Rep. Lori Dittman

Maddy summaryHCR 21 is a study resolution requesting the Joint Committee on Government and Finance to examine whether West Virginia counties should direct a portion of new property tax revenue from large-scale investments (like manufacturing or energy projects) toward property tax relief for primary residence homeowners. The study would assess thresholds for "significant" revenue growth, prioritize relief for retirees, develop revenue allocation formulas, and analyze constitutional requirements for such a policy. It does not create new tax relief but evaluates feasibility and implementation details, including safeguards to maintain funding for schools and public safety. The committee must report findings by 2027, potentially leading to future legislation or constitutional amendments.

Maddy summaryHB 4568 prohibits serving legal documents (like summonses) for civil or Family Court cases on property owned by counties in West Virginia. This directly affects plaintiffs trying to initiate lawsuits against county entities and county governments as defendants. The bill adds a new section to state law (§56-3-35) explicitly banning such service on county-owned land. It does not change existing rules for serving process on private property or in other locations. The law would take effect upon enactment.

Maddy summaryHB 5659 requires West Virginia's Department of Human Services to develop a new cost estimation model for child care subsidy rates. The model must reflect actual costs of quality care - including staff wages, licensing compliance, program types (centers/family homes), age groups, and regional differences - replacing current market-rate surveys. An independent expert consultant will create the model by July 2027, with a report detailing cost variations and implementation plans due before the 2028 legislative session. This directly affects child care providers who receive subsidies and families relying on state-funded child care assistance.

Maddy summaryHB 5675, the WV Reshoring Manufacturing Act, creates a tax credit for West Virginia businesses that replace imported goods with locally manufactured products. It directly affects businesses purchasing goods for resale or use in WV (eligible taxpayers) and manufacturers operating physical facilities in the state (qualified manufacturers). The bill provides tax credits equal to a percentage of the verified dollar value of imported goods replaced by WV-made goods, requiring independent CPA verification through "reshoring activity verification reports" for both initial and continued reshoring. Credits are time-limited, non-transferable, and expire after 10 years, with separate provisions for initial reshoring and repeat purchases of reshored goods. The program aims to reduce reliance on foreign imports by incentivizing local production, as documented in the Legislature's findings of $4.8 billion in imported goods purchased by WV businesses in 2024.

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 5678 amends the Build WV Act to replace a $150 million total project cost cap with a $2 million annual cap on new tax credit liability for projects approved in each fiscal year. It specifically allows smaller rural projects to qualify for credits while clarifying the cap applies only to new project approvals, not existing projects. The bill also establishes a Build WV Credit Reserve Fund (starting at $2 million) to cover refundable tax credits for completed projects, requiring annual adjustments based on demand and usage. These changes directly affect companies seeking Build WV tax credits by altering how credits are calculated and capped, with the reserve fund ensuring payment for approved credits.

Maddy summaryHB 5677 establishes the Coalfield Career Pipeline Program to expand workforce training in West Virginia's coalfield counties. The bill authorizes mobile career and technical education units, paid apprenticeships, certification programs, and employer partnerships focused on priority industries like commercial driving, healthcare, construction, and emerging energy trades. It prioritizes collaborative applications involving schools, workforce boards, and local governments. The program aims to directly support residents in these economically transitioning communities by connecting them to in-demand jobs.

Maddy summaryHJR 39 proposes a constitutional amendment to change how the West Virginia State Board of Education is structured. It would replace the current system of nine governor-appointed members with five elected regional members (serving four-year terms, limited to two terms) and four appointed members (serving staggered terms). The amendment requires the Board to submit proposed policies to the Legislature for review, approval, or rejection. This change, if approved by voters in 2026, would take effect for the 2028 election cycle and directly affects how board members are selected and how education policies are reviewed.

Maddy summaryHB 4871 requires West Virginia public school districts to offer a vegetarian meal option that meets federal nutrition standards for students enrolled in schools. County school boards must make this option available but can require advance requests (with reasonable deadlines) and are not obligated to provide it if a request isn't submitted in time. The bill does not change existing rules for medical or religious dietary accommodations and allows school districts to set their own implementation procedures for requests and menu planning. It directly affects students seeking vegetarian meals and school nutrition programs operating under federal meal reimbursement programs.

Maddy summaryHB 4834 amends West Virginia law to explicitly permit women’s wrestling as a sanctioned sport in public high schools and public charter schools. The bill directly affects school districts and athletic programs by allowing them to officially recognize and sponsor girls' wrestling teams under existing athletic regulations. It adds women’s wrestling to the list of permitted interscholastic athletic events without changing eligibility rules for students. The change requires the West Virginia Secondary School Activities Commission to approve wrestling as a sanctioned sport under its authority.