Del. Chris Toney

Maddy summaryThis bill gives the West Virginia Secretary of State the authority to refer suspected election law violations to county prosecuting attorneys for investigation. When the Secretary of State identifies potential election fraud or irregularities, the county prosecutor must forward the matter to the West Virginia Prosecuting Attorneys Institute, which then appoints a special prosecutor to review the allegations. The special prosecutor must provide written updates to the Secretary of State within 60 days and every 60 days thereafter until a decision is made about whether to pursue criminal charges. The appointed special prosecutor serves without additional pay beyond reimbursement for travel and related expenses, and county commissions cover these allowable costs.

Maddy summaryThis bill asks the Joint Committee on Government and Finance to study whether energy recovery and micro-hydropower technologies could be used in West Virginia's public water systems. The study would examine specific locations like pressure valves and discharge points where excess water energy is currently wasted, and evaluate technologies that could generate electricity without major construction or environmental harm. The committee would also analyze potential cost savings, review available funding sources, and consider regulatory requirements for such installations. If the study finds these technologies feasible, the committee would provide recommendations to the Legislature by December 1, 2026, to help reduce water system operating costs and potentially lower water rates for residents.

Maddy summaryThis legislative resolution asks the Joint Committee on Government and Finance to study ways to reduce water loss in public water systems across West Virginia. The study will examine strategies like leak detection, infrastructure upgrades, and performance-based incentives to help water systems save money and stabilize rates for customers. It specifically focuses on identifying systems with the highest water loss and exploring financing options such as special bonds and grant programs to fund improvements. The committee must report its findings and recommendations to the Legislature by December 1, 2026.

Maddy summaryThis House Resolution honors the life and legacy of the late West Virginia legislator Larry D. Kump, who passed away on February 28, 2026. The resolution formally expresses the House of Delegates' condolences to Kump's family and acknowledges his service as a representative for Berkeley County across three different terms. It recognizes his career in criminal justice and mediation, his commitment to limited government, and his role as a devoted family member and church leader. The document is a ceremonial tribute rather than a law that changes policy or affects public programs.

Maddy summaryThis House Resolution urges the Capitol Building Commission and Department of Administration to assess and address hazardous trees along California Avenue and Kanawha Boulevard on the State Capitol Complex grounds. The resolution requests an immediate evaluation of trees that have caused property damage through falling limbs and broken trunks over the past two years. It specifically asks officials to trim trees back to the grass side of sidewalks or remove and replace hazardous trees to protect public safety and state property. This non-binding resolution directs state agencies to take preventative maintenance actions without mandating specific enforcement measures.

Maddy summaryHB 4958 establishes the Southern Coalfield Resiliency and Revitalization Program to support Boone, Logan, McDowell, Mingo, and Wyoming counties (the "Southern Coalfield" area), which have suffered economic decline due to coal industry challenges. The bill creates a Revitalization Council - including county commissioners, state agency heads, and college representatives - to coordinate resources, prioritize economic development, and develop strategies for these counties. Key provisions include requiring annual reports, authorizing reduced-cost access to state property/equipment for qualifying businesses, and directing the Division of Economic Development to facilitate incentives. The program operates for five years with no new state positions created, focusing on streamlining existing state and partner resources for community revitalization.

Maddy summaryHB 4693 declassifies Community and Technical Education (CTE) teaching positions at community colleges and trades-based high school instructors teaching CTE courses, allowing counties to target additional funding to specific roles in critical need. Currently, all CTE positions are grouped together, requiring county funding to be distributed across all positions; this bill removes that classification barrier. The bill maintains existing state funding for these positions while enabling counties to add supplemental funds to high-demand roles like skilled trades or healthcare education. This change aims to help fill staffing shortages in key CTE fields by letting counties offer targeted financial incentives without reducing state support.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires West Virginia's Department of Human Services to fix payment delays for child welfare service providers by overhauling the state's payment system. It mandates an invoice-based payment system (replacing current worker-dependent triggers), establishes a dedicated payment resolution process with a high-level contact, and requires monthly meetings between providers and DHS finance staff to address issues proactively. The bill also corrects coding errors in the PATH system that cause underpayment for residential transitional living services and allows providers to update foster family status in real time for accurate billing. These changes aim to ensure timely payments to agencies providing critical child welfare services, preventing financial strain that leads to service cuts or closures.

Maddy summaryHB 5053 establishes a 90-day waiting period during which families involved in active truancy cases or pre-petition processes cannot withdraw their child for homeschooling. The bill directly affects families navigating school attendance disputes, aiming to prevent short-term homeschooling as a way to bypass academic accountability, such as reading proficiency requirements under the Third Grade Success Act. Key provisions include a legislative finding that current processes allow "easy outs" without oversight for at-risk youth, and a recommendation for the state education department to survey families who choose homeschooling to understand systemic reasons for the decision. The bill does not change homeschooling rules generally but targets specific situations involving truancy proceedings.

Maddy summaryHB 5679 modifies West Virginia's school board operations by limiting assistant superintendent positions to one per 200 teachers (or fraction) and requiring professional educators in these roles (with teaching certificates) to substitute teach at least three days each school year. It clarifies that employment for these positions is at the county board's discretion and authorizes incentives for counties to share treasurers. The bill directly affects county school boards and educational staff, including assistant superintendents and directors of instruction, without changing attendance policies or other unrelated provisions.