Del. Josh Holstein

Maddy summaryHB 2682 amends West Virginia's workers' compensation law (§23-4-2) but does not address occupational pneumoconiosis as its title suggests. The bill establishes specific rules for intoxication-related claims: employees are deemed intoxicated if blood alcohol exceeds 0.05% within two hours of an accident, or if nonprescribed drugs are detected. This affects workers filing injury claims, as intoxication can bar compensation or establish it as the cause of injury. The bill also clarifies that employers lose immunity from lawsuits only if proven to have acted with "deliberate intention" to cause injury, requiring specific proof of intent or prior knowledge of dangerous conditions.

Maddy summaryHB 2506 amends West Virginia law to expand vehicle registration fee exemptions for veterans. It lowers the required service-connected disability percentage from 100% to 50% or greater for veterans to qualify, and adds recipients of the Distinguished Service Cross, Navy Cross, or Air Force Cross to the list of eligible veterans. The bill directly affects veterans with qualifying disabilities or military honors who own non-commercial vehicles. Key provisions include modifying existing exemption criteria (§17A-10-8(5)) and adding new eligibility under subsection (7) for specific medal recipients. This change would allow more veterans to avoid paying annual vehicle registration fees.

Maddy summaryHB 2460 requires state permitting agencies, counties, and municipalities to treat private and parochial schools the same as public schools for all construction-related requirements. This includes building permits, fees, safety standards, wastewater management, septic systems, and the speed of permit approvals. The bill directly affects private and parochial schools (non-public, often religiously affiliated institutions) and the government entities that regulate construction processes. It mandates equal application of these rules to end current disparities where private schools faced stricter or different requirements than public schools.

Maddy summaryHB 2490 requires the West Virginia Division of Corrections to provide every individual released from a correctional facility with a physical copy of their birth certificate and a physical copy of their Social Security Administration card. This applies specifically to probationers upon their release, directly affecting individuals transitioning from incarceration back into the community. The bill mandates that these two essential documents be provided as a standard part of the release process, without requiring additional court orders or documentation. This policy change aims to help released individuals access critical services like employment, housing, and government benefits that typically require these documents. The requirement takes effect upon release from any Division of Corrections facility.

Maddy summaryHB 2380 would amend West Virginia law to impose a life sentence for individuals convicted of knowingly selling fentanyl. Specifically, it targets dealers who handle fentanyl classified as a Schedule II controlled substance, escalating penalties from the standard 3-15 year sentence for other Schedule II drugs to life imprisonment. The bill applies only to fentanyl sales (not other drugs or lower-schedule substances) and requires proof the dealer knew the substance was fentanyl. This change modifies Section 60A-4-401 of West Virginia Code, directly affecting fentanyl dealers convicted under this provision.

Maddy summaryHB 2379 would create a tiered property tax reduction for volunteer firefighters in West Virginia. Starting July 1, 2026, volunteer firefighters who serve for 3 years would get a 25% reduction in their real property tax, with an additional 25% reduction for 6 years of service, another for 9 years, and full tax elimination after 12 years. The bill directly affects homeowners who are active members of volunteer fire departments, reducing their ad valorem (value-based) property tax. It defines "active member" as those performing firefighting, emergency medical, or rescue duties during emergencies. The policy aims to support volunteer firefighters through tax relief tied to their service duration.

Maddy summaryHB 2136 requires all new or renovated state-owned rest areas and welcome centers built on or after January 1, 2026, to include at least one diaper changing station in both male and female restrooms. The bill directly affects parents and caregivers traveling through West Virginia who use these facilities with infants or young children. It mandates this physical change as a standard requirement for future state rest area construction or renovations, without impacting existing facilities.

Maddy summaryHB 2132 increases fines for drivers who illegally pass a school bus when children are boarding or alighting. It raises first-offense fines from $500-$1,000 to $1,000-$1,500, second offenses from $1,000-$1,500 to $1,500-$2,000, and third or subsequent offenses from $2,000 to $2,500. The bill does not change existing felony penalties for causing injury or death, which remain under separate provisions. This directly affects drivers who fail to stop for school buses with flashing lights, as required by West Virginia law.

Maddy summaryHB 2141 modifies West Virginia's election laws to update voter registration and voting procedures. It sets specific deadlines for online registration (11:59 p.m. the day before registration closes) and mail-in applications (postmarked by registration close date), clarifies mail registration form distribution rules for county clerks and organizations, and requires first-time mail voters to provide ID (photo ID or utility bill) at the polls. The bill directly affects voters registering by mail or online, county clerks processing applications, and election officials managing voter records. Key changes include streamlining mail registration deadlines, adding verification steps for incomplete applications, and specifying ID requirements for new mail voters. These updates aim to modernize election administration while maintaining registration integrity.

Maddy summaryHB 2137 creates a special license plate for 100% disabled veterans in West Virginia. It allows veterans meeting the disability criteria to apply for a specially designed plate through the state motor vehicle division. The bill requires a one-time $10 application fee (plus regular fees) and a $15 annual fee, both deposited into the State Road Fund. This directly affects eligible veterans by providing a visible identifier for their status, with no minimum application requirement for plate production. The plate design and fee structure are established under the bill's amendments to West Virginia Code §17A-3-14.