Del. Jordan Maynor

Maddy summaryHB 5172 establishes the Low Earth Orbit (LEO) Broadband Internet Connection Fund to install LEO satellite equipment at locations already designated for broadband deployment under existing state grant programs. The fund, managed by the West Virginia Department of Commerce, will use state appropriations, grants, and interest earnings to cover installation costs. It provides immediate internet access through LEO connections - though with different speed and latency than traditional broadband - while waiting for full statewide broadband deployment to complete. The fund’s money remains available annually without reverting to general state revenue.

Maddy summaryHB 5061 requires West Virginia’s 55 county school districts to consolidate into 10-15 regional districts by July 1, 2030. It establishes a 11-member Commission on School District Reorganization to develop a detailed consolidation plan, including staffing levels, operating costs, school names, and proposed cost-saving reinvestment strategies. The Commission must submit its plan to the Legislature by December 1, 2027, for review during the 2028 session. The bill directly affects all county school districts, students, staff, and local communities by restructuring the state’s K-12 education governance framework. The Department of Education must assist the Commission in creating the plan.

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 summaryThis bill amends West Virginia law to allow parties (complainants or respondents) in Human Rights Commission (HRC) discrimination cases to transfer their cases directly to circuit court. It affects individuals or organizations involved in HRC complaints by providing an option to bypass HRC proceedings and seek resolution in judicial court. The change modifies existing procedures under §16B-17-10, enabling parties to "remove the matter" to circuit court instead of proceeding through the HRC's investigation and hearing process. This is a procedural adjustment with no new substantive policy changes.

Maddy summaryHB 5002 requires West Virginia coal mine operators to designate trained miners as first responders within mandatory mine safety programs. This applies to underground mines and directly affects coal mine operators, who must develop these programs within six months of final rules, and miners who will receive specific training. Key provisions mandate that designated first responders be trained in fire prevention/detection, emergency evacuation, communication, mine ventilation operations, and coordination with professional mine rescue teams. The bill does not create new penalties but integrates these requirements into existing safety program rules under §22A-1-36 of West Virginia law.

Maddy summaryHB 4787, the Anti-Terrorism Act, creates new felony charges for terrorism in West Virginia, directly affecting individuals or groups committing acts defined as terrorism (including violent protests, riots, or attacks on critical infrastructure). Key provisions include mandatory consecutive prison sentences with no probation, restitution payments to victims up to three times their economic harm (such as lost wages or business shutdown costs), and requiring the Attorney General to designate terroristic entities. The bill also explicitly defines fentanyl as a weapon of mass destruction and prohibits "terrorist swatting" (false emergency reports to harass targets). It applies to anyone committing terrorism within West Virginia, regardless of where the act occurred.

Maddy summaryThis bill changes when West Virginia holds its presidential primary election. Currently, the law requires the presidential primary to be held on the third Tuesday in February every four years (starting in 2028). HB 4751 would instead move this primary to the second Tuesday in May every two years, beginning in 1986 (though this date appears to be an error, as the bill was introduced in 2026). The change directly affects West Virginia voters participating in presidential primaries by altering the timing of the election. This is a procedural adjustment to election scheduling with no other policy provisions.

Maddy summaryHB 4746, the First Amendment Preservation Act, prohibits West Virginia state agencies from entering contracts with advertising or marketing firms that use media monitoring organizations to rate news sources for bias or misinformation. It requires all companies bidding for state advertising contracts to provide written certification they comply with this rule, and mandates agencies to obtain such certification before renewing existing contracts. The law specifically targets firms that assess content accuracy or bias (like fact-checkers), but excludes those measuring audience size or compiling news clippings. It applies to all state contracts executed on or after July 1, 2026, affecting state departments, universities using state funds, and advertising agencies seeking state business.

Maddy summaryHB 4758 modifies parole eligibility for individuals convicted of first-degree murder or attempted first-degree murder in West Virginia. It increases the minimum prison term for attempted first-degree murder from 3 to 10 years and requires inmates convicted of these offenses to serve a longer portion of their sentence before becoming parole-eligible. Specifically, these individuals must serve at least three years or the maximum sentence imposed (whichever is less) before parole consideration, rather than the previous standard terms. The bill directly affects inmates serving sentences for murder or attempted murder of the first degree.