Del. Doug Smith

Maddy summaryHB 2481 requires most West Virginia retail businesses - including those selling food, goods, or services - to accept physical cash as payment without discrimination, meaning they cannot force customers to use credit cards or digital payments. The bill applies to in-person transactions at physical locations but excludes online, mail-order, or remote sales. Businesses violating the rule face a maximum $500 fine, and the Treasurer’s Office may create exemptions for specific situations like small transactions or certain business types. The law takes effect immediately upon passage.

Maddy summaryHB 2343 requires the West Virginia State Auditor to conduct financial audits of all county boards of education. The bill mandates these audits cover every source of income or funds received by school districts, including local property taxes, state allocations, and federal grants. This policy change directly affects all 55 county school boards across West Virginia by expanding audit requirements beyond previous limitations. The State Auditor must now review all financial records related to these funds, ensuring comprehensive oversight of public education funding. The bill aims to standardize financial accountability for school district finances statewide.

Maddy summaryHB 2384 would amend West Virginia law to allow individuals aged 18-20 to carry concealed deadly weapons without a permit, matching the current allowance for those 21 and older. The bill specifically revises sections of the code that currently impose misdemeanor penalties (fines up to $1,000 or up to 12 months in jail) on 18-20 year olds carrying concealed deadly weapons without authorization. Existing exceptions remain in place, such as carrying on one's own property, transporting unloaded firearms between home and a repair shop, or during lawful hunting. This change directly affects West Virginia residents aged 18-20 who would no longer need a permit for concealed carry of deadly weapons under the revised law.

Maddy summaryHB 2055 corrects minor errors in West Virginia's alcohol beverage control laws. It fixes a $100 requirement for canned or packaged food and corrects a mistaken percentage limit for fortified wine in the ABCA code sections. The bill amends specific provisions (§60-4-3a, §60-7-2, and §60-8-2) to ensure accurate regulatory language, directly affecting alcohol businesses operating under these rules. It does not create new requirements but clarifies existing ones.

Maddy summaryHB 2114 repeals West Virginia Code §19-1-4b, which previously allowed the Agriculture Commissioner to increase certain agricultural fees through rules or regulations. This bill directly affects the Agriculture Commissioner, who would no longer have the authority to adjust these fees via administrative rules, and the agricultural businesses or individuals paying those fees. The key mechanism is the removal of this statutory provision, requiring any future fee changes to go through the full legislative process instead of administrative rulemaking. The bill does not create new fees or alter existing fee structures, only changing how fee adjustments can be implemented.

Maddy summaryHB 2057 amends West Virginia law to clarify that military protection orders issued under federal law (10 U.S.C. § 1567) can serve as sufficient evidence of immediate danger for civilian courts to issue emergency protective orders. It directly affects military service members, their families, and civilian victims of domestic violence who receive military protection orders. The bill requires courts to accept these military orders as proof of "immediate and present danger" without needing additional evidence, streamlining the process for obtaining emergency protective orders. It also standardizes procedures for serving these orders to law enforcement and scheduling final hearings within 10 days. The bill is currently in the House Judiciary Committee.

Maddy summaryHB 2255 authorizes West Virginia's Governor's Committee on Crime, Delinquency, and Correction to adopt and maintain a specific protocol for law enforcement response to child abuse and neglect cases. The bill formally approves an existing rule (149 CSR 08) that was revised after addressing legislative committee feedback. This rule standardizes procedures for police officers when investigating child abuse or neglect reports. The policy directly affects law enforcement agencies across the state by establishing clear, updated response guidelines for these sensitive cases.

Maddy summaryHB 2291 authorizes West Virginia's Department of Agriculture to implement an existing regulatory rule (61 CSR 41) concerning raw milk. The bill specifically approves a rule previously filed and modified after committee review, which governs the handling and sale of unpasteurized milk. This rule directly affects raw milk producers, sellers, and consumers by establishing specific safety and labeling requirements. The legislation serves a procedural purpose, confirming the Department's authority to enforce this rule without creating new restrictions or exemptions. It does not change current raw milk sales laws but formalizes the administrative process for the rule's implementation.

Maddy summaryHB 2307 authorizes West Virginia's Board of Occupational Therapy to implement a specific rule (13 CSR 05) that sets competency standards for advanced practice by occupational therapists and occupational therapy assistants. The bill formally approves a rule the Board previously developed and modified after addressing legislative committee feedback. This rule, already drafted and reviewed, establishes required competencies for professionals in advanced roles, directly affecting licensed occupational therapy practitioners in the state. The bill does not create new standards but enables the Board to enforce existing, finalized standards through official rulemaking.

Maddy summaryHB 2290 authorizes the West Virginia Department of Agriculture to issue a legislative rule for the Rural Rehabilitation Program, which was previously drafted and filed in the State Register on July 29, 2024. This procedural bill does not change the program's substance but formally allows the agency to implement the rule. The rule directly affects rural communities and agricultural interests participating in the program through administrative processes. The bill’s purpose is to enable the Department of Agriculture to adopt the rule as part of its regulatory authority.