Del. Joe Ellington

Maddy summaryHB 2965 redirects employer payments currently made to West Virginia's Public Employees Insurance Association (PEIA) into a Health Savings Account (HSA) for state employees. Starting July 1, 2025, eligible employees would receive $1,100 monthly into their HSA, which they can use to pay for healthcare insurance premiums and related expenses. Employees would choose their own healthcare plans using these funds instead of being enrolled in PEIA. The bill changes how employer contributions are delivered but does not alter existing insurance coverage options.

Maddy summaryHB 2782 requires West Virginia public elementary, secondary schools, and state institutions of higher education to display the national motto "In God We Trust" in a conspicuous location if the display is either donated or purchased using private donations. The bill mandates that any poster or framed copy must include centered representations of both the U.S. flag and the West Virginia state flag, with no additional text or images allowed. Schools may accept private donations specifically for this purpose but cannot use public funds to purchase the displays. The bill focuses solely on the physical display requirements and does not alter school curricula or religious practices.

Maddy summaryHB 2946 would exempt retirement income for retired West Virginia campus police officers from the state's personal income tax, effective July 1, 2025. The bill amends the tax code to exclude such retirement benefits - received under qualified retirement plans at colleges and universities - from taxable income, including survivorship payments. This exemption applies to all retirement income received after the effective date, regardless of the specific retirement system. The bill directly affects retired campus police officers employed at West Virginia's colleges and universities.

Maddy summaryHB 2798 creates a pilot program for public high schools in West Virginia to offer a trades-focused elective course. This course, taught at community colleges across the state, replaces standard English, language arts, and science instruction with trade-specific content while counting toward graduation credit. It directly affects high school students interested in trade careers by providing career preparation, resume help, and exposure to available trade fields. The pilot, funded through existing state resources and potential industry grants, begins in the 2025/2026 school year and requires annual reports on its effectiveness.

Maddy summaryHB 2751 authorizes Mason County to levy a special sales tax on tangible personal property and services sold within the Town of Henderson's Economic Opportunity Development District. This tax, which would fund local economic development efforts, applies specifically to businesses operating in Henderson and requires no additional approval from the state development office. The bill amends state law to allow Mason County Commission to establish this district and set tax rates without seeking prior state authorization. It directly affects businesses selling goods or services in Henderson and directs the tax revenue toward supporting the town's economic growth.

Maddy summaryHB 2649 expands existing school disciplinary rules to include elementary school students, removing the current grade limitation that only applied to students in grades 6-12. The bill modifies §18A-5-1 to allow elementary teachers to exclude students for disruptive behavior and follow the same procedures for reporting and disciplinary actions as middle/high school teachers. This directly affects elementary school teachers, students in elementary grades, and school principals who must now implement these procedures for younger students. The key change is extending the existing disciplinary framework - such as classroom exclusion, electronic reporting to WVEIS, and suspension protocols - to cover all elementary school students.

Maddy summaryHB 2674 allows licensed substitute and full-time teachers in West Virginia to serve as parent volunteers for school activities (like events and sports) without requiring a new background check. It directly affects teachers who have already completed a background check for their teaching role. The bill eliminates the duplicate background check process, saving time and costs for these educators. This change applies to all school-related parent volunteer opportunities where teachers are already licensed and background-checked.

Maddy summaryHB 2669 would amend West Virginia law to explicitly permit off-duty law enforcement officers (employed by federal, state, county, or municipal agencies) to carry concealed weapons at public schools and school events. Currently, the law prohibits carrying firearms on school grounds, but this bill adds an exception specifically for off-duty officers, who are already allowed to carry while on duty. The change would directly affect off-duty officers by removing legal barriers to carrying concealed weapons during school activities, while leaving restrictions intact for students, staff, and the general public. The bill does not alter existing rules for on-duty officers or other exceptions, such as those for individuals with concealed carry permits.

Maddy summaryHB 2677 requires West Virginia's state education board to create a model policy banning K-12 students from using personal cell phones or handheld devices during instructional time, with exceptions for emergencies or contacting parents. County school boards must adopt policies consistent with this model, though enforcement details remain local. The bill directly affects all public K-12 schools and students in West Virginia by mandating a statewide framework for phone restrictions during class. It focuses on balancing academic focus with safety needs, without specifying penalties or device types beyond "personal handheld communication devices."

Maddy summaryHB 2508 would allow retired teachers in West Virginia who selected a joint life annuity (a retirement plan with a reduced monthly payment but continued payments to a surviving spouse) to switch to a higher-payment "maximum life annuity" (a plan with no survivor benefit) if their spouse dies within the first five years of their retirement. To make this change, the retired teacher must provide proof of the spouse's death and can only do so once. The new monthly payment cannot exceed the maximum life annuity amount that would have applied at the time of their retirement. This bill directly affects beneficiaries of the State Teachers Retirement System who experience the early death of a spouse during their retirement.