Rep. Michael Amos

Maddy summaryHR 14 is a House Resolution requesting Wayne County Commission to allocate up to $10,000 for a feasibility study on a connector road between Beech Fork State Park campground and marina. The resolution urges collaboration with the KYOVA Interstate Planning Commission, which has pledged $90,000 (90% of study costs) if the county provides the 10% match. It does not fund the road construction but seeks to evaluate the project's viability to potentially boost tourism, improve emergency response times, and support local economic development in Wayne County.

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 2958 clarifies trespassing rules for West Virginia college campuses by defining "residence halls" (student housing) and "student facilities" (campus venues serving alcohol to students). It states that entering these areas without authorization is trespassing - even if no disruption occurs - and allows campus staff to immediately ask unauthorized individuals to leave. Repeat offenses carry escalating fines: $100 for first, $250-$500 for second, and up to $1,000 or 30 days in jail for third offenses. This directly affects students, visitors, campus security, and enforcement personnel at public colleges and universities.

Maddy summaryHB 2780 would require West Virginia's child care department to provide state-funded child care subsidies for the children of employees working at least 20 hours per week in licensed child care centers or certified family child care homes. This directly affects child care workers in these settings, regardless of their household income level. The bill eliminates income requirements for eligibility, ensuring all qualifying employees can access subsidized child care for their children. The key mechanism is a direct state subsidy administered by the department for child care services provided to these employees' children.

Maddy summaryHouse Resolution 12 urges West Virginia's members of Congress to oppose a potential federal funding cut for the Local Food for Schools and Child Care (LFSCC) program. The LFSCC program provided $660 million over three years to help schools and child care sites purchase locally grown food, directly supporting farmers, ranchers, and local food businesses. This resolution expresses concern that terminating the program would harm rural economies and child nutrition efforts, as the funding was specifically used for fresh, minimally processed foods in school meals. The resolution does not create new policy but requests action from West Virginia's congressional delegation to preserve existing funding.

Maddy summaryHCR 72 designates March 20, 2025 as "Black Lung Awareness Day" in West Virginia. It honors coal miners affected by black lung disease (coal worker's pneumoconiosis), a preventable occupational lung condition caused by coal dust exposure. The resolution does not create new laws, funding, or policy changes - it serves as a ceremonial observance recognizing the disease's impact and existing protections like the Black Lung Benefits Act. It follows the Federal Coal Mine Health and Safety Act's emphasis on miner safety without altering current regulations.

Maddy summaryHB 3465 requires West Virginia's State Board of Education to develop type 1 diabetes informational materials for parents and guardians of students in public and public charter schools. These materials must cover type 1 diabetes basics, risk factors, warning signs, and guidance for seeking medical care, and be provided during initial elementary enrollment and yearly thereafter. County schools and public charter schools must make these materials accessible through the West Virginia Department of Education website. The bill aims to ensure school staff and families have clear, standardized resources to support students managing type 1 diabetes.

Maddy summaryHB 3236 requires West Virginia's Secretary of Health to establish a new long-term psychiatric and mental health facility specifically designed to serve homeless individuals. The bill mandates this facility as part of state-owned health infrastructure, directly affecting homeless residents needing sustained mental health care. Key provisions include the Secretary adopting operational rules for the facility and implementing performance metrics by January 1, 2025. This policy change creates a dedicated state-run resource for homeless individuals with mental health needs, rather than relying on existing services.

Maddy summaryHB 3217 requires the West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) to notify the public within 24 hours of any hazardous spill into state waters - including rivers, wells, or groundwater - released by entities like industrial facilities or chemical handlers. The bill mandates notifications include the spill location, substance type and quantity, health/environmental risks (like drinking water impacts), public precautions (e.g., water use restrictions), and cleanup steps, delivered via DEP websites, media, and emergency alerts. It also requires spill-reporting entities to immediately notify the DEP and Emergency Management Division, with potential civil penalties for failures to report. The DEP must maintain a public online database tracking all spills and remediation efforts. This directly affects environmental agencies, spill-causing entities, and communities near affected waterways.

Maddy summaryHB 3093 provides legal immunity to mental health professionals who conduct mental hygiene checks for possible involuntary hospitalization under West Virginia law. It directly affects licensed counselors, social workers, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants performing these evaluations. The bill creates protection from liability when providers follow specific procedures outlined in the law, including having particularized expertise in mental health and conducting examinations per court orders. This change modifies liability standards for professionals involved in involuntary hospitalization cases involving substance use disorders or mental illness.