Del. Marshall Clay

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 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.

Maddy summaryHB 2406 requires all West Virginia state offices, departments, boards, and commissions to replace specific terms in government communications with gender-specific alternatives. It mandates replacing phrases like "pregnant people" with "pregnant women" and "chestfeeding" with "breastfeeding" in official documents, websites, literature, and in-person interactions. The bill targets language it deems "exclusionary" or "sexist," listing nine specific term replacements to be implemented by June 1, 2025. This directly affects all state government entities responsible for public communications.

Maddy summaryHB 2488 directs West Virginia's Department of Transportation (WV DOT) to study the feasibility, costs, and effectiveness of installing suicide safety measures on the New River Gorge Bridge. The study must consult the Bridge Day Commission to ensure safety measures won't disrupt annual Bridge Day events and assess federal funding opportunities. WV DOT must submit a report to the Joint Committee on Government and Finance by December 31, 2025, using state road funds, grants, or partnerships. This bill mandates a study only - it does not require installing safety systems or allocate permanent funding.

Maddy summaryHB 2506 amends West Virginia law to expand vehicle registration fee exemptions for veterans. It lowers the required service-connected disability percentage from 100% to 50% or greater for veterans to qualify, and adds recipients of the Distinguished Service Cross, Navy Cross, or Air Force Cross to the list of eligible veterans. The bill directly affects veterans with qualifying disabilities or military honors who own non-commercial vehicles. Key provisions include modifying existing exemption criteria (§17A-10-8(5)) and adding new eligibility under subsection (7) for specific medal recipients. This change would allow more veterans to avoid paying annual vehicle registration fees.

Maddy summaryHB 2492 creates a separate pay category for non-uniform administrative staff within West Virginia's Division of Corrections and Rehabilitation, directly affecting these employees. It mandates a 3% salary adjustment for eligible staff with three or more years of continuous service, effective July 1, 2025, with future adjustments for newer hires after they reach three years. Funding for these increases comes from the division's general revenue appropriations, and the bill allows employees to exceed standard pay grade maximums if the adjustment pushes them above the limit. The bill aims to address recruitment and retention challenges for these specific correctional facility staff.

Maddy summaryHB 2404 creates a tax credit for West Virginia businesses that donate to local pregnancy or birth centers. Businesses can claim a credit equal to their donation amount (nonrefundable), provided they submit proof of the contribution to the Tax Commissioner. The credit directly affects businesses operating in West Virginia that choose to support these specific health centers. The bill requires no new state funding, as it offsets existing tax revenue based on private donations. This policy change aims to incentivize private financial support for facilities offering pregnancy-related services.

Maddy summaryHB 2403 prohibits the use of hormone blockers for transgender minors under 18 in West Virginia. The bill amends existing law to remove all exceptions that previously allowed hormone blockers (referred to as "pubertal modulating and hormonal therapy") for minors with severe gender dysphoria, even under strict medical oversight. It explicitly states that "hormonal therapy, otherwise known as 'hormone blockers,' may not be provided in any circumstance" for minors. This directly affects transgender youth seeking medically supervised care for gender dysphoria, eliminating a previously permitted treatment pathway. The change takes effect January 1, 2024, as noted in the bill's current provisions.

Maddy summaryHB 2346 amends West Virginia's pawnbroker regulations to enhance transparency and consumer protection. It requires pawnbrokers to document each transaction with detailed property descriptions (including serial numbers for firearms and jewelry specifics), take a photograph of sellers without government ID, and retain items in their original condition for five business days before altering or disposing of them. The bill also increases penalties for violations and mandates reporting certain transactions to local law enforcement. These changes directly affect pawnbrokers and their customers by standardizing record-keeping and adding safeguards against property tampering.

Maddy summaryHB 2373, the Equipment Right to Repair Act, requires manufacturers of farm equipment (like tractors, combines, and harvesters) to provide independent repair shops and equipment owners with necessary documentation, parts, and tools after the equipment's new warranty expires. This applies to any equipment used in farming operations, excluding standard road vehicles. The bill mandates that manufacturers make these resources available without imposing restrictions like mandatory registration or requiring repair shops to become authorized providers. It aims to give farmers and independent repair businesses greater access to repair their equipment directly, rather than relying solely on manufacturer-authorized services.