Maddy summaryHB 5675, the WV Reshoring Manufacturing Act, creates a tax credit for West Virginia businesses that replace imported goods with locally manufactured products. It directly affects businesses purchasing goods for resale or use in WV (eligible taxpayers) and manufacturers operating physical facilities in the state (qualified manufacturers). The bill provides tax credits equal to a percentage of the verified dollar value of imported goods replaced by WV-made goods, requiring independent CPA verification through "reshoring activity verification reports" for both initial and continued reshoring. Credits are time-limited, non-transferable, and expire after 10 years, with separate provisions for initial reshoring and repeat purchases of reshored goods. The program aims to reduce reliance on foreign imports by incentivizing local production, as documented in the Legislature's findings of $4.8 billion in imported goods purchased by WV businesses in 2024.
Sponsored bills
Maddy summaryHB 5632 sets a 60-day deadline for West Virginia municipalities and counties to approve or deny permit applications for property development. If a local government misses this deadline, the permit is automatically approved, unless the request requires prior state or federal agency approval (extending the deadline to 120 days total). The bill also requires local officials to provide written reasons for denials or claims that an application is incomplete. It aims to give applicants more time for review while aligning with existing legal notice requirements under Chapter 8A.
Maddy summaryThis is a commemorative House resolution honoring former West Virginia House Speaker and Chief Justice Timothy P. Armstead following his passing. It memorializes his service, names a conference room in the House as the "Speaker Tim Armstead Memorial Conference Room," and extends condolences to his family. The resolution does not create new laws or affect policy - it formally recognizes his legacy and contributions to West Virginia.
Maddy summaryHB 5390 establishes that fiscal notes (financial impact statements) submitted to the West Virginia Legislature by state agencies, political subdivisions, or public officials are legally considered sworn testimony. The bill imposes criminal penalties for knowingly submitting false or misleading fiscal notes, treating such acts as perjury, while creating a safe harbor for those who voluntarily correct errors made in good faith before a bill's final vote. Key provisions require corrected notes to clearly identify changes and explain the reason for corrections, and mandate referral to prosecutors if credible evidence of intentional falsification exists. This directly affects state agencies and officials preparing fiscal notes, ensuring accountability for financial impact assessments used in legislative decision-making.
Maddy summaryThis House Resolution (HR 6) expresses the West Virginia House of Delegates' support for developing natural gas pipeline infrastructure, specifically an intra-Panhandle pipeline connecting western gas fields to the Eastern Panhandle. It aims to improve access to locally produced natural gas for residents, support industrial and commercial growth, and create jobs across the state. The resolution highlights West Virginia's status as a top natural gas producer and notes that existing pipelines transport most output out of state, while Maryland's opposition to pipeline extensions is cited as a barrier. It does not create new laws or funding but urges responsible infrastructure expansion to boost economic development. As a procedural resolution, it has no direct legal effect but signals legislative backing for pipeline projects.
Maddy summaryHB 5495 requires West Virginia public schools to use only software that is "academically effective" and complies with a statewide digital privacy agreement. The bill mandates that all school software must be verified by independent third parties for educational value, aligns with curriculum standards, avoids "addictive design features" (like excessive gamification tied to time spent), and prohibits data collection for non-educational purposes. It directly affects schools (via County Boards of Education), software vendors (who must sign the privacy agreement), and parents (who will receive annual notices about software used). Key mechanisms include creating a master list of approved software, requiring periodic audits for compliance, and establishing a process for parental complaints about software. The bill aims to ensure school technology supports learning while protecting student privacy and data.
Maddy summaryHB 5387 amends West Virginia's high school graduation requirements by removing a mandatory stand-alone computer science course. Instead, it establishes a computer literacy proficiency requirement that students must meet to graduate. The bill restores local flexibility for school districts to determine how to implement this requirement while preserving advanced computer science pathways. This change directly affects all West Virginia high school students by altering one of their required graduation courses.
Maddy summaryHB 5388 creates a tax credit for independently owned West Virginia businesses participating in the official motorist services logo signing program. The bill allows eligible businesses to claim a credit equal to 100% of the fees paid to the West Virginia Division of Highways for program signage, directly reducing their state tax liability. To qualify, businesses must be locally owned (51% West Virginia-domiciled owners), operate fewer than five locations in the state, and not be bound by national branding requirements. The credit applies only to official program fees, excludes private advertising costs, and is nontransferable. This policy aims to lower costs for small, rural businesses along transportation corridors that provide traveler services.
Maddy summaryHB 5199 requires West Virginia county courts to establish County Parks, Entertainment, and Recreation Commissions (PERCs) for managing public parks and recreation facilities. The bill mandates that each commission consist of 11 members (adjusted by county population), who must be county residents owning local real estate, serving three-year terms with staggered appointments. Existing park commissions continue under this new structure until their terms expire. The law provides clear rules for membership qualifications, appointment procedures, and vacancy handling, ensuring consistent oversight of county recreational systems.
Maddy summaryThis House Resolution (HR 11) encourages West Virginia's K-12 students to design a new state highway route number shield for the 2026 anniversaries of the U.S. founding (250th) and the U.S. numbered highway system (100th). It directs the West Virginia Division of Highways and Department of Tourism to hold a statewide student design competition, requiring the shield to maintain federal safety standards for legibility while incorporating West Virginia identity. The winning design would be implemented gradually on state highways starting July 2027, replacing existing signs only as they wear out, and the student designer would receive legislative recognition. The resolution is procedural and non-binding, focusing on celebration and civic engagement rather than new policy.