Del. Eric Brooks

Maddy summaryHB 3011 modifies West Virginia's tax code to limit pollution control facility tax benefits exclusively to wind power projects that were fully operational and generating electricity by January 1, 2025. This means new wind projects proposed after that date will not qualify for the special tax treatment that pre-2025 projects receive. The bill does not prohibit new wind projects but removes a key financial incentive for future developments. It specifically applies to wind turbines and towers (as defined in the bill), excluding other project components from the tax benefit. This policy change directly affects developers seeking tax advantages for wind energy infrastructure.

Maddy summaryHB 2782 requires West Virginia public elementary, secondary schools, and state institutions of higher education to display the national motto "In God We Trust" in a conspicuous location if the display is either donated or purchased using private donations. The bill mandates that any poster or framed copy must include centered representations of both the U.S. flag and the West Virginia state flag, with no additional text or images allowed. Schools may accept private donations specifically for this purpose but cannot use public funds to purchase the displays. The bill focuses solely on the physical display requirements and does not alter school curricula or religious practices.

Maddy summaryHB 2957 changes where fees from certain agricultural-themed license plates are deposited. Specifically, it directs all fees collected for "pollinator" special license plates to be deposited into the Agriculture Fees Fund, rather than the State Road Fund. Fees for existing FFA and 4-H themed plates will continue to go to their respective funds as currently required. This bill affects organizations that apply for these special license plates, such as agricultural groups or youth organizations, by altering the destination of the fees they collect. The change is a straightforward policy adjustment to fund allocation, with no new requirements for plate applications or fees.

Maddy summaryHB 2405 creates a tax credit for West Virginia residents who homeschool or send children to private schools for primary and secondary education. It provides a credit equal to the annual HOPE Scholarship amount per taxpayer, regardless of how many children are homeschooled or in private school. Families already eligible for the HOPE Scholarship are excluded from this credit. The State Tax Commissioner must establish rules for claiming the credit, which reduces income tax liability but does not impose new education regulations on homeschooled children.

Maddy summaryHB 2980 amends West Virginia tax law to exempt certain pension benefits from state income tax for specific public safety officers. It expands the existing $2,000 annual exemption to include pension payments for Division of Natural Resources police (including former conservation officers), deputy sheriffs, full-time firefighters, and municipal police officers. The bill modifies tax code sections to add these roles to the class of law enforcement officers whose retirement benefits qualify for the exemption. This change applies to the first $2,000 of pension benefits received under eligible retirement systems, aligning them with existing tax treatment for other public safety retirees. The policy directly affects these officers by reducing their state taxable income from retirement payments.

Maddy summaryHB 2971 updates West Virginia's back-to-school sales tax holiday by increasing the price limits for exempt items. It raises the maximum price for clothing to $150 (from $125), school supplies to $60 (from $50), instructional materials to $25 (from $20), laptops/tablets to $600 (from $500), and sports equipment to $180 (from $150). The holiday remains active during the first Sunday of August plus the preceding Friday and Saturday and the following Monday. This change directly affects West Virginia consumers purchasing qualifying school items during this period, excluding business or trade purchases.

Maddy summaryHB 2734 requires all West Virginia public K-12 schools to display their annual school report cards on their official websites. It also mandates that county boards of education use the state's existing electronic system for collecting and reporting school data to the state education department. This ensures parents and community members can easily access school performance information online without needing to request it. The bill applies directly to every public school and county school board in the state, standardizing how school accountability data is shared publicly.

Maddy summaryHB 2779 would require all West Virginia public schools to install cameras in hallways, stairwells, classrooms, and any other rooms where students are present. The bill excludes bathroom stalls, showers, and locker rooms to protect student privacy during undressing. Schools would need to maintain all recorded footage for a full year. This bill directly affects all K-12 public schools in West Virginia and is currently pending in the House Education Committee.

Maddy summaryHB 2726 would require West Virginia's State Board of Education to stop administering all standardized tests in both public and private schools starting with the 2025-2026 school year. The bill directly affects all K-12 schools in the state by eliminating a long-standing testing requirement. Its key provision mandates the State Board to cease all standardized testing, removing this requirement from school operations. The change applies to every school year beginning in 2025-2026.

Maddy summaryHB 2807 redirects tax revenue collected from fuel purchased at marinas and boat docks in West Virginia to the West Virginia Division of Natural Resources (DNR) Law Enforcement Division. The bill amends the state tax code to explicitly state that these fuel tax proceeds must be directed to the DNR Law Enforcement Division, clarifying the current funding pathway. This change directly affects the DNR Law Enforcement Division by providing it with dedicated funding from this specific tax source. The bill does not create new taxes or alter existing tax rates, only specifies where the collected revenue will go.