Del. Marty Gearheart

Maddy summaryHB 3451 proposes a phased increase in the homestead property tax exemption for West Virginia residents aged 65 or older, or those certified as permanently and totally disabled. Starting in 2027, the exemption for primary homes would rise from $20,000 to $40,000 over four years, contingent on a state constitutional amendment. To qualify, applicants must have lived in West Virginia for two consecutive years (with limited exceptions for military veterans or returning residents), and cannot claim a similar exemption in another state. The bill also removes limits on property tax rates and levy rates, which would allow for higher property tax collections overall.

Maddy summaryHB 3170 requires all rental properties in West Virginia to have approved sewage systems instead of straight piping sewage. It directly affects landlords of rental properties and property owners converting previously owner-occupied homes into rentals, mandating updated plumbing to meet current standards. The bill’s key provision prohibits straight piping sewage and requires all rental properties to install certified sewage systems. This policy change applies statewide to all residential rental units, focusing on infrastructure upgrades for public health and safety.

Maddy summaryHB 2664 changes how county school board members are elected in West Virginia. It requires each school board to have five members: two elected by all voters in the county ("at large"), and three elected based on the voter's magisterial district (local voting area). The bill specifies that the three district members cannot all come from the same magisterial district, though it doesn't require every district to have representation. This directly affects county school boards and voters across West Virginia, altering the election process to include more localized representation.

Maddy summaryHB 2139 exempts cash tips received by West Virginia residents from the state's personal income tax. It directly affects workers who earn cash tips, such as servers and bartenders, by removing tax liability on that specific income. The bill adds a new section (§11-21-12o) to the tax code, explicitly stating that cash tips from any source are not subject to state income tax. This policy change provides a direct tax benefit to individuals whose income includes cash tips.

Maddy summaryHB 3155 changes the annual permit fee for video lottery terminal (VLT) licensees in West Virginia. It reduces the fee from $1,000 to $500 per terminal for operators using software versions that outperform the bottom 10% of terminals by more than $900 in annual net revenue for the state. The West Virginia Lottery will calculate performance using daily revenue data from the prior year (March 1-February 28), requiring terminals to be active for 60 days. The reduced fee applies from 2025 through 2030, directly affecting VLT operators with high-revenue terminals.

Maddy summaryHB 3124 would increase West Virginia's homestead property tax exemption from $20,000 to $40,000 of a home's assessed value for qualifying homeowners. It directly affects residents aged 65 or older, or those certified as permanently and totally disabled, who own and occupy their homes as primary residences. The bill changes the exemption amount in Section 11-6B-3 of the state code, applying to the first $40,000 of assessed value (instead of $20,000) for eligible homeowners meeting residency requirements. The change would reduce property tax bills for qualifying homeowners but does not alter the existing eligibility criteria or residency rules. The bill was introduced on March 4, 2025, and referred to the House Finance Committee.

Maddy summaryHB 3137 creates tax incentives to attract data center operators to West Virginia by offering property tax exemptions and credits for facilities powered by coal-generated electricity. The bill directly affects data center developers and operators, requiring them to use electricity from West Virginia coal-fired power plants to qualify. Key provisions include defining eligibility criteria, establishing a streamlined application process, and requiring compliance to maintain tax benefits. The legislation aims to boost economic growth by drawing private investment, creating jobs in construction and technology, and supporting the state's coal industry.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a process for adopted adults in West Virginia and their children or grandchildren to request their original birth certificates from the State Registrar. It requires a written request and sworn affidavit of paternity or adoption, while keeping adoption records sealed from public view. The original birth certificate would be provided to eligible individuals, with adoption documents remaining confidential except for court orders, vital statistics administration, or specific legal proceedings. This changes current policy by creating a formal pathway for access to birth records that were previously restricted.

Maddy summaryHB 3011 modifies West Virginia's tax code to limit pollution control facility tax benefits exclusively to wind power projects that were fully operational and generating electricity by January 1, 2025. This means new wind projects proposed after that date will not qualify for the special tax treatment that pre-2025 projects receive. The bill does not prohibit new wind projects but removes a key financial incentive for future developments. It specifically applies to wind turbines and towers (as defined in the bill), excluding other project components from the tax benefit. This policy change directly affects developers seeking tax advantages for wind energy infrastructure.

Maddy summaryHB 2924 would abolish the legal doctrine of adverse possession in West Virginia, meaning individuals can no longer claim ownership of land simply by occupying it openly and continuously for a set period without the owner's permission. The bill amends the state code to remove the existing 10-year limitation period for land claims and explicitly states that "the doctrine and law of adverse possession is abolished." This change directly affects landowners, who will no longer face the risk of losing property through adverse possession claims, and individuals who might have sought to claim land under this rule. The bill does not alter other property laws but specifically eliminates adverse possession as a method to obtain title to land.