enforcement and treatment programs - will analyze justice system data and develop policy recommendations on bail, sentencing, supervision, corrections programming, and behavioral health services. The taskforce must provide initial findings by December 2025, with ongoing reports to the Governor, Senate President, and House Speaker, using technical assistance from the Council of State Governments Justice Center. This resolution directly affects state agencies, local governments, and justice system participants by aiming to improve public safety, reduce costs, and strengthen community health outcomes.

Maddy summaryHCR 78 is a non-binding resolution urging West Virginia's Division of Highways to prioritize completing I-73 (the "King Coal Highway") across Wayne, Mingo, McDowell, Mercer, and Wyoming counties. It requests the highway agency treat the project as a high priority to improve economic development and emergency access, especially after recent flooding exposed transportation challenges in the region. The resolution asks the state to provide necessary funding and executive support to expedite the highway's completion but does not allocate new funds or create new law. It directly affects the Division of Highways and residents of the five specified counties by formally advocating for this infrastructure project.

Maddy summaryHB 3173 would temporarily cap electricity rates for all West Virginia utility customers at current levels until July 1, 2026. The bill requires the Public Service Commission to set these rates immediately upon passage and prohibits increases except for adjustments related to fuel and purchased power costs. This directly affects all residential and business electricity users, particularly lower-income households and elderly residents who face high energy costs as their largest expense. The cap aims to provide immediate relief from rapid rate hikes that have outpaced other states, though rates will return to standard regulatory processes after July 2026.

Maddy summaryHB 3512 transfers $4.5 million from the Department of Administration, Division of General Services' fund (account 0230, org 0211, app 67700) to the State Fund's unappropriated surplus balance for fiscal year 2025. This action reduces the available funds for that specific account, moving the excess balance to the general state surplus. The bill directly affects state budget management by reallocating unused funds within the General Revenue fund structure. It does not create new policies, impact citizens, or change service provisions. The transfer is purely a procedural budget adjustment to handle excess funds.