Del. Roger Hanshaw

Maddy summaryHB 4081 creates the Higher Education Health and Aid Grant program for West Virginia public colleges with multiple campuses. The bill requires these institutions to use grant funds to establish campus food and health aid stations, specifically for non-perishable food items and basic hygiene products like toothpaste, sanitary supplies, and first-aid items. Funds cannot cover fresh food, medical care, or prescription items. Institutions must track all purchases and inventory monthly, and submit annual reports to the Higher Education Policy Commission detailing program impact on student food/hygiene insecurity.

Maddy summaryHB 4839 creates a geographic compensation differential for sworn members of the West Virginia State Police assigned to areas with significantly higher housing costs than the statewide median. Eligible troopers receive a salary supplement calculated as a percentage of their base pay, based on how much housing costs exceed the state average in their designated zone. The State Budget Office will designate these zones using objective housing data (median home values and rental rates) and update them biennially. The supplement does not count toward retirement calculations, ends if a trooper leaves the zone, and is funded through new legislative appropriations without reducing existing benefits. This bill directly affects State Police personnel in high-cost regions, aiming to improve recruitment and retention.

Maddy summaryThis bill proposes a constitutional amendment to change West Virginia's term limits for county sheriffs. Currently, sheriffs are barred from serving more than two consecutive terms; the amendment would allow them to serve up to three consecutive terms before becoming ineligible. The change would apply to future elections and does not affect current sheriffs serving in 2026. The amendment must be approved by voters in the 2026 general election to take effect.

Maddy summaryHB 4021 creates the "Bring Them Home Fund" to finance renovating existing state properties for in-state residential treatment facilities serving children requiring acute psychiatric, neurodevelopmental, or trauma services. Managed by the West Virginia Department of Human Services, the fund will be funded through state appropriations, grants, donations, and investment income, with savings from reduced out-of-state placements reinvested into the fund. Key provisions authorize the department to renovate state properties, develop targeted treatment programs matching historically out-of-state placements, and partner with private entities to operate state-owned facilities. This aims to expand West Virginia’s child welfare provider network, keeping children closer to family support while lowering costs associated with out-of-state care.

Maddy summaryHB 4762 amends West Virginia's veterinary licensing laws to create reciprocity for veterinarians and veterinary technicians licensed in other states. It allows professionals with active, unrevoked licenses from states with "substantially equivalent" requirements to practice in West Virginia without re-taking exams, provided they submit documentation of good standing. The bill also establishes new pathways for graduates of foreign veterinary schools and creates special permits for participants in international credentialing programs. These changes directly affect licensed veterinarians and veterinary technicians seeking to practice across state lines, simplifying the process to meet existing licensing standards.

Maddy summaryHB 4761 modifies parole eligibility for individuals convicted of murder or attempted murder in West Virginia. It increases the minimum time inmates must serve before becoming parole-eligible: 20 years for second-degree murder (up from 10), and 10-40 years for attempted first-degree murder (up from 3-15) or 5-20 years for attempted second-degree murder (up from 1-3). The bill also adds provisions allowing prosecutors and victims' families to attend parole hearings remotely or in person. These changes directly affect inmates serving sentences for these specific violent offenses. The bill does not alter sentence lengths but restricts early release opportunities for these crimes.

Maddy summaryHB 4717 adds $199.48 million in federal funds to West Virginia's Rural Health Transformation Program for fiscal year 2026. This supplemental appropriation directly affects the Department of Health's Central Office (fund 8802, org 0506) by providing additional funding for the program. The bill supplements existing appropriations using unspent federal moneys remaining for the 2026 fiscal year, specifically to support rural health initiatives as outlined in the program's purpose.

Maddy summaryHB 4594 creates a new Department of Workforce Services to consolidate workforce development, vocational rehabilitation, adult education, and public assistance programs currently managed under the Department of Health and Human Resources. It transfers the Bureau for Family Assistance and Division of Rehabilitation Services into this new department and aligns work requirements for SNAP, TANF, and Medicaid programs with federal law. The bill mandates an orderly transition of all records, personnel, and property by July 1, 2027, and terminates the Department of Health and Human Resources by devolving its functions into three new departments. This reorganization directly affects state agencies, program participants, and staff involved in workforce and human services.

Maddy summaryHB 4473 allows the West Virginia Supreme Court to create rules enabling nonlawyers to practice law under limited licenses in specific legal areas. It directly affects nonlawyers (such as paralegals or trained professionals) who could provide legal services in cases involving child abuse/neglect and mental health proceedings, starting with those areas. The bill establishes a task force to recommend certification requirements, exams, practice scope, and complaint processes for these limited license practitioners. The task force must include representatives from the State Bar, law schools, and courts, and will address details like educational pathways and costs before the Supreme Court can implement rules. This bill creates a framework for expanded legal access but does not yet establish any new rules or services.

Maddy summaryHB 4521 requires the West Virginia state government to reimburse counties for the daily costs of housing inmates when a conviction results in credit for time already served in jail. This directly affects counties operating local jails and inmates whose sentences are reduced due to prior incarceration time. The bill amends existing law to mandate state reimbursement for the days an inmate is credited toward their sentence, rather than having counties absorb those costs. It clarifies that counties should be paid back for these specific days through the state's correctional funds, ensuring counties aren't financially burdened by reduced sentences.