Rep. David Green

Maddy summaryThis is a commemorative House resolution honoring former West Virginia House Speaker and Chief Justice Timothy P. Armstead following his passing. It memorializes his service, names a conference room in the House as the "Speaker Tim Armstead Memorial Conference Room," and extends condolences to his family. The resolution does not create new laws or affect policy - it formally recognizes his legacy and contributions to West Virginia.

Maddy summaryHB 5571 provides a $6,000 pay equity adjustment over three years ($2,000 annually) for non-uniformed administrative staff in West Virginia's Division of Corrections and Rehabilitation. The increases begin July 1, 2026, and apply to full-time equivalent employees not in uniformed roles, such as office or support positions. Funding comes from general revenue appropriations for state divisions, while regional jail staff receive funding from a special revenue fund. This bill directly affects non-uniformed correctional facility employees who face recruitment and retention challenges, without altering existing pay grade maximums.

Maddy summaryHB 5365 regulates pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) that provide prescription drug coverage services to West Virginia's Public Employees Insurance Agency (PEIA). The bill amends state code to create a special investigating unit within PEIA and grants the Insurance Commissioner authority to investigate PBM practices. It defines key terms related to PEIA operations and establishes oversight mechanisms for PBMs handling state employee health benefits. This bill directly affects PEIA and its contracted PBM providers, focusing on increasing transparency and accountability in prescription drug benefit management. The legislation is currently in committee review (House Banking and Insurance) after introduction on February 9, 2026.

Maddy summaryHB 5461 creates the "Financial Accountability Stable Token Act" (FAST Act), authorizing West Virginia to use U.S.-dollar-backed stable tokens for payments to state vendors and contractors. The bill establishes strict requirements for qualifying tokens, including 1:1 U.S. dollar backing, U.S. corporate control, quarterly audits, and public reserve reports, all overseen by the State Treasurer. Participation by vendors and contractors is voluntary - no one can be forced to accept token payments - and the state will maintain a public list of approved tokens. The law also mandates annual reporting on transaction volumes, cost savings, and risk assessments to ensure fiscal safety.

Maddy summaryHB 5472 formally adds mine rescue personnel to West Virginia's definition of "emergency responders" under the Survivor Benefits Act. This means qualified mine rescue teams - those meeting specific training and certification requirements - will now be eligible for survivor benefits if they die while performing mine emergency response duties, such as responding to explosions, fires, or equipment maintenance. The bill amends existing law to include mine rescue personnel in the same category as firefighters, EMS, and law enforcement for benefit eligibility. It directly affects mine rescue team members who meet state training standards and perform authorized emergency response activities. The legislation extends existing survivor benefits without creating new costs or programs.

Maddy summaryHB 5456 would amend West Virginia law to ensure West Virginia State Troopers permanently disabled in the line of duty receive disability pay that increases annually with the same raises they would have earned through seniority. Currently, their disability pay is calculated as 8.5% of a fixed salary amount (with a $15,000 annual minimum), but this bill would adjust that amount each year to reflect the trooper's potential future salary increases had they remained on active duty. This change directly affects troopers who become permanently and totally disabled while performing duty-related duties, ensuring their disability compensation grows alongside regular pay adjustments for active officers. The bill does not alter the base calculation method but mandates automatic annual adjustments based on seniority-based pay increases.

Maddy summaryHB 4518 (2026) requires the West Virginia Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV) to automatically update the Parkways Authority whenever a driver using the single fee discount plan (EZ-Pass) changes their vehicle information during a plate transfer. This bill amends existing code sections to mandate this coordination between the DMV and Parkways Authority, directly affecting EZ-Pass users who transfer plates between vehicles. The key provision eliminates the need for manual updates by requiring the DMV to provide real-time vehicle information changes to the Parkways Authority. This streamlines the process for drivers, ensuring their EZ-Pass account remains accurate without additional steps when updating vehicle details. The bill focuses on improving administrative efficiency between two state agencies.

Maddy summaryHB 4558 requires West Virginia's Division of Motor Vehicles to create a system allowing towing companies (regulated by the Public Service Commission) to instantly access vehicle owner information when a vehicle is towed or impounded. This directly affects towing companies, who can now quickly verify ownership to prevent accumulating fees, and vehicle owners, who avoid unnecessary charges. The bill mandates the state motor vehicle agency implement this system by July 1, 2026, ensuring towing companies can access owner details "at all times" without delay. It amends existing law to explicitly permit this access under the "Permitted disclosures" section for towing-related purposes.

Maddy summaryHB 4978 requires Workforce West Virginia to proactively match unemployment claimants with job openings from private employers based on their prior job history and salary range. This affects individuals receiving unemployment benefits in West Virginia, who will now receive tailored job referrals instead of only general job listings. The bill mandates that claimants apply for referred jobs within one week and accept suitable offers, while employers must report rejections or job acceptances to the state. It also ensures claimants accepting part-time work below their benefit rate retain full unemployment payments without reduction. The policy changes eligibility requirements to prioritize job matching as part of active job search efforts.

Maddy summaryHB 5355 requires West Virginia public school districts to place any teaching position held by an uncertified individual up for public bidding every school year. This applies directly to school districts and teachers currently working without valid teaching certification. The bill mandates that such positions remain open for bid annually until filled by a certified educator, ensuring only qualified staff occupy teaching roles. It does not change certification requirements but adds a recurring annual bidding process for uncertified positions.