Del. Bill Roop

Maddy summaryHB 3491 limits counties' financial responsibility for jail costs to 30 days for felony inmates awaiting transportation to a state correctional facility. Specifically, it requires counties to pay daily jail costs only during a 30-day period while inmates wait for a 60-day evaluation at a state facility. This applies to inmates incarcerated for felony convictions who are not immediately transferred to state prisons. The bill amends West Virginia law to cap county costs at 30 days, rather than covering full costs until transfer.

Maddy summaryHB 3082 requires parolees or probationers determined to have a history of substance abuse - based on standardized risk assessments - to participate in approved support services for a minimum of 60 days. This applies to individuals under supervision in West Virginia, as amended in §62-12-17(a)(4) of the state code. The bill mandates that supervision officers approve the service schedule, with participation being a condition of release. It directly affects those on probation or parole with documented substance abuse histories identified through required assessments. The policy change focuses on structured support rather than punitive measures for this specific group.

Maddy summaryHB 2501 modifies West Virginia's bankruptcy exemption law to protect two specific assets. It allows surviving spouses to claim their deceased spouse's home exemption (up to $70,000 in value, instead of the standard $35,000) if the home was jointly owned and remains with the surviving spouse. Additionally, it explicitly exempts payments from governmental entities that subsidize a minor child's adoption from being seized in bankruptcy. These changes directly affect West Virginia residents filing for bankruptcy who are surviving spouses of deceased homeowners or receiving adoption subsidies. The bill makes no changes to other existing exemptions like medical malpractice protections or vehicle allowances.

Maddy summaryHB 3332 permanently grants land reuse agencies and municipal land banks the right of first refusal to purchase certain tax-delinquent properties before public auction. It affects these specific local entities by allowing them to buy properties meeting one of three criteria: assessed value of $50,000 or less, municipal liens exceeding current back taxes, or being on a vacant property registry for 24+ consecutive months. The bill removes a sunset date on this provision, making the right permanent. This change enables these agencies to acquire qualifying properties directly, bypassing public auction, without altering the existing tax lien process.

Maddy summaryHB 3321 increases West Virginia's minimum auto insurance coverage requirements. Starting January 1, 2026, drivers must carry $50,000 for bodily injury/death per person, $100,000 for multiple people, and $50,000 for property damage per accident. This raises current 2026 minimums from $25,000/$50,000/$25,000 to the new amounts. Existing policies in effect as of December 31, 2025, will remain valid until renewal. The bill directly affects all vehicle owners and operators in West Virginia requiring proof of financial responsibility.

Maddy summaryHB 3322 prohibits public servants in West Virginia - including legislators - from accepting any gift or gratuity from individuals or entities with business before them, even if the gift is unexpected or given after an action is completed. It directly affects all state officials, including lawmakers, who handle matters like regulations, contracts, or legislation. Key provisions ban accepting such gifts in exchange for official actions, with limited exceptions for trivial items, family-related gifts, or social events posing no risk of bias. The bill also explicitly excludes campaign contributions that comply with election laws from these restrictions.

Maddy summaryHB 3302 requires all organizations contracting with West Virginia to distribute state funds for homeless shelters to include one regional representative on their board of directors. This applies directly to entities administering homeless shelter funding under state contracts. The bill mandates that each board must have members representing every region of the state, ensuring geographic representation in decision-making. The policy change focuses solely on board composition requirements for these specific contracts.

Maddy summaryHB 3309 would amend West Virginia's retirement law to allow sheriffs in the public retirement system to retire at age 62 with eight years of actual, contributing service, instead of the standard 10 years required for newer members. This change specifically applies to sheriffs who became members through their election as sheriff and are not covered by another retirement plan. The bill creates a separate retirement eligibility standard for sheriffs, lowering the service requirement from 10 to 8 years. This policy directly affects eligible sheriffs by providing an earlier retirement option under the amended law.

Maddy summaryHB 3278 amends West Virginia's retirement law to ensure retired public employees who named a spouse as a beneficiary receive their full original retirement payment amount if that spouse dies before them. It directly affects current and future retirees who had elected a joint survivor benefit option. The key provision clarifies that upon the death of a spouse beneficiary, the retirant's annuity is adjusted to the same amount they would have received had they never nominated a spouse beneficiary. This change eliminates the reduced payment previously applied when a spouse beneficiary predeceases the retirant. The bill does not alter existing rules for changing beneficiaries due to divorce or remarriage.

Maddy summaryHB 3221, the Burial Equity Act, expands burial benefits in West Virginia state cemeteries to include eligible former National Guard and military reserve members (such as Individual Mobilization Augmentees and Active Guard Reserve), their spouses, and dependent children. It sets specific eligibility criteria: four years of service, two years of West Virginia residency before death (or service in West Virginia units), and a non-dishonorable discharge, with retroactive application for deaths after March 15, 2022. The bill creates a Burial Equity Grant Program administered by the Veterans Affairs department, offering up to $1,000 per family to cover burial costs on a first-come, first-served basis. It also establishes a dedicated Burial Equity Fund, initially funded with $50,000 from the legislature, to support these grants using state appropriations, federal funds, and private donations.