Rep. Ryan Browning

Maddy summaryThis bill changes when West Virginia holds its presidential primary election. Currently, the law requires the presidential primary to be held on the third Tuesday in February every four years (starting in 2028). HB 4751 would instead move this primary to the second Tuesday in May every two years, beginning in 1986 (though this date appears to be an error, as the bill was introduced in 2026). The change directly affects West Virginia voters participating in presidential primaries by altering the timing of the election. This is a procedural adjustment to election scheduling with no other policy provisions.

Maddy summaryHB 4722 creates a new offense for knowingly making or spreading false claims in court or legal proceedings after being notified the claim is false, with intent to cause harm. It imposes criminal penalties (misdemeanor for first offense, felony for repeat) and enhanced penalties for cases leading to arrest, loss of custody, or job loss. Upon conviction, courts must order restitution, correct false records, and assist with expungement, while victims can sue for damages including triple damages for repeat violations. The bill also establishes a confidential registry for convicted individuals and includes protections for good-faith reports.

Maddy summaryHB 4659 transfers oversight of most childcare services in West Virginia from the Department of Human Services to the West Virginia Department of Education. It requires residential child-care centers, day-care centers, and family day-care facilities to obtain licenses, certifications, or registrations from the Department of Education instead of the previous agency. The bill also updates requirements for evacuation plans, facility registrations, and exemptions (like public schools or summer camps) while maintaining existing standards for care. This change directly affects childcare providers operating under state oversight, shifting their regulatory authority to the education department.

Maddy summaryHB 4716 amends West Virginia law to improve how the Industrial Access Road Fund is managed, directly affecting counties and municipalities that use the fund for industrial infrastructure. The bill establishes that 0.75% of state tax collections (or $3 million annually) will fund industrial access roads, with unspent funds needing to be spent within three years or reverting to the State Road Fund. It allows counties to coordinate with regional economic development groups to fund cross-county projects and requires financial guarantees (like bonds) for new industrial sites if construction isn't already underway. The bill ensures funds are used for road construction, safety upgrades, and federal project matching, prioritizing sites with confirmed or imminent industrial development.

Maddy summaryHB 4590 (West Virginia House Bill 4590) would amend state law to allow private property owners who win their case in an eminent domain proceeding to recover reasonable attorney fees and costs from the government entity (the "applicant" seeking to take the property). Currently, the government pays trial court costs, but this bill specifically adds that a private property owner who "substantially prevails" in either trial or appellate court could be awarded these fees. The bill directly affects private landowners facing government takings who successfully challenge the action in court. It changes the cost-shifting mechanism to make it easier for property owners to cover legal expenses when they win their case against the government.

Maddy summaryHB 4567 requires retailers to verify the age of customers purchasing vape products by checking government-issued photo ID (like a driver's license or passport) for in-person sales to anyone appearing under 30, and using independent third-party verification services for online orders. The law directly affects all vape retailers (both physical stores and online sellers) and prohibits sales to anyone under 21. Key mechanisms include mandatory ID checks for in-person transactions and electronic age verification for remote purchases, modeled after requirements for prescription drugs. Violations may result in criminal or non-monetary penalties as specified in the bill.

Maddy summaryHB 4597 increases West Virginia's homestead property tax exemption for eligible seniors and disabled homeowners. It phases in higher exemption amounts: starting at $20,000, rising to $30,000 by 2028, $35,000 by 2030, and fully eliminating property taxes on the first $40,000 of home value by 2032. The exemption applies to homeowners aged 65+ or certified permanently disabled who reside in West Virginia for two consecutive years (with limited exceptions for returning military veterans or short-term out-of-state residents). This change directly affects qualifying homeowners by reducing their annual property tax burden over time.

Maddy summaryHB 4596 prohibits local governments (like cities, counties, and law enforcement agencies) from adopting policies that restrict cooperation with federal immigration enforcement. The bill requires these entities to comply with federal immigration law enforcement or risk losing state funding - specifically, they have 90 days to fix violations after notice, and face funding denial for the next fiscal year if a court rules they intentionally violated the law. It directly affects local jurisdictions that might have previously limited information-sharing or collaboration with federal immigration authorities. The law aims to ensure local entities do not obstruct federal immigration enforcement efforts through policy.

Maddy summaryHB 4593 modifies West Virginia's public school physical education requirements by allowing students to opt out of mandatory PE classes if they can demonstrate five or more hours per week of outside physical activity through written evidence. The bill applies to middle and high school students, replacing required PE periods with supervised study hall for qualifying students. It maintains core PE time requirements (30+ minutes three days/week for elementary, full course credit for graduation in high school) but adds this exemption pathway. The policy directly affects students in West Virginia public schools who participate in organized sports or physical activities outside of school.

Maddy summaryHB 4380 clarifies West Virginia's business and occupation (B&O) tax rules by requiring businesses to pay taxes to each municipality where they maintain a permanent physical presence, based on revenue generated at each location. Businesses without a permanent address in a municipality or performing temporary work (e.g., one-time jobs) are exempt from paying taxes there. For revenue earned outside municipal boundaries (like in unincorporated areas), taxes are paid to the business’s primary municipality, and businesses with multiple locations must prorate revenue earned outside municipal boundaries using a consistent, auditable method. The bill also eliminates county-level B&O taxes for businesses operating solely in unincorporated areas.