Del. Roger Hanshaw

Maddy summaryHB 4017 would allow West Virginia's Department of Human Services to contract with both secular and faith-based organizations to provide child welfare services, including foster care and family support. It protects the religious identity of faith-based providers by prohibiting the state from requiring them to remove religious symbols, alter governance, or change their religious practices to receive contracts. If a parent or guardian objects to placing a child at a faith-based provider due to religious beliefs, the department must find an alternative placement - unless the child or another guardian requests to stay. The bill directly affects child welfare providers, parents/guardians making placement decisions, and the Department of Human Services' contracting procedures under Chapter 49.

Maddy summaryHB 4015 amends West Virginia's Tourism Development Act to expand eligibility for tax credits by adding lodging facilities (like hotels) to the definition of "tourism attraction." This change directly affects tourism businesses that own or operate lodging properties, allowing them to claim credits for eligible project costs such as construction, equipment, and utilities. The bill modifies the existing definition in §5B-2E-3 of the code to include lodging facilities as qualifying projects under the Tourism Development Act. It does not change the credit calculation or other program requirements, only broadening the types of facilities that can participate. The bill is currently in the early stages of the legislative process.

Maddy summaryHB 4018 amends West Virginia's Flood Resiliency Trust Fund rules to require that at least 50% of disbursements benefit low-income areas/households and 50% fund nature-based flood solutions (like wetland restoration or floodplain acquisition). It mandates that political subdivisions receiving funds must adopt specific flood mitigation measures, such as updated road standards, flood hazard bylaws, or FEMA-approved local emergency plans. The bill directly affects local governments, state agencies, and residents in flood-prone areas - particularly low-income households and communities with frequent flooding. All disbursements must align with the state’s Flood Resiliency Plan and require explicit approval from the State Resiliency Officer.

Maddy summaryHB 4023 updates West Virginia's corporate net income tax definitions to align with federal tax law, ensuring state tax rules match the Internal Revenue Code. The bill specifies that state tax terms will have the same meaning as in federal law, and federal tax changes made before January 1, 2025, will be adopted for state tax purposes - though changes on or after that date will not apply. It also clarifies that references to the federal tax code include both the 1986 and 1954 codes in certain contexts. The law applies retroactively to tax years before 2025 but preserves prior tax rules for those years.

Maddy summaryHB 4016 creates a 25% state tax credit for property owners who make significant renovations to certified historic buildings in West Virginia. The credit applies to both residential and non-residential structures listed on the National Register of Historic Places or designated as contributing properties in a historic district, following federal standards for historic preservation. To qualify, renovations must meet "material rehabilitation" standards (costing at least 20% of the property’s assessed value) and be certified by the West Virginia Department of Tourism and the National Park Service. This bill replaces older, fragmented provisions with a centralized system to streamline claiming the credit and administering the program.

Maddy summaryHB 4019 would reduce West Virginia's personal income tax rates for residents and certain income types (including composite returns), effective January 1, 2026, and lower withholding tax rates on nonresident income, real estate sales, and lottery winnings. It establishes an automatic annual tax reduction mechanism: if state general revenue collections exceed inflation-adjusted base-year levels, tax rates would decrease by a percentage calculated from excess revenue (capped at 10% of current rates). The reduction is triggered by a determination made after August 15 each year by the Secretary of Revenue, based on the previous fiscal year's revenue data. These changes would apply to all West Virginia taxpayers subject to personal income tax, including residents and nonresidents with taxable income in the state.

Maddy summaryHB 4020 removes the requirement that the State Health Officer, Commissioner of the Bureau for Public Health, and Commissioner of the Bureau of Senior Services must devote their "entire time" to their roles and cannot engage in other employment. The bill amends West Virginia law to eliminate restrictions preventing these officials from holding other positions or occupations, as long as it doesn't interfere with their duties. This change aims to make these leadership roles more flexible to attract and retain qualified candidates. The bill directly affects three state health and senior services positions by modifying their appointment qualifications. (Summary based on bill text and stated purpose.)

Maddy summaryHB 4024 updates West Virginia's Personal Income Tax Act to align with federal tax law changes. It revises definitions like "federal adjusted gross income" to reflect federal tax code updates made before January 1, 2026, ensuring West Virginia tax rules follow federal changes within that timeframe. The bill affects all West Virginia taxpayers by modifying how income tax calculations and credits (like the homestead property tax credit) are determined based on federal definitions. Key provisions include retroactive application for prior tax years (while preserving prior law) and specifying that federal changes after 2025 will not be adopted by West Virginia.

Maddy summaryThis bill (HR 2) is a procedural resolution authorizing the appointment and compensation of staff for the West Virginia House of Delegates during the 2026 legislative session. It specifies exact pay rates for approximately 30 House positions, including legislative assistants ($115-$160/day), committee staff ($40,000-$130,200/year), and leadership roles (e.g., Counsel to the Speaker at $130,200/year). The resolution establishes administrative procedures for payroll, employee assignments, and removal by the Speaker, with all costs funded from House appropriations. It directly affects House staff and administrative operations, not public policy.

Maddy summaryHR 1 amends multiple House rules to update legislative procedures. It requires members to address the presiding officer respectfully and prohibits naming other members or displaying signs during debate, while setting a 5-day committee consideration period for discharge votes (requiring majority approval for standing committees). The bill also mandates that most bills be introduced by the 35th day of the session (with exceptions for committee-originated bills) and requires fiscal notes for bills affecting state revenue or taxes. These changes directly impact House members, committees, and the legislative process during sessions.