Del. Sean Hornbuckle

Maddy summaryThis bill exempts the West Virginia Department of Health from certain state purchasing restrictions when implementing the federal Rural Health Transformation Program. The legislation allows the state to use federal funds more flexibly to meet the program's strict requirements for rapid deployment and specific use of money in rural healthcare areas. By overriding existing state purchasing laws, the bill ensures the Department of Health can comply with federal guidelines from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services without administrative delays. This change directly affects the state's ability to manage federal grants aimed at improving healthcare infrastructure and services in rural communities.

Maddy summaryHB 5277 is a funding bill that allocates $1 million to Welch Community Hospital, $3.4 million to William R. Sharpe Jr. Hospital, and $4.3 million to Mildred Mitchell-Bateman Hospital from West Virginia's unappropriated surplus balance. These funds are designated specifically for capital improvements, repairs, and equipment at each hospital during fiscal year 2026. The bill supplements existing appropriations by adding these new funding lines to the hospitals' respective budgets. It directly affects the three named hospitals by providing additional resources for facility maintenance and infrastructure. The bill does not create new policies or programs but reallocates existing surplus funds for capital purposes.

Maddy summaryHB 5286 adds $1.5 million in supplemental funding from West Virginia's unappropriated surplus balance to the Department of Homeland Security's Division of Corrections and Rehabilitation for equipment purchases during fiscal year 2026. This new appropriation, designated as "Equipment - Surplus" under Fund 0450, directly supports correctional facilities by providing resources for equipment needs without increasing overall state spending. The bill uses existing surplus funds identified in the Governor's Executive Budget Document, specifically reallocating unappropriated revenue to address immediate equipment requirements for correctional units. It does not create new policies or change eligibility but adjusts budget allocations for operational support.

Maddy summaryThe Future Ready Education Act allows West Virginia school districts to enter multi-year contracts for educational technology with a technology licensing component, provided they document fiscal savings and include a 30-day cancellation clause. It extends the Mountain State Digital Project to cover grades 9-12 and adds tutoring in reading, math, science, and career-technical education. Starting in the 2026-2027 school year, all kindergarten through fifth-grade teachers must complete training in the science of reading, with public charter school educators permitted to voluntarily participate. The bill directly affects school districts, K-5 teachers, and students in public schools across West Virginia.

Maddy summaryThis bill reduces the severance tax rate on metallurgical coal produced in West Virginia, affecting coal mining companies that extract this type of coal. The new rates will take effect in stages starting July 1, 2026, lowering the tax from 5% to 4.5% for the first year, then to 4% the following year, and finally to 3.5% beginning July 1, 2028. Metallurgical coal is defined as coal used for making steel and other metals, distinct from thermal coal used for electricity generation. The tax reduction applies to the gross value of coal produced and includes additional local taxes that are normally part of the total severance tax.

Maddy summaryThis bill proposes a constitutional amendment to increase the homestead property tax exemption in West Virginia from $20,000 to $50,000. It directly affects homeowners and mobile home owners who are at least 65 years old or permanently disabled, as well as younger homeowners who would receive a phased-in exemption starting at a lower value. The amendment would allow the state legislature to set specific rules for how the exemption applies, including a five-year phase-in period for properties appraised before the law takes effect. Additionally, the bill grants the legislature authority to provide property tax relief to tenants of residential or farm property. The measure requires approval by voters at the 2026 general election to become part of the state constitution.

Maddy summaryHB 5278 is a supplemental budget bill that increases existing funding for the West Virginia Department of Human Services' Division of Human Services (fund 0403, organization 0511) for fiscal year 2026. It specifically adds $1,630,466 to "Personal Services and Employee Benefits" and $3,846,107 to "Current Expenses" from the state's unappropriated general revenue balance. This bill directly affects the Division of Human Services' operational budget, allowing it to cover personnel costs and ongoing expenses without new taxes or policy changes. The funding adjustment uses money already set aside but not allocated in the Governor's initial budget for FY2026.

Maddy summaryHB 5305 is a routine funding measure that adds $1,373,097 to existing medical services funding and $37,000,000 to medical services administrative costs for West Virginia's Department of Human Services. It uses unspent federal funds from the 2026 fiscal year (ending June 30, 2026) to supplement current appropriations, specifically for programs under Fund 8722. This bill does not create new services or change eligibility; it simply allocates additional existing federal funds to ongoing medical services operations. The bill was introduced on February 6, 2026, and referred to the House Finance Committee.

Maddy summaryHB 5284 is a supplemental budget bill that allocates $7.77 million from unappropriated surplus funds to the Department of Human Services' Adoption program (Fund 0488), $19.69 million to Foster Care (Fund 0489), and $1 million to Adult Services (Fund 0492) for fiscal year 2026. It directly affects these specific state programs by adding new funding line items to their existing budgets using leftover state revenue. The bill does not create new programs or policies but redirects available surplus funds to support ongoing services for foster youth, adoption placements, and adult social services. This is a routine fiscal adjustment, not a policy change.

Maddy summaryHB 5297 adds $4,906,630 in funding from the state's unappropriated surplus balance to William R. Sharpe Jr. Hospital for current operating expenses during fiscal year 2026. This supplemental appropriation directly affects the hospital's budget by redirecting unused state funds that were identified in the Governor's 2026 budget document. The bill does not create new policies or alter existing laws - it simply allocates existing surplus revenue to cover the hospital's operational costs. This is a routine budget adjustment, not a policy change, and it specifically targets the hospital's designated fund (0413) for the 2026 fiscal year.