Del. Jordan Bridges

Maddy summaryHB 2993, the Affordable Electricity and Economic Growth Act of 2025, aims to boost coal-based electricity generation and coke production for steelmaking in West Virginia. It directs the Department of Economic Development to identify suitable sites near coal deposits, transmission infrastructure, and steel facilities that meet air quality standards, streamlining regulatory processes for these projects. The bill directly affects coal energy companies, steel manufacturers, and local communities by prioritizing economic development tied to West Virginia’s coal resources. Key provisions require agencies to review and simplify regulations hindering coal project approvals, with the goal of enhancing the state’s competitiveness in energy and steel production. This focuses on policy coordination rather than new taxes or funding.

Maddy summaryHB 3018 prohibits West Virginia's environmental agency from creating new rules to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in key sectors (like utilities, industry, and transportation) to comply with the Kyoto Protocol or Paris Agreement. It also bans the state from making legally binding commitments to federal agencies regarding emissions cuts under these international agreements. The bill explicitly allows continued participation in voluntary programs, such as the EPA's "Green Lights" initiative. It directly affects West Virginia's regulatory approach to climate policy, preventing state action aligned with these global accords.

Maddy summaryHB 2888 amends West Virginia Code §17-2A-8 to clarify and expand the West Virginia Commissioner of Highways' authority over road maintenance and repair. The bill requires the commissioner to implement "reasonable design techniques to minimize flood damage" during road projects and mandates public hearings with virtual participation options before closing or discontinuing state roads. It also updates procedures for acquiring land for road projects, establishing road standards, and maintaining public records related to road rights-of-way. The bill directly affects the state highway department's operational procedures and public engagement processes for road maintenance decisions. (This is a procedural amendment to existing duties, not a new funding or program.)

Maddy summaryHB 2975 updates West Virginia's optometry licensing laws to modernize practice standards. It permits licensed optometrists to perform certain eye procedures they've been trained on through accredited programs (including those taught at 50% of accredited schools), expands their ability to prescribe specific oral medications (like antibiotics and anti-inflammatories) from a board-approved formulary, and clarifies scope of practice definitions. The bill directly affects licensed optometrists in West Virginia by updating their legal authority to examine, diagnose, and treat eye conditions. Key provisions include revising drug prescribing rules, defining "appendages" (eyelids, conjunctiva, etc.), and adding new sections to align with current optometric education standards.

Maddy summaryHB 2995 replaces West Virginia's air pollution control code with the "Fueling Modern Life Act," declaring carbon dioxide a foundational nutrient for life and prohibiting its treatment as a pollutant. The bill bans state efforts to reduce carbon dioxide emissions, including "net-zero" targets, and requires state support for carbon-based fuels like coal, oil, and natural gas. It directly affects state environmental agencies, fossil fuel businesses, and regulatory processes by eliminating all existing air pollution provisions related to CO2. The law would remove 21 existing sections of state code and establish new policy that prioritizes fossil fuel use over emission reduction. This is a procedural change to state law, not a new environmental regulation.

Maddy summaryHB 2940 prohibits parking meters at all designated handicapped parking spaces in West Virginia, requiring their removal within 90 days of enactment. It eliminates late fees and penalties for individuals with valid disability parking permits who have unpaid parking citations, though standard parking violations (like misuse of spaces or fire lanes) remain enforceable. The bill applies to all public and private entities operating parking meters, including municipalities and private property owners. Violations by these entities may result in fines up to $500, enforced by the West Virginia Attorney General.

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 2482 allows youth hunters (under 16) and hunters with a Class Q special hunting permit (for handicapped individuals) to take one antlered deer during the state's Special Youth Deer Season. This change applies the deer taken during this special season toward the hunter's regular firearms deer season bag limit. The bill specifically excludes holders of Class XS licenses from this privilege during the special season. It modifies existing hunting regulations to expand harvest opportunities for these specific groups during designated seasons.

Maddy summaryHB 2741 prohibits the use of electronic devices like tablets, laptops, or computers for learning and testing in all classrooms serving students in grades three and below. The bill directly affects students in kindergarten through second grade and their teachers by banning such devices during instructional time. It creates a new section (§18-2E-3g) in West Virginia's education code requiring this ban in all classrooms for those grade levels. The law does not address devices used for administrative purposes or non-educational activities. This is a direct policy change restricting classroom technology use for young learners.

Maddy summaryHB 2799 protects employees in West Virginia who use reasonable force (including deadly force when justified) to defend themselves or others from an attack at their workplace. It prohibits employers from terminating an employee solely for such defensive actions, ensuring workers cannot face job loss for acting in self-defense during an attack. The bill specifically allows the use of deadly force without a duty to retreat if an employee reasonably believes they or others face imminent death or serious harm. This amendment expands existing self-defense protections to explicitly cover workplace scenarios, aligning with the bill's stated purpose of shielding workers from employment retaliation.