Del. Elliott Pritt

Maddy summaryHB 3073 requires West Virginia counties to use separate voting machines exclusively for training purposes, prohibiting their use in actual elections except in two specific emergencies: machine failure during voting or insufficient funds to purchase dedicated training machines. If counties lack funds for separate training machines, they must test and certify any machines used for training to ensure accuracy before election day. The bill mandates that all testing must follow strict procedures outlined in §3-4A-26, including public testing with pre-audited ballots and certification of error-free equipment. This directly affects county election officials and their management of voting equipment security and testing protocols.

Maddy summaryHB 2965 redirects employer payments currently made to West Virginia's Public Employees Insurance Association (PEIA) into a Health Savings Account (HSA) for state employees. Starting July 1, 2025, eligible employees would receive $1,100 monthly into their HSA, which they can use to pay for healthcare insurance premiums and related expenses. Employees would choose their own healthcare plans using these funds instead of being enrolled in PEIA. The bill changes how employer contributions are delivered but does not alter existing insurance coverage options.

Maddy summaryHB 3053 requires West Virginia municipalities to allow accessory dwelling units (ADUs) - secondary homes on single-family lots - by right, without discretionary approvals like public hearings or variances. It limits ADU size to 75% of the main home’s floor area or 1,000 sq. ft. (whichever is smaller) and bans municipalities from imposing extra parking, design matching, occupancy, or impact fees. Municipalities may charge a $250 one-time review fee for ADU applications but cannot restrict ADUs more strictly than main homes. The bill applies to all cities and towns with zoning authority, requiring compliance by January 1, 2026, and explicitly excludes mission-driven non-profit housing from its provisions (despite the bill’s title suggesting otherwise).

Maddy summaryHB 3050, the "Community School Funding Formula Revision Act," requires the West Virginia Department of Education (WVDE) to review school closures and consolidations considered during the current year and the previous four fiscal years. Within 180 days of the bill's passage, WVDE must propose changes to the School Aid Formula intended to prevent at least 80% of closures that were due to financial or operational reasons. The bill mandates this review process to address the root causes of school closures without altering existing funding allocations, directly affecting how state education funding is evaluated and adjusted. It aims to stabilize school districts by modifying the funding formula to prevent future closures based on financial challenges.

Maddy summaryHB 3003 allows West Virginia county commissions to increase pay for elected county officials (like sheriffs, clerks, and assessors) when justified by new duties or rising property values. It requires county auditors to certify the county has sufficient funds before raises can be paid, and officials must submit written requests for the increase. The bill cites that since 2015, officials have taken on more responsibilities without pay adjustments, and higher property valuations now justify potential salary changes. This applies to all counties that meet the fiscal certification and request requirements, effective July 1, 2025. The changes aim to align compensation with evolving county responsibilities and economic conditions.

Maddy summaryHB 2983 would require West Virginia's state agency to provide free identification documents to homeless U.S. citizens living at participating shelters. Eligible individuals must reside at a shelter, use the shelter address on applications, and provide a shelter employee's affidavit confirming residency. The bill specifies three documents: photo ID cards, driver's license replacements, or birth certificate replacements, with a limit of one document per person every 30 days. Citizenship must be verified using approved documents like birth certificates or passports. This policy aims to remove financial barriers to obtaining ID, which is needed for employment and public benefits.

Maddy summaryHB 2980 amends West Virginia tax law to exempt certain pension benefits from state income tax for specific public safety officers. It expands the existing $2,000 annual exemption to include pension payments for Division of Natural Resources police (including former conservation officers), deputy sheriffs, full-time firefighters, and municipal police officers. The bill modifies tax code sections to add these roles to the class of law enforcement officers whose retirement benefits qualify for the exemption. This change applies to the first $2,000 of pension benefits received under eligible retirement systems, aligning them with existing tax treatment for other public safety retirees. The policy directly affects these officers by reducing their state taxable income from retirement payments.

Maddy summaryHB 2940 prohibits parking meters at all designated handicapped parking spaces in West Virginia, requiring their removal within 90 days of enactment. It eliminates late fees and penalties for individuals with valid disability parking permits who have unpaid parking citations, though standard parking violations (like misuse of spaces or fire lanes) remain enforceable. The bill applies to all public and private entities operating parking meters, including municipalities and private property owners. Violations by these entities may result in fines up to $500, enforced by the West Virginia Attorney General.

Maddy summaryHB 2933 would set the State Superintendent of Schools' annual salary at the average of salaries for equivalent positions in West Virginia's five neighboring states (Kentucky, Maryland, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Virginia). The salary would be established at this average upon the bill's effective date and reassessed every five years. This change directly affects the State Superintendent's compensation and replaces the current method where the State Board of Education sets the salary. The bill does not alter the superintendent's job duties, qualifications, or other responsibilities.

Maddy summaryHB 2839 requires all West Virginia public elementary, middle, and high schools to provide free feminine hygiene products to female students. County boards of education must supply these products using existing funds allocated for hygiene items, without requiring new state spending. The bill directly affects female students in public K-12 schools by ensuring access to these essential products during school hours. It establishes a clear policy change to address period poverty in educational settings through existing budget mechanisms.