Del. Jimmy Willis

Maddy summaryHB 4527 would require West Virginia's Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV) to establish an automatic vehicle registration renewal system with automatic billing. This change would directly affect all vehicle owners in West Virginia who must renew their registrations annually. Under the bill, the DMV would automatically renew registrations and charge the owner's designated payment method without requiring manual renewal actions. The bill creates new procedures for implementing this system but does not alter registration fees or requirements.

Maddy summaryHJR 21 proposes a constitutional amendment to lock the property tax valuation for West Virginia homeowners aged 65 or older (or permanently disabled) at the assessed value when they turned 65 or purchased their home - whichever occurred later. This would prevent their taxable value from increasing due to rising market prices, potentially reducing annual property tax bills over time. The amendment must be approved by voters in the 2028 general election to take effect. It directly affects senior homeowners who occupy their primary residence as their principal dwelling.

Maddy summaryHB 4595 would allow West Virginia to approve short-term job training programs for eligibility for federal Workforce Pell Grants. The bill requires the governor, working with the Workforce Development Board, to approve programs that prepare students for high-skill, high-wage, or in-demand jobs (defined as those with earnings above 150% of the federal poverty level or identified in workforce projections). It establishes state rules for program approval and ensures alignment with federal requirements. This change would directly affect short-term training programs and their students seeking federal grant support for career-focused education. The bill takes effect January 1, 2027.

Maddy summaryHB 4502 authorizes West Virginia's Division of Motor Vehicles to issue a special license plate for autism awareness upon request. Vehicle owners who apply for this plate must pay a one-time $10 application fee and an annual $15 fee, in addition to standard registration costs. The fees collected ($10 initial + $15 yearly) are deposited into the State Road Fund. This voluntary plate option allows drivers to display autism awareness support without changing existing registration requirements.

Maddy summaryHB 4487 would allow West Virginia property owners to pay current real and personal property taxes in monthly installments instead of the current two-installment system (due September and March). Property owners choosing monthly payments would pay a 2.5% convenience fee on each monthly payment. The bill maintains the existing 2.5% discount for paying both installments on time under the current system. This change directly affects all residential and commercial property owners who pay local property taxes in West Virginia.

Maddy summaryHB 4539 requires health insurers in West Virginia to send written notices to policyholders at least 30 days before open enrollment about upcoming premium rate changes. The notice must clearly show the exact dollar amount and percentage increase, the new effective date, and any changes to benefits or plan details - all in bold 16-point font - along with information about public health programs like Medicaid. Insurers cannot implement rate changes until after open enrollment closes. This bill directly affects all consumers with health insurance policies in the state who face premium adjustments.

Maddy summaryHB 4535 would protect certain assets from being taken by creditors in West Virginia for unpaid consumer debts. It applies to permanent residents and specifically shields: minimum-wage earnings (up to 40 hours/week), homesteads valued at $5,000 or less, retirement accounts (like IRAs and 401ks), disability/death benefits, prepaid college funds, life insurance proceeds, and Social Security income. These assets cannot be seized through wage garnishment, judgment collection, or other creditor actions. The bill directly affects West Virginia residents facing debt collection efforts, particularly those relying on these specific income sources or assets. It creates clear, concrete exemptions without altering existing debt collection laws beyond these defined protections.

Maddy summaryHB 4530 creates a dedicated fund within West Virginia's State Road Fund to improve traffic intersections near large retail operations like shopping malls, grocery stores, and warehouses. County officials must submit annual priority lists of needed upgrades (based on traffic counts and local urgency) to the Division of Highways, which administers the program. The fund finances specific fixes such as adding turning lanes, updating traffic signals, adjusting signal timing, and improving drop-off/pick-up areas to reduce congestion. Projects must occur on eligible state highways and directly address retail-impacted intersections, with funding limited to these designated improvements.

Maddy summaryHB 4541 requires the West Virginia Commissioner of Highways to notify state legislators representing the county or counties where a road or highway is located via email or first-class mail when abandoning a road or highway, in addition to existing requirements of website posting and newspaper publication. This bill directly affects state legislators by adding a new communication channel for road abandonment decisions. The key change is mandating direct notification to legislators through email or mail, supplementing current public notice methods.

Maddy summaryHB 4528 would require that juveniles accused of assaulting law enforcement officers, reserve deputies, court security officers, or first responders be held in custody without being released to parents or guardians. This change means that for these specific offenses, juveniles cannot be released even if other conditions for release (like no immediate danger) would otherwise apply. The bill does not alter the existing requirement for a detention hearing within 24 hours. It directly affects juveniles charged with assaulting these public safety personnel in West Virginia.