Rep. Jeff Stephens

Maddy summaryHB 5163 exempts child-care programs operated by county school boards exclusively for the children of their employees or students from most state licensing requirements. This directly affects county school districts and their employees/students who rely on these on-site child-care services. The bill adds this exemption to existing licensing rules while allowing the State Board of Education to create safety and health rules for these programs. It does not change current requirements for other child-care providers, such as family day-care homes or private facilities.

Maddy summaryThis bill asks a state committee to study whether West Virginia should create a flexible respite care program for seniors and their caregivers. The proposed program would allow families to schedule short-term, on-demand assistance for specific needs like medical appointments or personal obligations, rather than being limited to fixed weekly service blocks. The study will examine costs, potential savings from delaying nursing home placement, and how to fund and manage the program, especially in rural areas with fewer resources. If the committee finds the idea feasible, it will recommend new legislation to establish the program.

Maddy summaryHB 5260 adds "edible" as an allowable form of medical cannabis in West Virginia, with strict requirements for safety and regulation. It requires processors to obtain bureau approval for each edible product, mandates specific shapes (like squares or circles), limits edibles to lozenges or gelatins, and caps THC content at 10mg per serving with a 15% potency variance. The bill prohibits color additives in edibles and requires all medical cannabis dispensing to be reported to the state's controlled substance monitoring database. This directly affects patients using medical cannabis, caregivers, and licensed processors who must comply with these new edible-specific rules.

Maddy summaryHB 5629 updates West Virginia's Unclaimed Property Act to extend the time nursing homes must wait before reporting abandoned resident funds to 180 days (from 30 days) after a resident's death. It requires safety deposit boxes and other depositories to deliver contents to the State Treasurer within specific timeframes, clarifies claim filing processes, and prohibits finders from claiming property immediately. The bill also allows the Treasurer to waive reciprocal claim forms with other states and clarifies that estate executors must liquidate personal property before transferring proceeds. These changes primarily affect nursing homes, financial institutions holding unclaimed property, and the State Treasurer's office.

Maddy summaryHB 4977 allows West Virginia municipalities to recover costs for demolishing unsafe structures by imposing special tax assessments on the property owners. It applies to properties deemed unsafe, unsanitary, dangerous, or detrimental to public safety - such as those with structural damage, fire hazards, or abandonment - after a code enforcement agency determines they require demolition. Municipalities must formally adopt ordinances designating an enforcement agency (like building inspectors or health officials) to manage this process. The bill clarifies that these special taxes are separate from regular property taxes and apply only to properties ordered demolished for public safety reasons. It does not create new demolition requirements but streamlines cost recovery for existing code enforcement actions.

Maddy summaryThis House resolution formally recognizes President Donald J. Trump for various policies and actions that the West Virginia House of Delegates claims have benefited the state. The document highlights specific initiatives including regulatory reforms in the energy sector, tax relief measures, funding for rural healthcare, and programs aimed at reducing prescription drug costs and establishing investment accounts for newborns. It also cites border security improvements and drug control efforts as contributing factors to public safety and economic well-being. The resolution expresses appreciation for these actions and requests that the formal recognition be sent to the President.

Maddy summaryThis bill asks the West Virginia Legislature to conduct a comprehensive study on how the state manages disaster recovery and flood resiliency funding, coordination, and case management. The study will examine whether the State Resiliency Office is effectively using available funds, coordinating with other agencies, and complying with state laws, while also analyzing how federal policy changes might impact West Virginia's ability to access disaster relief money. Additionally, the bill requests a feasibility study to determine if state emergency personnel should receive cross-training as disaster case managers to improve recovery efforts and reduce reliance on outside organizations. The findings will include recommendations for improving the state's disaster response system and may lead to changes in laws or budget allocations.

Maddy summaryThis House Resolution honors the life and legacy of the late West Virginia legislator Larry D. Kump, who passed away on February 28, 2026. The resolution formally expresses the House of Delegates' condolences to Kump's family and acknowledges his service as a representative for Berkeley County across three different terms. It recognizes his career in criminal justice and mediation, his commitment to limited government, and his role as a devoted family member and church leader. The document is a ceremonial tribute rather than a law that changes policy or affects public programs.

Maddy summaryHB 5630 requires West Virginia counties and municipalities to provide 30 days' notice before amending zoning ordinances that change land classifications or density rules. Affected landowners must receive written notice (via certified mail or alternatives like email, regular mail, or public posting) and the proposal must be published in a local newspaper. The bill specifies that notice must be given before enactment or an election on the amendment, with alternatives to certified mail allowed if they reasonably reach landowners. This directly affects property owners in areas where zoning changes are proposed and local governments managing zoning processes.

Maddy summaryThis House Resolution urges the Capitol Building Commission and Department of Administration to assess and address hazardous trees along California Avenue and Kanawha Boulevard on the State Capitol Complex grounds. The resolution requests an immediate evaluation of trees that have caused property damage through falling limbs and broken trunks over the past two years. It specifically asks officials to trim trees back to the grass side of sidewalks or remove and replace hazardous trees to protect public safety and state property. This non-binding resolution directs state agencies to take preventative maintenance actions without mandating specific enforcement measures.