Del. Joe Ellington

Maddy summaryHCR 99 is a legislative resolution requesting the Joint Standing Committee on the Judiciary to study policies preventing financial fraud and scams in West Virginia. It directs the committee to examine current state laws, review national approaches, and focus on four key areas: reducing robocalls and spoofing, addressing cryptocurrency-related scams (noting $1.4 million in losses in 2023), improving victim restitution, and protecting against property title fraud. The resolution cites data showing 8,000 West Virginians lost $27 million to fraud in 2024, with national losses exceeding $12.5 billion. The committee must report findings and recommendations to the legislature, governor, and attorney general by December 31, 2025. This is a study resolution, not a law, and does not create immediate policy changes.

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 resolution requests that the West Virginia Division of Highways name a specific segment of Route 20 in Webster County (from the Upshur/Webster County line to Mount Zion Road) as the "U.S. Army Sergeant Major Charles Grant Hoke Memorial Road." It commemorates Sergeant Major Charles Grant Hoke, a WWII and Korean War veteran with multiple military awards, who was born in Upshur County and raised in Cleveland, Webster County. The resolution asks the Division of Highways to install signs identifying this road segment and directs the House Clerk to forward the resolution to the agency. This is a commemorative measure with no funding or policy changes, directly affecting the named road segment in Webster County.

Maddy summaryThis bill's actual text (HB 3446) does not address FAFSA submission. Instead, it amends West Virginia Code §18-5G-3 to revise public charter school requirements, including governance, curriculum, and student eligibility criteria. The bill focuses on charter school operations - such as requiring them to follow state education standards, not charging tuition, and providing services for students with disabilities - rather than student financial aid applications. The title mentioning FAFSA appears inconsistent with the bill's actual legislative content. No provisions related to FAFSA submission prior to graduation are included in the bill text provided.

Maddy summaryThis concurrent resolution (HCR 46) requests the West Virginia Division of Highways rename Flag Run Bridge (located on WV 072 over Flag Run in Preston County) as the "U.S. Army SP4 Ronald Gene Sypolt Memorial Bridge." It directly affects the bridge's official designation and requires the placement of commemorative signs. The resolution honors Ronald Gene Sypolt, a Vietnam War veteran who served from 1970-1971 and passed away in 2023, as a tribute to his military service and local ties. This is a ceremonial naming resolution with no policy changes.

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 3150 amends West Virginia's medical student loan program to replace scholarship language with loan repayment terms for health science and mental health providers. It clarifies that medical student loans - maxing at $10,000-$20,000 annually for up to four years - will prioritize West Virginia residents, require service in designated shortage areas, and mandate direct payments from the state commission to federal loan servicers. The bill removes licensure requirements for repayment eligibility and updates definitions to align with current health workforce needs, such as specifying "approved service commitment areas" as locations meeting both geographic and specialty shortages. These changes aim to streamline loan administration and better target support for health professionals in underserved communities.

Maddy summaryHB 2514 is a procedural bill that removes outdated references in West Virginia law to two specific one-time reports already submitted to the Legislative Oversight Commission on Education. The bill amends sections of the education code (§18-2-7f and §18-2E-10) that previously required reporting on extended learning programs and early literacy support systems. It does not change any program requirements or student eligibility - it only eliminates redundant reporting language for reports that have already been provided. This is a technical cleanup measure with no direct impact on schools, students, or program operations.