Del. Dana Ferrell

Maddy summaryHouse Concurrent Resolution 18 proposes renaming Johnsontown Bridge (located on WV 009 over Tilhance Creek in Berkeley County, West Virginia) to the "Paul J. Hofe Memorial Bridge" to honor Paul J. Hofe, a local resident who served in the U.S. Army, worked for the IRS for 35 years, and operated a well-drilling business for 50 years that provided free wells to families and community organizations. The resolution directs the Division of Highways to update the bridge's official name and install new signage identifying it as the "Paul J. Hofe Memorial Bridge." This is a commemorative resolution with no substantive policy changes beyond the bridge name and signage.

Maddy summaryHB 2634 doubles criminal penalties for specific offenses involving minors in West Virginia. It directly affects perpetrators convicted of sexual assault in the third degree (against minors under 16), sexual abuse by a parent/guardian/custodian or person in a position of trust (including cases where the minor "willingly participated"), and possession of child sexual abuse material by caregivers. Key provisions increase maximum prison terms (e.g., from 5 to 10 years for sexual assault in the third degree, and from 20 to 40 years for abuse by a guardian) and double fines (e.g., from $10,000 to $20,000 for sexual assault). The bill focuses on enhancing punishments for crimes against children, particularly those involving individuals in trusted caregiving roles.

Maddy summaryThis symbolic resolution designates November 7th annually as "Pastor Appreciation Day" in West Virginia. It honors clergy members for their community service, spiritual leadership, and roles in life events like weddings, funerals, and disaster response. The resolution does not create new laws, funding, or obligations - it serves solely as ceremonial recognition. It affects no specific individuals or policies, as it is a non-binding declaration of appreciation.

Maddy summaryHCR 99 is a legislative resolution requesting the Joint Standing Committee on the Judiciary to study policies preventing financial fraud and scams in West Virginia. It directs the committee to examine current state laws, review national approaches, and focus on four key areas: reducing robocalls and spoofing, addressing cryptocurrency-related scams (noting $1.4 million in losses in 2023), improving victim restitution, and protecting against property title fraud. The resolution cites data showing 8,000 West Virginians lost $27 million to fraud in 2024, with national losses exceeding $12.5 billion. The committee must report findings and recommendations to the legislature, governor, and attorney general by December 31, 2025. This is a study resolution, not a law, and does not create immediate policy changes.

Maddy summaryHB 2948 removes a $9,500 loan value limit that previously prevented automobile dealers, licensed auto auctions, repair facilities, and towing companies from obtaining titles for abandoned or junked vehicles left on their property. The bill allows these businesses to secure titles for vehicles of any value that have been abandoned on their premises, eliminating the prior restriction. This change applies after standard notice procedures require owners and lienholders to be notified and given 10 days to reclaim the vehicle. The policy update simplifies title processing for businesses handling abandoned vehicles without altering existing redemption requirements.

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 9 is a commemorative resolution naming Dry Branch Bridge (located at CR 079/03 over Cabin Creek in Dry Branch, Kanawha County) as the "Robert S. Pomeroy Memorial Bridge." It directly affects the bridge's official designation and requires the Division of Highways to install signage identifying it by this name. The resolution honors Robert S. Pomeroy, a West Virginia National Guard soldier who died in WWI and was buried in France before being repatriated to his hometown. This is a procedural naming resolution with no policy changes or funding impacts, solely commemorating a local veteran.

Maddy summaryThis resolution requests that the West Virginia Division of Highways name a specific segment of Route 20 in Webster County (from the Upshur/Webster County line to Mount Zion Road) as the "U.S. Army Sergeant Major Charles Grant Hoke Memorial Road." It commemorates Sergeant Major Charles Grant Hoke, a WWII and Korean War veteran with multiple military awards, who was born in Upshur County and raised in Cleveland, Webster County. The resolution asks the Division of Highways to install signs identifying this road segment and directs the House Clerk to forward the resolution to the agency. This is a commemorative measure with no funding or policy changes, directly affecting the named road segment in Webster County.

Maddy summaryThis concurrent resolution (HCR 46) requests the West Virginia Division of Highways rename Flag Run Bridge (located on WV 072 over Flag Run in Preston County) as the "U.S. Army SP4 Ronald Gene Sypolt Memorial Bridge." It directly affects the bridge's official designation and requires the placement of commemorative signs. The resolution honors Ronald Gene Sypolt, a Vietnam War veteran who served from 1970-1971 and passed away in 2023, as a tribute to his military service and local ties. This is a ceremonial naming resolution with no policy changes.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires all legal actions against the West Virginia Secondary School Activities Commission (WVSSAC) to be filed exclusively in Kanawha County, West Virginia. It mandates 30 days’ written notice before filing such lawsuits and establishes procedures for delivering this notice. The bill does not alter WVSSAC’s operational rules but changes the venue and notice requirements for lawsuits brought against the commission. This procedural change directly affects anyone seeking to file a lawsuit against WVSSAC.