Del. Tristan Leavitt

Maddy summaryHB 5559 creates West Virginia's participation in the Social Work Licensure Compact, enabling licensed social workers to practice across multiple participating states using a single "multistate license" instead of obtaining separate licenses in each state. It directly affects licensed social workers seeking to practice in more than one member state, as well as clients needing consistent access to social work services. The key provision establishes standardized requirements for multistate licensure, including background checks, and creates a commission to manage the compact's operations and resolve disputes between states. This eliminates barriers for social workers moving between states while ensuring public access to qualified professionals under a unified licensing system.

Maddy summaryThis is a commemorative House resolution honoring former West Virginia House Speaker and Chief Justice Timothy P. Armstead following his passing. It memorializes his service, names a conference room in the House as the "Speaker Tim Armstead Memorial Conference Room," and extends condolences to his family. The resolution does not create new laws or affect policy - it formally recognizes his legacy and contributions to West Virginia.

Maddy summaryHB 5461 creates the "Financial Accountability Stable Token Act" (FAST Act), authorizing West Virginia to use U.S.-dollar-backed stable tokens for payments to state vendors and contractors. The bill establishes strict requirements for qualifying tokens, including 1:1 U.S. dollar backing, U.S. corporate control, quarterly audits, and public reserve reports, all overseen by the State Treasurer. Participation by vendors and contractors is voluntary - no one can be forced to accept token payments - and the state will maintain a public list of approved tokens. The law also mandates annual reporting on transaction volumes, cost savings, and risk assessments to ensure fiscal safety.

Maddy summaryHB 5472 formally adds mine rescue personnel to West Virginia's definition of "emergency responders" under the Survivor Benefits Act. This means qualified mine rescue teams - those meeting specific training and certification requirements - will now be eligible for survivor benefits if they die while performing mine emergency response duties, such as responding to explosions, fires, or equipment maintenance. The bill amends existing law to include mine rescue personnel in the same category as firefighters, EMS, and law enforcement for benefit eligibility. It directly affects mine rescue team members who meet state training standards and perform authorized emergency response activities. The legislation extends existing survivor benefits without creating new costs or programs.

Maddy summaryHB 4978 requires Workforce West Virginia to proactively match unemployment claimants with job openings from private employers based on their prior job history and salary range. This affects individuals receiving unemployment benefits in West Virginia, who will now receive tailored job referrals instead of only general job listings. The bill mandates that claimants apply for referred jobs within one week and accept suitable offers, while employers must report rejections or job acceptances to the state. It also ensures claimants accepting part-time work below their benefit rate retain full unemployment payments without reduction. The policy changes eligibility requirements to prioritize job matching as part of active job search efforts.

Maddy summaryHB 5411, the Energy Freedom and Fairness Act, allows large non-residential electricity customers (like factories or data centers meeting specific load capacity requirements) to choose their own power suppliers from competitive providers, rather than purchasing solely from regulated utilities. The bill requires the Public Service Commission to establish a subscription queue for these customers, license competitive service providers, and ensure rate transparency for utilities. It also prohibits utilities from shifting costs unfairly to ratepayers and mandates oversight to protect residential customers and small businesses. The law aims to lower electricity costs for all ratepayers by reducing the need for new utility-owned generation while maintaining utility responsibility for transmission and distribution.

Maddy summaryHB 5425 amends West Virginia law to clarify how urban renewal authorities and land reuse agencies can acquire property. It specifically allows these agencies to purchase tax-delinquent properties meeting certain criteria (such as being valued under $100,000, vacant for 24+ months, or having municipal liens exceeding back taxes) with priority over other buyers. The bill requires municipalities to provide lists of qualifying properties to agencies and grants them the right to buy these properties by paying outstanding taxes. This directly affects urban renewal authorities, municipalities, and property owners with tax-delinquent properties in redevelopment zones.

Maddy summaryHB 5409 clarifies that water and minerals in dissolved or undissolved form within produced liquids and solids from oil and gas drilling belong to the landowner or mineral rights holder, not the drilling operator. The bill amends West Virginia law to explicitly define "produced liquids and solids" to include these materials, resolving ambiguity about ownership of byproducts from drilling operations. This directly affects landowners, mineral rights holders, and oil/gas operators by establishing clear ownership rights to these substances. The legislation aims to prevent disputes over ownership of naturally occurring minerals and water in drilling byproducts.

Maddy summaryHB 5374 prohibits telemarketers from using auto-dialing systems (robo-calls) to make unsolicited sales calls for Medicare benefits, auto insurance, warranties, or charitable donations in West Virginia. The bill directly affects consumers who receive these unwanted calls and telemarketers who currently make such solicitations. It bans all phone calls using auto-dialing technology to sell insurance-related products, warranties, or solicit donations for charities. The law would apply to all locations, including workplaces, and aims to reduce nuisance calls without exempting political or non-commercial communications. The bill is currently in the House Judiciary Committee after being introduced on February 9, 2026.

Maddy summaryHB 5368 would create a public registry for West Virginia domestic violence offenders with at least two qualifying convictions. It requires individuals convicted of two domestic violence offenses (such as domestic battery, assault, or strangulation against an intimate partner) to register with local state police, providing their name, address, and other identifying details. The registry would make this information publicly available to help community members protect themselves and their children, while the bill explicitly states it is for safety purposes, not punishment. The law applies retroactively to existing offenders and defines "domestic violence" under specific state statutes.