Del. Mike Pushkin

Maddy summaryHB 3393 would establish a temporary license for foreign breweries to import nonintoxicating beer (beer with less than 0.5% alcohol) into West Virginia for sale. Foreign corporations seeking this license would need to pay a $1,500 annual fee, submit corporate documentation, and comply with labeling and transportation requirements. The bill directly affects foreign breweries aiming to sell nonintoxicating beer in West Virginia, providing a temporary authorization pathway. The exact duration of the temporary license is not specified in the provided bill text.

Maddy summaryHB 3394 creates a 12-member School Aid Formula Study Commission to examine and recommend changes to West Virginia's public school funding system. The commission includes school board members, education experts, teachers, school personnel, urban/rural school board representatives, county officials, parents, charter school advocates, and building authority members. It must study all funding options, evaluate how to preserve public schools, and submit recommendations to the Legislature by July 1, 2027. The bill directly affects how state funds are distributed to public schools across all 55 counties, aiming to modernize the current formula to address challenges like declining enrollment and school closures.

Maddy summaryHB 3340 prohibits discrimination based on hair texture or protective hairstyles (such as braids, afros, curls, and twists) in workplaces and educational institutions. It directly affects people whose hair textures or styles are historically associated with Black communities, particularly in settings with dress codes or grooming policies. The bill allows individuals to challenge discriminatory policies by showing that safety concerns are unfounded, could be mitigated with alternative tools, or are a pretext for bias. It does not ban all hair policies but requires institutions to justify restrictions that disproportionately impact textured hair. The bill is currently pending in the House Government Organization Committee after its March 13, 2025, introduction.

Maddy summaryHB 3339 requires health insurance plans in West Virginia to cover diagnostic and supplemental breast examinations without any out-of-pocket costs (such as deductibles or copays). Diagnostic exams evaluate breast abnormalities found during screening or by other means, while supplemental exams screen higher-risk individuals (e.g., due to family history) without prior abnormalities. The bill allows cost-sharing for Health Savings Account-qualified high-deductible plans only after meeting the federal minimum deductible, except for preventive care, which remains fully covered. The Insurance Commissioner may propose rules to implement these requirements using current medical guidelines from organizations like the National Comprehensive Cancer Network.

Maddy summaryHB 3327 modifies West Virginia's Hope Scholarship Program to clarify eligibility requirements for nonpublic schools and education service providers. It requires these entities to submit participation notices, provide expense receipts to parents, pass background checks for staff, and certify against discrimination to accept scholarship funds. The bill explicitly states participating schools and providers are not required to change their curriculum, admission policies, or religious practices to participate. This directly affects nonpublic schools and educational service organizations seeking to offer services to Hope Scholarship students. The changes aim to formalize participation rules while preserving provider autonomy.

Maddy summaryHB 3256 would require county boards of education in West Virginia to provide full-time employees with three months of paid leave following the birth of a child, adoption, or foster care placement of a child. This leave would be in addition to any existing paid leave benefits the employee already receives. The bill amends existing law to explicitly guarantee this supplemental leave for all full-time school employees, regardless of gender. It does not replace other leave policies but adds this specific benefit for family-related events.

Maddy summaryHB 3227 would require the West Virginia Governor to appoint a replacement for a vacant House of Delegates seat from the same political party as the member who vacated the position. The bill mandates that the party executive committee must submit a list of three qualified candidates within 15 days of the vacancy, and the Governor must appoint from that list within five days. This change ensures the political party affiliation of the vacating member is maintained in the replacement. The bill applies only to House of Delegates vacancies, not Senate vacancies.

Maddy summaryHB 3253, the West Virginia Public Participation Act, protects individuals and organizations from lawsuits intended to silence public debate on matters of public concern. It directly affects citizens, media, and advocacy groups who speak out on issues like health, safety, environmental protection, government actions, or products/services. The bill creates a legal process allowing defendants to petition courts to dismiss strategic lawsuits (SLAPPs) early, shifting the burden of proof to the plaintiff and permitting judges to award attorney fees if the lawsuit is dismissed. This provides a procedural shield for exercising constitutional rights to free speech, petition government, and associate on public issues, without altering the underlying rights themselves.

Maddy summaryHB 3235 requires health insurance plans in West Virginia to cover specific breast cancer screenings. It mandates annual mammograms for women aged 40 and older, baseline mammograms for women aged 30-39, and additional screenings (like ultrasounds) for those with dense breast tissue or risk factors like family history. Mammography facilities must also provide patients with breast density information and educational materials about associated risks and screening options. These requirements apply to all insurance policies delivered, issued, or renewed after January 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 3247 creates a tax credit for commercial building owners in West Virginia who pay for renovations to achieve LEED or Green Globes green building certification. The credit equals the actual cost of these renovations (minus any reimbursements received), directly reducing corporate income tax liability. It applies to owners of commercial buildings seeking certification through the U.S. Green Building Council's LEED system or the Green Globes Building Initiative. The credit can be applied against multiple taxes, including corporate income tax and business franchise tax, with unused portions potentially offsetting personal income tax.