Del. Bill Flanigan

Maddy summaryHCR 40 is a resolution directing West Virginia's Economic Development Authority to identify land near Flatwoods for a tourism and entertainment complex modeled after attractions like Pigeon Forge, Tennessee. It requires the Authority to locate suitable sites, secure funding, and recruit private and public developers to build facilities for tourism, entertainment, and amusement. The bill specifically targets the Flatwoods area near Interstate 79 exit 67, citing its central location and access to major regional cities. This resolution aims to replicate economic benefits seen in neighboring states through new tourism infrastructure, directly affecting Flatwoods and surrounding communities.

Maddy summaryHCR 72 designates March 20, 2025 as "Black Lung Awareness Day" in West Virginia. It honors coal miners affected by black lung disease (coal worker's pneumoconiosis), a preventable occupational lung condition caused by coal dust exposure. The resolution does not create new laws, funding, or policy changes - it serves as a ceremonial observance recognizing the disease's impact and existing protections like the Black Lung Benefits Act. It follows the Federal Coal Mine Health and Safety Act's emphasis on miner safety without altering current regulations.

Maddy summaryHB 2679 allows retired deputy sheriffs in West Virginia to seek reinstatement with their former departments within five years of resignation, extending the previous two-year window. To qualify, applicants must have served over six months before resigning, have no pending misconduct charges, reside in the same county, and pass medical and psychological exams. The sheriff retains full discretion to approve or deny reinstatement, and successful applicants would be placed at the lowest rank above probationers. This bill directly affects former deputy sheriffs who left their positions voluntarily and wish to return to law enforcement in their home county.

Maddy summaryHB 3271 authorizes West Virginia courts to maintain digital records instead of physical order books, directly affecting court clerks and judicial staff. The bill amends court record-keeping laws to require clerks to preserve both digital and physical records, while allowing orders to be stored digitally rather than entered in a physical book. It removes the requirement for judges to personally sign physical copies of orders when digital copies are used, streamlining record-keeping processes. This change applies to all courts in the state and focuses on modernizing record storage without altering judicial procedures.

Maddy summaryHB 3484 requires motor vehicle insurance policies in West Virginia to include underinsured motor vehicle coverage with the same minimum limits as the current mandatory uninsured motor vehicle coverage. Starting January 1, 2026, this coverage must provide at least $25,000 for bodily injury to one person, $50,000 for two or more people, and $25,000 for property damage in any accident. The bill directly affects drivers and insurance companies by mandating that underinsured coverage meets the same minimum standards as uninsured coverage. Existing policies will remain valid until expiration or renewal, with no immediate changes to current coverage requirements.

Maddy summaryHB 3486 creates a tax credit for property owners who rehabilitate certified historic buildings in West Virginia. It offers a 10% credit (increasing to 25% for projects after December 2017) on qualified rehabilitation costs for buildings designated as "certified historic" by the West Virginia Division of Culture and History and the National Park Service. The bill allows phased rehabilitation projects (where work occurs in stages), permitting owners to claim credits for completed phases once certified, provided all phases are finished within 60 months. This credit directly affects owners of qualifying historic properties who meet tax compliance requirements and complete certified rehabilitation work.

Maddy summaryHB 3457 increases tax credits for property owners rehabilitating certified historic buildings in West Virginia from 10% to 25% of eligible costs for projects starting after December 2017. It allows owners to claim credits incrementally as each phase of a renovation is completed (rather than waiting for the full project), provided they submit final certification within 60 months. To qualify, owners must not be behind on state, local, or property taxes and must have the building designated as historic by the National Park Service. The credit applies to both residential and commercial properties meeting federal historic preservation standards.

Maddy summaryHB 3458 would modify West Virginia's tax on racetrack table games by exempting the first $7,142,857.14 of annual revenue from a 35% tax. It directly affects racetracks operating lottery table games, replacing all other state and local taxes on these operations (except property tax) with this single tax. The bill requires weekly tax payments on revenue exceeding the exemption threshold, calculated using the accrual method, and allows negative weekly revenue to be carried forward. This changes the tax structure to reduce burdens on lower-revenue operations while maintaining a 35% rate on higher earnings.

Maddy summaryHB 3414 automatically establishes a $100 Smart 529 savings account for every newborn in West Virginia who resides in the state at birth or is adopted by West Virginia residents. The bill requires the Department of Human Services to share birth data with the State Treasurer within 90 days of birth, triggering the grant to cover college costs at eligible institutions. It creates the "Mountaineer Scholars Grant Program," with funds drawn from the Savings Plan Trust Fund to provide one-time grants plus investment earnings for qualified higher education expenses. The program applies to children born after December 31, 2024, and excludes parents who opt out.

Maddy summaryHB 3418 amends West Virginia law to establish specific regulations for fixed odds wagering on dog racing, defining it as accepting bets on live dog races with predetermined odds. The bill creates new legal definitions (including §29-22D-15a) and specifies that this wagering can only occur at licensed gaming facilities, such as historic resort hotels or racetrack facilities operating under existing laws. It clarifies that fixed odds dog racing wagers may be combined with other authorized sports wagers but must comply strictly with the new provisions. The bill directly affects licensed operators at these facilities and sets the framework for how such wagering will be permitted under state law.