Rep. Roy Cooper

Maddy summaryThis is a symbolic House Resolution (not a bill), introduced by multiple West Virginia delegates. It designates the month of June as "Fidelity Month" to promote the values of faith, family, and patriotism across the state. The resolution cites declining support for these values in polling and research, and calls for the state to "rededicate" itself to them during June. It has no binding policy requirements or direct impact on specific groups; it is purely a commemorative gesture.

Maddy summaryThis West Virginia House resolution states that the U.S. national debt (over $38 trillion in 2026) poses a national security threat, citing foreign debt ownership, projected Social Security/Medicare shortfalls, and warnings from military/intelligence leaders. It urges Congress to establish regular budgeting procedures but does not create new laws or alter federal spending. As a symbolic resolution, it has no direct legal effect on national debt policy or federal budgets. The resolution focuses on raising awareness rather than implementing concrete changes.

Maddy summaryHB 5030 modifies West Virginia's tax code to expand tax exemptions for certain public safety pensions. It adds Division of Natural Resources police, deputy sheriffs, full-time firefighters, and municipal police officers to the existing list of law enforcement personnel who can exclude the first $2,000 of retirement benefits from state taxable income. The bill amends §11-21-12(c)(6) of the West Virginia Code to include these roles under the tax-exempt pension provision. This change directly affects current and future retirees in these specific public safety professions by reducing their state income tax burden on pension payments. The policy change is limited to the first $2,000 of qualifying pension income per year, consistent with existing tax rules.

Maddy summaryHB 5047 creates a Mobile Career and Technical Education Classroom Program to address limited access to career training and specialized education in rural and coalfield counties of West Virginia. The program, administered by the state Department of Education, provides funding specifically for converting buses or vehicles into mobile classrooms equipped for career and technical education, workforce training, and fine arts instruction. Funds may cover vehicle conversion, renovation, instructional equipment, and safety modifications, but cannot be used for standard school buses. This initiative prioritizes applications submitted jointly by counties, career centers, or workforce development agencies to expand educational opportunities in underserved communities.

Maddy summaryHB 5028 creates the Small-Town Main Street Recovery Act, providing grants to West Virginia municipalities with fewer than 25,000 residents. The bill directs the Department of Economic Development to fund storefront upgrades, small business support, and broadband improvements in these communities. Municipalities must coordinate applications with county commissions or regional development authorities to receive priority consideration. The program aims to support economic revitalization in smaller towns through direct financial assistance for key infrastructure and business needs.

Maddy summaryHB 5044 creates the Rural County Stabilization Program to simplify how eligible rural counties in West Virginia access state grants. The bill requires state agencies to offer simplified grant applications and multi-year funding options for these counties. It also allows counties to form shared-service agreements to handle administrative tasks and grant management more efficiently. This directly affects rural counties by making grant processes less burdensome and more predictable. The policy change focuses on streamlining access to state funding without altering eligibility criteria.

Maddy summaryHB 4422 permits eighth and ninth-grade students in West Virginia public schools to attend summer school specifically to improve their grades and meet academic eligibility requirements for extracurricular activities (such as sports) in the following fall. The bill amends existing law to explicitly allow this pathway, ensuring students who need grade improvement can participate in summer programs without interference with the regular school year. It does not change summer school program structure or funding but directly affects 8th and 9th graders who risk losing activity eligibility due to academic standing.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires West Virginia's Treasurer to transfer 50% of unused funds in special revenue accounts (like those set aside for specific projects) into the main state budget within 30 days. It applies to all such accounts except where federal law, repayment obligations, or bond security would be jeopardized. The Treasurer cannot make new transfers from these accounts until the initial 50% transfer is completed. This changes how the state handles leftover funds from targeted revenue sources, directing them toward general state spending.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a tax break for West Virginia taxpayers who earn tips or overtime income. For 2026-2028, it allows taxpayers to subtract federal deductions for qualified tips and overtime from their state taxable income. Starting in 2029, it caps the tip deduction at $25,000 annually and overtime at $12,500 annually, phasing out the break for taxpayers with modified adjusted gross income over $150,000. Nonresidents only qualify for the break if their tips or overtime were earned while working in West Virginia.

Maddy summaryHB 4815 allows West Virginia community health centers designated as political subdivisions to offer recruitment and retention bonuses to staff. These centers, which primarily serve rural and underserved communities and rely on federal grants or third-party funding for most operations, may use non-state funds (like federal grants) for such bonuses. The bill requires all bonuses to comply with federal rules and prohibits the use of state-appropriated funds. It does not create new funding but clarifies how existing non-state resources can be used to address staffing challenges.