Del. Laura Kimble

Maddy summaryHB 4190 would automatically restore the right to possess firearms and serve on a jury for eligible nonviolent felons in West Virginia upon completion of their sentences, without requiring a court petition. The bill clarifies that petitions for firearm rights may include restoration of jury service rights and specifies who can file such petitions (e.g., individuals with certain nonviolent felony convictions). It also requires the Attorney General to publish public guidance on the process. This change directly affects individuals with prior nonviolent felony convictions who have met the eligibility criteria for automatic restoration.

Maddy summaryHB 4049 replaces West Virginia's existing Contraband Forfeiture Act with a new Criminal Forfeiture Process Act specifically for property used in or derived from felony drug crimes (violations of the Controlled Substance Act). It establishes a criminal court process for forfeiture (replacing civil forfeiture), defines key terms like "contraband" (unlawful items such as drugs without prescription) and "innocent owner" (a person unaware of property use in crime), and prohibits offering seized property to federal agencies for federal forfeiture. The bill clarifies that courts handling the underlying criminal case have jurisdiction over forfeiture proceedings, and it explicitly states no property rights exist in contraband. This procedural bill directly affects law enforcement agencies, criminal defendants, and property owners involved in drug-related felony cases.

Maddy summaryHB 4129 restricts the Division of Natural Resources' ability to enter private land for conservation purposes without a warrant. It requires law enforcement (specifically natural resources officers) to obtain a warrant before entering posted private land, using drones for surveillance, or conducting searches in open fields. The bill abolishes the common law "open fields" doctrine, prohibits surveillance cameras on private property, and clarifies that drone activity on private land constitutes a search needing a warrant. This directly affects landowners and natural resources officers by imposing new warrant requirements for property access.

Maddy summaryHB 2399 changes how West Virginia property owners qualify for managed timberland tax treatment. It requires owners to certify their land meets managed timberland standards every five years (instead of annually) and to follow specific forestry practices outlined in the "Best Management Practices for Forestry" publication. This certification allows timberland to be taxed based on its productive use value rather than standard market value, directly affecting private timberland owners seeking lower property tax rates. The bill grants the Division of Forestry rulemaking authority to establish detailed certification requirements and procedures.

Maddy summaryHB 2129, now law after Governor approval on April 12, 2025, establishes a "Parents Bill of Rights" for K-12 public schools. It directly affects parents and guardians by granting them specific rights regarding school curriculum, instructional materials, and communications about their child's education. Key provisions require schools to provide parents with clear notice about curriculum content and allow them to review instructional materials used in the classroom. The law creates a framework for parental involvement in educational decisions within public school settings.

Maddy summaryHB 2067, the West Virginia Firearms Liability Clarification Act, clarifies that firearm owners or sellers are generally not liable for civil lawsuits related to firearms they lawfully possess or transfer, unless negligence or intentional misconduct is proven. This law directly affects firearm owners, sellers, and businesses involved in gun transactions by limiting their civil liability in specific scenarios. The bill, now law after being approved by the Governor on April 25, 2025, establishes clear legal standards to prevent frivolous lawsuits targeting lawful firearm activities.

Maddy summaryHB 2402 requires healthcare providers to share a minor's medical records with parents or legal guardians upon request, unless the minor (age 14 or older) specifically asks to keep their records private. This law directly affects minors, their parents/guardians, and healthcare providers who must now follow this access protocol. Key provisions mandate that providers inform minors about their right to request record privacy and establish clear procedures for handling access requests. The bill became law on April 25, 2025, after approval by the governor.

Maddy summaryHB 2042 allows a guardian ad litem (a court-appointed child advocate) to formally request that a court appoint a Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) for a child in custody or foster care cases. This directly affects children in the state’s child welfare system and the guardians ad litem representing them. The bill adds a specific procedural step, enabling GALs to seek a CASA’s involvement when they believe it would benefit the child’s well-being. The law, enacted on July 31, 2025, streamlines access to CASA services without altering existing child welfare standards.

Maddy summaryHB 3187 establishes a West Virginia Task Force on Artificial Intelligence to study the impacts of AI on the state's economy, workforce, and public services. The task force, composed of state officials and industry experts, must analyze AI's effects on jobs, ethics, and regulatory needs, then submit recommendations to the legislature by 2026. This law directly affects state agencies responsible for implementing AI-related policies and provides a structured process for addressing emerging technology challenges. The bill became effective on July 31, 2025, after approval by the Governor.

Maddy summaryHB 2434, the Stop Squatters Act, creates a new legal process for property owners to immediately remove unauthorized occupants (squatters) from residential or commercial properties without using standard eviction court procedures. It defines a "squatter" as someone occupying without legal right (not including tenants who've overstayed), requires owners to first demand departure in writing, and allows law enforcement to remove occupants if specific conditions are met (e.g., no public access, no pending lawsuits). The bill also establishes criminal penalties: misdemeanors for property damage under $1,000 ($2,500 fine or 1 year jail) and felonies for damage over $1,000 (1-10 years prison), plus penalties for false documents or advertising properties without legal title. This directly affects property owners, law enforcement, and individuals occupying properties without legal authority.