Del. Dana Ferrell

Maddy summaryHB 3013 requires movie theater chains operating six or more theaters across multiple locations in West Virginia to provide open captioning for at least two weekly showings of films that include open captioning in their production. It also mandates that theaters offer audio description upon request for films that feature audio description. The law excludes drive-in theaters and prohibits requiring new equipment purchases if it would create an undue financial burden on theaters. This bill directly affects larger theater chains and aims to improve accessibility for deaf, hard-of-hearing, blind, and low-vision patrons.

Maddy summaryHCR 78 is a non-binding resolution urging West Virginia's Division of Highways to prioritize completing I-73 (the "King Coal Highway") across Wayne, Mingo, McDowell, Mercer, and Wyoming counties. It requests the highway agency treat the project as a high priority to improve economic development and emergency access, especially after recent flooding exposed transportation challenges in the region. The resolution asks the state to provide necessary funding and executive support to expedite the highway's completion but does not allocate new funds or create new law. It directly affects the Division of Highways and residents of the five specified counties by formally advocating for this infrastructure project.

Maddy summaryHB 3001 authorizes West Virginia county courts to establish county parks and recreation commissions, requiring them to create these bodies unless financially unable or if a commission already exists. The bill specifies commissions must have 11 members (adjusted for county population), all residents who own property in the county, serving staggered three-year terms with initial appointments split across one-, two-, and three-year terms. It also requires county courts to fill vacancies and mandates that members remain eligible residents and property owners to retain their seats. This bill directly affects county governments by setting governance standards for existing or new parks systems.

Maddy summaryHB 2543 requires state agencies to prepare and submit detailed economic impact statements for certain proposed legislative rules before they are finalized. These statements must analyze potential costs to the public, including regulatory expenses, effects on business competitiveness, job creation, private investment, and economic growth. The bill applies specifically to "legislative rules" (rules that have legal force, impose liability, or grant/deny specific benefits), excluding interpretive or exempt rules. This change aims to provide transparency about the economic consequences of new regulations before they take effect.

Maddy summaryHCR 40 is a resolution directing West Virginia's Economic Development Authority to identify land near Flatwoods for a tourism and entertainment complex modeled after attractions like Pigeon Forge, Tennessee. It requires the Authority to locate suitable sites, secure funding, and recruit private and public developers to build facilities for tourism, entertainment, and amusement. The bill specifically targets the Flatwoods area near Interstate 79 exit 67, citing its central location and access to major regional cities. This resolution aims to replicate economic benefits seen in neighboring states through new tourism infrastructure, directly affecting Flatwoods and surrounding communities.

Maddy summaryHCR 67 is a procedural resolution requesting that West Virginia's Division of Highways name a new bridge in Kanawha County the "U.S. Army 2LT Darwin Keith 'Gus' Kyle Memorial Bridge - a Medal of Honor Recipient." The bridge, located over Kanawha Boulevard and Davis Creek on Jefferson Road (County Route 601), will be marked with this commemorative title. The resolution honors Kyle's Medal of Honor service during the Korean War, including his heroic actions at the Hungnam evacuation and his death leading troops in 1951. As a naming resolution, it has no budgetary or regulatory impact - it solely requests a permanent memorial designation.

Maddy summaryHCR 72 designates March 20, 2025 as "Black Lung Awareness Day" in West Virginia. It honors coal miners affected by black lung disease (coal worker's pneumoconiosis), a preventable occupational lung condition caused by coal dust exposure. The resolution does not create new laws, funding, or policy changes - it serves as a ceremonial observance recognizing the disease's impact and existing protections like the Black Lung Benefits Act. It follows the Federal Coal Mine Health and Safety Act's emphasis on miner safety without altering current regulations.

Maddy summaryThis concurrent resolution (HCR 47) requests that West Virginia's Division of Highways rename the Etam Bridge (Bridge Number 39-072/00-001.85) in Preston County as the "Clinton 'Randy' Dean 101st Airborne Vietnam Veterans Memorial Bridge." It honors Clinton "Randy" Dean, a West Virginia native and Vietnam War veteran who served with the 101st Airborne Division, received a Purple Heart, and later died from Agent Orange-related illness. The resolution specifically directs the Division of Highways to name the bridge and install prominent signage identifying it with this commemorative name. This is a ceremonial resolution, not a policy change affecting legislation or funding.

Maddy summaryHB 2637 raises the competitive bidding threshold for construction contracts from $25,000 to $50,000 for West Virginia county governments and other local subdivisions (including municipalities and school boards). This means counties no longer need to solicit competitive bids for projects under $50,000, reducing administrative burdens for smaller contracts. The bill amends existing law to update the threshold while maintaining requirements for larger projects (over $50,000) and other provisions like bid bonds and subcontractor disclosure for contracts over $250,000. It directly affects county governments by changing their procurement process for routine construction work.

Maddy summaryHB 2475 raises pay for special education staff in West Virginia. It matches the salary of Special Education Aides (Aide V) to Early Childhood Classroom Assistant Teachers' pay scale and adds a 5% increase for those aides. It also provides a 10% pay increase for self-contained special education teachers. The bill defines a "critical vacancy" as a position needed for student safety or compliance, requiring certified staff to fill such roles immediately until a new hire is secured. This directly affects special education aides and teachers in self-contained classrooms across West Virginia school districts.