Del. Elliott Pritt

Maddy summaryHB 4370 would allow individuals with a valid West Virginia concealed handgun permit to carry concealed firearms on the State Capitol grounds and inside the Capitol building. Permit holders must show their permit and firearm upon request when entering the building. However, concealed carry would be prohibited in the Governor's office and the Supreme Court chambers (including the third and fourth floors of the East wing). The Senate and House of Delegates would also have the authority to create their own rules for firearm carrying in their respective chamber galleries and floors.

Maddy summaryHB 4372 allows K-12 teachers, administrators, and support staff in West Virginia to carry concealed firearms if certified as School Protection Officers (SPOs). To qualify, applicants must complete state-developed training (including firearms instruction) through the Department of Homeland Security, meet specific qualifications, and receive county superintendent approval. The bill creates a new SPO designation with mandatory certification requirements, replacing the general prohibition on weapons in schools for these designated staff. This policy change directly affects school employees who pursue SPO certification, altering existing restrictions under §61-7-11a of the West Virginia Code.

Maddy summaryHB 4376, titled "Say No to Good Old Boy Governance," prohibits elected state officials from appointing family members to state or local government positions. The bill defines "family member" broadly to include spouses, parents, children, grandparents, grandchildren, siblings, and extended relatives like aunts, uncles, nieces, and nephews. This law applies specifically to elected officials holding state office (such as state legislators or governors) who have appointment authority for public roles. It aims to prevent nepotism by banning the practice of favoring relatives in government appointments.

Maddy summaryHB 4147 makes it unlawful for anyone under 21 to possess or use tobacco products in West Virginia. The bill imposes escalating penalties for violations: a $50 fine and eight hours of community service for a first offense, increasing to $200 and 24 hours for third or subsequent offenses. It includes an exception allowing minors assisting with tobacco compliance inspections to avoid penalties. The law directly affects individuals under 21 who possess or use tobacco products, with no mention of additional exemptions beyond the inspection exception.

Maddy summaryHB 4086 would allow teachers who first joined West Virginia's Teachers Retirement System on or after July 1, 2015, to convert their accrued annual and sick leave into additional retirement service credit. Specifically, each day of accrued leave would count as one day of service toward their retirement benefits. This would increase the amount of retirement benefits these teachers receive based on their total credited service. The bill amends existing law to extend this benefit to newer members of the Teachers Retirement System, rather than just those who joined before 2015. The bill was introduced in the House on January 14, 2026, and referred to the Committee on Education.

Maddy summaryHB 4055 repeals a West Virginia law (WV Code §56-3-16) that prohibited courts from serving legal documents (like summonses or warrants) on Sundays. This change would allow civil court processes to be executed any day of the week, including Sundays. The bill directly affects courts, legal professionals, and individuals involved in civil court proceedings by removing a longstanding Sunday restriction. It is a procedural repeal with no new requirements or funding impacts.

Maddy summaryHB 4091 would allow West Virginia circuit courts to remove elected officials or appointed officers filling elective roles who reside within the court's jurisdiction. Courts could remove them for neglecting clear duties, misuse of office, incompetence causing material harm; for a misdemeanor conviction; or for specific serious convictions (like sexual assault) after all appeals are exhausted. To trigger removal, a petition signed by 15% of voters from the last election for that office would be required. This bill directly affects local elected and certain appointed officials in West Virginia.

Maddy summaryHJR 11 proposes amending West Virginia's state constitution to increase the homestead exemption from $10,000 to $20,000. This change would directly affect homeowners aged 65 or older, or those permanently and totally disabled, who own their primary residence as their principal place of abode. The bill would exempt the first $20,000 of assessed value for qualifying residential property from ad valorem property taxes. This constitutional amendment requires voter approval at the 2026 general election to take effect. The current exemption amount is $10,000 under the existing constitutional provision.

Maddy summaryHB 4186 would amend West Virginia law to extend the existing fee waiver for concealed carry permits (CCW) from veterans to active-duty military personnel. Currently, veterans are exempt from the $50 resident or $100 non-resident application fee for a CCW permit, and this bill would add active-duty service members to that exemption. The key provision modifies the eligibility criteria to include active-duty status, meaning active-duty members would no longer pay the application fee when applying for a concealed carry license. This change directly affects active-duty military members residing in West Virginia who seek a concealed carry permit.

Maddy summaryHB 4124 requires baby food manufacturers selling in West Virginia to test for arsenic, cadmium, lead, and mercury (toxic elements) in each production batch starting January 1, 2027. Manufacturers must test at accredited labs, publicly post test results on their website for the product’s shelf life plus one month, and include a QR code on labels linking to this information and FDA guidance. This applies to all baby food (excluding infant formula) packaged for infants and children under two years old. The bill aims to increase transparency about heavy metal levels in products sold within the state.