Del. Roger Hanshaw

Maddy summaryThis legislative resolution asks the Joint Committee on Government and Finance to study ways to reduce water loss in public water systems across West Virginia. The study will examine strategies like leak detection, infrastructure upgrades, and performance-based incentives to help water systems save money and stabilize rates for customers. It specifically focuses on identifying systems with the highest water loss and exploring financing options such as special bonds and grant programs to fund improvements. The committee must report its findings and recommendations to the Legislature by December 1, 2026.

Maddy summaryThis House Resolution honors the life and legacy of the late West Virginia legislator Larry D. Kump, who passed away on February 28, 2026. The resolution formally expresses the House of Delegates' condolences to Kump's family and acknowledges his service as a representative for Berkeley County across three different terms. It recognizes his career in criminal justice and mediation, his commitment to limited government, and his role as a devoted family member and church leader. The document is a ceremonial tribute rather than a law that changes policy or affects public programs.

Maddy summaryHB 5210 comprehensively updates West Virginia's water infrastructure laws to support public water and wastewater utilities. It creates a voluntary "Struggling Utilities Improvement Pilot Program" to help six to ten struggling utilities address issues before reaching a "distressed" status, while prioritizing low-interest loans for public utilities over private ones. The bill requires mandatory training for municipal officials overseeing water systems, mandates reporting to county commissions, and establishes a new "improvement period" for utilities on the distressed watch list. It also modifies funding rules to prevent state support for utilities with serious regulatory noncompliance or financial audit issues, and allows public utilities to secure customer use contracts before project funding.

Maddy summaryHB 4027 is West Virginia's proposed budget bill for fiscal year 2027 (July 1, 2026 - June 30, 2027), appropriating state funds for agency operations. It establishes funding categories like "personal services" (salaries), "employee benefits," and "current expenses" to cover routine state operations, while defining how agencies must manage and report these funds. The bill requires agencies to collect specific revenue amounts ("from collections") to avoid budget shortfalls and outlines procedures for handling insurance premiums and other costs through designated funds. As a routine appropriations measure, it directly affects all state agencies and departments that rely on state funding for their annual operations.

Maddy summaryHB 5478 establishes a statewide pilot program distributing free, internet-free learning touchpads to eligible preschoolers in West Virginia to improve kindergarten readiness. The program targets children aged 3-4 who qualify based on family income (at or below federal poverty level), participation in programs like WIC or Head Start, or other risk factors identified by the state. Each touchpad kit includes preloaded early-learning apps, headphones, a protective case, and parent guides with daily activity suggestions and text-message tips. The West Virginia Department of Education will administer the program, partner with community organizations, and evaluate its impact on readiness metrics annually, while ensuring compliance with child privacy laws.

Maddy summaryHB 5492 allows West Virginia's Department of Economic Development to pre-purchase standardized electric substation transformers from regulated utilities to accelerate industrial and commercial development projects. The bill specifies technical requirements for transformers (e.g., 150-200 MVA capacity, specific voltage levels) and authorizes the state to pay for initial ordering costs while utilities retain ownership until assigned to qualifying projects like industrial parks. If transformers aren't assigned by delivery, the state covers remaining costs and utilities hold them for future projects or system use. The state can recover funds through utility rate adjustments, project agreements, or other approved methods, without requiring Public Service Commission approval for these purchases.

Maddy summaryHCR 22 is a concurrent resolution requesting the Joint Committee on Government and Finance to study policy options that could accelerate the ordering and deployment of electric generation equipment in West Virginia. It specifically asks the committee to examine mechanisms like state-backed deposit guarantees, regulatory frameworks for cost recovery, and accelerated depreciation schedules to reduce delays in equipment procurement. The study aims to support grid reliability, economic growth, and West Virginia’s goal of reaching 50 gigawatts of generation capacity by 2050, while protecting ratepayers and taxpayers. It does not create new laws but seeks recommendations for potential legislative action based on the committee’s findings.

Maddy summaryHB 4693 declassifies Community and Technical Education (CTE) teaching positions at community colleges and trades-based high school instructors teaching CTE courses, allowing counties to target additional funding to specific roles in critical need. Currently, all CTE positions are grouped together, requiring county funding to be distributed across all positions; this bill removes that classification barrier. The bill maintains existing state funding for these positions while enabling counties to add supplemental funds to high-demand roles like skilled trades or healthcare education. This change aims to help fill staffing shortages in key CTE fields by letting counties offer targeted financial incentives without reducing state support.

Maddy summaryHB 5668 establishes the Central West Virginia Economic Development and Rural Revitalization Program to address economic challenges in eight specific counties: Webster, Clay, Braxton, Roane, Calhoun, Wirt, Lewis, and Gilmer. The bill creates a state program within the Department of Commerce that provides grants, loans, and technical assistance for projects like business development, infrastructure improvements, broadband expansion, and tourism initiatives. It also introduces a 25% tax credit for businesses making qualified investments in the region that create or retain full-time jobs. Projects must be located in the designated counties and prioritize job creation, private funding leverage, and support for economically distressed communities.

Maddy summaryHB 5541, titled "Daniel's Law," protects the personal contact information of certain public officials in West Virginia. It prohibits state/local agencies and private entities from disclosing home addresses or unpublished home/personal phone numbers of elected officials (including those who have won but not yet taken office), judicial officers, prosecutors, public defenders, and law enforcement officers without their written permission. The law applies to active, former, and retired officials, as well as their immediate family members living in the same household, aiming to prevent harassment or harm. It explicitly bans disclosure if a reasonable person would foresee the information could lead to risk of harm. The bill is currently pending in the House Judiciary Committee after introduction on February 16, 2026.