Del. Phil Mallow

Maddy summaryHB 3011 modifies West Virginia's tax code to limit pollution control facility tax benefits exclusively to wind power projects that were fully operational and generating electricity by January 1, 2025. This means new wind projects proposed after that date will not qualify for the special tax treatment that pre-2025 projects receive. The bill does not prohibit new wind projects but removes a key financial incentive for future developments. It specifically applies to wind turbines and towers (as defined in the bill), excluding other project components from the tax benefit. This policy change directly affects developers seeking tax advantages for wind energy infrastructure.

Maddy summaryHB 2984 would create a "Law-Enforcement Officers' Bill of Rights" in West Virginia, establishing procedural protections for officers during investigations. It defines "law-enforcement officer" broadly to include state police, campus police, hospital police, and certain specialized roles (like rangers and litter control officers), but excludes chief executives and some probationary officers. Key provisions require agencies to use hearing boards for complaints, allow officers to have legal counsel during investigations, provide expungement of formal complaint records, and prohibit false reporting. The bill supersedes conflicting local laws and aims to standardize administrative procedures across all law-enforcement agencies in the state.

Maddy summaryHB 2985 would allow West Virginia water and sewer utilities to offer reduced rates (up to 20% lower) to residential customers living in communities with fewer than 1,000 residents, regardless of income. It also permits reduced rates for customers receiving Social Security SSI, TANF, TANF-UP, or SNAP benefits (if age 60+), with eligibility verified through the Department of Human Services. Utilities must apply retroactive credits to eligible customers’ bills for the previous month’s service, reflecting the rate difference on the next billing cycle. The bill requires the Public Service Commission to approve rate designs and ensures small-community residents can access these lower rates even if they don’t qualify under the income-based programs. This policy directly affects low-income households and small-town residents in West Virginia’s utility service areas.

Maddy summaryHB 2976 establishes a state subsidy program to help volunteer fire departments and emergency rescue personnel cover increases in their workers' compensation insurance premiums. The State Auditor will administer the program, requiring departments to submit documentation like premium invoices and receipts to qualify for funds that offset premium hikes. Eligible departments must register with the Auditor's Office, maintain good standing with the State Fire Marshal, and agree to have subsidies paid directly to their insurance carrier. The program standardizes how premiums are tracked and billed across different service classifications (e.g., fire fighting, emergency medical services) to create a more equitable process.

Maddy summaryHB 2979 requires sex offenders registered under West Virginia's Sex Offender Registry to provide all online identifiers - including email addresses, social media handles, mobile app usernames, phone numbers, and mobile device details - when registering. It also mandates disclosure of information about all-terrain vehicles (ATVs) and utility terrain vehicles (UTVs) operated by registrants. The bill amends registration requirements to include verification via mobile device inspection, ensuring police can confirm all digital identifiers are provided. This directly affects individuals convicted of sex offenses required to register under West Virginia law.

Maddy summaryHB 2951 exempts the sale of small arms (rifles, shotguns, pistols under specific size limits), small arms ammunition, and related accessories (including optics, holsters, cleaning supplies, and storage devices) from West Virginia's sales and service taxes. It directly affects consumers purchasing these items for personal use, as well as shooting ranges hosting events. The bill defines "small arms accessories" broadly to cover equipment like target systems, scopes, reloading tools, and range gear. This policy change reduces the cost of acquiring firearms and related equipment by removing applicable state taxes. The bill is currently in the House Finance Committee after being introduced on February 25, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 2962 amends West Virginia law to establish specific procedures for updating sex designation on state-issued identification documents. The bill requires individuals to follow defined steps to change their sex marker on driver's licenses, identification cards, or instruction permits, clarifying the process for revisions. It directly affects residents seeking to update their gender marker on official state IDs, particularly those transitioning or correcting initial documentation. The bill focuses on administrative requirements for ID changes without altering birth certificate issuance procedures for new registrations.

Maddy summaryHB 2814 requires West Virginia's Governor to create comprehensive crisis preparedness plans to address five specific threats: nuclear attacks, major energy grid disruptions, long-term cyber-attacks, invasion, and insurrection. The bill mandates that these plans include preventative measures, mitigation strategies, immediate response protocols, remediation steps, and recovery efforts. The Governor must brief the legislature on initial plans by August 31, 2025, with final plans due by November 30, 2025, followed by annual updates. The legislation directly affects state government operations and aims to protect all West Virginia residents by preparing for high-risk scenarios.

Maddy summaryHB 2869 clarifies that West Virginia judicial officers must explicitly consider a person's residency status when setting bail or release conditions for misdemeanor offenses. The bill specifically requires judges to evaluate whether the person is a West Virginia or U.S. resident, has community ties, and poses a flight risk. It applies to all misdemeanor cases except those listed in subsection (a)(1) (e.g., violent offenses, crimes against minors, or offenses involving stolen property over $250). The law adds residency status as a mandatory factor in the existing list of considerations under §62-1C-1a, alongside factors like criminal history and community safety. This change directly affects individuals charged with qualifying misdemeanors who seek release before trial.

Maddy summaryHB 2758 prohibits any entity from intentionally injecting, releasing, or dispersing chemicals, substances, or apparatus into West Virginia's atmosphere with the purpose of altering temperature, weather, or sunlight intensity. This directly affects federal agencies, private entities, or other groups conducting such atmospheric experiments within the state. The bill explicitly bans these activities by amending state law to make such dispersal unlawful. It takes effect 30 days after passage and aligns with the West Virginia Department of Environment Protection's air quality monitoring responsibilities.