Del. Phil Mallow

Maddy summaryThis symbolic resolution designates November 7th annually as "Pastor Appreciation Day" in West Virginia. It honors clergy members for their community service, spiritual leadership, and roles in life events like weddings, funerals, and disaster response. The resolution does not create new laws, funding, or obligations - it serves solely as ceremonial recognition. It affects no specific individuals or policies, as it is a non-binding declaration of appreciation.

Maddy summaryHCR 99 is a legislative resolution requesting the Joint Standing Committee on the Judiciary to study policies preventing financial fraud and scams in West Virginia. It directs the committee to examine current state laws, review national approaches, and focus on four key areas: reducing robocalls and spoofing, addressing cryptocurrency-related scams (noting $1.4 million in losses in 2023), improving victim restitution, and protecting against property title fraud. The resolution cites data showing 8,000 West Virginians lost $27 million to fraud in 2024, with national losses exceeding $12.5 billion. The committee must report findings and recommendations to the legislature, governor, and attorney general by December 31, 2025. This is a study resolution, not a law, and does not create immediate policy changes.

Maddy summaryHB 3167 requires circuit courts in West Virginia to order 12-panel hair follicle drug testing for parents or guardians in cases where child abuse or neglect has been substantiated. The test covers drug use over the past 90 days and applies to all respondents, with additional requirements for infants under two months old if a parent tests positive. Attempts to alter hair (e.g., dyeing, shaving) or failure to comply with the court order are treated as positive test results. Test results may be shared with a multidisciplinary treatment team to inform child welfare decisions.

Maddy summaryHCR 88 is a ceremonial resolution honoring two West Virginia first responders nominated for the Medal of Valor. It specifically recognizes Captain Donald Lawson (New Martinsville Police) for rescuing two people from carbon monoxide poisoning despite his own hospitalization, and Darrell Lambert (Lake Volunteer Firefighter) for entering a burning building without protective gear to save a trapped resident, sustaining burns in the process. The resolution formally confirms the Legislature's approval of their award and directs the House Clerk to send a copy to Governor Morrisey. This is a symbolic honor with no new policy or funding changes, directly affecting only these two nominees. It passed unanimously in both chambers on April 3, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 3377 creates a program allowing West Virginia counties and municipalities to maintain roads and bridges not currently maintained by any government entity (defined as "orphan roads"). It establishes criteria for designation (e.g., public use, existing condition, resource availability), requires public notification before acquisition, and permits funding through existing infrastructure budgets, state/federal grants, or private partnerships. The bill also mandates an online map of state roads by 2026 and includes provisions for acquiring necessary property rights. This directly affects local governments seeking to improve neglected infrastructure, with no direct impact on individual residents.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends West Virginia law to explicitly include federal correctional facilities within the definition of "correctional facilities" for existing laws against smuggling contraband. It makes it illegal to deliver weapons, drugs, alcohol, escape tools, dangerous materials, or telecommunications devices into federal prisons in West Virginia without authorization, with penalties ranging from misdemeanors (up to $500 fines and 1 year in jail) to felonies (up to 10 years in prison). The law directly affects individuals who attempt to smuggle such items into federal correctional institutions within the state, including visitors, staff, or outsiders. It expands existing state penalties - previously limited to state facilities - to cover federal prisons, without creating new exemptions or altering inmate rights.

Maddy summaryHCR 78 is a non-binding resolution urging West Virginia's Division of Highways to prioritize completing I-73 (the "King Coal Highway") across Wayne, Mingo, McDowell, Mercer, and Wyoming counties. It requests the highway agency treat the project as a high priority to improve economic development and emergency access, especially after recent flooding exposed transportation challenges in the region. The resolution asks the state to provide necessary funding and executive support to expedite the highway's completion but does not allocate new funds or create new law. It directly affects the Division of Highways and residents of the five specified counties by formally advocating for this infrastructure project.

Maddy summaryHB 2894 amends West Virginia's human trafficking laws by adding a definition for "illegal alien" (an individual without legal U.S. immigration status) and specifying that such individuals are not eligible for restitution in trafficking cases. The bill updates definitions in sections covering coercion, forced labor, and trafficking to explicitly include "illegal alien" as a term. It does not create new trafficking prohibitions but clarifies that victims without legal status cannot receive restitution payments under the law. This affects individuals without legal immigration status who may be victims of trafficking in West Virginia. The bill focuses solely on definitional changes and restitution eligibility, not on enforcement or new criminal penalties.

Maddy summaryHCR 87 is a procedural resolution requesting the West Virginia Division of Highways rename Dutchman Bridge (Bridge Number 43-021/00-000.06) in Ritchie County to the "Clark Brothers Memorial Bridge." It honors eight Clark brothers who served in the U.S. military (five in the Army, three in the Navy) during World War II and other conflicts, citing their service and personal history. The resolution does not create new policy or affect any group; it only asks for a name change on an existing bridge and signage. This is a commemorative measure with no substantive legislative impact.

Maddy summaryHB 3387 creates a pilot program allowing West Virginia's State Board of Education to establish regional school districts that combine neighboring county school districts. It directly affects county districts facing shared challenges like funding gaps, rural population issues, and geographic barriers. The bill authorizes regional districts to consolidate schools, make financial decisions, and supersede county boards within their area, starting July 1, 2025. It also permits the State Board to develop rules for a smooth transition during consolidation. The program aims to address operational inefficiencies through regional planning while maintaining the same powers as current county boards.