Rep. Ryan Browning

Maddy summaryHB 5504 defines "low-proof spirit alcohol products" as non-wine, non-beer beverages containing 0.5% to 15.5% alcohol by volume, packaged in containers of 25 ounces or less. The bill establishes new requirements for manufacturing, selling, and distributing these products, including specific tax rules and a grant of rulemaking authority to the West Virginia Alcohol Beverage Control Commission. It directly affects businesses producing or selling such beverages, as well as the commission responsible for enforcement. The law replaces existing regulations to create a distinct category for these lower-alcohol products, which were previously covered under broader alcohol rules.

Maddy summaryHB 4413 bans syringe exchange programs in West Virginia by making them unlawful under new law, requiring all existing programs to cease operations by the effective date. It allows harm reduction services (like overdose prevention education, naloxone distribution, and referrals to treatment) to continue without needle exchanges during a 120-day transition period for patient care. Operators who continue syringe exchanges after the effective date face daily civil penalties of up to $2,500, and the state health office can seek court orders to enforce the ban. The bill specifically prohibits offering sterile needles without a prescription, while permitting other health services that don’t involve syringe exchanges.

Maddy summaryHB 4501 establishes the Dietitian Licensure Compact, allowing West Virginia-licensed dietitians to practice in other participating states without obtaining separate licenses. It requires applicants seeking to practice in a "remote state" (a state other than their home state) to complete a national and state criminal background check with fingerprinting, pay associated costs, and authorize the West Virginia Board of Dietitians to share results with state and federal agencies. Background check results are kept private - only shared with the applicant, with their written consent, or by court order - and are not considered public records. The bill creates a commission to manage the compact, set uniform requirements for interstate practice, and handle disciplinary actions across member states. This directly affects dietitians seeking to provide services across state lines and reduces administrative burdens for both professionals and states.

Maddy summaryHB 4978 requires Workforce West Virginia to proactively match unemployment claimants with job openings from private employers based on their prior job history and salary range. This affects individuals receiving unemployment benefits in West Virginia, who will now receive tailored job referrals instead of only general job listings. The bill mandates that claimants apply for referred jobs within one week and accept suitable offers, while employers must report rejections or job acceptances to the state. It also ensures claimants accepting part-time work below their benefit rate retain full unemployment payments without reduction. The policy changes eligibility requirements to prioritize job matching as part of active job search efforts.

Maddy summaryHB 5058 requires restaurants in West Virginia to clearly label any menu item containing or made from "analogue products," "cell-cultured products," or "food products" (as defined in state law) with specific terms. This directly affects restaurants serving lab-grown or lab-made food alternatives, such as cultivated meat or plant-based substitutes. The key provision mandates that these labels appear prominently on all menus to inform consumers about the product type before purchase. The bill aims to ensure transparency for dining choices without specifying how restaurants must implement the labeling. It does not change food safety standards or restrict the sale of these products.

Maddy summaryHB 5348 prohibits pedestrians from standing in roadways or on the right-of-way in West Virginia. It directly affects pedestrians who stand in or near roadways, creating a public safety hazard for both themselves and motorists. The bill establishes fines for violations: up to $100 for a first offense, $200 for a second within one year, and $500 for a third or subsequent offense. This law aims to reduce roadway hazards by making pedestrian standing in traffic areas a misdemeanor.

Maddy summaryHB 5374 prohibits telemarketers from using auto-dialing systems (robo-calls) to make unsolicited sales calls for Medicare benefits, auto insurance, warranties, or charitable donations in West Virginia. The bill directly affects consumers who receive these unwanted calls and telemarketers who currently make such solicitations. It bans all phone calls using auto-dialing technology to sell insurance-related products, warranties, or solicit donations for charities. The law would apply to all locations, including workplaces, and aims to reduce nuisance calls without exempting political or non-commercial communications. The bill is currently in the House Judiciary Committee after being introduced on February 9, 2026.

Maddy summaryHB 5064 addresses municipalities in West Virginia that fail to complete required annual financial audits for three consecutive years (defined as "chronic audit noncompliance"). It authorizes the State Auditor to evaluate a municipality's financial recovery potential, requires the municipality to submit a recovery plan, and allows for a structured transition to dissolution if recovery is unlikely. The bill mandates specific notice requirements to affected municipalities and clarifies the duties of a financial receiver during dissolution, including how dissolution affects utilities regulated by the Public Service Commission. This directly impacts local governments that miss audit deadlines, creating a formal process to address fiscal instability.

Maddy summaryHB 5244 creates a two-year pilot program allowing West Virginia's four-year state colleges and universities (excluding the West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine) to participate in the existing "Learn and Earn" workforce development initiative. The bill directs the state education chancellor to implement this pilot starting in the 2026-2027 academic year, with funding kept separate from the program's community college funding. It specifies that any unspent funds at year-end carry forward, and administrative costs cannot exceed 5% of annual program funds. This bill directly affects public four-year institutions by expanding their access to a work-study program designed to connect education with workforce training.

Maddy summaryThis House Resolution (HR 11) encourages West Virginia's K-12 students to design a new state highway route number shield for the 2026 anniversaries of the U.S. founding (250th) and the U.S. numbered highway system (100th). It directs the West Virginia Division of Highways and Department of Tourism to hold a statewide student design competition, requiring the shield to maintain federal safety standards for legibility while incorporating West Virginia identity. The winning design would be implemented gradually on state highways starting July 2027, replacing existing signs only as they wear out, and the student designer would receive legislative recognition. The resolution is procedural and non-binding, focusing on celebration and civic engagement rather than new policy.