Del. Eric Brooks

Maddy summaryHB 2792 would amend West Virginia's personal income tax code to exempt Social Security benefits from state taxation. Specifically, it adds a provision (section §11-21-12(c)(7)) stating that Social Security benefits received under Title 42 U.S.C., Chapter 7, will no longer be included in taxable income for West Virginia residents. This change directly affects West Virginia residents who receive Social Security payments, as it reduces their taxable income for state tax purposes. The exemption applies to tax years beginning after December 31, 2024, and modifies the calculation of "West Virginia adjusted gross income" by removing Social Security benefits from the taxable base.

Maddy summaryHB 2649 expands existing school disciplinary rules to include elementary school students, removing the current grade limitation that only applied to students in grades 6-12. The bill modifies §18A-5-1 to allow elementary teachers to exclude students for disruptive behavior and follow the same procedures for reporting and disciplinary actions as middle/high school teachers. This directly affects elementary school teachers, students in elementary grades, and school principals who must now implement these procedures for younger students. The key change is extending the existing disciplinary framework - such as classroom exclusion, electronic reporting to WVEIS, and suspension protocols - to cover all elementary school students.

Maddy summaryHB 2665 requires the West Virginia Treasurer to transfer 50% of the unspent funds in reappropriated revenue accounts (funds originally designated for specific purposes but later freed up) to the state’s General Revenue Fund within 30 days. This applies to all such accounts unless transferring would violate federal law, breach repayment agreements, or risk bond repayments. The bill directly affects state budget management by redirecting unused funds from specialized accounts into the general budget pool. It does not alter existing funding for specific programs but changes how unspent allocated funds are handled. The bill is currently in the House Finance Committee for review.

Maddy summaryHB 2677 requires West Virginia's state education board to create a model policy banning K-12 students from using personal cell phones or handheld devices during instructional time, with exceptions for emergencies or contacting parents. County school boards must adopt policies consistent with this model, though enforcement details remain local. The bill directly affects all public K-12 schools and students in West Virginia by mandating a statewide framework for phone restrictions during class. It focuses on balancing academic focus with safety needs, without specifying penalties or device types beyond "personal handheld communication devices."

Maddy summaryHB 2666 (West Virginia House Bill 2666) allows landowners or lessees whose property is damaged by deer or wildlife to hire a third-party hunter to kill the animals using a bow and arrow. The bill amends existing law to explicitly permit this hiring process, requiring the director of natural resources to issue permits for such activity. It maintains existing restrictions, requiring hunters to follow the same bow and arrow specifications as during regular hunting seasons. This directly affects landowners facing property damage from wildlife, providing a new option to address the issue through authorized third-party hunting. The bill does not change general hunting regulations but streamlines a specific damage-control mechanism.

Maddy summaryHB 2547 raises the cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) threshold for retired municipal police officers, firefighters, and employees of water/sewage systems from $15,000 to $45,000 of their annual pension benefit. This means more of their retirement income will be adjusted annually for inflation based on the U.S. consumer price index, rather than just the first $15,000. The bill modifies existing law (§8-22-26a) to expand the portion of pension benefits subject to COLA increases, which currently caps adjustments at $15,000. It directly affects retirees in these specific public safety and utility roles who receive supplemental pension benefits.

Maddy summaryHB 2643 requires the West Virginia Parkways Authority to stop collecting tolls on the West Virginia Turnpike once all bonds for the project are fully paid or a trust fund for repayment is established. This applies only after the Turnpike is certified as being in good condition by the state Highway Division. Within 90 days of the final bond payment, the Authority must discontinue all tolls and remove toll facilities. The bill directly affects drivers using the Turnpike and shifts maintenance responsibility to the state Highway Division.

Maddy summaryHB 2477 provides a one-time 20% cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) to retirement benefits for eligible retired state employees covered by the Public Employees Retirement System and State Teachers Retirement System. It directly affects retirees who voluntarily retired under normal circumstances and currently receive annual annuities, with the first payment due by June 30, 2025. The adjustment applies to both retirees and their beneficiaries (payable pro rata) and is subject to federal tax limitations. The bill corrects the title's 15% figure to the actual 20% specified in the legislation.

Maddy summaryHB 2532 amends West Virginia law to exempt insurance producers who have held an active license for 20 years or more from biennial continuing education requirements. This affects long-tenured insurance agents selling life, health, property, casualty, or other permitted insurance lines, removing their obligation to complete up to 24 hours of continuing education every two years. The bill maintains existing requirements for all other licensed producers, including those needing 6-24 hours of education. It does not change current exemptions for specific license types or telemarketing producers.

Maddy summaryHB 2717 would repeal all existing laws requiring mandatory vehicle inspections in West Virginia. It directly affects vehicle owners who currently must obtain state inspections to register or operate their vehicles. The bill eliminates the legal requirement for inspections by removing sections of the state code that established the inspection process, including penalties for non-compliance. This change would end the state's requirement for vehicles to undergo safety or emissions inspections. The bill does not create new provisions but removes the current inspection mandate entirely.