Del. Phil Mallow

Maddy summaryHJR 15 proposes a constitutional amendment to allow West Virginia to increase the homestead property tax exemption for qualifying homeowners. Currently, the exemption covers the first $20,000 of assessed value for owners aged 65+ or permanently disabled. This amendment would let the legislature set a higher exemption amount (without specifying a new dollar figure) for homeowners with annual income under $20,000. It requires voter approval in the 2028 general election to take effect. If approved, it would enable future legislative action to expand property tax relief for low-income seniors and disabled residents.

Maddy summaryHB 4038 would limit new permits for wind power facilities in West Virginia and require that for each new wind project approved, existing coal-fired power plants receive a tax offset. The bill directly affects wind energy developers by restricting new project approvals and coal power plants through mandated tax adjustments. Key provisions include capping wind power permits and linking new wind development to tax reductions for coal facilities. It does not alter existing coal plant operations but ties new wind projects to financial benefits for coal power. The bill is currently pending in the House Energy and Public Works Committee.

Maddy summaryHB 4042 would exempt farm real property (including land and structures) used for agricultural purposes from property taxes in West Virginia, provided the owner-farmer resides on the property and earns at least 40% of their income from farming. The bill amends West Virginia Code §11-3-9 to add this specific tax exemption to the state's existing list of property tax exemptions. This policy change directly affects qualifying farmers who meet both the income threshold (40% from farming) and residency requirement (living on the farm property). The exemption applies only to property actively used for farming operations, not to other personal or investment properties.

Maddy summaryHB 4057 authorizes West Virginia state secretaries to establish a central purchasing program for volunteer fire departments and emergency medical services (EMS) to reduce supply costs through bulk or discounted buying. The bill requires secretaries to promulgate rules for this program and conduct reviews of department operations to identify cost-saving opportunities, such as optimizing vehicle fleets and lease agreements. This policy directly benefits volunteer fire and EMS organizations by potentially lowering their expenses on essential equipment and supplies. The bill does not create new funding but leverages existing state purchasing authority to achieve cost reductions.

Maddy summaryHB 4142 requires all West Virginia drivers to carry auto insurance and mandates the state Department of Motor Vehicles to create an online system for instant insurance verification. The electronic program will let law enforcement, dealerships, and courts check coverage status using vehicle details and policy information, replacing paper certificates. Drivers who cannot prove insurance face fines of up to $5,000 per violation. This directly affects all drivers in West Virginia by ensuring coverage is verified quickly after accidents involving uninsured motorists.

Maddy summaryHB 4177 would allow eligible West Virginia homeowners - those aged 65 or older, permanently disabled, or widowed with less than $20,000 annual income - to lock in their property tax rate on the first $20,000 of their home's assessed value. To qualify, individuals must have resided in West Virginia for two consecutive years (with limited exceptions for military returnees or those who left and returned within five years). Once eligible, their tax rate on that $20,000 portion remains fixed, preventing future increases due to rising home values. The exemption applies only to primary residences and takes effect from the July 1 assessment date.

Maddy summaryThis House Joint Resolution proposes a constitutional amendment to allow West Virginia's Legislature to exempt certain business property from ad valorem property taxes. Specifically, it would enable future laws to exclude tangible machinery/equipment, business inventory, and business-use motor vehicles from property tax assessments. The amendment requires voter approval at the 2026 general election to take effect. If passed, it would change how the state taxes business assets, potentially reducing tax burdens for qualifying businesses. This is a procedural constitutional change, not an immediate tax law.

Maddy summaryHB 4135 amends West Virginia's Sex Offender Registration Act to require registrants (individuals convicted of specified sex offenses) to provide all online identifiers, including social media usernames, email addresses, mobile app accounts, and phone numbers, upon registration. It also mandates that registrants permit police to inspect their mobile devices to verify these identifiers are fully disclosed. The bill directly affects anyone required to register under the Sex Offender Registry Act, adding specific digital footprint requirements beyond existing physical address and vehicle information. These provisions aim to enhance law enforcement's ability to track registrants' online activities by expanding the scope of required digital information.

Maddy summaryHB 4043 would add a $20,000 property tax exemption for West Virginia farmers who earn more than half their income from farming. This new exemption applies in addition to the existing $20,000 homestead exemption for qualifying residents (like seniors or disabled individuals). It directly affects West Virginia resident farmers whose primary income source is agriculture, reducing their property tax burden on their primary residence. The bill creates a specific tax break for farming households by expanding the current homestead exemption program to include this additional benefit for qualifying farm-dependent families.

Maddy summaryHB 4131, titled "Create a Police Officer’s Bill of Rights," establishes procedural protections for law enforcement officers in West Virginia. It defines "law-enforcement officer" broadly to include state police, campus police, hospital police, and others (excluding chiefs and some specialized roles), and creates specific rights during investigations, such as the right to a hearing board, protection against retaliation for reporting misconduct, and limits on disclosure of personal financial information. Key mechanisms include requiring formal hearings for complaints, prohibiting disciplinary action for exercising these rights, and ensuring officers cannot be punished for reporting issues like gross mismanagement or safety dangers. The bill supersedes conflicting local laws but does not limit a chief's authority for non-punitive management decisions.