Del. David Green

Maddy summaryHB 5331 amends West Virginia law to allow municipalities with paid firefighters to join the Municipal Police Officers & Firefighters Retirement System (MPFRS) without requiring prior approval. This directly affects cities and towns that currently cannot participate in MPFRS for their full-time firefighters. The bill removes existing barriers by revising eligibility rules in the retirement system statutes, enabling these municipalities to enroll their paid firefighters in the existing retirement program. The change provides a structured pathway for local governments to offer retirement benefits to municipal firefighters under MPFRS, which currently serves some fire departments but not all.

Maddy summaryHB 4570 allows landlords to serve eviction notices on tenants by posting them conspicuously on rental property (secured where easily visible) when personal service isn't possible. This method requires a neutral third party (not the landlord) to post the notice and provide a notarized affidavit detailing the date, time, location, and photographic proof of posting. The bill clarifies that landlords cannot post notices themselves and must submit this affidavit to the court with their eviction petition. It directly affects landlords seeking eviction and tenants receiving notice via this method. The change streamlines service for landlords while adding documentation requirements to ensure proper notice.

Maddy summaryHB 5064 addresses municipalities in West Virginia that fail to complete required annual financial audits for three consecutive years (defined as "chronic audit noncompliance"). It authorizes the State Auditor to evaluate a municipality's financial recovery potential, requires the municipality to submit a recovery plan, and allows for a structured transition to dissolution if recovery is unlikely. The bill mandates specific notice requirements to affected municipalities and clarifies the duties of a financial receiver during dissolution, including how dissolution affects utilities regulated by the Public Service Commission. This directly impacts local governments that miss audit deadlines, creating a formal process to address fiscal instability.

Maddy summaryThis House Resolution (HR 11) encourages West Virginia's K-12 students to design a new state highway route number shield for the 2026 anniversaries of the U.S. founding (250th) and the U.S. numbered highway system (100th). It directs the West Virginia Division of Highways and Department of Tourism to hold a statewide student design competition, requiring the shield to maintain federal safety standards for legibility while incorporating West Virginia identity. The winning design would be implemented gradually on state highways starting July 2027, replacing existing signs only as they wear out, and the student designer would receive legislative recognition. The resolution is procedural and non-binding, focusing on celebration and civic engagement rather than new policy.

Maddy summaryHR 9 is a ceremonial resolution honoring the late West Virginia House Delegate Douglas John Skaff Jr. It expresses the House of Delegates' condolences to his family and commemorates his service, including his roles as a delegate representing multiple districts and as Minority Leader. The resolution has no policy impact - it is purely symbolic, acknowledging his career in public service, business, and community leadership. It was unanimously adopted by the House on February 5, 2026, the same day it was introduced.

Maddy summaryHB 5177 creates a state sales tax rebate for builders constructing modest homes under 1,600 square feet in West Virginia. The bill provides a rebate equal to the state's 6% sales tax paid on qualifying building materials purchased from in-state suppliers, subject to strict fixed quantity limits (e.g., 174 sheets of sheathing, 475 pieces of lumber). Builders must use only specified materials, retain documentation for 60 months, and receive approval after the home is sold and inspected. The rebate excludes municipal taxes unless a municipality voluntarily participates, and materials like basement finishes or out-of-state purchases are ineligible.

Maddy summaryThis is a symbolic House Resolution (not a bill), introduced by multiple West Virginia delegates. It designates the month of June as "Fidelity Month" to promote the values of faith, family, and patriotism across the state. The resolution cites declining support for these values in polling and research, and calls for the state to "rededicate" itself to them during June. It has no binding policy requirements or direct impact on specific groups; it is purely a commemorative gesture.

Maddy summaryThis West Virginia House resolution states that the U.S. national debt (over $38 trillion in 2026) poses a national security threat, citing foreign debt ownership, projected Social Security/Medicare shortfalls, and warnings from military/intelligence leaders. It urges Congress to establish regular budgeting procedures but does not create new laws or alter federal spending. As a symbolic resolution, it has no direct legal effect on national debt policy or federal budgets. The resolution focuses on raising awareness rather than implementing concrete changes.

Maddy summaryHB 4460 modifies West Virginia's sewer connection rules to balance urban and rural needs. It exempts properties with properly maintained onsite wastewater systems (verified by a recent inspection) and those more than 200 feet from a sewer line from mandatory connections. In densely populated areas (over 500 people per square mile), connections may still be required if systems are failing or impractical. The bill also mandates that municipalities provide financial assistance - including payment plans or subsidies - for low-income homeowners who must connect, covering both connection fees and necessary plumbing modifications.

Maddy summaryHB 4508, the Public Utility Stability Act, allows publicly owned water and sewer utilities (like city or county systems) to automatically increase rates annually without needing commission approval or local government ordinances. The bill sets rate increases equal to the annual change in the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics' Water and Sewerage Maintenance Index, calculated between specific September dates. Utilities must file revised tariffs and provide notice, but increases matching the index are considered fair and reasonable. Smaller utilities (under 4,500 customers or $3 million revenue) face limited commission review if increases exceed the index, while larger systems may be reviewed by county commissions. The bill aims to simplify rate adjustments tied to inflation for essential water and sewer services.