Del. Lori Dittman

Maddy summaryHB 4153 creates a tax credit for West Virginia employers who hire interns or apprentices in high-demand fields like advanced manufacturing, IT, healthcare, and skilled trades. Eligible employers receive a 50% tax credit on wages paid to qualifying interns/apprentices, up to $10,000 per person annually (capped at $150,000 total per employer yearly). To qualify, positions must include at least 120 hours of structured training and exclude retail, food service, janitorial, and general administrative roles. Employers must apply for certification through the West Virginia Department of Economic Development and report details annually to claim the credit.

Maddy summaryHB 4162 creates a tax credit program to encourage property rehabilitation in West Virginia. It provides businesses and property owners a 25% credit (up to $2 million) on eligible renovation costs or a 50% credit on increased property value (annual for 5 years), requiring a $50,000 investment, 30% value increase, and 5 years of active commercial use. Additional credits (up to 15% total) apply for projects in rural areas (population <50,000, high unemployment, or designated zones), brownfield sites, or registered historic properties. The program is budget-neutral, capped at $50 million annually, and requires annual reporting on investments, jobs created, and property use.

Maddy summaryHB 3313 allows high school students to take community college courses while still enrolled in high school, earning both high school and college credit. It directly affects high school students in participating school districts by expanding access to college-level coursework without requiring separate enrollment. The key provision establishes a streamlined process for high schools to partner with community colleges, ensuring courses meet academic standards and transferable credit requirements. This policy change simplifies pathways for students to begin higher education earlier, reducing future college costs and accelerating degree completion. The bill was signed into law on April 25, 2025, and is now effective.

Maddy summaryHB 2516 repealed outdated and unused sections of state code. It did not create new laws or impact residents, as it solely removed obsolete legal language from the statutes. The bill was signed into law by the governor on April 8, 2025, and became Chapter 59 of the 2025 regular session laws. This procedural action simplified the legal code without altering policy or affecting any individuals or entities.

Maddy summaryHB 2773 authorizes existing legislative rules governing West Virginia's higher education programs, rather than creating new policies. It formally validates 19 previously filed rules related to the Higher Education Policy Commission, including the Underwood-Smith Teaching Scholars Program, PROMISE grants, degree-granting institution oversight, and the Teacher Loan Repayment Program. Specific provisions include updating citizenship requirements for scholarship recipients and clarifying evaluation criteria for college presidents. This bill directly affects state universities, community colleges, and students participating in these authorized programs. As a procedural measure, it confirms the legal standing of these rules without introducing new funding or requirements.

Maddy summaryHB 2575 establishes a permanent, full-time position for a Dementia Services Director within the state Department of Health. This position directly affects state agencies responsible for managing dementia care programs and services. The bill requires the Department of Health to appoint this director to coordinate dementia-related services, ensuring consistent oversight and program management across state initiatives. The law, enacted without the Governor's signature on April 12, 2025, formalizes this role to improve the structure of dementia care delivery.

Maddy summaryHB 3209 requires every public and charter school in the state to have at least one school counselor for every 250 students. This law directly affects all public and charter schools by mandating a specific counselor-to-student ratio. The key provision sets a clear standard: schools must maintain a minimum of one counselor per 250 enrolled students, ensuring consistent access to counseling services. The bill became law on July 30, 2025, after approval by the governor.

Maddy summaryHB 2897 requires the West Virginia Legislative Auditor to conduct regular performance and financial audits of the West Virginia Department of Education. The bill authorizes the Auditor to examine the Department’s finances, records, and operations while protecting the confidentiality of any protected information. It mandates that the initial audit be completed by December 1, 2025, and reported to the Joint Committee on Government and Finance and the Legislative Oversight Commission on Education Accountability.

Maddy summaryHB 2349 requires opioid treatment programs licensed under West Virginia law to offer long-acting reversible contraception (LARC), such as IUDs or implants, to patients receiving methadone or suboxone treatment. This applies directly to patients in medication-assisted treatment programs and the facilities operating those programs. The bill amends licensing rules (§16B-13-3 and §16B-13-5) to mandate that facilities provide information about and access to LARC options as part of their standard services. It does not specify which contraception methods must be offered, only that facilities must make LARC available to eligible patients.

Maddy summaryThis symbolic resolution designates November 7th annually as "Pastor Appreciation Day" in West Virginia. It honors clergy members for their community service, spiritual leadership, and roles in life events like weddings, funerals, and disaster response. The resolution does not create new laws, funding, or obligations - it serves solely as ceremonial recognition. It affects no specific individuals or policies, as it is a non-binding declaration of appreciation.