Del. Phil Mallow

Maddy summaryHB 4449 permits public school teachers in West Virginia to request classroom cameras with principal approval, directly affecting students, staff, and parents in public schools. Key provisions require cameras to cover all classroom areas (excluding restrooms/changing areas), mandate 3-month recording retention (extending through summer breaks), and demand written notice to parents and staff about placement, purpose, and access. The bill strictly prohibits using recordings for teacher evaluations or any purpose beyond student safety, and mandates confidentiality, requiring school administrators to review footage only for verified incidents like bullying or abuse. All recordings must remain accessible for review upon request and during related investigations.

Maddy summaryHB 4524 requires West Virginia state agencies and public entities to obtain written certification from companies they contract with (for goods or services valued at $100,000 or more) that the companies are not boycotting Israel. It defines a "boycott of Israel" as actions intended to penalize or harm economic relations with Israel or Israeli businesses. Contracts lacking this certification would be void, and the rule applies to all public entities - including those previously exempt from similar contracting requirements. The bill clarifies that the prohibition extends to all state spending units, ensuring consistent application across government procurement.

Maddy summaryHB 4044 requires hair follicle drug testing for parents or guardians in West Virginia cases where child abuse or neglect has been substantiated. It mandates a 90-day, 12-panel hair follicle test within 48 hours of substantiation, before unsupervised visitation or returning children to the caregiver’s custody. The bill also requires hair follicle testing for affected minors (including infants exposed in utero) and neurological exams if drug exposure is confirmed. This replaces urine or blood tests to prevent test manipulation, with non-compliance treated as a positive result.

Maddy summaryHB 4507 would exempt the salaries of certain first responders from West Virginia's state personal income tax. It directly affects law enforcement officers, paid firefighters, correctional officers, and emergency medical services (EMS) personnel as defined in existing state law. The bill adds a new provision to the tax code stating these workers' salaries are not subject to state income tax. This change applies only to their earned income from these specific roles, not other income they may receive.

Maddy summaryHB 4346 requires West Virginia counties to provide emergency ambulance services at a ratio of one ambulance per 18,000 residents. This directly affects all counties and their residents, particularly in areas where ambulance coverage is currently insufficient. The bill mandates that county commissions must first confirm available funds in their budget before providing service, limiting coverage to what is financially feasible. Counties may deliver services directly, through private providers, or via regional authorities established under the law. The measure updates existing law (§7-15-4) to establish this specific service standard.

Maddy summaryHB 4417 amends West Virginia law to replace the term "precinct" with "polling location" throughout election-related definitions in the state code. This change updates how election boards and voting sites are referenced in legal documents, directly affecting election officials who manage polling locations. The bill does not alter existing requirements for election board composition, staffing rules, or voting procedures - only the terminology used to describe physical voting sites. This is a technical language update with no substantive policy changes to election operations.

Maddy summaryHB 4445 would exempt the sale of small arms (such as rifles, shotguns, and pistols) and related items from West Virginia's sales and service taxes. This includes small arms ammunition, accessories like holsters and optics, storage devices (e.g., safes and cases), and fees for shooting sports events. The bill defines these terms to clarify the scope of the exemption, ensuring it applies only to specified firearms and related products. The stated purpose is to reduce costs for residents purchasing these items to exercise their Second Amendment rights.

Maddy summaryHB 4045, titled "The Rossi Act," requires businesses in West Virginia that provide goods, services, or utilities (including digital accounts) to allow customers to make changes to their accounts by phone or mail, with necessary identity verification. This applies to entities like utility companies, internet providers, and other service businesses operating in the state. The bill mandates compliance with this requirement, and failure to do so would be enforced under the existing West Virginia Consumer Credit and Protection Act by the Attorney General. The law aims to provide accessible account management options for consumers without requiring online access.

Maddy summaryHB 4035 provides a 35% tax credit against West Virginia's business and occupation tax for coal-fired electric power plants that spend on pollution control equipment. It directly affects coal-fired power plants operating in West Virginia (excluding those exempt from the tax), covering costs for installing, repairing, or maintaining equipment to meet environmental regulations like air/water pollution controls or carbon capture. The credit cannot reduce a plant's tax bill by more than 50% in a single year, and unused portions can be carried forward for up to five years. This bill aims to offset compliance costs while supporting continued operation of coal plants serving West Virginia residents.

Maddy summaryHB 4013 establishes the "Mountaineer Flexible Tax Credit Act of 2026," creating a state tax credit program for businesses that invest in new projects or expansions within West Virginia. It directly affects qualified businesses seeking economic development incentives by requiring them to apply through the West Virginia Department of Commerce, with credits calculated based on new full-time jobs and average employer wages. Key provisions include standardized application procedures, annual reporting requirements, mandatory audits, and definitions for terms like "qualified business" and "average state wage." The bill aims to encourage private investment and job creation as part of broader economic development efforts, with the tax credit program applying to businesses meeting specific wage and employment criteria.