Rep. Chris Phillips

Maddy summaryHB 5236 requires county commissions to inspect all ballot tabulating equipment one week before in-person voting to confirm no internet connectivity (no modems or SIM cards installed) and that equipment is properly sealed. It also mandates the Secretary of State to randomly audit 10% of tabulating equipment in at least five counties 14 days before elections, verifying the same internet connectivity requirements. Both inspections require detailed written reports documenting findings, including verification of no internet components, sealing status, and any necessary corrective actions. This bill directly affects county election officials and the Secretary of State by adding mandatory pre-election verification steps to enforce existing law prohibiting internet-connected voting equipment.

Maddy summaryHB 5235 updates West Virginia's back-to-school sales tax holiday by increasing the price thresholds for exempt items. It raises the clothing exemption to $150 (from $125), school supplies to $60 (from $50), instructional materials to $25 (from $20), laptop/tablet computers to $600 (from $500), and sports equipment to $180 (from $150). The holiday applies to eligible purchases made during the first Sunday of August plus the previous Friday and Saturday, and the following Monday. This change directly affects West Virginia residents purchasing qualifying school-related items during this specific annual period, reducing their tax burden on those purchases.

Maddy summaryHB 5231 requires West Virginia counties to use separate voting machines exclusively for training purposes (not for actual elections), with exceptions only during emergencies like machine failures or funding shortages. It mandates that all automatic tabulating equipment be tested for accuracy one week before voting begins, using pre-audited ballots to verify vote counting, with public notice of the test required. Counties must certify the equipment is error-free, seal all testing materials under multiple locks, and submit results to the state Election Commission for one year. This directly affects county election officials, who must establish written security policies and comply with these testing and machine separation rules for all statewide elections.

Maddy summaryHB 5211 requires noncitizen driver's licenses and identification cards issued in West Virginia to be stamped with "NC" (noncitizen). This amendment to §3-1-34(a)(1)(C) of West Virginia law clarifies that such "NC"-stamped IDs cannot be used as valid identification for voting. The bill directly affects noncitizen residents who hold these licenses, as the "NC" designation makes their IDs invalid for meeting voting ID requirements. It modifies existing voting procedures to prevent noncitizen IDs from being accepted as proof of identity at polling places.

Maddy summaryHB 5230 aligns the retirement and disability benefits for dependents of West Virginia State Police officers who take disability retirement with the benefits available to dependents of officers who retire after 20 years of service without disability. It amends §15-2-33 to ensure that dependents of officers qualifying for disability retirement receive the same benefit calculations as dependents of standard retirees - specifically, the greater of either 5.5% of the officer’s 25-year salary average or 75% of the officer’s retirement benefits (with a $5,000 minimum). This change directly affects spouses, children, and parents of State Police officers who leave service due to disability. The bill ensures consistency in benefits without altering existing minimum payments ($5,000 or $6,000 annually) or scholarship provisions for dependent children.

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 summaryThis resolution (HR 10) proposes approval of federal legislation (H.R. 5966), the Ohio River Restoration Program Act, which would establish a program to improve the Ohio River. The program would fund specific actions like cleaning polluted water, restoring fish habitats, controlling invasive species, and improving public access to the river. West Virginia directly benefits as 28% of the river’s length borders the state, providing drinking water for 700,000 residents and supporting local economies. The resolution itself does not create funding but formally supports the federal bill’s implementation. This is a procedural resolution endorsing the broader federal restoration effort.

Maddy summaryHB 5172 establishes the Low Earth Orbit (LEO) Broadband Internet Connection Fund to install LEO satellite equipment at locations already designated for broadband deployment under existing state grant programs. The fund, managed by the West Virginia Department of Commerce, will use state appropriations, grants, and interest earnings to cover installation costs. It provides immediate internet access through LEO connections - though with different speed and latency than traditional broadband - while waiting for full statewide broadband deployment to complete. The fund’s money remains available annually without reverting to general state revenue.

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.