Del. Corby Dillon

Maddy summaryHJR 40 proposes a constitutional amendment to change how members of the West Virginia State Board of Education are selected. It would replace the current system of nine appointed members with a hybrid model: five members elected on a partisan basis from five geographic regions (serving staggered four-year terms), and four members appointed by the Governor with Senate consent. The amendment would require the Board to submit any rules or policies they create to the Legislature for review, approval, amendment, or rejection. If approved by voters in the 2026 general election, these changes would take effect with the 2028 general election, modifying the current appointment system for the Board.

Maddy summaryHB 3442 would expand self-defense protections in West Virginia by allowing residents to use deadly force without retreating in their home, residence, or curtilage (immediate surrounding area) when they reasonably fear death or serious harm from an intruder. It creates a complete legal defense against both civil lawsuits and criminal charges for lawful defensive use of force, including against intruders attempting to enter or commit felonies on property. The bill also extends these protections to situations outside the home where a person reasonably believes they or others face imminent death or serious harm that can only be stopped with deadly force. It specifically states that individuals acting within these rules are not required to retreat and will be entitled to recover court costs and fees if sued. This bill directly affects homeowners, residents, and others defending their property or persons under these specified circumstances.

Maddy summaryHB 3435 prohibits counties and municipalities in West Virginia from enacting rent price controls. If passed, the bill would make it illegal for local governments to pass ordinances setting limits on how much landlords can charge for rent. The key provision adds two new sections to state law (§7-1-17 for counties and §8-11-6 for municipalities) explicitly banning such rent control measures. This directly affects local governments and landlords by preventing new rent control policies but does not impact existing rent control laws in jurisdictions where they already exist. The bill focuses solely on preventing future local rent control implementation.

Maddy summaryHB 3049, the Community School Parent Choice Act, requires West Virginia county school boards to provide parents a formal process before closing or consolidating a school. The bill mandates that boards prepare written reasons and impact statements for public review 30 days prior to a hearing, hold public hearings with specific accessibility requirements, and consider input from school improvement councils representing affected schools. Parents of students at schools facing closure or consolidation are directly affected, as they gain a structured opportunity to voice concerns before a final decision. The law includes a 10-year expiration date and applies to all school closures except those approved via prior voter-approved construction bonds.

Maddy summaryHB 3220 creates a statewide moratorium on public school closures and consolidations in West Virginia, except for cases of catastrophic structural failure or unresolved safety hazards. It requires the West Virginia Department of Education to review closures considered over the past five years and propose changes to the school funding formula that would prevent at least 80% of those closures based on financial or operational factors. The moratorium remains in effect until the legislature receives the proposed formula and takes action on it. This directly affects all West Virginia public school districts and students by delaying closure decisions pending the new funding approach.

Maddy summaryHJR 37 proposes a constitutional amendment to formally establish West Virginia citizens' powers of initiative, referendum, and recall. It would add Article XV to the state constitution, reserving these direct democracy tools for voters to propose laws, reject legislation, and remove officials at all government levels. The amendment requires voter approval at the 2028 general election and would amend existing sections on legislative power (Article VI) and constitutional amendment procedures (Article XIV). This change would codify existing practices into the state constitution, ensuring these powers are explicitly reserved to registered voters.

Maddy summaryHB 2560 creates a certification program for "Infrastructure Ready Jurisdictions" in West Virginia, allowing counties or municipalities to qualify by adhering only to state-mandated permitting rules. Political subdivisions that meet this standard receive a 5% preferential scoring boost on all state infrastructure grant applications for projects within their certified boundaries. This benefit applies to both public and private projects but does not extend to uncertified municipalities - even if surrounding counties are certified. The bill requires the Department of Economic Development to establish certification rules and ensures the scoring preference does not override federal grant requirements. (Bill status: Passed House, pending in Senate as of March 2025.)

Maddy summaryHB 3308 terminates West Virginia's Health Care Authority's certificate of need program, which previously required health care facilities to seek state approval before expanding services. This directly affects hospitals, clinics, and behavioral health providers that previously needed certificate approvals for new services or expansions. The bill repeals all related statutes, transfers the Authority's remaining powers, assets, records, and employees to the Secretary of the Department of Health, and moves funds to the general revenue fund. It also establishes a new summary review process for certain behavioral health services to meet federal Medicaid waiver requirements, but eliminates the broader certificate of need requirement.

Maddy summaryHJR 35 proposes amending West Virginia's Constitution to change how the state superintendent of schools is selected. Currently appointed by the State Board of Education, the superintendent would instead be elected directly by voters in general elections every four years under this amendment. The bill does not alter the superintendent's duties, qualifications, or existing responsibilities as the chief school officer. It specifically targets the selection method for this education leadership role, shifting from an appointed position to an elected one. The amendment would require voter approval in the 2026 general election to take effect.

Maddy summaryHJR 36 proposes a constitutional amendment to clarify the duties and authority of the West Virginia Board of Education. The amendment would update Article XII, Section 2 of the state constitution to specify that the Board "shall perform only such duties as may be prescribed by law." This resolution requires voter approval at the 2026 general election to become part of the constitution. The change aims to provide clearer constitutional language but does not alter the Board's existing structure, appointment process, or current responsibilities.