Del. Jordan Maynor

Maddy summaryHB 2756, the "Uniform Public Expression Protection Act," creates a legal framework to protect individuals and entities filing or defending lawsuits involving constitutional rights like free speech, press, assembly, and petition on matters of public concern. It establishes expedited court procedures, allows immediate appeals for such cases, and permits recovery of attorney fees. The bill applies to lawsuits concerning communications about public issues (e.g., government actions or community matters), but explicitly excludes cases involving government employees acting officially, real property disputes, personal injury claims, or insurance matters. This law directly affects individuals, media, and organizations facing legal challenges over public expression, while streamlining judicial handling of these constitutional rights cases.

Maddy summaryHB 2808, the "West Virginia Anti-Federal Commandeering Act," prohibits federal authorities from forcing West Virginia law enforcement agencies or personnel to conduct activities that violate citizens' constitutional rights. The bill defines "federal commandeering" as the federal government seizing state resources without state consent and bans state law enforcement from complying with such demands. It empowers the West Virginia Attorney General to challenge unconstitutional federal actions in court and create model policies for law enforcement. The law aims to protect constitutional rights - particularly First Amendment freedoms - while allowing cooperation on lawful federal-state operations. The bill is currently in the House Judiciary Committee after being introduced on February 21, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 2805 would increase penalties for contempt of court in West Virginia magistrate courts. It raises the maximum fine for a first offense from $50 to $100, for a second offense from $100 to $250, and for a third or subsequent offense from $100 to $500. The bill also increases the maximum jail time for third or subsequent offenses from 10 to 20 days. This directly affects individuals found guilty of contempt, such as those who disrupt court proceedings, threaten court personnel, or disobey court orders in magistrate court.

Maddy summaryHB 2740 requires county school districts to have a second adult present on school buses when elementary-aged children (pre-kindergarten through 4th grade) are mixed with middle or high school students on the same route. This rule directly affects school bus operations in counties where such mixed-age transportation occurs. The bill mandates the second adult's presence solely for maintaining order and safety during transit, without altering existing bus route time limits. It applies to all current and new bus routes serving these age groups, effective upon passage.

Maddy summaryHB 2757 amends West Virginia law to clarify definitions of terrorism and establish new criminal offenses, directly affecting individuals who commit or support terrorist acts. It creates mandatory sentencing for terrorism-related crimes (including membership in terrorist groups, "terrorist swatting," and using hoax devices), prohibits probation or suspended sentences, and requires restitution payments to victims for economic harm like lost wages or business shutdowns. The bill defines "terrorist act" broadly to include intimidation, policy influence, or retaliation against government, and designates fentanyl as a weapon of mass destruction. The Attorney General must identify terrorist groups, with members automatically deemed terrorists under this law.

Maddy summaryHB 2754 prohibits foreign entities from funding West Virginia election administration activities (such as voter registration or ballot preparation). It requires organizations seeking to work with state or local governments on these activities to certify annually whether they receive foreign donations, with updates within five business days if new information arises. The Secretary of State must maintain and publish these certifications online while auditing compliance quarterly. Violations - including false certifications - carry fines of three times the donation amount plus court costs, and agreements with violators become invalid.

Maddy summaryHB 2652, the "Protection of Shared Physical and Digital Property from Warrantless Searches Act," requires government agents to obtain a person’s consent or a judicial warrant based on probable cause before searching or seizing digital or physical information shared with third parties (like banks, cloud services, or service providers) for goods or services. It directly affects all West Virginia residents who share personal information with third parties to access everyday services, such as financial or digital accounts. The bill defines "shared property" to include digital records and physical documents held by third parties for service provision, and explicitly rejects the current "Third Party Doctrine" that allows warrantless access to such information. It establishes that individuals retain constitutional privacy protections for shared information, requiring government action to follow standard warrant procedures. The bill is currently in the House Judiciary committee after being introduced on February 20, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 2642 establishes a Commercial Property Assessed Capital Expenditure (C-PACE) financing program in West Virginia, allowing commercial property owners to fund eligible improvements like energy efficiency, renewable energy systems, and stormwater management. The program, administered by the West Virginia Economic Development Authority with private partners, enables property owners to repay loans through special assessments added to their property tax bills. Eligible properties include most commercial real estate (excluding small residential buildings), and the special lien on the property has priority over mortgages only if subordination agreements are signed by existing lienholders. This creates a new financing tool for property upgrades without requiring new property tax assessments.

Maddy summaryHB 2650 would allow individuals aged 21 or older with a valid concealed handgun permit to carry a concealed firearm in public school property and buildings in West Virginia. The bill creates an exception to the existing ban on firearms in schools, specifically permitting licensed permit holders to carry concealed handguns while adhering to strict storage rules: firearms must be stored out of view when in a vehicle, or locked in a glove compartment, trunk, or secured container when the vehicle is unoccupied. This change directly affects licensed concealed carry permit holders who are not students and applies to public primary and secondary schools (not private schools with their own policies). The bill does not alter existing restrictions for students or other prohibited individuals.

Maddy summaryHB 2662 creates a new felony offense called "aggravated vehicular homicide" for reckless driving causing death when the driver shows "reckless disregard of human life," raising the penalty to 2-5 years in prison and up to $20,000 in fines. It also amends existing law to clarify that both the driver and an unborn child (embryo or fetus) are considered separate victims in vehicular homicide cases. This directly affects drivers convicted of causing death through extreme recklessness while operating a vehicle, and expands legal recognition of unborn victims in criminal prosecutions. The bill maintains the existing misdemeanor "negligent vehicular homicide" standard but distinguishes felony-level offenses with stricter criteria and harsher penalties.