Rep. Jimmy Willis

Maddy summaryHB 5088 amends West Virginia's Natural Resource Police Officer Retirement System to adjust retirement benefit calculations based on retirement date. It specifies that officers retiring after July 1, 2029, will receive 2.75% of their final average salary multiplied by years of service (up from 2.5% for those retiring between 2025-2029). The bill also requires additional funding for the retirement system to support these changes. This directly affects current and future Natural Resource Police Officers in West Virginia who retire on or after July 1, 2029. The changes are part of a broader adjustment to retirement benefits under the system's funding structure.

Maddy summaryHB 5457 allows West Virginia State Police troopers who receive disability benefits to count half of their disability service time toward retirement eligibility. The bill amends retirement system rules to provide one-half service credit for periods when troopers are on disability leave under existing provisions. This change directly affects active troopers and retirees who have periods of disability service but do not qualify for full retirement credit. It ensures these service periods contribute to retirement benefits without requiring full-time employment. The policy applies specifically to disability service under §15-2A-9 or §15-2A-10 of the West Virginia Code.

Maddy summaryHB 4087 establishes the West Virginia-Ireland Education Alliance Partnership to strengthen academic, cultural, and workforce connections between West Virginia and Ireland. It creates a formal partnership requiring five four-year universities and five two-year colleges in West Virginia to collaborate with Irish institutions. The bill provides for five $50,000 grants to fund joint programs between these institutions. This partnership is governed by a commission with specific membership rules, including legislative and community representatives. The bill directly affects West Virginia higher education institutions and their Irish counterparts through structured collaboration and grant opportunities.

Maddy summaryHB 4995 requires public schools in West Virginia to install video cameras in self-contained special education classrooms (where most students receive special education services) and audio recording devices in restrooms of those classrooms. The bill mandates that cameras monitor all classroom areas except restrooms for clothing changes, while audio devices must be placed in restrooms with visible notices about the recording. Schools must maintain the equipment, document any malfunctions, and provide recordings to authorized personnel upon request. This law directly affects public school districts operating self-contained special education classrooms, aiming to enhance safety monitoring for students with disabilities.

Maddy summaryHB 4437 allows Gold Star parents (mothers or fathers of veterans killed in combat) to receive one free vehicle registration plate for personal use. The bill amends West Virginia law to exempt Gold Star parents from all registration fees for a single Gold Star Family license plate, which is already available to surviving spouses under existing rules. This change directly affects eligible parents who qualify under the definition of "Gold star parent" (per 10 U.S.C. § 1126), waiving standard registration costs for one vehicle. The provision builds on the current Gold Star Family plate program without creating new fees or requirements.

Maddy summaryHB 4002 establishes the West Virginia Collaboratory at Marshall University to connect state university research with practical needs of government and citizens. It directs the Collaboratory to focus on workforce development, education, economic growth, and environmental research, requiring state and local agencies to provide free access to infrastructure, personnel, and data for its projects. The bill sets specific funding rules, prohibiting university overhead fees on allocated funds and ensuring funds remain available until spent. An advisory group of legislators, university leaders, and public experts will guide research priorities and review reports, all while exempting advisory meetings from public record requirements.

Maddy summaryHB 5537 repeals four outdated sections of West Virginia's Education Code: §18-2E-5 and §18-2E-12 (related to education performance audits and digital literacy projects), §18-2I-1 (professional development for educators), and §18-8-6 (High School Graduation Improvement Act). The bill directly affects the state's education code by removing obsolete provisions that no longer apply. This is a procedural update to streamline the code, with no new policies or funding changes. The bill passed the House on March 3, 2026, and is now in the Senate for review.

Maddy summaryHB 5453 modifies West Virginia's school funding formula, shifting to a block grant of $6,100 per student for county school districts starting in 2029-2030 (with a minimum 1,200-student threshold per county), while public charter schools receive $8,600 per student. It creates a "Supplemental School Aid Fund" to provide additional per-pupil funding for Tier II ($3,050) and Tier III special needs students beginning in 2029-2030. School districts may also request supplemental funding for specific needs like transportation, vocational centers, or pilot programs through this fund. The bill requires annual oversight reports by the Legislative Oversight Commission on Education Accountability and defines "maladministration" as financial mismanagement that could trigger funding restrictions.

Maddy summaryHB 4588 requires West Virginia's State Treasurer to participate in a federal tax credit program that allows individuals to receive tax credits for contributions to scholarship organizations. The bill mandates the Treasurer to annually identify and publish a list of qualified nonprofit scholarship organizations and eligible schools meeting federal and state requirements. Eligible schools must comply with West Virginia education laws, and students must be eligible for public school enrollment under federal criteria. Scholarship funds can cover elementary and secondary education expenses as defined by federal law, with the Treasurer accepting applications year-round for organization inclusion.

Maddy summaryHB 4012 reduces regulatory requirements for utility companies building or maintaining electric power generation and transmission facilities in West Virginia. The bill waives the need for a certificate of public convenience and necessity for projects approved by the Infrastructure and Jobs Development Council, streamlining approvals for these projects. It also shortens the Public Service Commission’s decision timeline, reducing the maximum processing time for large projects (over $50 million) from 400 days to 270 days. This directly affects utility companies seeking to develop or upgrade electric infrastructure within the state.