Rep. Doug Smith

Maddy summaryHB 4292 authorizes the West Virginia Board of Medicine to implement a specific legislative rule (11 CSR 01B) governing physician assistants. This rule covers licensure requirements, daily practice standards, disciplinary actions for complaints, and continuing education mandates. The bill directly affects physician assistants and healthcare facilities employing them by establishing standardized regulations for their professional practice and oversight. It does not create new laws but formally approves an existing proposed rule filed in July 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 4282 authorizes the West Virginia Board of Barbers and Cosmetologists to establish operational standards for schools teaching barbering, cosmetology, hair styling, nail technology, and aesthetics. The bill specifically approves a previously modified rule (3 CSR 04) that the Board had filed to set requirements for these schools' facilities, curriculum, and operations. This procedural bill directly affects beauty and cosmetology schools across West Virginia by mandating they meet these standardized operational criteria. It does not create new policy but formalizes an existing rulemaking process.

Maddy summaryHB 4318 authorizes West Virginia's Public Service Commission (PSC) to create rules governing the use of "customer-provided conduit" - physical infrastructure (like underground pipes or conduits) owned by property owners or businesses, not utility companies. The bill formally approves an existing rule (150 CSR 37) that the PSC filed in March 2025, giving it legal authority to manage how this customer-owned infrastructure can be occupied or utilized. This directly affects utility companies needing access to such conduit for installations and property owners maintaining it. The key provision is the PSC's formal rulemaking authority over conduit occupancy, aiming to clarify usage standards.

Maddy summaryHB 4308 authorizes the West Virginia Board of Pharmacy to establish a rule governing mail-order and non-resident pharmacies (pharmacies based outside West Virginia). The rule, previously proposed in 2025 and revised to address legislative feedback, sets standards for these pharmacies operating in the state. This bill directly affects mail-order and out-of-state pharmacies by requiring them to comply with the rule when serving West Virginia residents. It provides the legal authority for the Board to implement the rule without altering its content.

Maddy summaryHB 4274 authorizes West Virginia's Board of Architects to implement a specific fee structure for architect registration. The bill formally approves a previously modified rule (2 CSR 03) that the Board had developed, which outlines registration fees for architects seeking to practice in the state. This rule, adjusted to address legislative committee feedback, directly affects licensed architects and those applying for registration by setting their required fees. The bill does not establish new fees but authorizes the Board to enforce the existing fee schedule through official rulemaking.

Maddy summaryHB 4287 authorizes the West Virginia Board of Examiners in Counseling to establish specific rules for licensed professional counselor license renewal and continuing education requirements. This bill directly affects licensed professional counselors in West Virginia by defining the standards they must meet to maintain their active licenses. The rule, referenced as 27 CSR 03, will govern how counselors fulfill renewal criteria and complete required continuing education hours. The bill does not change the requirements themselves but enables the board to formally implement and enforce them.

Maddy summaryHB 4310 authorizes West Virginia's Board of Pharmacy to create specific rules governing "pharmacist recovery networks." This bill directly affects pharmacists and pharmacy practices by enabling the Board to establish formal guidelines for these networks, which support pharmacists facing personal challenges. The key mechanism is the formal approval of a proposed rule (15 CSR 10) that was previously modified and refiled after review. This is a procedural bill that authorizes rulemaking without specifying the networks' operational details.

Maddy summaryHB 4313 authorizes the West Virginia Board of Pharmacy to establish a specific regulatory rule (15 CSR 16) concerning pharmacists. This rule was previously modified to address objections from the Legislative Rule-Making Review Committee and refilled in the State Register. The bill formally approves the rule, allowing it to take effect as part of state regulations governing pharmacy practice. The rule directly affects pharmacists by setting the standards they must follow under state law.

Maddy summaryHB 4315 authorizes the West Virginia Board of Physical Therapy to implement a specific regulatory rule (16 CSR 01) covering general provisions for physical therapists and physical therapist assistants. The bill formally approves a rule that was previously modified by the Board to address legislative committee concerns and refiled in the State Register. This rule directly affects licensed physical therapists and assistants by establishing their regulatory requirements under state law. The bill does not create new policy but enables the Board to enforce an existing, approved regulatory framework.

Maddy summaryHB 4309 authorizes the West Virginia Board of Pharmacy to implement an existing rule (15 CSR 07) governing the registration of pharmacy technicians. This bill directly affects pharmacy technicians who must register to work in the state, as it approves the Board's proposed regulatory framework. The key mechanism is the Board's authority to enforce specific registration requirements, including qualifications and renewal processes, under the existing rule. The bill does not create new standards but formally authorizes the Board's previously proposed rule for implementation.