Del. Adam Vance

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes specific class size limits for West Virginia public schools: kindergarten classes must have no more than 20 students per teacher with an aide (for classes over 10 students), and grades 1-3 must have no more than 25 students per teacher with an aide, phased in from the 2023-2024 school year through 2025-2026. It requires counties to maintain these ratios in K-6 classrooms, allowing interventionists as an alternative staffing option for grades 4-6. The law directly affects K-6 teachers and students by mandating smaller class sizes to maximize teacher-student interaction time and support staff utilization.

Maddy summaryHB 4967 would amend West Virginia law to authorize the West Virginia Secondary School Activities Commission (WVSSAC) to revoke the coaching credentials of any high school coach found guilty of illegal recruiting. This directly affects high school coaches in West Virginia who engage in prohibited recruiting practices, such as improper contact with student-athletes. The key provision requires WVSSAC to remove a coach's certification upon a determination of illegal recruiting violations, adding a specific enforcement mechanism to existing athletic regulations. The bill focuses on enforcing ethical recruiting standards within high school athletics.

Maddy summaryHCR 15 designates November 7th annually as "Pastor Appreciation Day" in West Virginia. The resolution honors clergy members for their community service, spiritual leadership, and support during crises like natural disasters. It is a ceremonial resolution with no new policies, funding, or requirements for government action. The bill directly affects pastors and religious leaders in West Virginia by recognizing their contributions through an official state designation.

Maddy summaryHB 4966 increases penalties for adults who purchase tobacco products (including vapes and cartridges) for minors under 21. It directly affects adults who buy these products for underage children, not the minors themselves. The bill imposes a $500 fine for a first offense, with higher fines ($1,500-$5,000) for repeat violations within specific timeframes, and allows for jail time (up to 60 days) for third offenses. Retail employees who violate the law face non-criminal penalties like education programs instead of fines, while employers may terminate employees who sell to minors after prior written warnings.

Maddy summaryHB 4954 would reduce West Virginia's business and occupation tax rate by 2.5% for companies employing at least 75% of their workforce as state residents. It directly affects eligible businesses meeting the residency threshold, requiring them to verify workforce composition to qualify. The tax reduction applies to the overall business and occupation tax rate starting with the 2026 tax year. Companies must provide evidence of workforce residency to claim the reduction, with implementation guidance to be issued by the West Virginia Department of Tax and Revenue.

Maddy summaryHB 4959 prohibits reselling event tickets (such as for concerts or sporting events) in West Virginia at more than a 3% markup above the ticket's original face value. This bill directly affects ticket resellers, including secondary market platforms, by restricting how much they can charge above the original price. The key provision amends West Virginia's consumer protection code to classify resales exceeding this 3% limit as an unfair practice. The law aims to prevent excessive price increases for event attendees without banning ticket resales entirely. It applies to all ticketed events within the state and focuses on capping reseller markups at a fixed percentage.

Maddy summaryHB 4968 would exempt the first $20,000 of annual income from West Virginia state income tax for resident individuals and married couples filing jointly. Effective for tax years beginning January 1, 2026, the bill modifies the tax calculation by reducing taxable income by $20,000 before applying the state tax rate. This directly benefits low-to-moderate income West Virginia residents who earn under $20,000 annually. The change applies to both single filers and couples filing jointly, reducing their state tax liability without altering federal tax treatment.

Maddy summaryHB 4861 allows West Virginia county school boards, with state board approval, to designate one or more rural schools as "Rural Anchor Schools" if they meet specific criteria: geographic isolation (rural community, primary neighborhood school), enrollment below the statewide average for their grade level, and demonstrated need to avoid unreasonable transportation/safety issues if closed. The bill requires state aid calculations to treat these schools as if they have at least 150 students for funding purposes, covering fixed operating costs (utilities, maintenance) and core staffing, while keeping actual enrollment counts unchanged for other purposes. Designations last five years with annual reporting on enrollment, student performance, and fund usage, and can be revoked if eligibility or accountability rules are violated. This directly affects eligible rural schools and their funding under the state's public school support program.

Maddy summaryHB 4887 would amend West Virginia's retirement law to allow sheriffs who are members of the public retirement system to retire at age 62 with eight years of service, rather than the 10 years required for other new members under current rules. This provision applies specifically to sheriffs not participating in another retirement system administered by the retirement board. The bill adds a new subsection to the retirement law creating this exception for sheriffs. It directly affects sheriffs who meet the age and service requirements under this revised provision.

Maddy summaryHB 4885 would repeal West Virginia's state excise tax on gasoline, which is currently added to prices at the pump. The bill removes this tax by repealing the existing law (§11-14C-5) that imposed the motor fuel excise tax. This change would eliminate the state tax component from gasoline prices, directly affecting both consumers (who would no longer pay this tax) and retailers (who would no longer collect and remit it). The bill is pending in the House Finance Committee.