Del. Mark Dean

Maddy summaryHB 2635 sets specific classroom size limits for West Virginia public schools in kindergarten through sixth grade, requiring counties to maintain ratios of no more than 20 students per teacher in kindergarten (with one aide for classes over 10 students) and 25 students per teacher in grades 1-6 (with aides for grades 1-3 starting 2023-2026). It mandates that if classrooms exceed these limits, they must be split into two equally sized classes by the 2025-2026 school year to preserve aide coverage and individualized teacher time. County boards must implement these changes or use full/part-time interventionists as alternatives, and teachers in oversized classrooms face additional pay based on the excess student count. The bill directly affects K-6 public schools, teachers, and aides across West Virginia, with compliance deadlines phased through 2026.

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 3416 requires oil and gas operators to secure funds for plugging new wells before they are permitted, effective July 1, 2026. Operators must provide either a single-well bond covering full plugging costs or set aside money in an escrow account managed by the state treasurer. This prevents "orphaned wells" - unplugged wells left on land without a responsible operator to pay for closure, which currently threaten landowners' property, safety, and groundwater. The law directly affects new well operators and protects surface landowners from future liabilities. It replaces outdated bonding methods that contributed to thousands of unplugged wells in West Virginia.

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.

Maddy summaryHB 3415, the Orphan Well Prevention Act of 2025, requires oil and gas operators to secure financial guarantees before obtaining new well permits or transferring existing wells. For new wells (after July 1, 2025), operators must provide either a bond or an escrow account to cover future plugging costs. For transferred wells, the previous operator remains liable until the new owner provides a similar financial guarantee. This directly affects oil and gas companies and landowners by preventing wells from becoming "orphaned" (unplugged with no responsible operator), reducing state or community costs for cleanup. The bill aims to address West Virginia’s thousands of existing orphaned wells by making operators financially accountable upfront.

Maddy summaryHB 3409 changes West Virginia's hunting and fishing license validity period from expiring at the end of the calendar year to lasting exactly one year from the date of purchase. This directly affects all individuals who buy hunting or fishing licenses in the state. The bill amends §20-2-35 of the West Virginia Code to replace the current "last day of the calendar year" expiration with a fixed one-year term starting on the purchase date. This policy change simplifies license validity without altering fees or requirements.

Maddy summaryHB 3170 requires all rental properties in West Virginia to have approved sewage systems instead of straight piping sewage. It directly affects landlords of rental properties and property owners converting previously owner-occupied homes into rentals, mandating updated plumbing to meet current standards. The bill’s key provision prohibits straight piping sewage and requires all rental properties to install certified sewage systems. This policy change applies statewide to all residential rental units, focusing on infrastructure upgrades for public health and safety.

Maddy summaryHB 2774, the "Coach Protection Act," amends West Virginia law to increase penalties for assault and battery against athletic officials and participants during sports events. It establishes minimum jail terms (5 days for assault, 10 days for battery) and fines ($250-$500 for assault, $500-$1,000 for battery), explicitly defining "athletic official or participant" to include coaches, referees, players, and team supervisors. The bill also authorizes school boards to ban convicted offenders from all state school sports events for at least one year, with violations treated as trespassing. This directly affects individuals who commit violence at sports events, schools enforcing bans, and participants in organized sports.

Maddy summaryHB 3302 requires all organizations contracting with West Virginia to distribute state funds for homeless shelters to include one regional representative on their board of directors. This applies directly to entities administering homeless shelter funding under state contracts. The bill mandates that each board must have members representing every region of the state, ensuring geographic representation in decision-making. The policy change focuses solely on board composition requirements for these specific contracts.