Del. Tristan Leavitt

Maddy summaryHB 3438, titled the "Connor Drennan Substitute Teachers' Act," allows retired teachers with specialties in math, science, STEM fields, English, or foreign languages to work as long-term substitutes for up to 180 days per academic year without losing retirement benefits. It directly affects retired educators in these high-need subject areas who fill substitute roles, preventing disruptions to student learning when substitutes must leave due to prior retirement pay restrictions. The bill amends retirement rules to set a clear 180-day limit for such substitute work (up from 140 days) and clarifies that employers won’t make additional retirement contributions during this period. Retired teachers may choose to contribute to their retirement from substitute earnings, but it’s not required. This change aims to stabilize classrooms by retaining qualified retired teachers in critical subject areas.

Maddy summaryHCR 67 is a procedural resolution requesting that West Virginia's Division of Highways name a new bridge in Kanawha County the "U.S. Army 2LT Darwin Keith 'Gus' Kyle Memorial Bridge - a Medal of Honor Recipient." The bridge, located over Kanawha Boulevard and Davis Creek on Jefferson Road (County Route 601), will be marked with this commemorative title. The resolution honors Kyle's Medal of Honor service during the Korean War, including his heroic actions at the Hungnam evacuation and his death leading troops in 1951. As a naming resolution, it has no budgetary or regulatory impact - it solely requests a permanent memorial designation.

Maddy summaryHCR 72 designates March 20, 2025 as "Black Lung Awareness Day" in West Virginia. It honors coal miners affected by black lung disease (coal worker's pneumoconiosis), a preventable occupational lung condition caused by coal dust exposure. The resolution does not create new laws, funding, or policy changes - it serves as a ceremonial observance recognizing the disease's impact and existing protections like the Black Lung Benefits Act. It follows the Federal Coal Mine Health and Safety Act's emphasis on miner safety without altering current regulations.

Maddy summaryHCR 83 is a memorial resolution naming a specific bridge in Kanawha County (WV 61 over Morris Creek, Bridge #20-061/00-000.32) the "Benny Filiaggi, III Memorial Bridge." It honors Benny Filiaggi III, a Montgomery Fire Department member for 49 years who served as Fire Chief and trained firefighters, requesting the Division of Highways install signs with this name. This is a procedural resolution with no policy changes, solely commemorating his service.

Maddy summaryThis concurrent resolution (HCR 47) requests that West Virginia's Division of Highways rename the Etam Bridge (Bridge Number 39-072/00-001.85) in Preston County as the "Clinton 'Randy' Dean 101st Airborne Vietnam Veterans Memorial Bridge." It honors Clinton "Randy" Dean, a West Virginia native and Vietnam War veteran who served with the 101st Airborne Division, received a Purple Heart, and later died from Agent Orange-related illness. The resolution specifically directs the Division of Highways to name the bridge and install prominent signage identifying it with this commemorative name. This is a ceremonial resolution, not a policy change affecting legislation or funding.

Maddy summaryHB 3271 authorizes West Virginia courts to maintain digital records instead of physical order books, directly affecting court clerks and judicial staff. The bill amends court record-keeping laws to require clerks to preserve both digital and physical records, while allowing orders to be stored digitally rather than entered in a physical book. It removes the requirement for judges to personally sign physical copies of orders when digital copies are used, streamlining record-keeping processes. This change applies to all courts in the state and focuses on modernizing record storage without altering judicial procedures.

Maddy summaryHB 3482 establishes formal rules for microschools in West Virginia, defining them as a distinct category under home instruction exemptions. It requires microschool operators to have at least a high school diploma or equivalent, submit annual standardized test results for students, and provide notice of intent to county officials. The bill directly affects microschool operators, parents, and county education authorities who will enforce these standards. Key provisions include mandatory annual testing, instructor qualification requirements, and streamlined reporting to county boards - aligning microschools with existing home instruction frameworks while adding specific accountability measures.

Maddy summaryHB 3494 requires individuals convicted in West Virginia of specific crimes to formally acknowledge their firearm prohibition and transfer firearms at the time of sentencing. It directly affects people convicted of felonies (over one year imprisonment, under §61-7-7(a)(1)) or misdemeanor domestic violence assaults/batteries involving intimate partners, spouses, or household members (under §61-7-7(a)(8)). The bill mandates they sign a form confirming the prohibition and hand over firearms to someone legally allowed to possess them. This adds a new procedural step to existing firearm restrictions, focusing on immediate compliance at conviction. The bill is currently in the House Judiciary Committee for review.

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 3447 would exempt diapers and specific infant hygiene products from West Virginia's sales tax. It directly affects parents and caregivers purchasing these items, removing the 6% sales tax currently applied. The bill defines "diapers" as disposable absorbent products for infants/toddlers or individuals with incontinence, and "infant products" to include baby bottles, formula, and car seats. This policy change would take effect if the bill passes, adding these items to West Virginia's existing tax exemptions. The bill was introduced on March 17, 2025, and referred to the House Finance Committee.