Del. Jordan Bridges

Maddy summaryHCR 40 is a resolution directing West Virginia's Economic Development Authority to identify land near Flatwoods for a tourism and entertainment complex modeled after attractions like Pigeon Forge, Tennessee. It requires the Authority to locate suitable sites, secure funding, and recruit private and public developers to build facilities for tourism, entertainment, and amusement. The bill specifically targets the Flatwoods area near Interstate 79 exit 67, citing its central location and access to major regional cities. This resolution aims to replicate economic benefits seen in neighboring states through new tourism infrastructure, directly affecting Flatwoods and surrounding communities.

Maddy summaryHB 3310 requires all West Virginia utility companies to cover the full costs of maintaining, upgrading, and repairing their infrastructure - including pipes, cables, poles, and electrical lines - without passing these expenses to consumers through rate increases. The bill directly affects utility companies operating in the state and all customers who pay utility bills. Key provisions mandate that companies absorb these costs entirely, maintain records proving costs weren’t factored into future rate hikes, and prohibit any financial burden on consumers for infrastructure maintenance. This policy change ensures no rate increases can be justified by infrastructure costs alone.

Maddy summaryHCR 72 designates March 20, 2025 as "Black Lung Awareness Day" in West Virginia. It honors coal miners affected by black lung disease (coal worker's pneumoconiosis), a preventable occupational lung condition caused by coal dust exposure. The resolution does not create new laws, funding, or policy changes - it serves as a ceremonial observance recognizing the disease's impact and existing protections like the Black Lung Benefits Act. It follows the Federal Coal Mine Health and Safety Act's emphasis on miner safety without altering current regulations.

Maddy summaryHB 2835 creates the West Virginia Infrastructure Deployment Clearinghouse, a statewide map-based data hub managed by the West Virginia GIS Technical Center. This hub will centralize geospatial information to help state agencies, local governments, and businesses plan infrastructure projects like broadband networks more efficiently, reducing duplication and speeding up installations. The bill requires agencies to follow standardized protocols for sharing location data while protecting confidential information, and establishes a special fund for operations. It directly affects state and local government entities involved in infrastructure planning and project permitting.

Maddy summaryHB 3502 allocates $250 million from West Virginia's Revenue Shortfall Fund ($100 million) and Income Tax Reserve Fund ($150 million) to create the West Virginia Flood Resiliency Trust Fund. This fund finances flood prevention projects in communities vulnerable to severe flooding, aiming to reduce future damage through proactive infrastructure and planning. The bill requires the State Resiliency Officer to submit annual spending reports for board review, and mandates that 6% of federal flood disaster recovery funds be dedicated to long-term resiliency planning. It directly affects state agencies managing flood response and residents in flood-prone areas by prioritizing prevention over reactive recovery.

Maddy summaryHB 3491 limits counties' financial responsibility for jail costs to 30 days for felony inmates awaiting transportation to a state correctional facility. Specifically, it requires counties to pay daily jail costs only during a 30-day period while inmates wait for a 60-day evaluation at a state facility. This applies to inmates incarcerated for felony convictions who are not immediately transferred to state prisons. The bill amends West Virginia law to cap county costs at 30 days, rather than covering full costs until transfer.

Maddy summaryHB 3468 modifies West Virginia tax law to expand tax exemptions for certain public safety workers' pension benefits. It removes a $2,000 annual cap on tax-free treatment for pension payments, making full pension benefits exempt for Division of Natural Resources police, deputy sheriffs, full-time firefighters, and municipal police officers. The bill amends Section 11-21-12 of the West Virginia Code to include these specific professions in the existing pension exemption, which previously applied only to some public employees. This change directly affects law enforcement and emergency service workers receiving retirement benefits under state pension systems, eliminating federal adjusted gross income tax on their full pension payments.

Maddy summaryHB 3442 would expand self-defense protections in West Virginia by allowing residents to use deadly force without retreating in their home, residence, or curtilage (immediate surrounding area) when they reasonably fear death or serious harm from an intruder. It creates a complete legal defense against both civil lawsuits and criminal charges for lawful defensive use of force, including against intruders attempting to enter or commit felonies on property. The bill also extends these protections to situations outside the home where a person reasonably believes they or others face imminent death or serious harm that can only be stopped with deadly force. It specifically states that individuals acting within these rules are not required to retreat and will be entitled to recover court costs and fees if sued. This bill directly affects homeowners, residents, and others defending their property or persons under these specified circumstances.

Maddy summaryHB 3421 requires West Virginia coal-fired power plants to operate at a consistent 69% capacity level through 2040, maintain a 45-day on-site coal supply, and submit detailed operational plans to the Public Service Commission. It directly affects electric utilities operating coal plants by mandating they balance plant operations to preserve local jobs, stabilize energy costs, and avoid shutdowns without Commission approval. Key provisions include requiring utilities to provide supplemental plans for extending plant lifespans beyond retirement dates and preventing the use of securitized funds to close facilities. The bill also directs the Public Service Commission to coordinate West Virginia’s participation in regional energy markets to benefit ratepayers. These measures aim to secure coal generation as a stable energy source while protecting consumers from rate volatility.

Maddy summaryHB 3466 requires West Virginia's Division of Highways to install "blue light" emergency alert stations at all state rest areas and welcome centers by July 1, 2025. Each station must include a help button, camera/video capability, and direct connection to local emergency dispatch. The bill aims to provide immediate assistance for individuals in distress, including potential prevention of human trafficking or domestic violence incidents. This affects travelers using state rest areas and welcome centers, with the Division of Highways responsible for funding and installing the stations.