Del. Chuck Sheedy

Maddy summaryHB 4763 requires road construction crews to remove "Flagger Ahead" signs within 30 minutes after flaggers stop working on public roads in West Virginia. It directly affects contractors and road crews who use these signs during work zones. The bill imposes escalating fines for violations: $50 for a first offense (covering court costs), $200 for a second, and $500 plus permit revocation for a third. The law takes effect on July 1, 2026.

Maddy summaryHB 4623 requires West Virginia counties and municipalities to provide public notice at least three months before purchasing land or buildings. The notice must include property size, sale details (date, location, method), inspection periods, and contact information, and can be shared via social media, courthouse postings, or news ads. It also mandates that proposals within 10% of specifications be made publicly available for 10 business days prior to the purchase decision. This bill directly affects local governments buying property, ensuring transparency for potential buyers. The legislation is currently in the introduction phase, having been referred to the Judiciary Committee on January 21, 2026.

Maddy summaryHB 4529 requires local governments (including counties, cities, and land reuse agencies) that receive grants from West Virginia's Reclamation of Abandoned and Dilapidated Properties Program to provide a 20% matching contribution. This applies unless the entity can demonstrate financial inability using data from the State Auditor's Office. The bill also mandates that fines related to abandoned properties be used to support either the matching funds or the demolition of condemned properties. The program aims to help local entities remediate blighted structures through state grants, with this new requirement ensuring local financial commitment.

Maddy summaryHJR 19 proposes a constitutional amendment to allow local governments (counties, municipalities) to approve additional tax increases specifically for fire protection and emergency medical services (EMS) with a simple majority vote (50% plus one vote) instead of the current 60% requirement for all other tax increases. This change would apply only to levies limited exclusively to fire/EMS funding, with a three-year maximum duration and a cap preventing increases from exceeding 50% above existing tax rates. The amendment requires voter approval in the 2026 general election and leaves the 60% threshold unchanged for all other tax increases. It does not alter existing tax exemptions or revenue distribution rules.

Maddy summaryWest Virginia House Bill 4583 establishes November 7 annually as "Victims of Communism Day" for public schools. It requires high school students in U.S. Government classes (mandated under §18-2-9(a)(1)) to receive at least 45 minutes of instruction about communist regimes' impacts, including specific examples like Mao Zedong's Cultural Revolution, Stalin's Soviet system, and Pol Pot's Khmer Rouge. The bill mandates that curriculum content cover how victims suffered through poverty, starvation, migration, violence, and speech suppression under these regimes. The State Board of Education must adopt revised social studies standards incorporating these requirements by April 1, 2026, with implementation beginning in the 2026-2027 school year.

Maddy summaryHJR 21 proposes a constitutional amendment to lock the property tax valuation for West Virginia homeowners aged 65 or older (or permanently disabled) at the assessed value when they turned 65 or purchased their home - whichever occurred later. This would prevent their taxable value from increasing due to rising market prices, potentially reducing annual property tax bills over time. The amendment must be approved by voters in the 2028 general election to take effect. It directly affects senior homeowners who occupy their primary residence as their principal dwelling.

Maddy summaryHB 4487 would allow West Virginia property owners to pay current real and personal property taxes in monthly installments instead of the current two-installment system (due September and March). Property owners choosing monthly payments would pay a 2.5% convenience fee on each monthly payment. The bill maintains the existing 2.5% discount for paying both installments on time under the current system. This change directly affects all residential and commercial property owners who pay local property taxes in West Virginia.

Maddy summaryHB 4535 would protect certain assets from being taken by creditors in West Virginia for unpaid consumer debts. It applies to permanent residents and specifically shields: minimum-wage earnings (up to 40 hours/week), homesteads valued at $5,000 or less, retirement accounts (like IRAs and 401ks), disability/death benefits, prepaid college funds, life insurance proceeds, and Social Security income. These assets cannot be seized through wage garnishment, judgment collection, or other creditor actions. The bill directly affects West Virginia residents facing debt collection efforts, particularly those relying on these specific income sources or assets. It creates clear, concrete exemptions without altering existing debt collection laws beyond these defined protections.

Maddy summaryHB 4528 would require that juveniles accused of assaulting law enforcement officers, reserve deputies, court security officers, or first responders be held in custody without being released to parents or guardians. This change means that for these specific offenses, juveniles cannot be released even if other conditions for release (like no immediate danger) would otherwise apply. The bill does not alter the existing requirement for a detention hearing within 24 hours. It directly affects juveniles charged with assaulting these public safety personnel in West Virginia.

Maddy summaryHB 4534 creates West Virginia's Title Protection Act to shield property owners from fraudulent title claims. It ensures rightful owners retain full title to their property - even if someone files fake deeds or takes loans using their property - without facing financial liability. The bill requires county clerks to mail notices to owners whenever property transfers occur or deeds are filed/modified, acting as an early warning system for potential fraud. This directly affects homeowners vulnerable to title theft, where criminals might forge documents online to steal equity or saddle owners with unauthorized loans.