Del. Corby Dillon

Maddy summaryHJR 21 proposes a constitutional amendment requiring a two-thirds vote in both the West Virginia House and Senate to pass any bill that imposes a new tax, creates a new license fee, or increases an existing tax or fee rate. This would directly affect the legislative process for tax-related bills, making it harder to pass such measures without broad bipartisan support. The amendment includes one exception: a simple majority vote could approve a tax or fee increase solely to pay state debt interest or principal when due. The bill does not apply to taxes or fees already authorized before the amendment's ratification. If approved by voters in 2026, this would change how West Virginia handles tax legislation.

Maddy summaryHB 2154 requires the West Virginia Division of Highways to develop performance standards and track progress on key operations by October 2025. It mandates measuring project completion on time/budget, responsiveness to public comments, and the condition of roads and bridges. The agency must implement a public-facing management system by January 2026 to monitor these metrics and report annually to the Joint Committee on Infrastructure. This bill directly affects the Division of Highways' internal operations and reporting practices, with no direct impact on citizens or businesses.

Maddy summaryHB 2574 prohibits public West Virginia colleges and universities from requiring "diversity statements" during admissions, hiring, or promotions, and bans preferential treatment based on race, sex, or other protected characteristics. The bill defines prohibited "diversity training" as any program teaching concepts like systemic racism, structural inequity, or identity-based privilege, and restricts institutions from using race-neutral alternatives that intentionally produce racial outcomes. It requires annual compliance certification to the Legislative Oversight Commission and allows applicants to voluntarily share diversity statements or provide information about academic work, pedagogy, or anti-discrimination compliance. The law directly affects all public higher education institutions in West Virginia, altering their admissions, employment, and training practices.

Maddy summaryHB 2591, the "Defend the Guard Act," requires the West Virginia National Guard to remain under state control for combat operations unless the U.S. Congress formally declares war or takes specific action under the Constitution to call the militia for enumerated purposes. It directly affects West Virginia National Guard members, preventing their deployment to active-duty combat without congressional authorization. The bill defines "active duty combat" as participating in armed conflict, performing hazardous duty in foreign countries, or using instruments of war. The governor must ensure compliance with this requirement, effectively blocking federal deployment for combat without explicit congressional action. This policy change aims to align state military control with the constitutional principle that Congress holds exclusive authority to declare war.

Maddy summaryHB 2544 would remove the requirement for direct physician supervision for physician assistants and certified nurse practitioners in West Virginia. The bill repeals specific sections of state law (§30-3E-10a and §30-3E-11) that previously mandated in-person supervision and amends other provisions to prevent future rules requiring it. This change would allow these healthcare providers to practice more independently, as long as they maintain collaboration with a physician via telecommunication. The bill directly affects physician assistants and nurse practitioners by expanding their scope of practice under current collaborative frameworks.

Maddy summaryHB 2429 would require West Virginia Department of Natural Resources (DNR) officers to obtain a warrant or the landowner's explicit consent before entering private property, with exceptions only for emergencies like accidents or threats to public safety. This bill directly affects landowners by strengthening their property rights against unannounced DNR inspections. The key mechanism mandates a warrant or written consent as a prerequisite for entry, clarifying current law that previously allowed "implied permission" under certain circumstances. The bill does not change existing emergency exceptions but aims to prevent unauthorized DNR access to private land.

Maddy summaryHB 2108 requires West Virginia's Commissioner of Highways to create a transparent formula for distributing road funds (both state and federal) among the state's 10 road maintenance districts and counties. The formula must consider specific, measurable factors including county population (from U.S. Census data), population growth projections, total lane miles, vehicle traffic volume, heavy truck traffic, and bridge count/condition. Before finalizing the formula, the Commissioner must collect public feedback through a 6-week comment period using multimedia outreach and make all comments publicly accessible online. The proposed formula must then be submitted to the Legislature for approval as a legislative rule during the 2026 session, ensuring counties and districts have a standardized method for fund allocation.

Maddy summaryHB 2471 eliminates tax credits for corporations and businesses using solar, wind, or other renewable energy systems (like solar/wind farms), effective after July 1, 2024. It directly affects commercial renewable energy operators, excluding individual homeowners who retain tax credits for residential systems. The bill also imposes new requirements: renewable energy facilities must be set back at least one mile from homes and require $400 million in liability insurance per 100 acres for cleanup after disasters. These changes aim to remove financial incentives for corporate renewable projects while maintaining support for residential installations.

Maddy summaryHB 2426 would require West Virginia law enforcement to immediately transfer individuals determined to be in the U.S. illegally to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) for deportation upon first apprehension. For a second offense, the bill classifies the individual as a felony offender, mandating 3-5 years in state prison followed by deportation to ICE. The bill explicitly states that state or local entities cannot interfere with federal immigration enforcement under this law. It directly affects undocumented immigrants apprehended by West Virginia law enforcement twice or more. The policy changes establish a two-tiered criminal penalty system for repeat immigration violations within the state.

Maddy summaryHB 2430 creates a specific exception to West Virginia's product liability laws for Covid-19 vaccines. It allows West Virginia residents who suffered injuries from these vaccines to sue pharmaceutical companies directly in state courts, removing the usual legal protection (learned intermediary doctrine) that shields manufacturers if they provided adequate warnings to healthcare providers. The bill explicitly states that financial awards for vaccine-related injuries have no limits. This change directly affects pharmaceutical companies producing Covid-19 vaccines and West Virginia citizens seeking compensation for vaccine injuries. It amends state law to make civil liability for these specific vaccines distinct from general prescription drug liability rules.