Del. Mickey Petitto

Maddy summaryThis constitutional amendment (HJR 34) proposes changing West Virginia's constitution to give the legislature greater flexibility in taxing tangible personal property. It would allow the legislature to exempt specific property types (like motor vehicles) from ad valorem tax, reduce tax rates for certain items, set different tax rates for different property categories, or classify property as real vs. personal for tax purposes. The amendment requires voter approval in the 2026 general election to take effect. It does not enact a specific tax reduction but creates a constitutional framework for future legislative action on property taxation.

Maddy summaryWest Virginia's HB 2006 defines "sex," "male," and "female" in state law based on biological characteristics observed at birth, stating there are only two sexes. It specifies that "female" refers to individuals with reproductive anatomy for producing ova, and "male" refers to those with anatomy for producing sperm, while clarifying that intersex individuals ("DSD conditions") do not constitute a third sex. The bill aims to preserve single-sex spaces like women's restrooms, changing rooms, and domestic violence shelters by requiring state institutions to classify people based on this biological definition. It explicitly states the law cannot be enforced in conflict with the *Grimm v. Gloucester School Board* court ruling, which protects transgender students' access to facilities matching their gender identity.

Maddy summaryThis bill repeals West Virginia's outdated dog tax by removing sections of the state code (§19-20-1, §19-20-2, and §19-20-11) that previously required dog owners to pay a tax. It directly affects dog owners in West Virginia who were subject to this tax under the existing law. The bill eliminates the requirement for dog owners to pay this tax and removes the administrative processes for collecting it. No new provisions or mechanisms are added - only the repeal of the existing tax.

Maddy summaryHB 3005, the West Virginia Consumer Privacy Act of 2025, requires businesses to obtain explicit consumer consent ("opt-in") before selling or sharing their personal financial information. It directly affects West Virginia consumers and businesses like financial institutions, credit reporting agencies, mortgage lenders, and brokers that handle consumer financial data. The law mandates that businesses clearly disclose what information is being shared and gives consumers control over their data to prevent identity theft and unsolicited marketing. Violations carry fines of up to $10,000 per offense, with additional penalties for bad-faith lawsuits.

Maddy summaryHB 2478 clarifies eligibility rules for West Virginia's HOPE Scholarship Program, directly affecting students seeking to use the scholarship. It updates the definition of an "eligible recipient" to specify that students must be enrolled full-time in a West Virginia public school for at least 45 days during an instructional term (or meet specific kindergarten enrollment criteria), with an exception for kindergarten students if the program's participation rate remains below 5% of public school enrollment. The change would take effect July 1, 2026, allowing kindergarten-eligible students to qualify without full-term enrollment if participation is low. The bill does not alter scholarship amounts or funding but streamlines eligibility criteria. This is a substantive policy clarification, not a procedural change.

Maddy summaryHB 2969 increases West Virginia's homestead property tax exemption for eligible homeowners. The bill raises the exemption amount from $20,000 to $30,000 immediately, with further increases to $35,000 by 2028 and $40,000 by 2030. This exemption applies to the first $30,000 (and higher amounts over time) of a home's assessed value for primary residences owned by residents aged 65 or older, or those certified as permanently and totally disabled. To qualify, applicants must meet residency requirements, including being a West Virginia resident for two consecutive years prior to the tax year, with exceptions for military service and returning residents.

Maddy summaryHB 2839 requires all West Virginia public elementary, middle, and high schools to provide free feminine hygiene products to female students. County boards of education must supply these products using existing funds allocated for hygiene items, without requiring new state spending. The bill directly affects female students in public K-12 schools by ensuring access to these essential products during school hours. It establishes a clear policy change to address period poverty in educational settings through existing budget mechanisms.

Maddy summaryHB 2734 requires all West Virginia public K-12 schools to display their annual school report cards on their official websites. It also mandates that county boards of education use the state's existing electronic system for collecting and reporting school data to the state education department. This ensures parents and community members can easily access school performance information online without needing to request it. The bill applies directly to every public school and county school board in the state, standardizing how school accountability data is shared publicly.

Maddy summaryHB 2779 would require all West Virginia public schools to install cameras in hallways, stairwells, classrooms, and any other rooms where students are present. The bill excludes bathroom stalls, showers, and locker rooms to protect student privacy during undressing. Schools would need to maintain all recorded footage for a full year. This bill directly affects all K-12 public schools in West Virginia and is currently pending in the House Education Committee.

Maddy summaryHB 2726 would require West Virginia's State Board of Education to stop administering all standardized tests in both public and private schools starting with the 2025-2026 school year. The bill directly affects all K-12 schools in the state by eliminating a long-standing testing requirement. Its key provision mandates the State Board to cease all standardized testing, removing this requirement from school operations. The change applies to every school year beginning in 2025-2026.