Del. Jeff Campbell

Maddy summaryHB 5560 would exempt the first $2,000 of retirement benefits received by retired law enforcement officers under West Virginia's Public Employees Retirement System (PERS) from state income tax. This bill modifies existing tax law to specifically include former law enforcement officers in the current exemption for PERS retirement benefits, which previously applied to teachers and other public employees. The policy change directly affects retired police and firefighters who receive PERS pensions, ensuring their initial $2,000 in annual retirement income is not subject to state taxation. This amendment expands an existing tax exemption to explicitly cover law enforcement retirees, aligning with the bill's stated purpose of providing tax relief for this group.

Maddy summaryHB 5573 creates a new Rural Medical Residency Program focused specifically on obstetrics and gynecology (OB/GYN) for rural hospitals in West Virginia. The bill directs the Rural Health Initiative to fund this program using existing Rural Health Initiative resources or other legislative appropriations. It prioritizes OB/GYN care - a critical need in rural "health care deserts" where access is limited - as part of the state’s strategy to address shortages of primary care physicians. The program will operate within rural hospitals and align with the Rural Health Initiative Act’s goals to improve health care accessibility in underserved areas.

Maddy summaryHB 5578 adds a 50-cent fee to every vehicle registration and renewal in West Virginia. The collected funds will be directly allocated to the Deputy Sheriff’s Retirement Fund, managed by the DMV. This bill affects all vehicle owners in the state who register or renew their vehicles, as the fee is applied uniformly to each transaction. It modifies existing vehicle registration fee provisions to redirect this revenue stream to support retired deputy sheriffs' pensions. The policy change is a straightforward funding mechanism with no new eligibility requirements or administrative changes beyond the fee allocation.

Maddy summaryHB 5595 amends West Virginia law to exempt personal property owned by veterans with a 100% disability rating from state property taxes. It directly affects fully disabled veterans who receive this specific military disability rating. The bill adds these veterans to the existing list of property tax exemptions under §11-3-9 of the West Virginia Code, which already covers items like churches, hospitals, and educational institutions. This change applies only to personal property (e.g., vehicles, equipment), not real estate. The bill was introduced in the West Virginia House of Delegates on February 16, 2026, and referred to the Finance Committee.

Maddy summaryThis is a commemorative House resolution honoring former West Virginia House Speaker and Chief Justice Timothy P. Armstead following his passing. It memorializes his service, names a conference room in the House as the "Speaker Tim Armstead Memorial Conference Room," and extends condolences to his family. The resolution does not create new laws or affect policy - it formally recognizes his legacy and contributions to West Virginia.

Maddy summaryHB 5579 waives the one-time $10 application fee for West Virginia Veterans license plates for first-time applicants who have received an Honorable Discharge from any branch of the U.S. military. This change directly affects eligible veterans applying for their first military license plate, removing a $10 cost that would otherwise apply. The bill amends state code to specify that the fee is waived for these applicants when they provide required discharge documentation. It does not affect existing plate holders or other plate types, focusing solely on reducing barriers for new veteran license plate applications.

Maddy summaryThis House Resolution (HR 6) expresses the West Virginia House of Delegates' support for developing natural gas pipeline infrastructure, specifically an intra-Panhandle pipeline connecting western gas fields to the Eastern Panhandle. It aims to improve access to locally produced natural gas for residents, support industrial and commercial growth, and create jobs across the state. The resolution highlights West Virginia's status as a top natural gas producer and notes that existing pipelines transport most output out of state, while Maryland's opposition to pipeline extensions is cited as a barrier. It does not create new laws or funding but urges responsible infrastructure expansion to boost economic development. As a procedural resolution, it has no direct legal effect but signals legislative backing for pipeline projects.

Maddy summaryHB 5488 creates a new criminal offense in West Virginia for recklessly harming or interfering with service animals. It directly affects service animal handlers (including people with disabilities who rely on service animals) and anyone who harms these animals while they are assisting a person with a disability or when the offender knows the animal is a service animal. The bill prohibits actions like taunting, throwing objects, or obstructing a service animal’s work, with penalties including up to one year in jail, a $500 fine, or both. It also requires offenders to pay full restitution for damages, such as the animal’s value, replacement costs, veterinary bills, and lost wages for the handler. The bill is currently pending before the House Judiciary Committee after being introduced on February 13, 2026.

Maddy summaryHB 5489 increases the financial threshold requiring a contractor license for residential work in West Virginia from $5,000 to $10,000 per project. This change directly affects small residential contractors who currently must be licensed for projects costing $5,000 or more but would no longer need a license for projects between $5,000 and $10,000. The bill modifies the statutory definition of "contractor" in §30-42-3(d) to reflect this higher threshold for residential work, while commercial work remains at $25,000. This adjustment simplifies licensing requirements for minor residential projects without altering other contractor classifications or exemptions.

Maddy summaryHB 5490 would provide a 20% discount on golf green fees at all West Virginia state parks for residents on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Wednesdays. To qualify, residents must present a valid driver's license or Real ID. The bill allows park directors to exclude traditional peak periods from the discount and set reasonable usage limits, while requiring rules for implementation through legislative approval. This policy directly affects West Virginia residents who play golf at state parks on specified low-traffic days.