Del. Tresa Howell

Maddy summaryHB 4709 gives the West Virginia Legislature legal standing to sue state officials (like the Governor or Secretary of State) who make unauthorized changes to election laws or rules. It also requires courts to allow the Legislature to automatically intervene as a "real party in interest" in any lawsuit challenging election law legality or constitutionality. This directly affects election officials and changes how election-related court cases are handled in West Virginia. The bill clarifies the Legislature’s role in election litigation but does not alter election rules themselves.

Maddy summaryHB 5206 makes certain panhandling and solicitation practices unlawful in West Virginia, directly affecting individuals requesting money, goods, or services in public spaces. The bill prohibits panhandling in specific locations (like bus stops, near ATMs, schools, and within 100-200 feet of highways) and during restricted hours (9 a.m. to 6 p.m.), while requiring licensed panhandlers to carry ID and permits. Exemptions apply to fire departments, school groups, and 501(c)(3) nonprofits soliciting for their operations. Violations carry misdemeanor fines starting at $100 for a first offense, increasing to $1,000 for repeat offenses, with permit revocation after three violations.

Maddy summaryThis bill would allow public schools and charter schools in West Virginia to refuse enrollment to students who are unlawfully present in the United States, provided the student or their parent has exhausted all available legal appeals. The legislation requires schools to verify a student's immigration status through documentation before enrollment, accepting only U.S. citizenship, citizenship applications, or legal visa status as valid proof. By adding a new section to state law, the bill creates an eligibility standard for public school enrollment that differs from current federal precedent, permitting schools to deny access to students with final removal orders without charging tuition.

Maddy summaryHB 5644 requires all West Virginia public K-12 schools and accredited colleges/universities to record students' immigration status and nationality as defined by federal law. This includes categories like U.S. citizens, permanent residents, non-immigrants, undocumented individuals, and refugees. Schools must annually publish aggregated demographic data (without individual student details) on immigration status to the state education superintendent, who will post it online. The bill directly affects every public educational institution in West Virginia by mandating this data collection and reporting process. It does not change student eligibility for education but creates a statewide database for tracking enrollment demographics.

Maddy summaryHB 5680 establishes a system requiring all West Virginia state agency rules to automatically expire after set periods (2, 4, or 6 years) unless agencies prove their necessity. Agencies must justify renewal with "clear and convincing evidence" showing each rule is legally authorized, necessary for public safety, cost-effective, and not duplicative. This "zero-based review" shifts the burden of proof entirely to agencies, mandating they demonstrate benefits outweigh compliance costs and restrictions on businesses, citizens, and healthcare providers. The bill creates a new oversight commission and requires annual reductions in regulatory burdens, aiming to eliminate outdated or unnecessary rules without requiring legislative action for each repeal.

Maddy summaryHJR 39 proposes a constitutional amendment to change how the West Virginia State Board of Education is structured. It would replace the current system of nine governor-appointed members with five elected regional members (serving four-year terms, limited to two terms) and four appointed members (serving staggered terms). The amendment requires the Board to submit proposed policies to the Legislature for review, approval, or rejection. This change, if approved by voters in 2026, would take effect for the 2028 election cycle and directly affects how board members are selected and how education policies are reviewed.

Maddy summaryHB 4062 allows homeschool students participating in organized homeschool athletic teams to compete against West Virginia Secondary School Activities Commission (WVSSAC) member schools in regular-season games. It requires homeschool organizations to follow similar health, safety, and eligibility rules as public/private schools and provide comparable insurance. Crucially, homeschool teams cannot be included in official WVSSAC rankings, standings, or postseason tournaments, and member schools may choose whether to schedule games with them. The bill ensures homeschool participation does not affect official records of WVSSAC member schools while creating a framework for their involvement.

Maddy summaryHB 5561 would require West Virginia's Secretary of State to refer potential election fraud cases directly to the state Attorney General for prosecution, rather than to a county prosecuting attorney. Currently, the Secretary refers such cases to the Prosecuting Attorneys Institute, which appoints a county-level special prosecutor. This change would shift the primary responsibility for prosecuting election fraud from local county authorities to the state Attorney General's office. The bill affects how election fraud allegations are handled, moving the referral process from county to state level.

Maddy summaryHB 5551 requires West Virginia to continue issuing non-REAL ID compliant driver's licenses and ID cards, clearly marked "NOT FOR REAL ID ACT PURPOSES," which remain valid for all state purposes like driving and identity verification. The bill prohibits the state from collecting biometric data (such as facial scans or fingerprints), retaining copies of identity documents (like birth certificates or Social Security cards), or sharing personal information from these licenses with federal or interstate databases. It mandates that applicants be informed of their choice between REAL ID and non-REAL ID options and provided with a list of TSA-acceptable IDs, while banning digital IDs and requiring physical licenses for all purposes. The law also prohibits state agencies from entering agreements that conflict with these protections.

Maddy summaryHB 5549, the "Citizen and State Accountability Act," requires West Virginia state and local government agencies to seek the Governor’s written consent before accepting certain grants. For grants over $1 million ("major grants"), agencies must submit a detailed 60-day analysis covering costs, policy impacts, and compliance requirements to the Governor and a fiscal office. For smaller grants ($1 million or less, "minor grants"), agencies must notify the Governor one week before submission. The bill mandates public reporting on all grants and creates a public database for transparency, but does not change existing grant programs.