Del. Elliott Pritt

Maddy summaryHB 3116 updates West Virginia's incest statute to clarify and expand the definition of family relationships covered under the law. It specifically adds "aunt" and "uncle" to include relatives by marriage (e.g., a person's wife of an uncle or husband of an aunt) and ensures the law applies equally to same-sex marriages. The bill directly affects individuals in familial relationships involving married aunts/uncles or same-sex spouses, making the legal definitions more inclusive. It does not change penalties (5-15 years imprisonment or fines) but ensures the statute applies to all qualifying familial relationships, including those formed through marriage.

Maddy summaryHB 2020 prohibits anyone from selling, giving, or furnishing e-cigarettes, vapes, or vape cartridges to individuals under 18 years old. This law directly affects businesses (like vape shops or convenience stores) and employees who sell these products to minors, as well as individuals who give them to minors. Violators face misdemeanor charges with fines starting at $50 for a first offense, increasing to up to $5,000 for repeat violations within specific timeframes. The bill focuses exclusively on e-cigarette products (defined as "vapor products" or "electronic smoking devices") and does not apply to FDA-approved nicotine products. It amends West Virginia law to strengthen penalties for selling these items to minors.

Maddy summaryHB 2023 creates a new three-day muzzleloader deer hunting season in West Virginia, scheduled on the Thursday, Friday, and Saturday immediately before the traditional November rifle season. This season directly affects hunters using single-shot muzzleloading rifles or pistols with specific bore requirements (minimum 0.38 inches) during the designated dates. The bill amends existing law to establish this separate hunting period, allowing muzzleloader use while excluding the Mountaineer Heritage season. It does not change equipment rules or other hunting seasons but adds this specific timeframe for muzzleloader hunters.

Maddy summaryHB 2021 amends West Virginia law to give county sheriffs final authority over whether law-enforcement officers meet requirements to serve as bailiffs in their counties. Currently, a court security board compiled a list of qualified officers, but this bill shifts the final approval decision to the sheriff of the county where the bailiff would serve. The sheriff would determine if an officer is qualified, meets position requirements, or is the appropriate choice for the role. This change directly affects county sheriffs (who gain this authority) and bailiff candidates (whose qualifications are now judged by sheriffs instead of the board). The bill does not alter funding, duties, or existing certification standards for bailiffs.

Maddy summaryHB 2017 changes how West Virginia calculates state funding for school bus transportation. It replaces the current method (based on student enrollment) with a new formula using daily school bus mileage traveled. This directly affects rural and larger counties that are required to provide bus service to all students but face high costs due to long routes. The bill adjusts state aid to better match actual transportation needs, providing more funding for counties with greater bus mileage. The change aims to ensure funding aligns with the physical distance buses travel to transport students.

Maddy summaryHB 2018 requires West Virginia public schools operating on a standard calendar to begin instruction no earlier than September 1 and end no later than May 31 each school year. The bill amends existing law to establish these fixed start and end dates while maintaining the current requirement for 180 instructional days. It applies to all public schools except those using a "balanced calendar" as defined by state board policy. The measure does not change the total instructional day requirement but sets specific annual date boundaries for the school calendar.

Maddy summaryHB 2019 waives the $10 one-time application fee for West Virginia's Veterans license plate for first-time applicants with an Honorable Discharge from any U.S. military branch. This directly affects new veterans applying for the specialty plate, removing a cost barrier for eligible applicants. The bill amends §17A-3-14b of West Virginia law to eliminate this fee while requiring applicants to still provide documentation of their military service. It does not change renewal fees or apply to existing plate holders.

Maddy summaryHB 2016 proposes creating West Virginia's Comprehensive Services Act, establishing a new system to support at-risk youth and their families through child-centered, family-focused, and community-based services. The bill would create state and local advisory teams composed of agency representatives, parent advocates, service providers, and community members to coordinate services, promote interagency collaboration, and ensure early intervention for youth facing emotional or behavioral challenges. These teams would advise state agencies on policies and funding to preserve families, provide services in the least restrictive environment, and increase community flexibility in using funds. The act directly affects youth and families involved with child welfare systems and requires coordination across multiple state agencies including Health, Juvenile Services, and Education. The bill is currently in committee referral and has not yet been enacted.

Maddy summaryHJR 40 proposes a constitutional amendment to change how members of the West Virginia State Board of Education are selected. It would replace the current system of nine appointed members with a hybrid model: five members elected on a partisan basis from five geographic regions (serving staggered four-year terms), and four members appointed by the Governor with Senate consent. The amendment would require the Board to submit any rules or policies they create to the Legislature for review, approval, amendment, or rejection. If approved by voters in the 2026 general election, these changes would take effect with the 2028 general election, modifying the current appointment system for the Board.

Maddy summaryHB 3383 creates the Great Expectations Pilot Program to support West Virginia youth aging out of foster care in transitioning to community college. The program pairs eligible foster youth (those who were in foster care when earning their high school diploma or GED) with full-time coaches at a single community college, who provide personalized guidance on college applications, financial aid, transportation, career planning, and accessing support services. It allocates $95,000 annually from state general revenue to cover the coach's salary, benefits, and program resources. The three-year pilot, starting September 2025 at one college, will be evaluated in 2029 to determine potential statewide expansion.