Del. Eric Brooks

Maddy summaryHB 2572 would amend West Virginia Code §20-2-22a to remove the prohibition against hunting bears using bait during hunting seasons when deer and bear hunting overlap. This change specifically allows hunters to use bait for deer hunting during concurrent seasons without violating bear hunting restrictions. The bill directly affects hunters participating in deer hunting seasons where bait is permitted, enabling them to hunt bears in those same areas without needing separate authorization. The key provision eliminates the current ban in Section (d)(3) that prohibits bear hunting "through the use of bait" during such concurrent seasons.

Maddy summaryHB 2541 would establish rules for election observers in West Virginia, allowing political parties, candidates, and third-party organizations to have two observers per election location, plus any registered voter to serve as an observer. The bill requires election officials to provide observers with full access to voting, ballot-reviewing, and ballot-counting activities (excluding individual voter choices), including access to areas like ballot handling, verification, and tabulation. Observers must wear official badges, may take handwritten notes or use recording devices (except during ballot completion), and cameras must be stationed in all polling locations to enable public observation. The bill also mandates that election officials allow public observation of equipment testing and post-election audits, with failure to comply risking official sanctions.

Maddy summaryHB 2569 creates a tax credit against West Virginia's Business and Occupation tax for businesses that recycle. It directly affects businesses subject to this tax by allowing them to reduce their tax liability based on their recycling activities, with credit amounts determined by business type and the specific products recycled. The bill establishes this credit under new Section 11-13-3h of the West Virginia Code, requiring the Tax Commissioner to develop implementing regulations. The credit applies to businesses using recycling programs as defined in §22-15-1 et seq. The bill was introduced on February 18, 2025, and referred to the House Finance Committee.

Maddy summaryHB 2536 requires full cash bail for individuals rearrested for violent or gun-related crimes while on bail for a prior similar offense. It applies specifically to people already out on bond for violent or gun-related crimes who commit another offense in that category. The bill mandates cash-only bail (no bail bondsmen allowed) and requires consecutive sentencing if the person is convicted of the new crime. This changes bail procedures and sentencing for repeat offenders in specific violent or gun crime cases.

Maddy summaryHB 2540 requires the West Virginia state to reimburse counties for daily incarceration costs when an inmate’s conviction results in credit for time already served toward their sentence. This directly affects counties that house inmates who receive sentence reductions due to prior time served in custody. The bill amends §15A-3-16 of state code to establish a reimbursement process for these costs, replacing the current system where counties pay daily per diem fees. Previously, counties paid for all days incarcerated, but the state now covers costs for days not served due to time credit.

Maddy summaryHB 2568 (West Virginia House Bill 2568) would repeal the existing net metering rules for public utilities by eliminating Section 24-2F-8 of the West Virginia Code. This bill directly affects residential solar customers who currently receive credit for excess electricity they send back to the grid. The key mechanism is the simple repeal of the current net metering provision, removing the requirement for utilities to compensate solar homeowners for surplus power. If passed, homeowners with solar panels would no longer earn credits for electricity generated beyond their own use. The bill is currently pending in the House Committee on Energy and Public Works.

Maddy summaryHB 2567 would allow the death penalty for anyone convicted of intentionally killing a law enforcement officer or first responder while they are performing their duties. This bill specifically targets murders of these public safety workers by adding their status as an "aggravating circumstance" that automatically triggers the death penalty if proven with physical evidence like DNA or an uncoerced confession. The law requires a separate sentencing hearing where a jury must unanimously agree on the death penalty after reviewing aggravating and mitigating factors, with automatic Supreme Court review of all death penalty cases. It also details execution procedures, including lethal injection or firing squad, and administrative steps for carrying out the sentence.

Maddy summaryHB 2530 creates a state program within West Virginia’s Department of Homeland Security to facilitate the transport of "inspected unauthorized aliens" (people processed by federal authorities but not formally admitted under immigration law) within the United States. The bill establishes the Unauthorized Alien Transport Program, authorizing the state to contract services and adopt rules for transporting these individuals, while requiring compliance with federal law. It does not address deportation or sanctuary cities, as the bill’s title misrepresents its purpose. The program is temporary, expiring June 30, 2028. This bill directly affects West Virginia’s administrative processes for handling individuals already processed by federal immigration systems.

Maddy summaryHB 2535 would require West Virginia inmates in state prisons to face additional prison time if found with illegal drugs or testing positive for drug use while incarcerated. For a first offense, inmates would have six months added to their current sentence; for a second or subsequent offense, one year would be added per incident, served consecutively. The bill mandates drug testing to begin after three months of incarceration for all inmates, with additional testing allowed if staff suspects drug use. This directly affects individuals serving sentences in West Virginia correctional facilities who test positive or possess drugs during their imprisonment.

Maddy summaryHB 2408 prohibits the use of ranked choice voting (RCV) in all West Virginia elections. It bans RCV - which allows voters to rank candidates by preference and transfers votes in rounds - from being used for any local, state, or federal election by state, county, or local election offices. The bill defines RCV explicitly and declares any local government ordinance supporting it void. This directly affects all elections in the state and prevents future adoption of RCV methods. The bill is a direct legislative prohibition with no exceptions for specific offices or jurisdictions.