Del. Josh Holstein

Maddy summaryHouse Bill 2873 prohibits certain Chinese government entities and Chinese-controlled companies from purchasing or owning agricultural land in West Virginia. It specifically bans governmental entities of China, companies headquartered in China, and entities controlled by the Chinese government or owned by Chinese citizens (with majority ownership). Existing owners of agricultural land before July 1, 2025, cannot transfer it to another foreign entity after that date, and all future transfers must be approved by the West Virginia Department of Agriculture. The bill applies only to agricultural land and does not affect non-agricultural property or other foreign ownership.

Maddy summaryHCR 65 is a West Virginia legislative resolution urging the U.S. Congress and Department of Energy to fulfill federal obligations under the Nuclear Waste Policy Act of 1982 regarding spent nuclear fuel. It highlights that over 90,000 metric tons of spent fuel are stored at 76 sites nationwide, with taxpayers bearing $9 billion in costs and nuclear customers having prepaid $46 billion for disposal, yet no permanent repository exists. The resolution specifically requests Congress and the DOE to implement recommendations from the Blue-Ribbon Commission, streamline regulations, and establish a deep geologic repository. It directly affects nuclear utilities, taxpayers, and communities hosting nuclear sites that face long-term storage challenges. The resolution is procedural and non-binding, aiming to prompt federal action on a decades-old policy gap.

Maddy summaryHB 2628 amends West Virginia law to classify attacks on police service canines (K-9 units) as felonies. The bill adds "police service canine" to the definition of "law-enforcement officer" for protection purposes and increases penalties for intentionally harming them while on duty. Specifically, malicious assaults causing injury to a K-9 would carry 3-15 years in prison, up from misdemeanor penalties for similar attacks on human officers. This directly affects K-9 units and their handlers by granting them the same legal protections as human law enforcement officers. The bill does not change existing protections for human officers but extends felony-level penalties to attacks targeting K-9s.

Maddy summaryHB 2747 amends West Virginia's DUI statute (§17C-5-2) to clarify that fleeing the scene after driving under the influence is treated as part of the DUI offense itself, not a separate violation. This change directly affects drivers who flee after being impaired, ensuring such conduct is prosecuted under DUI penalties rather than as a separate charge. The key mechanism adds language to the statute explicitly stating that fleeing constitutes a DUI offense when combined with driving while impaired. The bill does not alter existing penalties but corrects a legal inconsistency in how fleeing DUIs are classified. This is a procedural amendment to the existing DUI code.

Maddy summaryHB 2794, the "Life at Conception Act of 2025," declares that the right to life guaranteed by the U.S. and West Virginia constitutions applies to all human beings from the moment of fertilization. It defines "human person" to include every member of the human species at all stages, starting at conception, and explicitly states the bill does not criminalize women for pregnancy outcomes or restrict in vitro fertilization, birth control, or other fertility prevention methods. The bill establishes this constitutional interpretation as policy but does not create new criminal penalties or alter existing medical procedures. It directly affects the legal definition of personhood for all individuals from conception onward.

Maddy summaryHB 2792 would amend West Virginia's personal income tax code to exempt Social Security benefits from state taxation. Specifically, it adds a provision (section §11-21-12(c)(7)) stating that Social Security benefits received under Title 42 U.S.C., Chapter 7, will no longer be included in taxable income for West Virginia residents. This change directly affects West Virginia residents who receive Social Security payments, as it reduces their taxable income for state tax purposes. The exemption applies to tax years beginning after December 31, 2024, and modifies the calculation of "West Virginia adjusted gross income" by removing Social Security benefits from the taxable base.

Maddy summaryHB 2605 would increase the tax credit available to West Virginia employers who provide child care for their employees. The bill amends Section 11-21-97 of the West Virginia Code to expand the credit, making it more valuable for businesses operating on-site child care facilities or sponsoring such services. It clarifies key terms like "qualified child-care property" and establishes rules for claiming the credit, including conditions for recapture if facilities are sold or repurposed. This legislation directly affects employers in West Virginia who offer child care benefits, potentially reducing their state tax liability.

Maddy summaryHB 2562 would remove the state sales tax on gun safes and specific firearm safety devices, such as trigger locks or storage containers. The bill amends West Virginia's tax code to explicitly exempt these products from the consumer sales tax, which currently applies to most retail purchases. This change would directly affect consumers who purchase these safety items, making them less expensive at the point of sale. The policy focuses on reducing the cost of legally storing firearms safely, without altering firearm ownership laws or regulations.

Maddy summaryHB 2558 requires rail companies to coordinate with West Virginia's Division of Highways before conducting construction or maintenance activities that affect state roads, such as closing roadways for repairs. The bill amends existing law to mandate that rail companies obtain approval from the Division of Highways for such work, ensuring proper planning and communication. This directly affects rail companies operating on or near state roads, aiming to prevent unnecessary road closures that disrupt public access to emergency services, schools, and workplaces. The measure focuses on procedural coordination rather than altering road construction standards.

Maddy summaryHB 2641 provides a state tax credit to West Virginia employers (both for-profit and nonprofit corporations) who operate existing on-site or sponsored childcare facilities for their employees. The credit equals 100% of the employer’s annual operational costs (excluding property costs) for these facilities, minus any employee fees paid. Employers can apply the credit against their state corporate net income tax or personal income tax, with unused credits carryable forward for up to five years. The credit is limited to the employer’s total tax liability for the year and requires certification of employee usage to ensure compliance.