Del. Clay Riley

Maddy summaryHB 3441 would increase the maximum county solid waste assessment fee from $1.00 to $1.50 per ton for trash disposal. This change applies to all counties and regional solid waste authorities in West Virginia, allowing them to charge this higher fee on solid waste disposal. Revenue collected must cover administrative costs, refuse cleanup, litter control programs, and other solid waste management expenses. The bill directly affects local waste management budgets and the cost of trash disposal for residents and businesses in affected counties.

Maddy summaryHB 3410 establishes new rules for regulating power generation facilities and their property taxation in West Virginia. It creates a "certified microgrid program" with specific qualification requirements for microgrid operators, including minimum service terms, and sets methods for property taxation in certified microgrid districts. The bill also defines "high impact business development districts" where electricity generation must be certified, limits the number of such districts, and requires Public Service Commission approval for special utility rates for eligible customers. These changes directly affect power generation facilities, business development districts, and microgrid operators seeking certification under the new framework.

Maddy summaryHB 3170 requires all rental properties in West Virginia to have approved sewage systems instead of straight piping sewage. It directly affects landlords of rental properties and property owners converting previously owner-occupied homes into rentals, mandating updated plumbing to meet current standards. The bill’s key provision prohibits straight piping sewage and requires all rental properties to install certified sewage systems. This policy change applies statewide to all residential rental units, focusing on infrastructure upgrades for public health and safety.

Maddy summaryHB 2774, the "Coach Protection Act," amends West Virginia law to increase penalties for assault and battery against athletic officials and participants during sports events. It establishes minimum jail terms (5 days for assault, 10 days for battery) and fines ($250-$500 for assault, $500-$1,000 for battery), explicitly defining "athletic official or participant" to include coaches, referees, players, and team supervisors. The bill also authorizes school boards to ban convicted offenders from all state school sports events for at least one year, with violations treated as trespassing. This directly affects individuals who commit violence at sports events, schools enforcing bans, and participants in organized sports.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates West Virginia's campaign finance rules by allowing corporations and membership organizations (including nonprofits and LLCs) to directly contribute to candidates, candidate committees, or political action committees. It clarifies reporting requirements for these contributions and defines key terms like "corporation" and "contribution" to improve transparency. The changes affect candidates, their committees, and corporate donors by streamlining disclosure rules for campaign spending. The bill focuses on modernizing reporting standards rather than restricting contributions.

Maddy summaryHB 3078 establishes a 15 mph speed limit in licensed childcare zones during childcare hours (when children are entering or leaving). It defines childcare zones as all licensed childcare property, including grounds and 125 feet of adjacent streets or highways, similar to existing school zone rules. The bill requires the West Virginia Division of Highways to install signage marking these zones and applies the speed restriction during childcare operation times. This directly affects drivers passing near licensed childcare facilities during drop-off/pick-up periods, mirroring the safety measures already in place for school zones. The bill does not change existing speed limits outside these designated zones.

Maddy summaryHB 3267 exempts elected municipal utility boards (like those managing water or electricity services) and their contractors, subcontractors, and vendors from local taxes and fees on construction projects. Specifically, it removes local sales taxes, business taxes, and other municipal charges related to construction work. The bill directly affects municipal utility projects and their business partners by eliminating these local financial burdens. This is a policy change that alters how local governments impose taxes on utility construction, not a procedural or commemorative measure.

Maddy summaryHB 3155 changes the annual permit fee for video lottery terminal (VLT) licensees in West Virginia. It reduces the fee from $1,000 to $500 per terminal for operators using software versions that outperform the bottom 10% of terminals by more than $900 in annual net revenue for the state. The West Virginia Lottery will calculate performance using daily revenue data from the prior year (March 1-February 28), requiring terminals to be active for 60 days. The reduced fee applies from 2025 through 2030, directly affecting VLT operators with high-revenue terminals.

Maddy summaryHCR 49 is a West Virginia legislative resolution (not a bill) requesting the Maryland General Assembly reject proposed changes to the North Branch Potomac River's water classification. It argues that designating the river as "Cold Water Aquatic Life" (instead of "Warm Water") would require West Virginia industrial facilities to install costly thermal controls like cooling towers to meet stricter discharge standards, imposing unnecessary costs. The resolution claims this would violate the U.S. Constitution's dormant commerce clause by unduly burdening interstate commerce, citing Supreme Court precedents like *Sporhase v. Nebraska*. It asks Maryland to withdraw the proposal and directs West Virginia's Attorney General to investigate the constitutional issues. (Note: This is a procedural resolution, not a law affecting policy changes.)

Maddy summaryHB 3117 would establish a program allowing camera-assisted speed enforcement in active highway work zones across West Virginia. The bill authorizes the Division of Highways to set work zone speed limits and permits certified law enforcement to use camera systems as an exception to existing photo enforcement prohibitions. These cameras would only operate in active work zones on public highways, with specific conditions governing their use and requiring operators to ensure lawful vehicle operation. The law directly affects drivers in work zones and state highway authorities responsible for implementation.