Del. Keith Marple

Maddy summaryHB 3201 amends West Virginia's medical cannabis law to permit edible forms (such as gummies and lozenges) for the first time, adding them to the list of approved product types. The bill establishes strict safety rules for edibles, including a 10-milligram THC limit per serving (with a 15% variance), mandatory bureau approval for each product, and prohibitions on candy-like appearance, color additives, or additives that increase potency. It also requires dispensaries to report all medical cannabis sales to the state's controlled substance monitoring database. This bill directly affects patients and caregivers using edibles, as well as businesses that produce or sell medical cannabis products.

Maddy summaryHB 3188 prohibits individuals who are lawfully detained by police from providing false names or failing to identify themselves, with violations punishable as misdemeanors (up to 1 year in jail) or felonies (up to 5 years) if harm results. It also clarifies that loitering or prowling is illegal only when circumstances cause reasonable safety concerns, requiring officers to first ask for identification and explanation before arresting. The bill allows courts to order restitution for victims of false identification and correct public records containing false information. These provisions apply to law enforcement officers, detained individuals, and anyone affected by false identification misuse.

Maddy summaryHB 3175 prohibits public utilities (such as gas, water, and electric companies) from using funds paid by ratepayers to make political contributions or charitable donations. The bill bans these contributions to political candidates, campaigns, political action committees, and charitable organizations. Violations would be classified as criminal offenses with penalties. This applies to all public utilities operating in West Virginia under the state's regulatory code.

Maddy summaryHB 3191 requires people to maintain a 25-foot distance from law enforcement officers, probation officers, firefighters, or emergency responders while they are performing their duties, particularly when someone is recording interactions. It prohibits approaching or staying within 25 feet after receiving a verbal warning, if the person intends to interfere with the officer’s work, threaten them, or intentionally distress them. Violating this rule is a misdemeanor punishable by a $50-$500 fine, up to one year in jail, or both. The bill directly affects members of the public who record police or emergency interactions near the scene.

Maddy summaryHB 3113 increases the percentage of precincts required to undergo manual ballot audits during election canvassing in West Virginia. The bill mandates that a higher random selection of precincts (beyond the current threshold) must have voter-verified paper ballots manually counted. If discrepancies exceed 1% or change the election outcome in an audited precinct, all ballots in that precinct must be manually recounted, with the manual count becoming the official record. This directly affects election officials conducting canvasses and candidates who may demand recounts. The bill amends existing election code sections to implement these audit requirements.

Maddy summaryHB 3048 limits new permits for wind power facilities in West Virginia and requires that for each new wind project approved, the tax burden on existing and new coal-fired power plants must decrease proportionally. The bill directly affects wind energy developers (by restricting new projects) and coal power plant operators (by mandating tax offsets). Key provisions include capping wind power permits, defining wind turbines as pollution control facilities for tax purposes, and requiring that tax reductions for coal plants match the scale of new wind development. The bill cites coal as the only reliable power source during emergencies like storms, though this rationale does not create new emergency rules.

Maddy summaryHB 2986, introduced in West Virginia's 2025 legislative session, creates a central purchasing program to reduce costs for volunteer fire departments and emergency medical services (EMS) first responders. The bill amends state code to authorize department secretaries to develop rules enabling bulk or discounted purchasing of essential supplies. This program would directly affect volunteer fire and EMS organizations by potentially lowering their operational costs through centralized procurement. The bill focuses on administrative implementation rather than new funding, requiring departments to establish the purchasing mechanism through rulemaking. It remains in committee referral as of March 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 3057 would limit how much a county tax assessor can increase the property tax value of antique or classic cars each year in West Virginia. To raise a car's assessed value, the tax assessor must provide written justification based on inflation, the cost-of-living index, or actual market activity for antique/classic cars - not simply the county's revenue needs. This justification must be given to the vehicle owner before any increase takes effect. The bill directly affects owners of antique or classic cars in West Virginia counties by requiring transparency in tax assessments.

Maddy summaryHB 3038 establishes "quick response teams" (QRTs) under West Virginia's Office of Drug Control Policy to provide immediate support for individuals experiencing drug-related medical emergencies following arrest. The teams, trained to work with people who have substance use disorders, will respond at regional jails or treatment facilities within 24 hours of arrest to connect them with recovery services. This requires coordination with law enforcement, emergency medical services, and healthcare providers, starting July 1, 2025. The bill directly affects people arrested for drug-related incidents by creating a structured pathway to treatment rather than solely processing arrests.

Maddy summaryHB 3059 would require a mandatory minimum 25-year prison sentence for anyone convicted of maliciously assaulting a law enforcement officer while the officer is performing their duties. The bill specifically targets assaults on law enforcement officers (defined under West Virginia law), not animals as the title incorrectly states - this appears to be an error in the bill's title. It replaces the current sentencing range of 3-15 years for malicious assault with a fixed 25-year minimum. This change would apply to individuals who intentionally cause bodily injury to officers acting in their official capacity.