Rep. Bryan Smith

Maddy summaryHB 2940 prohibits parking meters at all designated handicapped parking spaces in West Virginia, requiring their removal within 90 days of enactment. It eliminates late fees and penalties for individuals with valid disability parking permits who have unpaid parking citations, though standard parking violations (like misuse of spaces or fire lanes) remain enforceable. The bill applies to all public and private entities operating parking meters, including municipalities and private property owners. Violations by these entities may result in fines up to $500, enforced by the West Virginia Attorney General.

Maddy summaryHB 2834 requires all West Virginia public schools to observe a one-minute period of silence at the start of each school day in every classroom. This applies directly to county school boards (which must implement the policy) and classroom teachers (who must ensure students remain seated and silent without suggesting any specific activity, such as prayer or meditation). The bill prohibits teachers from making recommendations about what students should do during the silence to avoid influencing their choices. It also mandates that the Office of the Attorney General defend the law if challenged legally. The policy aims to guarantee students' individual freedom to engage in silent reflection without state pressure.

Maddy summaryHB 2070 proposes to establish a "Parents' Bill of Rights" in West Virginia law, directly affecting parents of minor children in public schools and healthcare settings. The bill codifies specific parental rights, including directing education and care, accessing school records, making health decisions, and choosing educational options like private or home schooling. It requires state entities to demonstrate a compelling reason and narrow tailoring before infringing these rights, and grants parents the right to sue for violations seeking remedies like injunctions or damages. The bill applies to all state and local laws affecting parental rights, unless explicitly exempted.

Maddy summaryHB 2671 creates a $60 monthly (capped at $720 annually) income tax exemption for West Virginia residents who pay for gym memberships at facilities located within the state. This provision directly affects individual taxpayers who maintain gym memberships at in-state fitness centers. The bill sets a specific, fixed amount for the exemption with a clear annual cap, rather than offering a percentage-based deduction. It applies to personal income tax returns filed by West Virginia residents who meet the membership requirement. The bill is currently pending in the House Finance Committee.

Maddy summaryHB 2540 requires the West Virginia state to reimburse counties for daily incarceration costs when an inmate’s conviction results in credit for time already served toward their sentence. This directly affects counties that house inmates who receive sentence reductions due to prior time served in custody. The bill amends §15A-3-16 of state code to establish a reimbursement process for these costs, replacing the current system where counties pay daily per diem fees. Previously, counties paid for all days incarcerated, but the state now covers costs for days not served due to time credit.

Maddy summaryHB 2489 requires West Virginia election officials to make all public election data - including cast vote records (CVRs), audit logs, and election management system files - publicly available under the state's Freedom of Information Act (FOIA). This applies to all registered voters who can request the data without needing to reference FOIA specifically. The bill mandates random physical and code inspections of electronic voting systems, restricts certain voting software, and establishes new requirements for maintaining election records. It directly affects voters seeking transparency and election officials managing election data. The bill is currently pending in the House Judiciary Committee after being introduced on February 17, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 2189 sets a 60-day deadline for West Virginia municipalities and counties to approve or deny permit, license, or variance requests for property development. If a local body fails to act within 60 days, the request is automatically approved. The bill requires written denial reasons if a request is denied or deemed incomplete, prohibits adding new requirements after approval, and allows a 60-day extension for state/federal agency approvals. It directly affects property developers, homeowners, and contractors seeking local permits. The bill aims to streamline local permitting processes by establishing clear timelines and reducing delays.

Maddy summaryHB 2075 requires West Virginia's public employee and teacher retirement systems to provide an annual cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) to retirees who have been retired for over 10 years. The first COLA payment must be made by June 30, 2025, and applies to all eligible retirees currently receiving annual retirement annuities. The adjustment also extends to surviving spouses and dependents who receive benefits from the retirement systems. This policy change applies specifically to retirees who voluntarily retired in good standing under normal circumstances, with the Legislature required to review the provision every decade.

Maddy summaryHB 2395 amends West Virginia law to classify search and rescue (SAR) group dogs working with law enforcement under the West Virginia Emergency Management Search and Rescue Program as "law enforcement officers" during active duty. This directly affects SAR dogs and their handlers, granting handlers the right to use reasonable force to protect these dogs - similar to how they would defend a human officer. The bill clarifies that these dogs are not state employees and do not receive employee protections or status. It specifically applies to dogs trained for searching for people or cadavers while assisting in the field with handlers.

Maddy summaryHB 2390 requires the West Virginia Commissioner of Highways to notify county legislative representatives via email or first-class mail when abandoning a road right-of-way, in addition to existing newspaper publication and website posting. This bill amends §17-2A-8 of the West Virginia Code to add direct notification of state legislators representing the affected county or counties. The change ensures lawmakers receive timely, specific updates about road abandonment decisions impacting their districts. It does not alter the existing requirements for public notice through newspaper ads or online posting.