Rep. Jeff Eldridge

Maddy summaryThis resolution requests that the West Virginia Division of Highways name a specific segment of Route 20 in Webster County (from the Upshur/Webster County line to Mount Zion Road) as the "U.S. Army Sergeant Major Charles Grant Hoke Memorial Road." It commemorates Sergeant Major Charles Grant Hoke, a WWII and Korean War veteran with multiple military awards, who was born in Upshur County and raised in Cleveland, Webster County. The resolution asks the Division of Highways to install signs identifying this road segment and directs the House Clerk to forward the resolution to the agency. This is a commemorative measure with no funding or policy changes, directly affecting the named road segment in Webster County.

Maddy summaryThis concurrent resolution (HCR 46) requests the West Virginia Division of Highways rename Flag Run Bridge (located on WV 072 over Flag Run in Preston County) as the "U.S. Army SP4 Ronald Gene Sypolt Memorial Bridge." It directly affects the bridge's official designation and requires the placement of commemorative signs. The resolution honors Ronald Gene Sypolt, a Vietnam War veteran who served from 1970-1971 and passed away in 2023, as a tribute to his military service and local ties. This is a ceremonial naming resolution with no policy changes.

Maddy summaryThis House Concurrent Resolution (HCR 85) requests that the West Virginia Division of Highways rename a specific bridge in Mingo County - the Wharncliffe Box Beam bridge (coordinates 37.55534, -81.96599) carrying CR 010/01 over Bens Creek - as the "U.S. Army CPL Lavern 'Mousey' Testerman Memorial Bridge." It commemorates CPL Testerman, a WWII veteran who received a Bronze Star for saving his platoon, served in the Philippines, and later worked in the coal industry in the area. The resolution is purely commemorative, with no policy changes or direct effects beyond naming the bridge and installing signage.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires all legal actions against the West Virginia Secondary School Activities Commission (WVSSAC) to be filed exclusively in Kanawha County, West Virginia. It mandates 30 days’ written notice before filing such lawsuits and establishes procedures for delivering this notice. The bill does not alter WVSSAC’s operational rules but changes the venue and notice requirements for lawsuits brought against the commission. This procedural change directly affects anyone seeking to file a lawsuit against WVSSAC.

Maddy summaryHCR 78 is a non-binding resolution urging West Virginia's Division of Highways to prioritize completing I-73 (the "King Coal Highway") across Wayne, Mingo, McDowell, Mercer, and Wyoming counties. It requests the highway agency treat the project as a high priority to improve economic development and emergency access, especially after recent flooding exposed transportation challenges in the region. The resolution asks the state to provide necessary funding and executive support to expedite the highway's completion but does not allocate new funds or create new law. It directly affects the Division of Highways and residents of the five specified counties by formally advocating for this infrastructure project.

Maddy summaryHB 2736 creates an Underground Facilities Damage Prevention Board to enforce rules preventing damage to underground utility lines during excavation. It directly affects excavators (e.g., construction crews) and operators of underground facilities (e.g., gas, water, or telecom companies). The bill establishes the board’s authority to investigate damage incidents, assess civil penalties, require training, and collect fines - which must be retained by the board (not the state general fund) for its operations. Key provisions clarify definitions of "damage," "excavation," and "underground facility" to standardize reporting and safety protocols. The law aims to reduce accidental utility line strikes during digging projects.

Maddy summaryHB 3289 allows individuals convicted of nonviolent felonies or multiple misdemeanors to petition for expungement of their records after completing specific programs. Eligible individuals must successfully complete 90 days of approved substance abuse treatment, graduate from a state-approved job readiness training course, or finish a drug court program. The bill waives the $100 expungement fee for these petitions and sets timeframes: one year after completion for multiple misdemeanors, and three years for nonviolent felonies. This change directly affects people with qualifying convictions who complete these rehabilitation or training programs.

Maddy summaryHCR 40 is a resolution directing West Virginia's Economic Development Authority to identify land near Flatwoods for a tourism and entertainment complex modeled after attractions like Pigeon Forge, Tennessee. It requires the Authority to locate suitable sites, secure funding, and recruit private and public developers to build facilities for tourism, entertainment, and amusement. The bill specifically targets the Flatwoods area near Interstate 79 exit 67, citing its central location and access to major regional cities. This resolution aims to replicate economic benefits seen in neighboring states through new tourism infrastructure, directly affecting Flatwoods and surrounding communities.

Maddy summaryHB 3310 requires all West Virginia utility companies to cover the full costs of maintaining, upgrading, and repairing their infrastructure - including pipes, cables, poles, and electrical lines - without passing these expenses to consumers through rate increases. The bill directly affects utility companies operating in the state and all customers who pay utility bills. Key provisions mandate that companies absorb these costs entirely, maintain records proving costs weren’t factored into future rate hikes, and prohibit any financial burden on consumers for infrastructure maintenance. This policy change ensures no rate increases can be justified by infrastructure costs alone.

Maddy summaryHCR 72 designates March 20, 2025 as "Black Lung Awareness Day" in West Virginia. It honors coal miners affected by black lung disease (coal worker's pneumoconiosis), a preventable occupational lung condition caused by coal dust exposure. The resolution does not create new laws, funding, or policy changes - it serves as a ceremonial observance recognizing the disease's impact and existing protections like the Black Lung Benefits Act. It follows the Federal Coal Mine Health and Safety Act's emphasis on miner safety without altering current regulations.