Del. David Green

Maddy summaryHB 4513 would expand a state tax exemption for pension benefits by extending the existing $2,000 annual exclusion from West Virginia income tax to include Division of Natural Resources police, deputy sheriffs, full-time firefighters, and municipal police officers. Currently, this exemption applies to some retirement benefits but excludes these specific public safety roles. The bill modifies tax code sections to explicitly add these officers to the list of law enforcement personnel whose pension payments qualify for the exemption. This change directly affects eligible officers in these roles by reducing their taxable income for state tax purposes. The bill is in early stages, having been introduced on January 19, 2026, and referred to the House Finance Committee.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits any organization receiving state funding from requiring COVID-19 vaccination as a condition for employment or participation in its programs. It mandates exemptions for medical reasons (verified by a physician) or sincerely held religious beliefs (via notarized statement), and bans discrimination against employees using these exemptions. The law applies to all state-funded entities, including government agencies, schools, and private businesses, but excludes Medicare/Medicaid-certified facilities due to federal regulations. The bill takes immediate effect upon passage.

Maddy summaryHB 4512 requires child protective services (CPS) workers to audio-record all interactions during investigations of suspected child abuse or neglect. This applies to every visit or interview with a person under investigation, though workers must obtain informed consent or a court order before recording in private settings like homes. The bill also mandates a face-to-face interview with the child within 14 days of investigation initiation to develop a safety plan. It directly affects CPS workers conducting investigations and families involved in ongoing abuse/neglect cases. The law amends existing West Virginia code to establish this recording requirement as a standard procedure.

Maddy summaryHB 4520 would provide a 25% discount on lodging and services at West Virginia State Parks for residents who present a valid West Virginia driver's license or state ID. The bill requires state park directors to implement this discount for all qualifying residents. It directly affects West Virginia residents seeking to use state park lodging or services. The policy change would make park stays more affordable for in-state residents under this specific program.

Maddy summaryHB 4511 requires the West Virginia Department of Human Services to conduct drug testing on all adults applying to become foster parents, kinship caregivers (family members caring for children), or designated caregivers for children in the department's legal custody. The testing screens for specific substances like marijuana, cocaine, and opioids, with valid prescriptions for detected drugs exempting applicants from penalties. Applicants with a positive test must complete approved substance abuse treatment; repeated positives lead to suspension or permanent ineligibility, and refusal to test also disqualifies applicants. The department covers initial test costs, but applicants pay for any additional testing at alternative facilities.

Maddy summaryHB 4506 allows West Virginia State Police members who joined the retirement system on or after July 1, 2015, to convert their accrued annual or sick leave into additional retirement credit. The bill specifies that each day of leave will count as one day of credited service toward retirement, with remainders of 10 days or more counting as a full month and less than 10 days being disregarded. This provision does not apply to members who joined before July 1, 2015, and the additional credit will not count against the annual service limit of 12 months. The change clarifies that leave-based credit can now be used by newer members under a 1:1 conversion rate.

Maddy summaryHB 4521 requires the West Virginia state government to reimburse counties for the daily costs of housing inmates when a conviction results in credit for time already served in jail. This directly affects counties operating local jails and inmates whose sentences are reduced due to prior incarceration time. The bill amends existing law to mandate state reimbursement for the days an inmate is credited toward their sentence, rather than having counties absorb those costs. It clarifies that counties should be paid back for these specific days through the state's correctional funds, ensuring counties aren't financially burdened by reduced sentences.

Maddy summaryHB 4505 requires every West Virginia county school board to employ at least one full-time school nurse at each public school serving kindergarten through seventh grade. The requirement applies for every 1,500 students enrolled (or major fraction thereof), with counties able to contract with public health departments for equivalent services if approved. County boards may apply for state funds to cover costs exceeding the basic nurse requirement, particularly for students with specialized health needs. The bill also mandates that nurses be licensed registered professionals and outlines training standards for school employees who may assist with certain health procedures under supervision.

Maddy summaryHB 4514 modifies how West Virginia deputy sheriffs' retirement benefits are calculated by changing the method for determining their final average salary. Instead of using previous calculation rules, it specifies that the highest three years of compensation within the member's last 10 years of service will now be used. This directly affects active and retired deputy sheriffs enrolled in the West Virginia Deputy Sheriff Retirement Fund. The bill is procedural, adjusting a calculation method without creating new benefits or funding.

Maddy summaryHB 4507 would exempt the salaries of certain first responders from West Virginia's state personal income tax. It directly affects law enforcement officers, paid firefighters, correctional officers, and emergency medical services (EMS) personnel as defined in existing state law. The bill adds a new provision to the tax code stating these workers' salaries are not subject to state income tax. This change applies only to their earned income from these specific roles, not other income they may receive.