Rep. Brandon Steele

Maddy summaryHB 2067, the West Virginia Firearms Liability Clarification Act, clarifies that firearm owners or sellers are generally not liable for civil lawsuits related to firearms they lawfully possess or transfer, unless negligence or intentional misconduct is proven. This law directly affects firearm owners, sellers, and businesses involved in gun transactions by limiting their civil liability in specific scenarios. The bill, now law after being approved by the Governor on April 25, 2025, establishes clear legal standards to prevent frivolous lawsuits targeting lawful firearm activities.

Maddy summaryHB 2217 increases penalties for conspiring to commit murder by aligning them with the penalties for the completed crime of murder. It directly affects individuals convicted of planning or aiding a murder, ensuring conspiracy charges carry the same sentencing consequences as the actual murder. The bill amends existing law to require that conspiracy to commit murder be punished as severely as murder itself, eliminating prior distinctions in sentencing. This policy change became effective when the bill was signed into law on April 25, 2025.

Maddy summaryHCR 88 is a ceremonial resolution honoring two West Virginia first responders nominated for the Medal of Valor. It specifically recognizes Captain Donald Lawson (New Martinsville Police) for rescuing two people from carbon monoxide poisoning despite his own hospitalization, and Darrell Lambert (Lake Volunteer Firefighter) for entering a burning building without protective gear to save a trapped resident, sustaining burns in the process. The resolution formally confirms the Legislature's approval of their award and directs the House Clerk to send a copy to Governor Morrisey. This is a symbolic honor with no new policy or funding changes, directly affecting only these two nominees. It passed unanimously in both chambers on April 3, 2025.

Maddy summaryThis is a commemorative resolution (HCR 15), not a substantive bill. It requests the West Virginia Division of Highways name two specific bridges in Raleigh County after U.S. Marine PFC Delbert Carles Roles, a WWII hero who died in action during the Battle of Guam in 1944. The resolution specifies the exact locations: I-77 NB OVER RAL 48 and I-77 OVER CABELL RD. It has no policy or funding impact - it solely honors a veteran through a bridge naming. The resolution passed unanimously in April 2025.

Maddy summaryThis House Concurrent Resolution (HCR 85) requests that the West Virginia Division of Highways rename a specific bridge in Mingo County - the Wharncliffe Box Beam bridge (coordinates 37.55534, -81.96599) carrying CR 010/01 over Bens Creek - as the "U.S. Army CPL Lavern 'Mousey' Testerman Memorial Bridge." It commemorates CPL Testerman, a WWII veteran who received a Bronze Star for saving his platoon, served in the Philippines, and later worked in the coal industry in the area. The resolution is purely commemorative, with no policy changes or direct effects beyond naming the bridge and installing signage.

Maddy summaryHCR 78 is a non-binding resolution urging West Virginia's Division of Highways to prioritize completing I-73 (the "King Coal Highway") across Wayne, Mingo, McDowell, Mercer, and Wyoming counties. It requests the highway agency treat the project as a high priority to improve economic development and emergency access, especially after recent flooding exposed transportation challenges in the region. The resolution asks the state to provide necessary funding and executive support to expedite the highway's completion but does not allocate new funds or create new law. It directly affects the Division of Highways and residents of the five specified counties by formally advocating for this infrastructure project.

Maddy summaryHB 2894 amends West Virginia's human trafficking laws by adding a definition for "illegal alien" (an individual without legal U.S. immigration status) and specifying that such individuals are not eligible for restitution in trafficking cases. The bill updates definitions in sections covering coercion, forced labor, and trafficking to explicitly include "illegal alien" as a term. It does not create new trafficking prohibitions but clarifies that victims without legal status cannot receive restitution payments under the law. This affects individuals without legal immigration status who may be victims of trafficking in West Virginia. The bill focuses solely on definitional changes and restitution eligibility, not on enforcement or new criminal penalties.

Maddy summaryHB 2205 expands the West Virginia Public Service Commission's regulatory authority to include advanced nuclear reactors, specifically requiring the commission to create rules for permitting their construction, operation, and decommissioning. This bill directly affects developers and entities planning to build or operate microreactor facilities within the state. The key mechanism is the formal expansion of the PSC's jurisdiction to cover these new nuclear technologies, with the commission responsible for establishing the permitting framework.

Maddy summaryHCR 14 is a commemorative resolution naming a specific bridge on I-77 over CabelL Road in Raleigh County, West Virginia, as the "U.S. Navy SC1 Curtis Hatcher Memorial Bridge." It honors Curtis Hatcher, a World War II Navy Seaman 1st Class from Beckley, WV, who served in Europe and was honorably discharged in 1946. The resolution requests the Division of Highways to install signage identifying the bridge with this new name. This is a purely ceremonial measure with no substantive policy changes or direct impact on legislation or regulations.

Maddy summaryHCR 72 designates March 20, 2025 as "Black Lung Awareness Day" in West Virginia. It honors coal miners affected by black lung disease (coal worker's pneumoconiosis), a preventable occupational lung condition caused by coal dust exposure. The resolution does not create new laws, funding, or policy changes - it serves as a ceremonial observance recognizing the disease's impact and existing protections like the Black Lung Benefits Act. It follows the Federal Coal Mine Health and Safety Act's emphasis on miner safety without altering current regulations.