Del. Josh Holstein

Maddy summaryHB 3053 requires West Virginia municipalities to allow accessory dwelling units (ADUs) - secondary homes on single-family lots - by right, without discretionary approvals like public hearings or variances. It limits ADU size to 75% of the main home’s floor area or 1,000 sq. ft. (whichever is smaller) and bans municipalities from imposing extra parking, design matching, occupancy, or impact fees. Municipalities may charge a $250 one-time review fee for ADU applications but cannot restrict ADUs more strictly than main homes. The bill applies to all cities and towns with zoning authority, requiring compliance by January 1, 2026, and explicitly excludes mission-driven non-profit housing from its provisions (despite the bill’s title suggesting otherwise).

Maddy summaryHB 3054 prohibits West Virginia municipalities from requiring larger minimum lot sizes for properties with accessory dwelling units (ADUs, like backyard cottages) compared to standard single-family homes in the same zoning district. This bill directly affects local governments that create zoning ordinances and homeowners seeking to add ADUs. The key provision removes a specific requirement from zoning rules that would otherwise mandate bigger lots for ADU properties, allowing more flexibility in housing development. The bill does not change other zoning regulations but targets this one provision to support accessory housing options.

Maddy summaryThis West Virginia House Resolution (HR 7) requests Congress to create a combined investigative task force to examine the origins of the COVID-19 pandemic and the government response. It specifically asks the task force to coordinate with existing state, national, and international investigations, and to recommend corrective actions for pandemic-related issues like vaccine side effects, business closures, and alleged restrictions on public discussion. The resolution cites concerns about adverse health reactions from emergency-approved vaccines, employment discrimination against unvaccinated individuals, and business impacts from public health mandates. It is a non-binding request to Congress - not a law - and does not create any new government authority. The resolution was introduced on February 24, 2025, and referred to the House Judiciary Committee.

Maddy summaryHB 2872 would require the West Virginia Secretary of State to verify a candidate's party affiliation, residency, and district before certifying their candidacy for state offices like the House of Delegates, State Senate, or judicial positions. If the Secretary of State decides not to certify a candidate's application, the bill would grant that candidate a 10-day period to appeal the decision directly to the West Virginia Supreme Court of Appeals. This change applies specifically to candidates filing with the Secretary of State, ensuring they can challenge certification denials through the courts.

Maddy summaryHB 2815 increases minimum prison terms and parole eligibility requirements for certain murder-related offenses in West Virginia. It raises the minimum parole eligibility for second-degree murder from 10 to 20 years and for attempted first-degree murder from 3 to 10 years. The bill also increases the minimum sentence for attempted second-degree murder from 1 year to 5 years. These changes directly affect inmates convicted of second-degree murder, attempted murder, or related firearm offenses, delaying their potential parole consideration.

Maddy summaryHB 2875, the "American Campuses Act," prohibits West Virginia state universities from hosting foreign missions (like Confucius Institutes) or participating in talent recruitment programs from China, Russia, North Korea, or Iran. The bill requires universities to stop recognizing these foreign entities after July 1, 2025, and report any existing or past involvement with such programs. It defines "Foreign Government-Sponsored Talent Recruitment Programs" as efforts by these countries to recruit U.S. researchers or students, sometimes to share intellectual property or technology. The law directly affects all state-funded higher education institutions and their faculty, staff, and researchers in West Virginia.

Maddy summaryHB 2874 requires West Virginia high schools to inform 11th and 12th grade students placed in a "free" or "teacher-assistant" period about available online college courses. Schools must provide this information to students not scheduled in a regular academic class during those periods. The bill aims to increase student awareness of college-level course options accessible while in high school. It does not mandate enrollment in these courses, only that schools share this information with affected students.

Maddy summaryHB 2865 modifies parole eligibility for specific violent offenses in West Virginia. It increases the minimum time inmates must serve before becoming parole-eligible for second-degree murder (from 10 to 20 years) and for attempted second-degree murder (from 5 to 20 years), as outlined in amended sections §61-2-3 and §61-11-8. The bill also clarifies that inmates convicted of attempted first-degree murder remain subject to a minimum 10-year parole eligibility period under §61-11-8(4). These changes directly affect individuals serving prison sentences for these specific crimes, raising the required time served before parole consideration.

Maddy summaryHB 2901 requires county election boards to electronically transmit the total ballots cast, counted, and rejected to the West Virginia Secretary of State using a standardized form. This change applies specifically to counties where candidates run in multiple counties, replacing current paper-based reporting for these multi-county races. The bill streamlines the administrative process for consolidating election results across jurisdictions without altering voting procedures or voter eligibility.

Maddy summaryHB 2869 clarifies that West Virginia judicial officers must explicitly consider a person's residency status when setting bail or release conditions for misdemeanor offenses. The bill specifically requires judges to evaluate whether the person is a West Virginia or U.S. resident, has community ties, and poses a flight risk. It applies to all misdemeanor cases except those listed in subsection (a)(1) (e.g., violent offenses, crimes against minors, or offenses involving stolen property over $250). The law adds residency status as a mandatory factor in the existing list of considerations under §62-1C-1a, alongside factors like criminal history and community safety. This change directly affects individuals charged with qualifying misdemeanors who seek release before trial.