Del. Doug Smith

Maddy summaryHB 4237 authorizes West Virginia's Division of Financial Institutions to implement and enforce an existing regulatory rule (106 CSR 05) governing residential mortgage lenders, brokers, and loan originators. The bill formally approves a rule that was previously developed and modified after committee review, without changing its substantive requirements. This procedural measure directly affects licensed mortgage professionals by confirming the Division's authority to administer these specific regulations. The rule covers licensing, conduct, and oversight for these mortgage industry roles within the state. (106 CSR 05 is the specific regulatory reference.)

Maddy summaryHB 4238 authorizes West Virginia's Division of Financial Institutions to create official rules about customer bank communication terminals (like ATMs or in-branch kiosks) and nonexclusive payment network access systems. The bill specifically allows the Division to establish regulations governing how these terminals are installed, operated, and shared between financial institutions. This directly affects banks and financial service providers operating in West Virginia that use such terminals or connect to payment networks. The legislation formalizes an existing proposed rule (106 CSR 07) filed in 2025, giving the Division legal authority to develop detailed operational standards.

Maddy summaryThis bill authorizes the West Virginia Board of Risk and Insurance Management to finalize and implement a specific rule (115 CSR 01) regarding mine subsidence insurance. It directly affects insurance providers and policyholders involved in mine subsidence coverage by allowing the Board to promulgate the rule after addressing prior legislative committee concerns. The rule was previously modified and refiled following objections from the Legislative Rule-Making Review Committee. This is a procedural authorization, not a new policy, to enable the Board to establish regulatory standards for mine subsidence insurance.

Maddy summaryHB 4330 authorizes West Virginia's Division of Natural Resources to formally adopt and promulgate an existing rule (58 CSR 46) that defines key terms used in state hunting and trapping regulations. This procedural bill does not change hunting rules but ensures the Division has legal authority to implement the current definition framework. The rule directly affects hunters, trappers, and wildlife management stakeholders who must follow these standardized terms in compliance with state law. The bill references the March 2025 rule already filed in the State Register, confirming its authorization under existing legal authority.

Maddy summaryHB 4223 authorizes the West Virginia Department of Health to implement a rule (65 CSR 29) that would exempt certain healthcare facilities from needing state approval, known as a Certificate of Need (CON), before building new facilities or expanding existing ones. This rule would apply directly to hospitals, clinics, and other healthcare providers seeking to avoid the standard CON review process. The rule was previously filed with the State Register on July 21, 2025, and this bill formally authorizes it under state law to take effect. The change reduces regulatory hurdles for eligible facilities while maintaining oversight through the Department of Health.

Maddy summaryHB 4229 authorizes West Virginia's Department of Health Facilities to implement a specific regulatory rule (64 CSR 59) concerning patient rights at state-operated mental health facilities. The bill formally approves a rule previously filed in the State Register on July 25, 2025, which outlines patient rights standards. This rule directly affects patients in state mental health facilities by establishing clear rights regarding care and treatment. The legislation does not create new rights but codifies an existing regulatory framework for facility operations. The bill serves a procedural purpose to affirm the rule's validity under state law.

Maddy summaryHB 4260 authorizes West Virginia's Tax Department to establish specific rules for claiming property tax payments as income tax credits. This directly affects homeowners who pay property taxes and may qualify for these credits. The bill approves a previously modified rule (110 CSR 21H) that clarifies how property tax payments can be applied toward income tax obligations, without changing the credit amount or eligibility criteria. It ensures the Tax Department can implement administrative procedures for this existing credit mechanism.

Maddy summaryHB 4234 authorizes the West Virginia State Police to implement a specific rule (81 CSR 05) governing contracted police and security services. This rule, which was previously modified to address legislative committee objections, will now be officially adopted for entities providing such services across the state. The bill does not create new requirements but enables the State Police to enforce existing standards for contracted security providers.

Maddy summaryHB 4204 authorizes West Virginia's Board of Risk and Insurance Management to implement a specific legislative rule (115 CSR 06) governing the Preferred Medical Liability and High Risk Medical Liability Program. This procedural bill does not change program rules but formally approves an existing regulatory action filed in the State Register. It directly affects healthcare providers and insurers participating in these medical liability programs by confirming the Board's authority to administer the rule. The bill focuses solely on regulatory authorization, not substantive policy changes to the programs.

Maddy summaryHB 2267 authorizes the Department of Revenue to create regulations governing tax administration. This procedural bill establishes the process for the Department to develop specific rules, without changing tax rates or policies. It affects all taxpayers and businesses subject to state tax regulations by defining how future rules will be created. The bill was enacted on April 28, 2025, and became law as Chapter 169 of the 2025 Regular Session.