Del. Matthew Rohrbach

Maddy summaryHB 5418 revises West Virginia's dog racing regulations by removing minimum race date requirements for license applicants and for telecast contracts. It mandates that dog racetracks must hold a racing license to conduct simulcast racing - even if they no longer host live races - and allows continued operation of video lottery and table games in areas previously used for live racing. The bill also eliminates the need for video lottery licensees to hold a racing license to renew their licenses and clarifies the financial contribution share for the West Virginia Thoroughbred Development Fund from racetracks that have ceased dog racing operations.

Maddy summaryHB 5103 requires the West Virginia Office of Health Facility Licensure and Certification to inspect office-based medication-assisted treatment programs (which provide opioid addiction treatment using medication) at least once every 24 months. These inspections must include reviewing patient records to ensure compliance with licensing rules and may involve a pharmacist and law enforcement officer. The bill mandates formal inspections every two years, in addition to unannounced complaint inspections already allowed. It directly affects opioid treatment programs operating in medical offices across West Virginia.

Maddy summaryHB 5409 clarifies that water and minerals in dissolved or undissolved form within produced liquids and solids from oil and gas drilling belong to the landowner or mineral rights holder, not the drilling operator. The bill amends West Virginia law to explicitly define "produced liquids and solids" to include these materials, resolving ambiguity about ownership of byproducts from drilling operations. This directly affects landowners, mineral rights holders, and oil/gas operators by establishing clear ownership rights to these substances. The legislation aims to prevent disputes over ownership of naturally occurring minerals and water in drilling byproducts.

Maddy summaryHB 5350 exempts from West Virginia sales and use tax materials and specific appliances used in manufacturing certain manufactured homes. It applies only to homes designed for permanent attachment to a foundation within the state, built in climate-controlled facilities, and including required appliances (refrigerator, stove, dishwasher, washer, dryer). Manufacturers must certify compliance, and false claims face penalties including double the avoided tax plus interest. This directly affects home manufacturers producing qualifying permanent-structure homes, excluding mobile or non-compliant units.

Maddy summaryHB 5330 allows healthcare providers in West Virginia to give medication directly to sexual partners of patients diagnosed with bacterial vaginitis or trichomoniasis (a type of vaginal infection), when the partner cannot or is unlikely to seek care themselves. The bill expands existing "expedited partner therapy" rules to include these specific infections, using antibiotics like metronidazole (Flagyl) and clindamycin cream. Providers must counsel patients and provide written materials about seeking medical care, and the partner must have been exposed within the last 60 days. This directly affects healthcare professionals, patients with these infections, and their sexual partners who face barriers to accessing treatment. The bill aims to improve treatment access for partners without requiring them to visit a clinic.

Maddy summaryHB 5324 changes the time limit for filing lawsuits related to asbestos or silica exposure in West Virginia. It sets the start date for lawsuits as the earlier of: when a person receives a medical diagnosis, discovers the exposure, or dies (if exposed). The bill also separates non-cancer cases (like lung disease) from cancer cases and prohibits claims for fear of future illness. Additionally, it limits lawsuits against coal mining equipment manufacturers to within 10 or 12 years from the equipment's first sale, depending on circumstances.

Maddy summaryHB 5102 requires all health insurance plans in West Virginia to cover habilitative speech therapy for stuttering, effective July 1, 2026. It mandates that plans cover this treatment without annual visit limits, restrictions based on stuttering's cause (like developmental vs. acquired), or prior authorization requirements. The bill also requires coverage for both in-person and telehealth speech therapy services. This affects all health insurance policies sold in West Virginia that cover speech therapy, including employer-sponsored and individual plans.

Maddy summaryHB 5108 creates a dedicated "Tobacco Cessation Initiative Program Special Revenue Account" managed by the Bureau for Public Health to fund tobacco use cessation programs. It mandates an annual transfer of $5 million from interest earned on the Revenue Shortfall Reserve Fund - Part B to this account, starting July 30, 2026. The funds are specifically designated for tobacco cessation initiatives and must be used as outlined in the bill, with balances carrying over annually. This directly affects the Bureau for Public Health, which administers the programs funded by these dedicated resources.

Maddy summaryHB 5071, the "Oral Health and Cancer Rights Act," requires all health insurance plans in West Virginia (including public employee, medical, and group plans) issued or renewed after January 1, 2026, to cover oral health procedures necessary as side effects of cancer treatments. These procedures include evaluations, medications, dental devices, and rehabilitation services needed to restore functions like eating, swallowing, or speaking affected by cancer therapies such as chemotherapy or radiation. The bill mandates that insurers cover these services as part of cancer treatment, directly affecting cancer patients and their insurance providers. One year after implementation, the Public Employees Insurance Agency and Bureau of Medical Services must report the cost of these coverage changes to the Joint Committee on Government and Finance.

Maddy summaryHB 4759 requires the West Virginia Secondary School Activities Commission (WVSSAC) to update its rules about athletic eligibility for students who transfer between schools. It directly affects students transferring schools, public and private schools, and the WVSSAC itself. The bill mandates that WVSSAC modify its existing rules to address eligibility after school transfers and also updates rules for incoming ninth-grade students' academic eligibility. These changes aim to standardize transfer protocols and ensure consistent athletic participation rules across school districts. The bill does not alter academic requirements but focuses on administrative procedures for student eligibility.