Del. Keith Marple

Maddy summaryHB 2966 requires individuals and groups spending over $1,000 annually on independent election activities (like ads not coordinated with candidates) to disclose detailed information publicly. This includes the spender's name, the source of funds (reporting contributors who gave over $1,000), and specific details about each contribution (like donor occupation and employer). The bill mandates these disclosures within 48 hours for certain last-minute spending before elections, with tighter 24-hour deadlines for large expenditures targeting specific candidates. It directly affects political committees, advocacy groups, and donors engaging in election-related spending, aiming to increase transparency in campaign finance. The law also clarifies that federal entities must comply with these state disclosure rules.

Maddy summaryHB 2924 would abolish the legal doctrine of adverse possession in West Virginia, meaning individuals can no longer claim ownership of land simply by occupying it openly and continuously for a set period without the owner's permission. The bill amends the state code to remove the existing 10-year limitation period for land claims and explicitly states that "the doctrine and law of adverse possession is abolished." This change directly affects landowners, who will no longer face the risk of losing property through adverse possession claims, and individuals who might have sought to claim land under this rule. The bill does not alter other property laws but specifically eliminates adverse possession as a method to obtain title to land.

Maddy summaryHB 2923 requires West Virginia's Commissioner of Highways to install rumble strips on all double-yellow lined highways during any road upgrade project, beginning July 1, 2025. This mandate applies specifically to roadways marked with double yellow lines, which typically separate opposing traffic flows. The bill directly affects state highway maintenance operations and drivers traveling on these roads by adding a physical safety feature to reduce run-off-road collisions. It creates a concrete, enforceable requirement for highway upgrades rather than proposing new funding or altering existing traffic laws.

Maddy summaryHB 2869 clarifies that West Virginia judicial officers must explicitly consider a person's residency status when setting bail or release conditions for misdemeanor offenses. The bill specifically requires judges to evaluate whether the person is a West Virginia or U.S. resident, has community ties, and poses a flight risk. It applies to all misdemeanor cases except those listed in subsection (a)(1) (e.g., violent offenses, crimes against minors, or offenses involving stolen property over $250). The law adds residency status as a mandatory factor in the existing list of considerations under §62-1C-1a, alongside factors like criminal history and community safety. This change directly affects individuals charged with qualifying misdemeanors who seek release before trial.

Maddy summaryHCR 65 is a West Virginia legislative resolution urging the U.S. Congress and Department of Energy to fulfill federal obligations under the Nuclear Waste Policy Act of 1982 regarding spent nuclear fuel. It highlights that over 90,000 metric tons of spent fuel are stored at 76 sites nationwide, with taxpayers bearing $9 billion in costs and nuclear customers having prepaid $46 billion for disposal, yet no permanent repository exists. The resolution specifically requests Congress and the DOE to implement recommendations from the Blue-Ribbon Commission, streamline regulations, and establish a deep geologic repository. It directly affects nuclear utilities, taxpayers, and communities hosting nuclear sites that face long-term storage challenges. The resolution is procedural and non-binding, aiming to prompt federal action on a decades-old policy gap.

Maddy summaryHB 2808, the "West Virginia Anti-Federal Commandeering Act," prohibits federal authorities from forcing West Virginia law enforcement agencies or personnel to conduct activities that violate citizens' constitutional rights. The bill defines "federal commandeering" as the federal government seizing state resources without state consent and bans state law enforcement from complying with such demands. It empowers the West Virginia Attorney General to challenge unconstitutional federal actions in court and create model policies for law enforcement. The law aims to protect constitutional rights - particularly First Amendment freedoms - while allowing cooperation on lawful federal-state operations. The bill is currently in the House Judiciary Committee after being introduced on February 21, 2025.

Maddy summaryThis concurrent resolution (HCR 57) declares that the People's Republic of China (PRC) is conducting an "illegal asymmetric war" against the U.S. and West Virginia, citing alleged tactics like cyberattacks, influence operations, and the use of fentanyl or engineered diseases. It directs state officials to forgive public debt held by PRC-affiliated entities since October 2019 and identify such entities for potential debt recovery. The resolution also urges the Governor and state agencies to take actions countering this alleged "war" and invites other states to adopt similar statements. As a non-binding resolution, it does not create new laws but formally positions West Virginia’s stance on China-related issues.