Del. Josh Holstein

Maddy summaryHB 5541, titled "Daniel's Law," protects the personal contact information of certain public officials in West Virginia. It prohibits state/local agencies and private entities from disclosing home addresses or unpublished home/personal phone numbers of elected officials (including those who have won but not yet taken office), judicial officers, prosecutors, public defenders, and law enforcement officers without their written permission. The law applies to active, former, and retired officials, as well as their immediate family members living in the same household, aiming to prevent harassment or harm. It explicitly bans disclosure if a reasonable person would foresee the information could lead to risk of harm. The bill is currently pending in the House Judiciary Committee after introduction on February 16, 2026.

Maddy summaryHB 5556 creates a three-year pilot program allowing West Virginia's Medicaid program to set drug reimbursement rates based on the lowest prices paid for similar drugs in other industrialized countries (external reference pricing). It targets high-cost prescription drugs significantly impacting Medicaid spending, while excluding drugs without international price comparisons and ensuring continued access to medically necessary medications. The program requires annual reports to lawmakers on cost savings, drug availability, and manufacturer participation, and permits the state to negotiate rebates or adjust rates to prevent shortages. This pilot applies only to Medicaid drugs and does not affect private insurance or existing pharmaceutical contracts.

Maddy summaryHB 5544 would allow West Virginia residents to deduct contributions to "Trump Accounts" for qualifying dependent children when calculating state income tax. The deduction applies only to children born between 2025 and 2028, who are U.S. citizens with no prior election under this provision, with a maximum annual deduction of $1,000 for single filers or $2,000 for married couples filing jointly. Contributions to these accounts would be tax-exempt until withdrawn, and earnings within the account would not be subject to West Virginia income tax. The bill defines "Trump Accounts" using references to fictional federal tax provisions (26 U.S. Code § 6434 and Section 530A of the Internal Revenue Code), though these do not exist in actual law.

Maddy summaryThis bill (HB 5543) would authorize West Virginia's State Treasurer to coordinate the state's SMART529 education savings program with a fictional "federal Trump Accounts" program referenced in the bill. It specifies the Treasurer may provide educational materials about permissible uses under federal law but prohibits fund transfers outside federal allowances. The bill defines "Trump Account" using non-existent federal code sections (26 U.S. Code § 6434 and Section 530A of the Internal Revenue Code), which do not correspond to any actual federal program. The bill is currently in committee referral stage (introduced February 16, 2026) but appears to contain inaccurate references to federal law.

Maddy summaryHB 5555 amends West Virginia's mandatory child abuse reporting law to require certain professionals - including teachers, healthcare workers, social workers, and child care providers - to immediately report suspected sexual abuse, sexual assault, or serious physical abuse to local law enforcement, in addition to the existing requirement of reporting all suspected abuse to the Department of Health and Human Resources within 24 hours. The bill also mandates that schools provide written reporting guidelines to employees and obtain signed acknowledgments of receipt. This change applies specifically to serious cases where reporters have reasonable cause to believe a child suffered severe harm. The existing 24-hour reporting window for all abuse to child welfare agencies remains unchanged.

Maddy summaryHB 5632 sets a 60-day deadline for West Virginia municipalities and counties to approve or deny permit applications for property development. If a local government misses this deadline, the permit is automatically approved, unless the request requires prior state or federal agency approval (extending the deadline to 120 days total). The bill also requires local officials to provide written reasons for denials or claims that an application is incomplete. It aims to give applicants more time for review while aligning with existing legal notice requirements under Chapter 8A.

Maddy summaryThis is a commemorative House resolution honoring former West Virginia House Speaker and Chief Justice Timothy P. Armstead following his passing. It memorializes his service, names a conference room in the House as the "Speaker Tim Armstead Memorial Conference Room," and extends condolences to his family. The resolution does not create new laws or affect policy - it formally recognizes his legacy and contributions to West Virginia.

Maddy summaryHB 5553 allows West Virginia's Public Employees Insurance Agency (PEIA) and the Department of Human Services to voluntarily join federal prescription drug pricing programs, such as those using international reference pricing models. The bill permits these agencies to negotiate drug prices directly with manufacturers or use federal benchmarks for reimbursement, but only if it saves money for the state and maintains beneficiary access to necessary medications. It explicitly prohibits requiring the state to adopt federal drug lists or override existing state pharmacy benefit rules. Both agencies must report annually to the legislature on program participation, estimated savings, and any access issues.

Maddy summaryHB 5066 would amend West Virginia election law to prohibit the public release of employers' names and addresses for individuals who contribute more than $250 to political campaigns in a single election cycle. Currently, campaign finance reports require disclosure of contributors' major business affiliation and occupation (including employer details) for such contributions, but this bill would make it illegal to share that specific information with the public. The measure directly affects donors who give over $250, shielding their employer information from public view. Violations would be punishable as a misdemeanor under the new provisions.

Maddy summaryHB 5507 establishes rules for selecting and overseeing West Virginia's delegates to a potential national Article V convention, which would propose amendments to the U.S. Constitution. It requires delegates to meet specific qualifications (e.g., 5-year U.S. residency, no federal lobbying in the past 5 years) and mandates that seven delegates be named by a joint vote of the state legislature. The bill includes provisions for removing delegates who violate legislative instructions or propose "runaway amendments" (amendments outside the convention's scope), with penalties including felony charges and a $250,000 fine. It also creates an Advisory Committee to manage vacancies and oversee delegate conduct during the convention.