Del. Kayla Young

Maddy summaryHB 3231 requires lessees (like oil, gas, or mining companies) in West Virginia to withhold state income tax from royalty payments made to nonresident lessors (owners living outside West Virginia) who earn income from mineral rights within the state. The bill mandates that lessees deduct tax from these payments, remit it to the state Tax Commissioner, and provide annual statements to nonresident owners, who can claim credit against their own tax liability or receive refunds for overpayments. It directly affects nonresident owners of mineral rights (including coal, oil, gas, and other natural resources) and lessees who pay them, creating a new tax collection system to address revenue loss from previous gaps. The law applies to all natural resources royalty payments exceeding $1,000 annually per lessor, with definitions covering minerals, timber, and related payments.

Maddy summaryHB 3427 updates West Virginia's animal cruelty law by setting specific, measurable standards for animal care. It requires owners to provide food meeting national nutritional standards (fed at set intervals based on age), clean water every four hours, and shelter built to detailed specifications (e.g., four-sided structure with proper ventilation and bedding). The bill also regulates tethering, mandating non-choke harnesses, specific tether lengths, and attachment methods to prevent injury. For repeat offenders, it creates a public registry that prohibits them from adopting or purchasing animals.

Maddy summaryHB 3445 would require private residential programs providing care for adolescents with emotional, behavioral, or learning challenges to obtain a state license from the Office of Health Facility Licensure and Certification. It directly affects these programs and their staff, mandating background checks for all personnel with direct contact with youth, banning physical discipline as punishment, and requiring immediate reporting of any medical/chemical restraints. The bill establishes new safety standards, including suicide prevention policies, complaint procedures, and public posting of complaint information. Currently pending in the House Health and Human Resources Committee after introduction on March 17, 2025, it has not yet been voted on.

Maddy summaryHB 3416 requires oil and gas operators to secure funds for plugging new wells before they are permitted, effective July 1, 2026. Operators must provide either a single-well bond covering full plugging costs or set aside money in an escrow account managed by the state treasurer. This prevents "orphaned wells" - unplugged wells left on land without a responsible operator to pay for closure, which currently threaten landowners' property, safety, and groundwater. The law directly affects new well operators and protects surface landowners from future liabilities. It replaces outdated bonding methods that contributed to thousands of unplugged wells in West Virginia.

Maddy summaryThis bill would allow certain zero-emission vehicle manufacturers to operate as new car dealers in West Virginia, directly affecting companies that exclusively produce electric or hydrogen-powered vehicles. To qualify, manufacturers must have made zero-emission vehicles since 2008, never sold through franchised dealers in the state, and have no ownership ties to franchising entities. The key provision removes barriers preventing these manufacturers from selling directly to consumers, bypassing traditional dealership models. It applies only to zero-emission vehicle producers meeting all three criteria, not to conventional automakers.

Maddy summaryHB 3415, the Orphan Well Prevention Act of 2025, requires oil and gas operators to secure financial guarantees before obtaining new well permits or transferring existing wells. For new wells (after July 1, 2025), operators must provide either a bond or an escrow account to cover future plugging costs. For transferred wells, the previous operator remains liable until the new owner provides a similar financial guarantee. This directly affects oil and gas companies and landowners by preventing wells from becoming "orphaned" (unplugged with no responsible operator), reducing state or community costs for cleanup. The bill aims to address West Virginia’s thousands of existing orphaned wells by making operators financially accountable upfront.

Maddy summaryHB 3390 would provide a 15% pay raise to non-uniformed employees working within West Virginia's Division of Corrections and Rehabilitation. The bill amends §15A-3-7 of the state code to require this specific wage increase for eligible staff, excluding uniformed correctional officers. It directly affects approximately 1,200 non-uniformed workers in the corrections system, including administrative, medical, and support personnel. The bill, introduced on March 17, 2025, is currently pending in the House Judiciary and Finance committees. This is a concrete salary adjustment with no additional requirements or mechanisms beyond the specified percentage increase.

Maddy summaryHB 3392 allows West Virginia's Governor to temporarily borrow up to $50 million from the state's Revenue Shortfall Reserve Fund to support the Unemployment Compensation Fund when its balance falls below $50 million. The Governor must first confirm a projected shortfall within 30 days, and borrowed funds can only cover unemployment benefit payments. These loans must be repaid within 180 days without interest from excess funds in the Unemployment Compensation Fund, and no borrowing is permitted after September 1, 2027. The bill directly affects unemployment benefit recipients by ensuring funds remain available during short-term financial strain.

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 3337 clarifies rules for substitute teachers in West Virginia, primarily affecting school districts, principals, and substitute teachers themselves. The bill allows substitutes to remain in a classroom for the full school term if they've served continuously for over half the grading period, unless the principal certifies the regular teacher prepared them for the role. It also requires school districts to provide long-term substitutes with training on IEP and 504 plans (special education and accommodations). Additionally, the bill creates a new pathway for retired teachers to work as substitutes in areas with critical staffing shortages, subject to specific district policies and state approval.