Del. Bill Flanigan

Maddy summaryHB 3082 requires parolees or probationers determined to have a history of substance abuse - based on standardized risk assessments - to participate in approved support services for a minimum of 60 days. This applies to individuals under supervision in West Virginia, as amended in §62-12-17(a)(4) of the state code. The bill mandates that supervision officers approve the service schedule, with participation being a condition of release. It directly affects those on probation or parole with documented substance abuse histories identified through required assessments. The policy change focuses on structured support rather than punitive measures for this specific group.

Maddy summaryHB 3321 increases West Virginia's minimum auto insurance coverage requirements. Starting January 1, 2026, drivers must carry $50,000 for bodily injury/death per person, $100,000 for multiple people, and $50,000 for property damage per accident. This raises current 2026 minimums from $25,000/$50,000/$25,000 to the new amounts. Existing policies in effect as of December 31, 2025, will remain valid until renewal. The bill directly affects all vehicle owners and operators in West Virginia requiring proof of financial responsibility.

Maddy summaryHB 3330, the "West Virginia Access to Identification Act," aims to simplify obtaining government-issued identification cards for vulnerable residents, including low-income individuals, rural communities, the homeless, and elderly populations. It requires fee waivers for those demonstrating financial hardship or receiving public assistance (like SNAP or Medicaid), eliminates fees for under-18 applicants, and accepts secondary documents (e.g., utility bills) instead of multiple forms of ID. The bill mandates mobile ID services in underserved areas, a 30-day grace period for missing documents, and outreach campaigns through community organizations. The Division of Motor Vehicles must implement these changes within 12 months of passage.

Maddy summaryHB 3322 prohibits public servants in West Virginia - including legislators - from accepting any gift or gratuity from individuals or entities with business before them, even if the gift is unexpected or given after an action is completed. It directly affects all state officials, including lawmakers, who handle matters like regulations, contracts, or legislation. Key provisions ban accepting such gifts in exchange for official actions, with limited exceptions for trivial items, family-related gifts, or social events posing no risk of bias. The bill also explicitly excludes campaign contributions that comply with election laws from these restrictions.

Maddy summaryHB 3320 would cap campaign spending for candidates running for state or local offices in West Virginia at the approximate annual salary of the office they seek. For example, a candidate for a position with a $40,000 salary could not spend more than that amount on their campaign. The bill requires candidates and political committees to maintain detailed financial records and submit regular reports to the state, including quarterly filings and additional reports before primary and general elections. This measure directly affects all candidates for state and local offices, aiming to limit campaign spending through a salary-based cap and strict reporting requirements.

Maddy summaryHB 3049, the Community School Parent Choice Act, requires West Virginia county school boards to provide parents a formal process before closing or consolidating a school. The bill mandates that boards prepare written reasons and impact statements for public review 30 days prior to a hearing, hold public hearings with specific accessibility requirements, and consider input from school improvement councils representing affected schools. Parents of students at schools facing closure or consolidation are directly affected, as they gain a structured opportunity to voice concerns before a final decision. The law includes a 10-year expiration date and applies to all school closures except those approved via prior voter-approved construction bonds.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows West Virginia's Supreme Court of Appeals to temporarily recall retired circuit court judges, family court judges, and Supreme Court justices under specific circumstances, such as a sitting judge's prolonged illness, vacancy, or heavy caseload. It sets daily pay limits ($430 for most judges, $325 for family court judges) and requires that combined pay and retirement benefits in a year not exceed a sitting judge's annual salary, unless the Chief Justice certifies extraordinary circumstances. Retired judges recalled for service may also be reimbursed for necessary expenses incurred during their temporary assignments. The bill clarifies the Supreme Court's authority to manage judicial staffing needs while maintaining compliance with federal retirement plan rules.

Maddy summaryHB 3316 allows individuals convicted of misdemeanor sexual abuse in the third degree (under §61-8B-9) to petition courts for removal from the public sex offender registry after meeting specific criteria. To qualify, petitioners must wait at least 10 years after release, complete all supervision and sex offender treatment, have no new offenses requiring registration, and provide a risk assessment from a qualified professional. The court must notify victims, victim advocates, and prosecutors before deciding, and consider victim input during hearings. If approved, the individual’s name is removed from public records; if denied, they cannot reapply for 10 years. This applies only to misdemeanor cases, not felony sex offenses.

Maddy summaryHB 3314 would require West Virginia to pay teachers in grades 7-12 an additional $25 per day for each student in their class beyond a 30-student limit, effective for the 2024-2025 school year. This applies to core academic classes but excludes physical education, band, chorus, strings, theater, dance, and other artistic performance courses. The bill amends the state's teacher salary schedule to add this incremental pay for qualifying large classes, without changing base salary rates. It directly affects middle and high school teachers in subject areas with class sizes exceeding 30 students during the 2024-2025 school year.

Maddy summaryHB 3315 adds two new salary increments to West Virginia's teacher pay scale: "Bachelor's Plus 30" (for teachers with a bachelor's degree and 30+ years of experience) and "Master's Plus 60" (for those with a master's degree and 60+ years of experience). These new salary steps will be included in the existing State Minimum Salary Schedule, effective for the 2024-2025 school year and beyond. The bill directly affects teachers who meet these specific degree and experience thresholds, providing them with higher salary placement without altering current pay levels for other experience ranges. It creates two additional columns in the salary table to reflect these new pay tiers for eligible educators.