Del. Bill Roop

Maddy summaryHB 5425 amends West Virginia law to clarify how urban renewal authorities and land reuse agencies can acquire property. It specifically allows these agencies to purchase tax-delinquent properties meeting certain criteria (such as being valued under $100,000, vacant for 24+ months, or having municipal liens exceeding back taxes) with priority over other buyers. The bill requires municipalities to provide lists of qualifying properties to agencies and grants them the right to buy these properties by paying outstanding taxes. This directly affects urban renewal authorities, municipalities, and property owners with tax-delinquent properties in redevelopment zones.

Maddy summaryHB 5392, the "West Virginia Public Adjuster Professional Standards Reform Act," establishes new licensing and operational requirements for public adjusters in the state. It requires all public adjusters to obtain a state license, pass exams, meet financial responsibility standards (including a $5,000 surety bond or $50,000 letter of credit), and comply with contract rules for working with insured clients. The bill directly affects public adjusters and their clients by setting clear standards for licensing, financial accountability, and professional conduct. Key provisions include mandatory background checks, proof of financial responsibility, and penalties for violations like fraud or failure to act. The bill is currently in committee referral following its introduction on February 10, 2026.

Maddy summaryHB 5404 creates an Office of Entrepreneurship within the West Virginia Secretary of State's Office. It directly assists new and early-stage businesses (operating fewer than five years) by providing policy support, technical resources, and acting as a liaison with state agencies. The bill allocates $350,000 for fiscal years 2027-2028 to fund two full-time staff positions and support these services. This office would focus on helping businesses during their critical first three to five years of operation.

Maddy summaryHB 4522 requires non-government entities providing funds or services for West Virginia election administration (such as ballot initiatives) to certify to the Secretary of State whether they knowingly receive foreign donations. This affects organizations or individuals funding state ballot measures, not voters or candidates. The bill mandates annual certification updates within five business days of new information, with penalties including fines of three times the donation amount for false or late filings, and invalidates agreements for non-compliance. It also requires government entities to submit quarterly reports on such funding and mandates public posting of certifications on the Secretary of State’s website.

Maddy summaryHB 5368 would create a public registry for West Virginia domestic violence offenders with at least two qualifying convictions. It requires individuals convicted of two domestic violence offenses (such as domestic battery, assault, or strangulation against an intimate partner) to register with local state police, providing their name, address, and other identifying details. The registry would make this information publicly available to help community members protect themselves and their children, while the bill explicitly states it is for safety purposes, not punishment. The law applies retroactively to existing offenders and defines "domestic violence" under specific state statutes.

Maddy summaryHB 5320, the "Welcome Act," aims to address West Virginia's housing shortage by changing how land is taxed during development. It allows property owners to keep their original tax classification for subdivided land until individual lots are sold, directly affecting homeowners and developers. The bill protects property owners' right to further subdivide land after initial sales, requires new parcels to include 24/7 access to a road (without mandating road construction), and limits local governments from imposing stricter road standards than the existing access road. These provisions apply to casual land divisions but not to formally recorded subdivisions with existing deed restrictions.

Maddy summaryHB 4570 allows landlords to serve eviction notices on tenants by posting them conspicuously on rental property (secured where easily visible) when personal service isn't possible. This method requires a neutral third party (not the landlord) to post the notice and provide a notarized affidavit detailing the date, time, location, and photographic proof of posting. The bill clarifies that landlords cannot post notices themselves and must submit this affidavit to the court with their eviction petition. It directly affects landlords seeking eviction and tenants receiving notice via this method. The change streamlines service for landlords while adding documentation requirements to ensure proper notice.

Maddy summaryHB 5196 allows West Virginia local governments (counties or municipalities) to enter formal agreements with the West Virginia Land Stewardship Corporation to have it operate as their designated land reuse agency. This bill amends land reuse agency law to explicitly permit such partnerships, requiring agreements to specify agency structure, board composition, and public input processes. The Land Stewardship Corporation, a state-created nonprofit, would then manage land reuse programs - like repurposing vacant properties - within the local government's jurisdiction under these agreements. This change streamlines collaboration between local governments and the state entity for economic development initiatives.

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.