Del. Adam Burkhammer

Maddy summaryHB 5100 transfers regulatory and enforcement authority for CBD (cannabidiol) and Kratom products from the West Virginia Department of Agriculture to the Alcohol Beverage Control Administration (ABCA). This change affects businesses selling CBD or Kratom products in West Virginia, including both in-state retailers and out-of-state sellers shipping products into the state. The bill updates existing laws to make the ABCA Commissioner responsible for issuing permits, enforcing labeling rules, and handling product safety checks for these products. The key mechanism shifts oversight from agricultural regulators to a beverage control agency, aligning CBD/Kratom regulation with similar product frameworks.

Maddy summaryThis House Resolution (HR 11) encourages West Virginia's K-12 students to design a new state highway route number shield for the 2026 anniversaries of the U.S. founding (250th) and the U.S. numbered highway system (100th). It directs the West Virginia Division of Highways and Department of Tourism to hold a statewide student design competition, requiring the shield to maintain federal safety standards for legibility while incorporating West Virginia identity. The winning design would be implemented gradually on state highways starting July 2027, replacing existing signs only as they wear out, and the student designer would receive legislative recognition. The resolution is procedural and non-binding, focusing on celebration and civic engagement rather than new policy.

Maddy summaryHR 9 is a ceremonial resolution honoring the late West Virginia House Delegate Douglas John Skaff Jr. It expresses the House of Delegates' condolences to his family and commemorates his service, including his roles as a delegate representing multiple districts and as Minority Leader. The resolution has no policy impact - it is purely symbolic, acknowledging his career in public service, business, and community leadership. It was unanimously adopted by the House on February 5, 2026, the same day it was introduced.

Maddy summaryHB 4446 establishes a four-year pilot program in Kanawha, Ohio, Mineral, and Raleigh counties to provide free Fire Fighter I and II training through community colleges. It directly affects eligible high school and college students in those counties by covering tuition and fees for courses meeting West Virginia State Fire Commission standards. The program requires each county to provide at least one certified fire service instructor, funded by the Higher Education Policy Commission, with annual reports tracking participation, certifications earned, costs, and student employment. The pilot runs from July 2026 through June 2030, with mandatory evaluations to determine future expansion or termination.

Maddy summaryHB 5177 creates a state sales tax rebate for builders constructing modest homes under 1,600 square feet in West Virginia. The bill provides a rebate equal to the state's 6% sales tax paid on qualifying building materials purchased from in-state suppliers, subject to strict fixed quantity limits (e.g., 174 sheets of sheathing, 475 pieces of lumber). Builders must use only specified materials, retain documentation for 60 months, and receive approval after the home is sold and inspected. The rebate excludes municipal taxes unless a municipality voluntarily participates, and materials like basement finishes or out-of-state purchases are ineligible.

Maddy summaryHB 4601 expands West Virginia's Child Abuse and Neglect Investigations Unit from a minimum of six to at least 21 members, requiring each of the 21 State Police districts to contribute at least one retired officer. The bill establishes unit offices in every State Police district (located within Human Services offices) and allows honorably retired State Police officers to rejoin under specific conditions - without accruing pension rights and after completing required training in areas like firearms and child abuse investigation protocols. The unit must coordinate with Child Protective Services, maintain statewide statistical data on child abuse/neglect convictions (without identifying individuals), and submit annual reports to the legislature. This directly affects Child Protective Services offices, law enforcement agencies, and retired State Police officers who may rejoin the unit.

Maddy summaryHB 5099 requires courts to order defendants convicted of DUI causing death to pay monthly child support for the victim's child until age 18 or high school graduation. This directly affects children who lost a parent or guardian to a DUI-related death and defendants sentenced for such offenses. The bill mandates courts to set reasonable payment amounts considering the child's needs, guardian's resources, and other factors, while offsetting payments by any existing civil judgment for the same accident. The law takes effect July 1, 2026, and applies only to offenses committed on or after that date.

Maddy summaryThis is a symbolic House Resolution (not a bill), introduced by multiple West Virginia delegates. It designates the month of June as "Fidelity Month" to promote the values of faith, family, and patriotism across the state. The resolution cites declining support for these values in polling and research, and calls for the state to "rededicate" itself to them during June. It has no binding policy requirements or direct impact on specific groups; it is purely a commemorative gesture.

Maddy summaryThis West Virginia House resolution states that the U.S. national debt (over $38 trillion in 2026) poses a national security threat, citing foreign debt ownership, projected Social Security/Medicare shortfalls, and warnings from military/intelligence leaders. It urges Congress to establish regular budgeting procedures but does not create new laws or alter federal spending. As a symbolic resolution, it has no direct legal effect on national debt policy or federal budgets. The resolution focuses on raising awareness rather than implementing concrete changes.

Maddy summaryHB 4392 bans specific dyes (FD&C Blue No. 1, Blue No. 2, Green No. 3, Red No. 3, Red No. 40, Yellow No. 5, and Yellow No. 6) from being added to pharmaceutical products in West Virginia. This amendment to the state's drug adulteration law makes products containing these dyes legally "adulterated" if sold under recognized names. The bill directly affects pharmaceutical manufacturers and distributors who currently use these dyes in medications. The ban will take effect January 1, 2028, if passed.