Del. Hollis Lewis

Maddy summaryHB 5502 amends West Virginia's Human Rights Act to explicitly define "race" as including hair texture and protective hairstyles historically associated with race. This change directly affects employers and employees in West Virginia, clarifying that workplace policies targeting these traits may be lawful if justified by workplace health and safety or as a bona fide occupational requirement. The bill does not prohibit such policies outright but requires employers to demonstrate that rules impacting these traits serve a legitimate safety purpose. It updates the legal definition to align with existing protections while maintaining exceptions for valid safety or operational needs.

Maddy summaryHB 5479 prohibits law enforcement officers from concealing their identity (e.g., by wearing masks or face coverings) during routine, warrantless stops where a person is not under arrest and there is no probable cause for a crime. This applies to non-custodial investigative stops, such as when officers briefly question individuals in public without evidence of wrongdoing. Exceptions include undercover operations, safety risks to officers, emergencies, or when authorized by law. The bill aims to increase transparency and prevent intimidation during such encounters, but does not apply to arrests or stops supported by probable cause.

Maddy summaryHB 5473 creates a civil remedy in West Virginia for individuals harmed when a federal officer or employee violates constitutional rights while acting outside their official duties. It allows residents to sue such federal personnel in state court for constitutional violations (like free speech or due process) that exceed their lawful authority, but only when federal courts would not handle the case under 28 U.S.C. § 2679(d). The bill explicitly states it does not waive federal immunity or replace existing federal lawsuits, and applies only to conduct deemed "outside the scope of employment" under federal law. This policy change provides a state-level legal avenue for constitutional claims against federal actors in specific circumstances.

Maddy summaryHB 5360 would provide cost-of-living adjustments to certain retired public employees and teachers in West Virginia. Starting July 1, 2026, retirees aged 60+ who have received retirement payments for at least five years under the Public Employees Retirement System or Teachers Retirement System would automatically receive monthly adjustments equal to the annual increase in the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics' consumer price index. This change directly affects eligible retirees by linking their annuity payments to inflation. The bill does not create new benefits but modifies existing retirement payments to help offset rising living costs. The proposal is currently under review by the House Finance Committee.

Maddy summaryHB 5362 would amend West Virginia's Hope Scholarship Program by establishing income limits for eligibility, requiring scholarship recipients to use public school testing resources, and restricting scholarship use to in-state schools. The bill would require the Board of Education to create rules for reimbursing counties when public schools provide services to scholarship students. It directly affects families applying for Hope Scholarships for their children attending public or private schools in West Virginia. The bill is currently in the early stages of the legislative process, having been introduced on February 9, 2026, and referred to the House Education committee.

Maddy summaryHB 5346 establishes the School Aid Formula Study Commission to evaluate West Virginia's public school funding system and propose recommendations for improvement. The commission, composed of 12 members including school board representatives, education experts, teachers, rural/urban school board members, and community stakeholders, will study funding options and report findings to the Legislature by July 2028. Its work aims to address challenges like declining enrollment, school closures, and reduced funding that have strained public education. The commission's recommendations will guide potential legislative changes to modernize school funding and ensure stable, adequate resources for all public schools.

Maddy summaryHB 5380 would remove a current restriction in West Virginia law that limits individuals to one expungement of criminal convictions. Under existing rules, people with multiple eligible convictions could only have one set of charges erased from their records. This bill would allow eligible individuals to seek expungement for multiple convictions, provided they meet other criteria like waiting periods and avoid excluded offenses (e.g., violent crimes or DUI). It directly affects people with multiple qualifying convictions who currently cannot clear all their records. The bill does not change existing waiting periods or the list of ineligible offenses.

Maddy summaryHB 5363 would allow West Virginia counties to establish public daycare facilities through a county-run "Daycare Authority." It requires counties to either collect signatures from 10% of registered voters (based on the last gubernatorial election) or have the county commission initiate a voter referendum to approve funding via local taxes, fees, or levies. The bill permits adjacent counties to jointly operate a daycare through a memorandum of understanding. This policy directly affects county residents seeking affordable childcare and county commissions responsible for funding and managing the facilities.

Maddy summaryHJR 37 proposes a constitutional amendment to legalize cannabis for adults 21 and older in West Virginia. It would allow possession of up to two ounces of cannabis or four plants per person, permit the legislature to regulate sales and manufacturing, and require courts to dismiss or expunge prior convictions for small-quantity possession. This amendment requires voter approval at the 2026 general election to take effect. If approved, it would directly affect adults 21+ and individuals with past cannabis possession convictions. The bill does not establish specific regulations but authorizes the legislature to create them.

Maddy summaryHB 5272 allocates $250 million from West Virginia's Revenue Shortfall Fund ($100 million) and Income Tax Reserve Fund ($150 million) to establish a Flood Resiliency Trust Fund for proactive flood prevention. The fund will directly support communities vulnerable to flooding by financing infrastructure and initiatives to reduce future flood impacts. Key provisions require annual expenditure reports from the State Resiliency Officer, approval by the State Resiliency Office Board, and a 6% dedication of federal disaster recovery funds toward flood resiliency planning. This one-time funding jumpstarts the State Resiliency and Flood Protection Act without requiring ongoing annual appropriations.