Del. Doug Smith

Maddy summaryHB 2237 authorizes West Virginia's Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) to implement a revised rule governing underground injection control (UIC) permits. The bill specifically sets new expiration terms: Class 1 and 5 well permits expire after 10 years, while Class 2, 3, and 6 well permits last for the facility's operating life plus a required post-injection care period. The DEP must review Class 2, 3, and 6 permits at least every five years to decide if they need modification, renewal, or termination. This rule directly affects oil and gas operators, wastewater facilities, and other entities using underground injection wells for disposal or storage.

Maddy summaryHB 2234 authorizes West Virginia's Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) to implement a specific rule controlling air pollution from hazardous waste facilities. The bill directly affects facilities that treat, store, or dispose of hazardous waste by requiring them to comply with the new air pollution standards. The key provision formalizes a rule (45 CSR 25) that the DEP revised after addressing legislative committee concerns, making it official through this authorization. This is a procedural step to finalize existing regulatory language, not a new policy change.

Maddy summaryHB 2232 authorizes West Virginia's Department of Environmental Protection to formally adopt a proposed rule (45 CSR 08) establishing ambient air quality standards. The rule would set requirements for monitoring and limiting air pollution from sources like industrial facilities. This bill does not change the pollution limits themselves but grants the department authority to implement the existing proposed rule. It directly affects businesses and industries subject to air quality regulations in the state.

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 2643 requires the West Virginia Parkways Authority to stop collecting tolls on the West Virginia Turnpike once all bonds for the project are fully paid or a trust fund for repayment is established. This applies only after the Turnpike is certified as being in good condition by the state Highway Division. Within 90 days of the final bond payment, the Authority must discontinue all tolls and remove toll facilities. The bill directly affects drivers using the Turnpike and shifts maintenance responsibility to the state Highway Division.

Maddy summaryHB 2675 ends the West Virginia Parkways Authority's power to issue new parkway revenue bonds, parkway revenue refunding bonds, or special obligation bonds after July 1, 2025. This bill directly affects the Parkways Authority by terminating its future bond-issuance authority under West Virginia Code §17-16A-10(n). The key provision sets a specific deadline (July 1, 2025) for this termination, with no new bonds permitted after that date. Existing bonds and current projects remain unaffected by this change.

Maddy summaryHB 2650 would allow individuals aged 21 or older with a valid concealed handgun permit to carry a concealed firearm in public school property and buildings in West Virginia. The bill creates an exception to the existing ban on firearms in schools, specifically permitting licensed permit holders to carry concealed handguns while adhering to strict storage rules: firearms must be stored out of view when in a vehicle, or locked in a glove compartment, trunk, or secured container when the vehicle is unoccupied. This change directly affects licensed concealed carry permit holders who are not students and applies to public primary and secondary schools (not private schools with their own policies). The bill does not alter existing restrictions for students or other prohibited individuals.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires West Virginia's Legislature and Governor to approve any new bonds issued by the Parkways Authority. It applies to all additional bond issuances beyond current authorizations, adding legislative and executive oversight. The bill also mandates that tolls on parkways must be removed six months after bond debt (encumbrances) is fully paid. It does not change the permitted uses of bond funds, which remain limited to parkway projects and highway maintenance.

Maddy summaryHB 2648 establishes minimum occupancy periods for tenants in mobile home parks and similar factory-built home communities in West Virginia. It requires landlords to provide "good cause" (such as unpaid rent or property damage) to terminate a tenancy, with a 12-month minimum for single-section homes and a 5-year minimum for multi-section homes. This directly affects tenants living in mobile homes, manufactured homes, or modular homes within rental communities, preventing sudden evictions without valid reasons. The bill also defines key terms like "good cause" and "factory-built home" to clarify tenant protections.

Maddy summaryHB 2257 authorizes West Virginia's Division of Protective Services to create and implement a legislative rule defining officer ranks and duties within the division. The bill specifically approves an existing proposed rule (99 CSR 02) that was filed in the State Register on August 28, 2024, under existing authority. This is a procedural measure that enables the division to formally establish internal role structures through standard rulemaking, without changing substantive duties or creating new policies. The bill directly affects the division's internal operations and officer classification system.