Del. Marty Gearheart

Maddy summaryHB 2645 requires the West Virginia Parkways Authority to hold public hearings in every county along the West Virginia Turnpike before increasing tolls, rents, fees, or charges. The bill mandates at least 14 days' public notice for these hearings, where residents can speak about proposed increases. The Authority must also justify each increase by showing it addresses operational or maintenance needs tied to specific projects and bond obligations. This procedural bill directly affects the Parkways Authority and Turnpike users, ensuring transparency before any fee adjustments.

Maddy summaryHCR 88 is a ceremonial resolution honoring two West Virginia first responders nominated for the Medal of Valor. It specifically recognizes Captain Donald Lawson (New Martinsville Police) for rescuing two people from carbon monoxide poisoning despite his own hospitalization, and Darrell Lambert (Lake Volunteer Firefighter) for entering a burning building without protective gear to save a trapped resident, sustaining burns in the process. The resolution formally confirms the Legislature's approval of their award and directs the House Clerk to send a copy to Governor Morrisey. This is a symbolic honor with no new policy or funding changes, directly affecting only these two nominees. It passed unanimously in both chambers on April 3, 2025.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires all legal actions against the West Virginia Secondary School Activities Commission (WVSSAC) to be filed exclusively in Kanawha County, West Virginia. It mandates 30 days’ written notice before filing such lawsuits and establishes procedures for delivering this notice. The bill does not alter WVSSAC’s operational rules but changes the venue and notice requirements for lawsuits brought against the commission. This procedural change directly affects anyone seeking to file a lawsuit against WVSSAC.

Maddy summaryHB 3506 sets a new mandatory 7% employee contribution rate for judges of courts of record in West Virginia, effective July 1, 2025. This directly affects current and future judges who participate in the state's judges' retirement system, replacing previous rates that had fluctuated between 6% and 10.5% over time. The bill also establishes a key mechanism where employer contributions to the retirement fund may be suspended if the fund's funding level exceeds 125%, as determined by annual actuarial valuations. The changes aim to standardize contributions while providing a trigger for pausing employer payments during periods of strong fund solvency.

Maddy summaryHCR 78 is a non-binding resolution urging West Virginia's Division of Highways to prioritize completing I-73 (the "King Coal Highway") across Wayne, Mingo, McDowell, Mercer, and Wyoming counties. It requests the highway agency treat the project as a high priority to improve economic development and emergency access, especially after recent flooding exposed transportation challenges in the region. The resolution asks the state to provide necessary funding and executive support to expedite the highway's completion but does not allocate new funds or create new law. It directly affects the Division of Highways and residents of the five specified counties by formally advocating for this infrastructure project.

Maddy summaryHB 3154 amends West Virginia law to clarify advertising rules for licensed limited video lottery retailers and operators. The bill requires all advertising and promotional activities to receive prior written approval from the Lottery Commission Director before publication or release. It explicitly states that previous legislative rules restricting such advertising "shall have no effect" upon this bill's enactment, meaning the new approval process overrides prior restrictions. The law does not change what can be advertised, only the process for getting approval. This directly affects businesses operating video lottery machines across the state.

Maddy summaryHB 3001 authorizes West Virginia county courts to establish county parks and recreation commissions, requiring them to create these bodies unless financially unable or if a commission already exists. The bill specifies commissions must have 11 members (adjusted for county population), all residents who own property in the county, serving staggered three-year terms with initial appointments split across one-, two-, and three-year terms. It also requires county courts to fill vacancies and mandates that members remain eligible residents and property owners to retain their seats. This bill directly affects county governments by setting governance standards for existing or new parks systems.

Maddy summaryHB 2543 requires state agencies to prepare and submit detailed economic impact statements for certain proposed legislative rules before they are finalized. These statements must analyze potential costs to the public, including regulatory expenses, effects on business competitiveness, job creation, private investment, and economic growth. The bill applies specifically to "legislative rules" (rules that have legal force, impose liability, or grant/deny specific benefits), excluding interpretive or exempt rules. This change aims to provide transparency about the economic consequences of new regulations before they take effect.

Maddy summaryHB 2646 allows eighth and ninth-grade students in West Virginia to attend summer school specifically to improve their grades and meet academic eligibility requirements for fall sports. The bill amends existing law to explicitly permit this use of summer school programs, which previously focused on general remedial or accelerated instruction. Key provisions ensure counties can operate these programs with tuition limited to actual costs, offer reduced fees for financially needy students, and maintain existing teacher pay structures. This change directly affects middle and high school athletes seeking to qualify for sports participation under current academic standards.

Maddy summaryHCR 72 designates March 20, 2025 as "Black Lung Awareness Day" in West Virginia. It honors coal miners affected by black lung disease (coal worker's pneumoconiosis), a preventable occupational lung condition caused by coal dust exposure. The resolution does not create new laws, funding, or policy changes - it serves as a ceremonial observance recognizing the disease's impact and existing protections like the Black Lung Benefits Act. It follows the Federal Coal Mine Health and Safety Act's emphasis on miner safety without altering current regulations.