Del. Robbie Martin

Maddy summaryHB 4557 creates a new criminal offense for intentionally blocking public streets, highways, or sidewalks used by the public, defining "obstruct" as making passage impassable, unreasonably inconvenient, or hazardous. It directly affects individuals who protest by blocking roadways, including those who ignore law enforcement requests to move. The bill establishes misdemeanor penalties ($500+ fine, 1+ month jail) for basic violations, and felony penalties ($1,000+ fine, 3 months-3 years jail) for repeat offenses, blocking emergency vehicles, or obstructing hospital access. The law applies to any person acting without legal authority to block public passageways.

Maddy summaryHB 4559 would eliminate a current prohibition against killing bears using bait during overlapping deer and bear hunting seasons in West Virginia. This change directly affects hunters who use bait for deer during seasons when bear hunting is also permitted. The bill amends §20-2-22a to remove the restriction that currently bans bear kills via bait during these concurrent seasons, while maintaining other existing bear hunting rules like tagging requirements and prohibitions on hunting cubs or small bears. The policy change specifically targets the bait restriction during joint deer-bear seasons, without altering other regulations governing bear hunting.

Maddy summaryHCR 6 is a symbolic resolution passed by the West Virginia House of Delegates declaring the state's position that it has the right to reject federal laws it deems unconstitutional. It cites provisions from West Virginia's constitution (Articles I, II, III) and historical arguments from figures like James Madison to assert that states, not federal courts, hold authority over constitutional interpretation. The resolution does not create new laws or affect any policies - it is purely a declarative statement of the state's stance. As a concurrent resolution, it has no legal force and does not change how federal laws are applied.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires West Virginia's wildlife director to propose new rules for hunting antlered deer. The proposed rules would limit licensed hunters to harvesting two antlered deer per season, with the second deer needing at least three points on one antler. These rules would directly affect all hunters with valid deer hunting licenses in West Virginia.

Maddy summaryHouse Resolution 3 (HR 3), introduced by West Virginia delegates on January 20, 2026, requests Congress create a combined investigative task force to examine the origins and response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The resolution asks the task force to coordinate with existing investigations, investigate alleged issues like vaccine-related health impacts and business closures due to mandates, and recommend corrective actions. It specifically urges the task force to consider referring criminal charges where warranted and to address accountability for pandemic-related decisions. This procedural resolution does not create new laws but seeks a federal investigation into pandemic policies and their effects.

Maddy summaryHB 4565 would amend West Virginia law to exempt insurance producers who have held an active license for 20 years or more from completing additional continuing education (CE) hours beyond the standard requirements. This change directly affects experienced insurance agents selling life, health, property, casualty, or other permitted insurance lines. The bill modifies existing rules (§33-12-8) by removing the biennial CE hour requirement for these long-tenured professionals, while maintaining standard CE obligations for others. It does not alter CE requirements for new agents or those with fewer years of licensure. The exemption applies only to producers who meet the 20-year threshold, not to those selling specific products like credit insurance.

Maddy summaryHouse Concurrent Resolution 8 is a non-binding legislative statement by the West Virginia Legislature affirming that the state has standing in legal matters affecting its residents, based on the Tenth Amendment and the West Virginia Constitution. It declares that any judicial ruling denying this standing is invalid and a violation of state sovereignty. The resolution does not create new laws or policies but formally rejects federal or judicial actions that restrict West Virginia's authority to govern matters impacting its people. It is a procedural expression of legislative principle, not a policy change.

Maddy summaryHB 4553 creates a tuition reimbursement program for West Virginia Division of Corrections and Rehabilitation employees. It provides 20% annual tuition coverage at state colleges for undergraduate studies, increasing to 100% after five years of continued employment. To qualify, employees must prove employment, apply for other financial aid (like Pell Grants) first, and maintain academic progress. The reimbursement only covers tuition after other aid sources are exhausted, and the state may set additional limits.

Maddy summaryHB 4556 would repeal West Virginia's existing net metering rules for public utilities, specifically eliminating Section 24-2F-8 of the state code. This change would directly affect residential and small business customers with solar panels or other renewable energy systems, removing their ability to sell excess electricity back to the grid for credit. The bill’s sole mechanism is the repeal of current net metering provisions, without adding new requirements or standards. It does not create new policy but ends the current framework for utility compensation of customer-generated renewable energy. (Note: As a procedural repeal, this summary is concise per the bill's nature.)

Maddy summaryHB 4586, introduced in West Virginia's 2026 legislative session, would prohibit state agencies and local governments from purchasing electric vehicles that may contain components made through forced labor or oppressive child labor. The bill defines "forced labor" as work obtained by coercion or fraud, including labor involving protected characteristics, and "oppressive child labor" as employment of children under 14 in hazardous work like mining. It requires all government contracts for electric vehicles to include a provision ensuring no components were produced using such labor, aligning with federal actions like the Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act. If enacted, the law would directly affect all state departments, counties, municipalities, schools, and universities purchasing electric vehicles, preventing taxpayer funds from supporting vehicles linked to unethical labor practices. The bill is currently pending in the House Government Organization Committee.