Del. Kayla Young

Maddy summaryHB 4072 creates a pilot program where West Virginia's Department of Human Services matches employer contributions toward employee child care costs. It directly affects employers (including small businesses with under 50 employees) and their employees in West Virginia who use participating child-care centers. The key mechanism requires employers to pay for child care, then the state reimburses up to 100% of eligible costs using a new fund, after verifying employee household income against the state median. The Department administers the program, verifies eligibility, distributes funds directly to child-care centers, and maintains a waitlist when funds are limited.

Maddy summaryHB 4074 creates a three-year pilot program in West Virginia where state, employer, and employee each pay one-third of childcare costs for eligible employees. It directly affects low-income workers (household income 150%-250% of Federal Poverty Level) in three urban and two rural counties who don’t qualify for existing childcare subsidies. The program requires the Department of Human Services to develop guidelines, provide technical assistance, and report annually on participation and impacts. If successful, it could lead to a permanent statewide program to improve childcare affordability, access, and quality for working parents.

Maddy summaryHB 3263 requires utility companies (such as electric, gas, and water providers) to notify customers promptly when service disruptions occur. The bill mandates that utilities send notifications via phone, text, email, or other accessible methods within 24 hours of a disruption being confirmed. This directly affects both utility companies, which must implement these notification systems, and customers who rely on consistent service. The law aims to improve transparency during outages without specifying penalties for non-compliance. It became effective on July 31, 2025, as Chapter 238 of the 2025 Regular Session.

Maddy summaryHB 3187 establishes a West Virginia Task Force on Artificial Intelligence to study the impacts of AI on the state's economy, workforce, and public services. The task force, composed of state officials and industry experts, must analyze AI's effects on jobs, ethics, and regulatory needs, then submit recommendations to the legislature by 2026. This law directly affects state agencies responsible for implementing AI-related policies and provides a structured process for addressing emerging technology challenges. The bill became effective on July 31, 2025, after approval by the Governor.

Maddy summaryHB 2165 allows disabled Purple Heart recipients to park for free at all municipal metered parking spaces. This law directly affects veterans who received a Purple Heart and have a disability, removing the requirement for them to pay for parking in city-owned metered spots. The key provision amends existing parking regulations to exempt these veterans from meter fees, streamlining access to public parking. The bill became law on April 25, 2025, after approval by the Governor and both legislative chambers.

Maddy summaryHCR 88 is a ceremonial resolution honoring two West Virginia first responders nominated for the Medal of Valor. It specifically recognizes Captain Donald Lawson (New Martinsville Police) for rescuing two people from carbon monoxide poisoning despite his own hospitalization, and Darrell Lambert (Lake Volunteer Firefighter) for entering a burning building without protective gear to save a trapped resident, sustaining burns in the process. The resolution formally confirms the Legislature's approval of their award and directs the House Clerk to send a copy to Governor Morrisey. This is a symbolic honor with no new policy or funding changes, directly affecting only these two nominees. It passed unanimously in both chambers on April 3, 2025.

Maddy summaryHCR 78 is a non-binding resolution urging West Virginia's Division of Highways to prioritize completing I-73 (the "King Coal Highway") across Wayne, Mingo, McDowell, Mercer, and Wyoming counties. It requests the highway agency treat the project as a high priority to improve economic development and emergency access, especially after recent flooding exposed transportation challenges in the region. The resolution asks the state to provide necessary funding and executive support to expedite the highway's completion but does not allocate new funds or create new law. It directly affects the Division of Highways and residents of the five specified counties by formally advocating for this infrastructure project.

Maddy summaryHB 2205 expands the West Virginia Public Service Commission's regulatory authority to include advanced nuclear reactors, specifically requiring the commission to create rules for permitting their construction, operation, and decommissioning. This bill directly affects developers and entities planning to build or operate microreactor facilities within the state. The key mechanism is the formal expansion of the PSC's jurisdiction to cover these new nuclear technologies, with the commission responsible for establishing the permitting framework.

Maddy summaryHB 3173 would temporarily cap electricity rates for all West Virginia utility customers at current levels until July 1, 2026. The bill requires the Public Service Commission to set these rates immediately upon passage and prohibits increases except for adjustments related to fuel and purchased power costs. This directly affects all residential and business electricity users, particularly lower-income households and elderly residents who face high energy costs as their largest expense. The cap aims to provide immediate relief from rapid rate hikes that have outpaced other states, though rates will return to standard regulatory processes after July 2026.

Maddy summaryHB 2780 would require West Virginia's child care department to provide state-funded child care subsidies for the children of employees working at least 20 hours per week in licensed child care centers or certified family child care homes. This directly affects child care workers in these settings, regardless of their household income level. The bill eliminates income requirements for eligibility, ensuring all qualifying employees can access subsidized child care for their children. The key mechanism is a direct state subsidy administered by the department for child care services provided to these employees' children.