Del. Bill Flanigan

Maddy summaryHB 3162 ensures that legal claims under West Virginia's Chapter 46A (typically covering medical malpractice or wrongful death cases) continue after the death of a party involved in the case. This means families or estates can still pursue lawsuits if a person dies before resolution, rather than the claim ending with the death. The bill modifies the law to allow these claims to "survive" and be handled by the deceased's estate or heirs. It became effective on April 29, 2025, after approval by the governor.

Maddy summaryHB 3164 requires registered sex offenders to pay an annual fee starting in 2025. This law directly affects individuals classified as registered sex offenders under state law, imposing a new financial obligation on them. The key provision mandates an annual payment to the state, replacing or adding to previous requirements. The bill became law after Governor approval on April 28, 2025, and was enacted as Chapter 81 of the 2025 Regular Session.

Maddy summaryHB 3274 requires circuit courts to file specific reports with the state judicial branch regarding court proceedings. This bill directly affects circuit courts and state judicial administration by establishing a new reporting requirement. The key provision mandates that courts submit detailed records of certain proceedings to ensure transparency and consistency in documenting court activities. It is a procedural change focused on administrative reporting, not altering court procedures or outcomes. The bill became law on April 28, 2025, as Chapter 72 of the 2025 Regular Session Acts.

Maddy summaryHB 3272 (West Virginia) changes eviction procedures by requiring courts to schedule eviction hearings within 5-10 judicial days of filing the petition. Tenants must be given 5 days after receiving notice to file a written defense to the eviction claim. The bill directly affects residential tenants and landlords in eviction cases by shortening timelines and clarifying notice requirements. It amends West Virginia Code §55-3A-1 to ensure timely judicial review of eviction petitions. The law takes effect July 11, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 3275 updates West Virginia's appeal process by removing outdated language and aligning deadlines with current court procedures. It replaces the previous fixed four-month deadline for filing appeals and the circuit court extension rules with a system where appeal deadlines (for notices, perfecting appeals, and related documents) are set by the Supreme Court of Appeals through its own rules. This change directly affects anyone filing appeals in the Intermediate Court of Appeals or Supreme Court of Appeals, including plaintiffs, defendants, and their attorneys. The bill corrects an inconsistency where appeals were no longer initiated by "petitions" as previously stated in law.

Maddy summaryThis symbolic resolution designates November 7th annually as "Pastor Appreciation Day" in West Virginia. It honors clergy members for their community service, spiritual leadership, and roles in life events like weddings, funerals, and disaster response. The resolution does not create new laws, funding, or obligations - it serves solely as ceremonial recognition. It affects no specific individuals or policies, as it is a non-binding declaration of appreciation.

Maddy summaryHCR 88 is a ceremonial resolution honoring two West Virginia first responders nominated for the Medal of Valor. It specifically recognizes Captain Donald Lawson (New Martinsville Police) for rescuing two people from carbon monoxide poisoning despite his own hospitalization, and Darrell Lambert (Lake Volunteer Firefighter) for entering a burning building without protective gear to save a trapped resident, sustaining burns in the process. The resolution formally confirms the Legislature's approval of their award and directs the House Clerk to send a copy to Governor Morrisey. This is a symbolic honor with no new policy or funding changes, directly affecting only these two nominees. It passed unanimously in both chambers on April 3, 2025.

Maddy summaryThis resolution requests that the West Virginia Division of Highways name a specific segment of Route 20 in Webster County (from the Upshur/Webster County line to Mount Zion Road) as the "U.S. Army Sergeant Major Charles Grant Hoke Memorial Road." It commemorates Sergeant Major Charles Grant Hoke, a WWII and Korean War veteran with multiple military awards, who was born in Upshur County and raised in Cleveland, Webster County. The resolution asks the Division of Highways to install signs identifying this road segment and directs the House Clerk to forward the resolution to the agency. This is a commemorative measure with no funding or policy changes, directly affecting the named road segment in Webster County.

Maddy summaryHCR 78 is a non-binding resolution urging West Virginia's Division of Highways to prioritize completing I-73 (the "King Coal Highway") across Wayne, Mingo, McDowell, Mercer, and Wyoming counties. It requests the highway agency treat the project as a high priority to improve economic development and emergency access, especially after recent flooding exposed transportation challenges in the region. The resolution asks the state to provide necessary funding and executive support to expedite the highway's completion but does not allocate new funds or create new law. It directly affects the Division of Highways and residents of the five specified counties by formally advocating for this infrastructure project.

Maddy summaryHB 2133 clarifies that the three-year time limit for filing occupational pneumoconiosis claims (which applies to claims filed after last exposure or diagnosis) does not restrict a claimant's ability to seek an evaluation from the Occupational Pneumoconiosis Board. The bill amends West Virginia Code §23-4-15 to explicitly state that filing deadlines for claims do not apply to the evaluation process. This directly affects workers with occupational pneumoconiosis - commonly linked to coal mining - who need board evaluations for compensation. The change ensures claimants can access evaluations without being barred by claim filing deadlines, maintaining clarity in the existing legal process.