Del. Hollis Lewis

Maddy summaryThis bill would restore voting rights for West Virginia residents convicted of felonies once they complete their sentences. It requires the Division of Corrections to notify people upon release and the Division of Probation to notify upon discharge about their renewed eligibility to vote. Currently, individuals must re-register themselves after sentence completion, but this bill mandates state agencies to provide written notice and voter registration forms. The change applies to all felony convictions except treason or election bribery, which remain disqualifying under current law.

Maddy summaryHB 2861, the Mental Health and Substance Use Disorders Insurance Coverage Protection Act, requires most health insurance policies issued or renewed on or after January 1, 2026, to cover medically necessary treatment for mental health and substance use disorders. The bill mandates that insurers follow generally accepted clinical standards when determining coverage and prohibits policies from using discretionary clauses that limit such coverage. It directly affects health insurance providers and policyholders in West Virginia by expanding required benefits for behavioral health care. The law creates new regulatory standards under West Virginia Code §33-57A-1 et seq. and applies to individual, group, hospital, and health maintenance organization plans. This proposal is currently pending in the House Health and Human Resources Committee.

Maddy summaryHB 2919 would require West Virginia's Secretary of State to create and maintain an online voters' guide on the state election website. The guide would include all candidate information currently required in filing certificates of announcement (such as candidate names, offices sought, residence details, and party affiliation), plus allow statewide candidates to submit personal statements. This bill directly affects all candidates filing for office in West Virginia by standardizing and centralizing their publicly available information. It does not change existing filing requirements but mandates that this data be compiled into a single online resource for voters. The bill is currently in the introduction phase (filed February 24, 2025).

Maddy summaryHB 2821 requires all West Virginia schools eligible for the federal Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) to apply for this program, ensuring free breakfast and lunch for all students in those schools without cost. It directly affects qualifying public schools and their students, particularly in under-resourced districts prioritized for expansion. The bill mandates county education boards to maximize federal funding through CEP participation and report on program impacts annually. This policy change shifts meal funding to a universal model for eligible schools, aligning with the existing "Feed to Achieve" initiative to provide healthy meals to all elementary students. The bill focuses on administrative requirements for school participation, not new funding sources.

Maddy summaryHB 2847, the Agricultural Right to Repair Act, requires manufacturers of agricultural equipment (like tractors, combines, and sprayers) to provide farmers and independent repair shops with repair documentation, parts, and tools on "fair and reasonable terms." The bill mandates that manufacturers offer these resources at no cost for documentation, and for parts/tools, at costs equivalent to what they charge authorized repair providers. It prohibits manufacturers from imposing conditions like requiring shops to become authorized providers or restricting part/tool use, ensuring farmers and independent repair businesses can access necessary resources without unnecessary barriers. This bill directly affects farmers and repair businesses by expanding their repair options and promoting competition in agricultural equipment maintenance.

Maddy summaryHB 2903 prohibits landlords in West Virginia from charging tenants convenience fees for rental payments, directly affecting residential renters. The bill (§37-6-32) explicitly states landlords cannot impose these fees, though it allows landlords who accept payment methods without such fees (like cash or checks) to continue operating as usual. This policy change aims to prevent extra costs added when tenants pay rent via credit card, online platforms, or other methods that typically trigger convenience fees. The bill was introduced on February 24, 2025, and referred to the House Judiciary Committee.

Maddy summaryHB 2915 exempts county school buses from paying toll fees when used for regular school-related activities. The bill specifically covers buses transporting students to and from school, field trips, after-school events, sporting events, and maintenance drives. It applies directly to county school systems operating within West Virginia's toll road network. The law would remove toll charges for these buses during their standard operational use, as defined in the bill.

Maddy summaryHB 2916 prohibits tax preparation software companies from charging West Virginia taxpayers a fee for electronically filing state tax returns. The bill applies to all software used for tax return preparation, including online platforms and installed programs. It specifically bans fees for the electronic filing service itself, not for other features or services. This directly affects taxpayers who use such software to submit their West Virginia tax returns.

Maddy summaryHB 2850 creates a paid parental leave pilot program for West Virginia state employees. It provides up to 12 weeks of paid leave at 90% of an employee's average weekly wage (capped at $1,000/week) for birth or adoption during July 2025-July 2027, in addition to existing leave benefits. Eligible employees must be full-time, permanent state workers with 12 consecutive weeks of service, and employers must maintain health coverage during leave. The program requires employers to submit employee claims to the Department of Labor and ends December 31, 2028, as a time-limited pilot.

Maddy summaryHB 2900 establishes West Virginia's Family and Medical Leave Insurance Benefits Act, creating a state-run insurance program to provide wage replacement for eligible workers taking leave for family or medical reasons. The program requires contributions from employees and employers (with self-employed individuals able to opt in under specific conditions) and provides benefits for up to 12 weeks annually for qualifying events like childbirth, caring for a sick family member, or serious personal health conditions. It protects workers from retaliation for using benefits, integrates with existing federal family and medical leave laws, and creates a dedicated fund managed by the Insurance Commissioner. The law directly affects West Virginia workers and employers, replacing the need for employers to provide unpaid leave through this insurance-based system.