Del. Roger Hanshaw

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 2007 repeals West Virginia's certificate of need (CON) program, which previously required health care facilities to obtain state approval before expanding services or building new facilities. This directly affects hospitals, clinics, and health care providers that would have needed CON approval for new services or infrastructure. The bill terminates the West Virginia Health Care Authority's CON program and transfers its remaining powers, assets, and employees to the Secretary of the Department of Health, while establishing a summary review process for behavioral health services to meet federal Medicaid requirements. Funds previously tied to the CON program will be redirected to the general revenue fund.

Maddy summaryHB 3387 creates a pilot program allowing West Virginia's State Board of Education to establish regional school districts that combine neighboring county school districts. It directly affects county districts facing shared challenges like funding gaps, rural population issues, and geographic barriers. The bill authorizes regional districts to consolidate schools, make financial decisions, and supersede county boards within their area, starting July 1, 2025. It also permits the State Board to develop rules for a smooth transition during consolidation. The program aims to address operational inefficiencies through regional planning while maintaining the same powers as current county boards.

Maddy summaryHB 3512 transfers $4.5 million from the Department of Administration, Division of General Services' fund (account 0230, org 0211, app 67700) to the State Fund's unappropriated surplus balance for fiscal year 2025. This action reduces the available funds for that specific account, moving the excess balance to the general state surplus. The bill directly affects state budget management by reallocating unused funds within the General Revenue fund structure. It does not create new policies, impact citizens, or change service provisions. The transfer is purely a procedural budget adjustment to handle excess funds.

Maddy summaryHB 3509 is a procedural appropriations bill that reallocates $41,159,321 in unused funds from the Department of Economic Development’s "Site-Ready Projects, SEED, Vo-Tech and Workforce Investments - Surplus" account. It directs these unspent FY2025 funds to be carried forward for use in FY2026, rather than returning them to the general treasury. This bill directly affects the Department of Economic Development’s Office of the Secretary, which manages economic development funding. The change involves no new policy or program but adjusts how existing unspent state funds are utilized across fiscal years.

Maddy summaryThis bill (HB 3511) adds $13,099 for current operations and $66,100 for capital improvements to the Division of Culture and History's existing budget for fiscal year 2025. It uses unappropriated surplus funds from the State Fund, General Revenue (as recommended by the Governor) to cover these specific spending items. The funds will support the division's ongoing activities and facility projects during the 2025 fiscal year. This is a procedural budget adjustment, not a new policy or program.

Maddy summaryHB 3510 is a procedural bill that reallocates unspent funds within West Virginia's existing budget for the Department of Homeland Security. It adds $398,295 for the Fusion Center Surplus (fund 0430) and $378,771 for Current Expenses Surplus (fund 0443) under the Department of Homeland Security and its Emergency Management Division. The bill specifies that any unexpended balances from these accounts at the end of fiscal year 2025 will be carried over and reappropriated for use in fiscal year 2026. This is purely an administrative adjustment of existing surplus funds, not new spending or policy.

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 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 resolution expresses the West Virginia House of Delegates' support for the Southern Regional Education Board's (SREB) Crisis Recovery Network, which would provide long-term mental health counseling support to schools after crises like natural disasters or shootings. It recognizes that schools - especially rural ones - often lack sufficient counselors to address ongoing student and staff needs during recovery. The resolution does not create new programs or funding but affirms state participation in the existing SREB network, which coordinates specialized counselors and resources for schools in extreme need.