Rep. Jeff Eldridge

Maddy summaryHB 2681 requires all West Virginia high school students to learn proper American flag etiquette - including handling, folding, displaying, honoring, and retiring the flag - as part of their graduation requirements. This bill amends existing curriculum standards to add flag etiquette instruction to civics and history courses, mandating that students pass an exam on this topic before graduating. The requirement applies specifically to public high schools and builds upon current mandates for U.S. history, civics, and government education. The bill does not alter existing health or other curriculum standards but adds a new, specific knowledge requirement for graduation.

Maddy summaryHB 3107 creates West Virginia's State Black Lung Program to provide pain and suffering benefits to coal miners diagnosed with black lung disease (occupational pneumoconiosis). It establishes automatic eligibility for miners with 10+ years of mining exposure in West Virginia over a 15-year period, eliminating the need for total disability proof. Benefits include a $200 monthly base payment plus $15 per additional year of exposure (calculated by work hours), with a tax credit against state income tax. The program is funded by a 0.1x increase on existing severance taxes for coal, natural gas, oil, and electricity generated by solar/wind sources, deposited into the State Black Lung Fund. This bill directly affects current and former West Virginia coal miners with qualifying exposure.

Maddy summaryHB 3110 allocates $5,000 per deputy sheriff position in each West Virginia county from the state general revenue fund, with funds required to be used **only** for deputy pay raises. This directly affects all counties with deputy sheriff positions by providing dedicated state funding specifically for increasing deputy salaries. The bill’s key provision mandates that counties cannot use these funds for any other purpose, ensuring the money is solely directed toward compensating deputies. It does not change existing pay structures but creates a new funding stream for raises. (This is a procedural funding bill, so the summary is concise as requested.)

Maddy summaryHB 3103 would exempt the first $2,000 of retirement benefits received from West Virginia public employee systems, state teachers' retirement systems, or qualifying federal retirement systems from West Virginia personal income tax. This tax modification applies to retirees moving to West Virginia or already residing there, directly affecting individuals receiving these retirement benefits. The bill amends Section 11-21-12 of West Virginia's tax code to exclude this portion of retirement income from taxable income. It aims to encourage retirees to relocate to or remain in West Virginia by reducing their state tax burden on retirement income. The bill is currently pending in the House Finance Committee after its March 4, 2025, introduction.

Maddy summaryHB 3108 would add a $15,000 annual commission to West Virginia sheriffs' pay after they collect 85% of all property taxes (real and personal) in their county. This commission, paid from tax funds, would become part of the sheriff's regular compensation alongside their existing salary. The bill directly affects county sheriffs, who serve as the chief tax collectors for their jurisdictions. It modifies current compensation by creating a fixed payment tied to a specific tax collection threshold.

Maddy summaryHB 3115 expands expungement eligibility in West Virginia to include individuals who plead guilty to certain misdemeanors after successfully completing pre-trial diversion or deferred adjudication programs. It allows these individuals to petition a circuit court for the removal of all related arrest, charge, and misdemeanor conviction records, treating the matter as if it never occurred. The process requires a 60-day waiting period after program completion, no filing fees, and mandates agencies to certify expungement within 60 days. This applies only to qualifying misdemeanors and excludes felony convictions, domestic violence cases involving family members, and records held by the Division of Motor Vehicles.

Maddy summaryHB 3109 clarifies that time limits for filing occupational pneumoconiosis claims (typically three years from exposure or diagnosis) do not restrict a claimant's ability to request an evaluation from the Occupational Pneumoconiosis Board. This bill directly affects workers or their families seeking medical evaluations for pneumoconiosis-related conditions. The change ensures claimants can access the Board's evaluation process without being barred by standard filing deadlines, while leaving the actual compensation filing deadlines unchanged. It is a procedural clarification, not a substantive policy change.

Maddy summaryHB 3003 allows West Virginia county commissions to increase pay for elected county officials (like sheriffs, clerks, and assessors) when justified by new duties or rising property values. It requires county auditors to certify the county has sufficient funds before raises can be paid, and officials must submit written requests for the increase. The bill cites that since 2015, officials have taken on more responsibilities without pay adjustments, and higher property valuations now justify potential salary changes. This applies to all counties that meet the fiscal certification and request requirements, effective July 1, 2025. The changes aim to align compensation with evolving county responsibilities and economic conditions.

Maddy summaryHB 2864 requires the West Virginia Division of Labor to create and distribute a poster containing contact information and resource details for veterans' benefits and services. The poster must include eight specific resources, such as mental health treatment, education programs, tax benefits, and the Veterans Crisis Line. Employers with more than 50 full-time employees must display the poster prominently in their workplace and on their website.

Maddy summaryHB 2882 would allow West Virginia municipalities to suspend a driver's license if a person fails to pay traffic fines or related costs (like restitution or penalties) within 90 days of a court judgment, unless they establish a payment plan. The bill requires a $25 fee to set up a payment plan (payable in up to five installments) and calculates monthly payments at 2% of the person's annual net income or $10, whichever is greater. If payments are missed, a $10 late fee applies monthly, and after 90 days of non-payment, the court clerk may suspend the license or send the debt to collections (with a 25% fee cap on collections). This directly affects drivers with outstanding municipal traffic fines who do not comply with payment arrangements.