Del. Bill Flanigan

Maddy summaryThis bill clarifies and expands cooperation between law enforcement agencies within West Virginia and with agencies in neighboring states. It defines key terms such as "criminal justice enforcement personnel" and "law-enforcement agency" to establish who can participate in joint efforts. The legislation allows agency heads to request temporary assistance for investigations, including sharing personnel, equipment, and technical resources, with written requests required except in emergencies involving immediate danger to life. Personnel assigned to other agencies retain their original benefits and jurisdiction while operating under the operational command of the host agency's leadership. Agreements must be filed with local circuit clerks to remain in effect.

Maddy summaryHB 5167, the Taxpayer Accountability for Public Service Act, requires candidates for any elected local, state, or public office in West Virginia to prove they have paid all personal property taxes or are in an approved payment plan. It mandates that candidates submit tax compliance certification when filing to run, and election officials must verify this with tax authorities before certifying candidates for the ballot. Exceptions allow candidates with approved payment plans or pending tax challenges to run. The bill takes effect immediately upon passage, with disqualification for false filings and removal from ballots for unpaid taxes without valid exceptions.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates the West Virginia Law Institute by clarifying its purpose, expanding its membership structure, and adjusting how vacancies are filled. It directs the institute to continue its work of reviewing state laws, recommending reforms, and conducting legal research while adding new elected members from each congressional district and faculty representatives. The legislation also authorizes reimbursement for council members and exempts the institute from open meetings laws, while maintaining its role as an advisory agency located at West Virginia University College of Law.

Maddy summaryHJR 31 proposes a constitutional amendment to limit consecutive terms for West Virginia state legislators. If approved by voters in 2026, it would restrict senators to two consecutive terms and delegates to four consecutive terms. The limits would apply only to terms beginning after ratification, with prior terms not counting toward the limit. This amendment requires voter approval at the 2026 general election to take effect.

Maddy summaryHB 4969 increases retirement benefits for eligible retired state employees and teachers by a total of 5% over three years, starting July 1, 2026. It applies to retirees aged 70+ with at least 25 years of service as of July 1, 2023, including those receiving minimum benefits under existing law. The increase is phased: 2.5% on July 1, 2026, 1.5% on July 1, 2027, and 1% on July 1, 2028. The bill amends provisions for both the Public Employees Retirement System and the State Teachers Retirement System. It does not affect current retirees' benefits retroactively but adjusts payments for those already retired as of the effective date.

Maddy summaryHB 4909 prohibits deceptive telephone solicitation in West Virginia by requiring prior written consent for automated calls (like robocalls) and banning caller ID spoofing, blocking, or calls between 8 PM and 8 AM. It directly affects consumers (protecting them from scams), businesses (requiring consent for sales calls), and telecom providers (mandating anti-spoofing technology like STIR/SHAKEN within 12 months). Violators face civil penalties of $100 per spoofed call, full reimbursement for customer damages, and a 5x restitution fee - 75% of which funds local fire and emergency medical services. Exemptions include charities, business-to-business calls, and communications within existing customer relationships.

Maddy summaryHB 4954 would reduce West Virginia's business and occupation tax rate by 2.5% for companies employing at least 75% of their workforce as state residents. It directly affects eligible businesses meeting the residency threshold, requiring them to verify workforce composition to qualify. The tax reduction applies to the overall business and occupation tax rate starting with the 2026 tax year. Companies must provide evidence of workforce residency to claim the reduction, with implementation guidance to be issued by the West Virginia Department of Tax and Revenue.

Maddy summaryHB 4959 prohibits reselling event tickets (such as for concerts or sporting events) in West Virginia at more than a 3% markup above the ticket's original face value. This bill directly affects ticket resellers, including secondary market platforms, by restricting how much they can charge above the original price. The key provision amends West Virginia's consumer protection code to classify resales exceeding this 3% limit as an unfair practice. The law aims to prevent excessive price increases for event attendees without banning ticket resales entirely. It applies to all ticketed events within the state and focuses on capping reseller markups at a fixed percentage.

Maddy summaryHB 4839 creates a geographic compensation differential for sworn members of the West Virginia State Police assigned to areas with significantly higher housing costs than the statewide median. Eligible troopers receive a salary supplement calculated as a percentage of their base pay, based on how much housing costs exceed the state average in their designated zone. The State Budget Office will designate these zones using objective housing data (median home values and rental rates) and update them biennially. The supplement does not count toward retirement calculations, ends if a trooper leaves the zone, and is funded through new legislative appropriations without reducing existing benefits. This bill directly affects State Police personnel in high-cost regions, aiming to improve recruitment and retention.

Maddy summaryHB 4830 establishes the West Virginia Supreme Court of Appeals Victim's Fund to compensate individuals harmed by actions or inactions of the Supreme Court's Judicial Investigative Committee or related divisions. The fund, administered by the Legislative Claims Commission, allows affected residents to apply for financial relief by detailing their harm, with decisions made by the fund's supervisor (subject to appeal). Claims can be filed retroactively for up to 10 years from July 1, 2026, covering cases where West Virginia residents suffered negative impacts due to court committee actions. This bill creates a formal process for compensation but does not specify eligibility criteria or funding sources beyond the fund's establishment.