Del. Chris Toney

Maddy summaryHB 5499 creates a system to monitor and address financial and governance issues in West Virginia school districts before they escalate. It requires the state to track specific indicators like over-reliance on temporary funding, declining savings, or repeated audit findings, and place districts meeting thresholds on a public "Watch List" with a requirement to submit a corrective action plan. The bill establishes a new independent Office of School System Performance and Accountability (OSPA) to oversee early intervention, stabilization, and transparency, while mandating detailed documentation before state takeover. This system aims to prevent crises through early transparency, local accountability, and structured support for school districts.

Maddy summaryHB 4695 doubles criminal penalties for specific offenses against minors in West Virginia. It increases maximum prison terms and fines for sexual assault in the third degree (from 5 to 10 years/ $10,000 to $20,000), sexual abuse in the third degree (from 3 to 5 years/ $500 to $1,000), child neglect resulting in death (from 15 to 40 years/ $5,000 to $10,000), and sexual abuse by parents/guardians (from 20 to 40 years/ $5,000 to $10,000). The bill directly affects individuals convicted of these crimes against minors under 16 years old or in positions of trust over children. These changes amend sections §61-8B-5, §61-8B-9, §61-8D-4a, and §61-8D-5 of West Virginia law.

Maddy summaryHJR 38 proposes a constitutional amendment in West Virginia to lower the voter approval threshold for emergency services levies - from 60% to 50% - for funding fire and emergency medical services. This change would directly affect local communities seeking to pass these levies, making it easier to secure voter approval for critical emergency service funding. The bill modifies Article X, Section 10 of the West Virginia Constitution, which currently requires 60% voter support for such levies. If approved, the amendment would require only a simple majority (50%) for passage, though levies would still need voter approval and could not exceed existing tax rate limits. The resolution is pending in the House Judiciary Committee after introduction on February 10, 2026.

Maddy summaryHB 5384 authorizes West Virginia's Higher Education Policy Commission (HEPC) to annually adjust the required composite ACT/SAT scores for the PROMISE scholarship program. This change directly affects West Virginia students applying for PROMISE scholarships, which cover tuition costs at state colleges and universities. The bill allows HEPC to modify the minimum test score thresholds each year to maximize the number of eligible students, without altering the $4,750 award cap or other eligibility requirements like GPA or citizenship. The goal is to ensure scholarship funds are distributed to the highest number of qualifying students based on annual testing data.

Maddy summaryHB 5356 modifies how students in the Mountaineer Challenge Academy are counted toward high school graduation rates for school accreditation purposes. The bill specifies that students who complete the academy program within five years of starting ninth grade will be counted as graduates for accountability metrics, provided this does not conflict with federal law. This change directly affects students enrolled in the Mountaineer Challenge Academy (a designated alternative education program) and the schools that report graduation rates. The key mechanism adjusts the state's calculation method for graduation rates, ensuring these students are included in accountability measures under specific completion timelines. The bill does not alter the academy's funding structure or operations, only the reporting criteria for school accreditation.

Maddy summaryHB 5055 changes West Virginia's hunting and fishing license expiration policy from the last day of the calendar year to exactly one year after the purchase date. This means a license bought on January 15, 2026, would expire January 15, 2027, rather than December 31, 2026. The bill directly affects all residents and visitors purchasing hunting or fishing licenses in the state by replacing the current calendar-year expiration with a fixed one-year validity period. The change simplifies license timelines and aligns expiration with the actual date of purchase.

Maddy summaryHB 5029 extends the payment period for fees charged by county fire prevention units from 75 days to 180 days. It directly affects property owners or responsible parties who must pay for firefighting, rescue, or debris cleanup services provided by these units. The bill maintains the $1,500 cap for single incidents (except for hazardous materials or complex rescues), requires written itemized billing, and keeps the 90-day deadline for initiating court action if payment isn't received. This change provides more time for responsible parties to settle charges without altering fee limits or service requirements.

Maddy summaryThis House Resolution (HR 11) encourages West Virginia's K-12 students to design a new state highway route number shield for the 2026 anniversaries of the U.S. founding (250th) and the U.S. numbered highway system (100th). It directs the West Virginia Division of Highways and Department of Tourism to hold a statewide student design competition, requiring the shield to maintain federal safety standards for legibility while incorporating West Virginia identity. The winning design would be implemented gradually on state highways starting July 2027, replacing existing signs only as they wear out, and the student designer would receive legislative recognition. The resolution is procedural and non-binding, focusing on celebration and civic engagement rather than new policy.

Maddy summaryHR 9 is a ceremonial resolution honoring the late West Virginia House Delegate Douglas John Skaff Jr. It expresses the House of Delegates' condolences to his family and commemorates his service, including his roles as a delegate representing multiple districts and as Minority Leader. The resolution has no policy impact - it is purely symbolic, acknowledging his career in public service, business, and community leadership. It was unanimously adopted by the House on February 5, 2026, the same day it was introduced.

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.