Del. Adam Vance

Maddy summaryHB 3102 would change West Virginia's required school year from 180 to 160 instructional days. This affects all public schools in the state, requiring them to meet a reduced minimum of 160 days of student instruction annually. The bill allows counties to compensate for fewer days by lengthening daily instructional time (by at least 30 minutes) or using alternative instruction methods for up to five days during closures. Schools must still begin no earlier than September 1 and end no later than May 31, with the new standard applying to all grade levels.

Maddy summaryHB 3103 would exempt the first $2,000 of retirement benefits received from West Virginia public employee systems, state teachers' retirement systems, or qualifying federal retirement systems from West Virginia personal income tax. This tax modification applies to retirees moving to West Virginia or already residing there, directly affecting individuals receiving these retirement benefits. The bill amends Section 11-21-12 of West Virginia's tax code to exclude this portion of retirement income from taxable income. It aims to encourage retirees to relocate to or remain in West Virginia by reducing their state tax burden on retirement income. The bill is currently pending in the House Finance Committee after its March 4, 2025, introduction.

Maddy summaryHB 3101 mandates that public schools in West Virginia must begin the instructional term no earlier than the Tuesday after Labor Day and end no later than the Friday before Memorial Day, starting with the 2025-2026 school year. This bill directly affects all public school districts and county boards of education across the state by setting fixed calendar boundaries for the school year. The legislation specifies that the instructional term must include at least 180 separate instructional days, with defined minimum daily instructional minutes per grade level (e.g., 345 minutes for high school). It also includes provisions for handling weather-related closures through alternative instruction methods and adjusts noninstructional day allocations, but does not alter the required instructional time per day.

Maddy summaryHB 2631 requires all medical providers in West Virginia - including doctors, dentists, and chiropractors - to orally explain all treatment options, potential complications, and side effects to patients before proceeding with any medical care. This directly affects patients seeking treatment and healthcare providers who must obtain a patient’s signed acknowledgment after providing this information. The bill establishes penalties for noncompliance, including fines up to $500 for intentional violations, with lesser penalties for unintentional first-time failures. It aims to ensure patients receive clear, verbal information to make informed decisions about their care.

Maddy summaryHB 2065 would allow Gold Star parents (mothers or fathers of veterans killed in combat) to receive one free Gold Star Family license plate for personal use, exempting them from standard vehicle registration fees. The bill defines a "Gold Star parent" as a parent of a veteran eligible for a gold star lapel pin under federal law (10 U.S.C. § 1126). This extends the existing fee exemption for Gold Star spouses (widows/widowers) to include parents, applying to a single vehicle registered in the parent's name.

Maddy summaryHB 2521 provides a one-time cost-of-living supplement to West Virginia state retirees with annual retirement benefits under $75,000. To qualify, retirees must be at least 65 years old and have been retired for five or more consecutive years as of July 1, 2026. The supplement equals 10% of their annual benefit amount below $75,000, paid as a single lump sum. This policy change specifically affects lower-income retirees under the state retirement system who meet the age and tenure requirements, effective July 2026. The bill does not create ongoing annual increases but offers a one-time adjustment to retirement benefits.

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 2890 clarifies the compensation rules for county board of education members in West Virginia. It sets a maximum rate of $260 per meeting attended, with members unable to earn compensation for more than 40 meetings in a fiscal year. The bill also specifies that up to five additional paid meetings are allowed for specific events like elections, disaster hearings, or school closures, and allows members to recover compensation for missed meetings after curing a training requirement default within three months. This bill does not change existing rates but eliminates ambiguity around meeting limits and exceptions.

Maddy summaryHB 2630 requires all state employees, county employees, and K-12 school employees (including teachers and volunteers like coaches) to undergo mandatory drug testing. The bill mandates pre-employment drug tests for all new hires and requires 10% of all employees to be randomly tested annually. These requirements begin on July 1, 2025, for state and county employees, and for the 2025-2026 school year for school staff. Each employer must adopt rules implementing these testing procedures, including the 10% annual random testing rate. The bill does not specify testing methods, penalties for positive results, or exceptions beyond the defined employee groups.

Maddy summaryHB 2793 prohibits billboards near West Virginia's borders from displaying messages about abortion availability in neighboring states, including facility names, provider details, or any encouragement to seek abortions. It directly affects billboard operators and businesses that advertise abortion services in states bordering West Virginia. The law requires the Secretary of State to permanently revoke business licenses for violations, with enforcement through reports from residents or the Division of Highways. This bill targets advertising that facilitates out-of-state abortion access, aligning with West Virginia’s existing abortion ban and stated interest in protecting prenatal life.