Del. Kayla Young

Maddy summaryHB 4737 authorizes West Virginia municipalities to enforce stairway safety standards in apartment buildings that fail to meet existing building or fire codes. The bill directly affects apartment building owners and local governments by giving cities the authority to regulate unsafe stairways, exits, or egress paths that pose risks like structural damage or inadequate means of escape. Key provisions clarify that municipalities can adopt ordinances requiring repairs or improvements for stairways that are warped, worn, or non-compliant with safety standards, without changing the underlying code requirements. This is a procedural update to existing law, not a new safety standard, and applies to apartment buildings deemed unsafe under current regulations.

Maddy summaryHB 4736 would repeal a section of West Virginia law (§60-2-17b) that established the Wine and Liquor Operations Fund and required an operations fee from alcohol businesses. This bill directly affects wine and liquor license holders who currently pay this fee, removing their obligation to do so under the repealed law. The bill makes no new policy changes but eliminates an existing fee structure.

Maddy summaryHB 4739, the Junk Fee Prevention Act, prohibits businesses from hiding mandatory fees that inflate prices for consumers. It requires businesses to display the total price - including all mandatory fees - clearly before purchase, and bans practices like adding unexpected fees after a product is selected or misrepresenting subtotals. The law directly affects consumers buying goods/services (like banking, travel, or rentals) and businesses that charge hidden fees, aiming to prevent deceptive pricing that obscures true costs. Key provisions include mandating upfront total pricing and banning excessive early termination fees.

Maddy summaryHB 4754 prohibits West Virginia municipalities from requiring larger minimum lot sizes for properties with secondary housing units (like accessory dwelling units or "granny flats") compared to standard single-family homes in the same zoning district. This directly affects local governments that currently enforce such lot size requirements and homeowners seeking to build or add secondary housing. The bill amends zoning law to remove this specific restriction, ensuring that lot size rules for secondary units cannot be stricter than those for primary residences. It does not change other zoning regulations like building heights or land use designations. The bill’s key provision is a clear prohibition on differential lot size requirements for accessory dwellings.

Maddy summaryHB 4735, the "Corporate Anti-Subsidy Act," prohibits West Virginia from offering new company-specific tax breaks or grants to attract or retain businesses, aiming to end state competition through targeted subsidies. The bill establishes a framework for West Virginia to join an interstate compact where participating states agree not to provide special subsidies (like reduced tax rates or direct grants for specific companies) that disadvantage competitors. It explicitly excludes workforce development grants (training programs benefiting employees) and does not affect existing subsidies, though renewals of current deals would be banned. This policy shift requires states to compete based on general economic conditions - like infrastructure and workforce quality - rather than offering one-off financial incentives to individual corporations.

Maddy summaryHB 4747 creates West Virginia's first licensing system for certified professional midwives (CPMs), directly affecting midwives seeking to practice in the state. The bill establishes requirements including holding a valid NARM certification, completing NARM-approved education, and paying application fees (max $100). It mandates ongoing renewal with current NARM certification and participation in perinatal outcome data reporting, while outlining specific processes for license reinstatement after lapses or disciplinary actions. This legislation formalizes CPM practice under state regulation, aligning with national NARM standards rather than expanding midwifery scope.

Maddy summaryHB 4711 requires West Virginia municipalities to permit accessory dwelling units (ADUs) - like backyard cottages or converted garages - on single-family residential lots "by right," meaning without special permits, hearings, or variances. It prohibits municipalities from imposing restrictions such as extra parking requirements, design matching rules, occupancy mandates, impact fees, or stricter building standards for ADUs than for primary homes. The bill directly affects homeowners seeking to create ADUs and municipalities, which must revise zoning rules by January 1, 2027, to comply. It allows municipalities to charge a $250 one-time application fee but does not override building or safety codes. The law aims to increase housing options by simplifying ADU creation.

Maddy summaryHB 4664 increases compensation rates for panel attorneys who represent eligible clients in public defense cases in West Virginia. It directly affects these attorneys and the Public Defender Services agency that processes their payments. Key provisions require Public Defender Services to annually report to oversight bodies on legal services provided by panel attorneys, while also clarifying voucher submission, review, and dispute resolution processes for compensation claims. The bill aims to improve payment accuracy and transparency without altering the core structure of public defense funding.

Maddy summaryHB 4665 expands West Virginia's tax deduction for retirement income to include retired law enforcement officers and first responders who worked out-of-state but performed roles equivalent to in-state positions. It modifies the state's tax code to allow these retirees to subtract up to $2,000 annually from their federal adjusted gross income, similar to existing deductions for in-state retirees. The bill requires the Tax Division to verify eligibility and establish a process for storing applicant information. This change directly affects retired police, firefighters, and other first responders who served outside West Virginia but qualify under the bill's defined roles.

Maddy summaryHB 4414 amends West Virginia's Sex Offender Registration Act to clarify and update registration requirements for individuals convicted of specific sexual offenses. It directly affects people convicted under sections of the state code covering sexual assault, trafficking, and other related crimes, requiring them to register in person with detailed personal information including current address, employment, school details, internet accounts, and vehicle ownership. Key provisions specify that registrants must update information within 10 days of changes and clarify how those without permanent residence can comply by providing transient addresses. The bill removes outdated definitions and ensures consistent registration procedures across all cases, without creating new penalties or changing offense classifications.