Rep. Jonathan Kyle

Maddy summaryHB 3139 allows public non-charter schools converting to charter schools to apply for charter status after the regular deadline, provided they meet all charter requirements. It requires the approval process to be expedited for these late applications. This bill directly affects school districts seeking to convert to charter status by changing the application timeline and review process. The key provision removes the strict deadline for conversion applications while maintaining all existing charter school criteria. The bill does not alter charter school standards or funding but streamlines the application pathway for converting schools.

Maddy summaryHCR 72 designates March 20, 2025 as "Black Lung Awareness Day" in West Virginia. It honors coal miners affected by black lung disease (coal worker's pneumoconiosis), a preventable occupational lung condition caused by coal dust exposure. The resolution does not create new laws, funding, or policy changes - it serves as a ceremonial observance recognizing the disease's impact and existing protections like the Black Lung Benefits Act. It follows the Federal Coal Mine Health and Safety Act's emphasis on miner safety without altering current regulations.

Maddy summaryHB 2939, the Remote Schools Support Act, creates a new definition for "extremely remote schools" in West Virginia and provides specific state funding to support them. The bill requires counties to keep these schools open by providing additional state aid, with enrollment in such schools counted as 2.5 students for funding calculations. It mandates state funding to cover building operations, extreme weather preparedness, and professional development for staff at these schools. This directly affects rural schools in sparse-density counties by altering how they receive state education funding to prevent closures.

Maddy summaryHB 2659 creates a new "Class S4N" permit allowing qualified non-profit organizations (under WV Code §31E-1-1) to sell liquor, wine, nonintoxicating beer, and nonintoxicating craft beer at events held exclusively in municipal-approved private outdoor areas. To qualify, non-profits must secure municipal approval for their outdoor space, pay a $1,500 annual fee (prorated in the first year), and submit event dates 60 days in advance. The permit requires operations to stay within municipal-designated outdoor areas and comply with all state alcohol laws. This bill directly affects non-profits seeking to serve alcohol at outdoor events without needing a standard liquor license.

Maddy summaryHB 2760 establishes a partnership between Workforce West Virginia and the State Board of Education to implement a STEM-focused online learning platform for high schools and technical schools in West Virginia, with an initial emphasis on chemistry education. Starting in the 2025-2026 school year, the program will begin with 10 selected schools, expanding to all participating schools after two years. Participating schools will receive instructional resources and teacher training using the platform, which complements existing digital literacy standards. The program requires an evaluation by January 2027 to assess student impact and recommend continuation, expansion, or termination.

Maddy summaryHB 3486 creates a tax credit for property owners who rehabilitate certified historic buildings in West Virginia. It offers a 10% credit (increasing to 25% for projects after December 2017) on qualified rehabilitation costs for buildings designated as "certified historic" by the West Virginia Division of Culture and History and the National Park Service. The bill allows phased rehabilitation projects (where work occurs in stages), permitting owners to claim credits for completed phases once certified, provided all phases are finished within 60 months. This credit directly affects owners of qualifying historic properties who meet tax compliance requirements and complete certified rehabilitation work.

Maddy summaryHB 2381 allows West Virginia residents to vote in municipal elections of cities they don't live in, provided they meet specific conditions. To qualify, voters must either own property in the municipality for 60 consecutive days (holding at least 50% ownership), pay municipal fees during the prior year, or own 25% of a business that paid local taxes. The bill prohibits nonresidents from voting for ward-specific representatives and requires them to register with the county clerk before voter registration closes, providing documentation of eligibility. It ensures nonresidents cast only one vote per municipality and aligns with the "one person - one vote" principle. Municipalities must provide paper ballots for nonresidents at assigned precincts.

Maddy summaryHB 3170 requires all rental properties in West Virginia to have approved sewage systems instead of straight piping sewage. It directly affects landlords of rental properties and property owners converting previously owner-occupied homes into rentals, mandating updated plumbing to meet current standards. The bill’s key provision prohibits straight piping sewage and requires all rental properties to install certified sewage systems. This policy change applies statewide to all residential rental units, focusing on infrastructure upgrades for public health and safety.

Maddy summaryHB 3328 requires hospitals and healthcare facilities to provide effective communication tools for deaf or hard-of-hearing patients and their families when ASL interpreters aren't available on staff. Specifically, facilities must offer technology like hearing loops, captioning services, or video relay systems to enable communication. The bill also mandates that any ASL interpreters used must be approved by the West Virginia Commission for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing. This applies to all hospitals, ambulatory care facilities, and extended care centers under West Virginia law, aligning with the Americans with Disabilities Act.

Maddy summaryHB 3296 clarifies and strengthens how West Virginia municipalities can address dilapidated or abandoned properties. The bill allows municipalities to locate owners of such properties and report non-compliance to credit agencies, potentially affecting the owner's credit rating. It also requires property owners to cover the costs of demolishing unsafe structures instead of municipalities bearing those expenses. This directly affects property owners of unsafe buildings and local governments responsible for public safety.