Del. Roy Cooper

Maddy summaryHB 2521 provides a one-time cost-of-living supplement to West Virginia state retirees with annual retirement benefits under $75,000. To qualify, retirees must be at least 65 years old and have been retired for five or more consecutive years as of July 1, 2026. The supplement equals 10% of their annual benefit amount below $75,000, paid as a single lump sum. This policy change specifically affects lower-income retirees under the state retirement system who meet the age and tenure requirements, effective July 2026. The bill does not create ongoing annual increases but offers a one-time adjustment to retirement benefits.

Maddy summaryHB 2999 amends West Virginia law to extend the payment deadline for fees charged by county fire prevention units from 75 days to 180 days after a fire service response. This change directly affects property owners, businesses, or individuals responsible for paying fire department charges for services like firefighting, rescue, or hazardous material cleanup. The bill requires these fees to be itemized in writing and allows fire departments to pursue legal action for unpaid fees after 90 days if no payment plan is established. The amendment specifically updates Section 7-1-3d of the West Virginia Code regarding fee collection timelines.

Maddy summaryHB 2727 requires that at least one member of both the West Virginia University (WVU) Board of Governors and the West Virginia State University (WVSU) Board of Governors must have a background in agriculture or an agricultural field. This bill amends existing law governing university board composition, adding a specific qualification requirement for these two boards. It directly affects WVU and WVSU governance by mandating this expertise in agricultural matters for one appointed board member. The change modifies current appointment rules without altering other board composition requirements.

Maddy summaryHB 3022 would allow West Virginia's Division of Motor Vehicles to issue special license plates featuring autism awareness. Vehicle owners who apply can choose this plate design by paying a $10 one-time fee and a $15 annual fee, with both fees deposited into the State Road Fund. The bill amends existing law to authorize this specific plate type, without changing autism support services or funding. It directly affects West Virginia residents who wish to display this awareness plate on their vehicles.

Maddy summaryHB 3023 requires every West Virginia county school board to employ at least one full-time school nurse for each public school, based on kindergarten through seventh-grade enrollment (one nurse per 1,500 students or major fraction). County boards may contract with public health departments for equivalent services if approved by the state board, and the state may provide funding to support additional health services beyond the minimum requirement. The bill mandates school nurses be licensed registered professionals and establishes standards for trained school employees (like teachers or aides) to assist with specialized health procedures under nurse supervision. It also creates a council of school nurses to develop training standards and recommends a procedural manual for implementation.

Maddy summaryHB 2950 amends West Virginia law to simplify real estate transfers for low-value properties. It allows either a husband or wife to sign and acknowledge a deed for real estate valued at $12,000 or less, without requiring the other spouse's signature. This change directly affects homeowners selling small parcels (like land or minor property) in West Virginia where the sale price is $12,000 or less. The bill removes a procedural requirement for these specific transactions, making the process quicker and less burdensome for couples in low-value sales. The bill is currently in committee and has not yet been enacted.

Maddy summaryHB 2970 requires election officials to include specific verification information on absentee ballot envelopes in West Virginia. This information allows election officials to confirm a voter's identity with high confidence when ballots are returned, without publishing personal details like signatures. The bill directly affects absentee voters and election officials who process mail-in ballots. It modifies existing absentee voting procedures under §3-3-5 of West Virginia law to add this verification step, ensuring identity confirmation while protecting voter privacy. The change applies to all absentee ballots returned by mail or electronically.

Maddy summaryHB 2864 requires the West Virginia Division of Labor to create and distribute a poster containing contact information and resource details for veterans' benefits and services. The poster must include eight specific resources, such as mental health treatment, education programs, tax benefits, and the Veterans Crisis Line. Employers with more than 50 full-time employees must display the poster prominently in their workplace and on their website.

Maddy summaryHB 2923 requires West Virginia's Commissioner of Highways to install rumble strips on all double-yellow lined highways during any road upgrade project, beginning July 1, 2025. This mandate applies specifically to roadways marked with double yellow lines, which typically separate opposing traffic flows. The bill directly affects state highway maintenance operations and drivers traveling on these roads by adding a physical safety feature to reduce run-off-road collisions. It creates a concrete, enforceable requirement for highway upgrades rather than proposing new funding or altering existing traffic laws.

Maddy summaryHB 2657 would allow West Virginia county school boards to offer voluntary Saturday classes for public and charter school students who are failing courses or falling behind academically. The bill requires the West Virginia Department of Education to develop course content, eligibility criteria, and placement procedures for these sessions. Teachers participating would be paid at their regular rate for the hours worked, and Saturday classes would not count toward the state's required 180-day instructional year. This provision applies only to students needing extra academic support to pass courses, with no impact on school employee pay during related closures.