Del. Dean Jeffries

Maddy summaryHB 4487 would allow West Virginia property owners to pay current real and personal property taxes in monthly installments instead of the current two-installment system (due September and March). Property owners choosing monthly payments would pay a 2.5% convenience fee on each monthly payment. The bill maintains the existing 2.5% discount for paying both installments on time under the current system. This change directly affects all residential and commercial property owners who pay local property taxes in West Virginia.

Maddy summaryHB 4535 would protect certain assets from being taken by creditors in West Virginia for unpaid consumer debts. It applies to permanent residents and specifically shields: minimum-wage earnings (up to 40 hours/week), homesteads valued at $5,000 or less, retirement accounts (like IRAs and 401ks), disability/death benefits, prepaid college funds, life insurance proceeds, and Social Security income. These assets cannot be seized through wage garnishment, judgment collection, or other creditor actions. The bill directly affects West Virginia residents facing debt collection efforts, particularly those relying on these specific income sources or assets. It creates clear, concrete exemptions without altering existing debt collection laws beyond these defined protections.

Maddy summaryHB 4530 creates a dedicated fund within West Virginia's State Road Fund to improve traffic intersections near large retail operations like shopping malls, grocery stores, and warehouses. County officials must submit annual priority lists of needed upgrades (based on traffic counts and local urgency) to the Division of Highways, which administers the program. The fund finances specific fixes such as adding turning lanes, updating traffic signals, adjusting signal timing, and improving drop-off/pick-up areas to reduce congestion. Projects must occur on eligible state highways and directly address retail-impacted intersections, with funding limited to these designated improvements.

Maddy summaryHB 4541 requires the West Virginia Commissioner of Highways to notify state legislators representing the county or counties where a road or highway is located via email or first-class mail when abandoning a road or highway, in addition to existing requirements of website posting and newspaper publication. This bill directly affects state legislators by adding a new communication channel for road abandonment decisions. The key change is mandating direct notification to legislators through email or mail, supplementing current public notice methods.

Maddy summaryHB 4528 would require that juveniles accused of assaulting law enforcement officers, reserve deputies, court security officers, or first responders be held in custody without being released to parents or guardians. This change means that for these specific offenses, juveniles cannot be released even if other conditions for release (like no immediate danger) would otherwise apply. The bill does not alter the existing requirement for a detention hearing within 24 hours. It directly affects juveniles charged with assaulting these public safety personnel in West Virginia.

Maddy summaryHB 4534 creates West Virginia's Title Protection Act to shield property owners from fraudulent title claims. It ensures rightful owners retain full title to their property - even if someone files fake deeds or takes loans using their property - without facing financial liability. The bill requires county clerks to mail notices to owners whenever property transfers occur or deeds are filed/modified, acting as an early warning system for potential fraud. This directly affects homeowners vulnerable to title theft, where criminals might forge documents online to steal equity or saddle owners with unauthorized loans.

Maddy summaryHB 4540 requires municipalities and courts to send written notice at least 30 days before suspending licenses for unpaid traffic tickets, clearly listing both the fine owed and the administrative fee. It mandates that courts forward any collected administrative fees directly to the state division. The bill applies to most traffic violations (excluding parking tickets) and affects drivers who fail to pay citations in West Virginia. This changes how courts handle fee collection and license suspension notices for motor vehicle violations.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows high school students in West Virginia who complete a certified driver's education course to receive a "High School Driver Education Certificate" instead of taking the written and road skill tests at the DMV. Upon successful course completion, certified teachers issue the certificate, which waives these tests for six months. Students must still pay standard DMV license fees, and the certificate expires after six months, requiring full testing if not renewed. Out-of-state license transfers for applicants under 18 still require a full DMV test.

Maddy summaryHB 4013 establishes the "Mountaineer Flexible Tax Credit Act of 2026," creating a state tax credit program for businesses that invest in new projects or expansions within West Virginia. It directly affects qualified businesses seeking economic development incentives by requiring them to apply through the West Virginia Department of Commerce, with credits calculated based on new full-time jobs and average employer wages. Key provisions include standardized application procedures, annual reporting requirements, mandatory audits, and definitions for terms like "qualified business" and "average state wage." The bill aims to encourage private investment and job creation as part of broader economic development efforts, with the tax credit program applying to businesses meeting specific wage and employment criteria.