Rep. Joe Statler

Maddy summaryHB 5395 would amend West Virginia law to allow charitable raffle licensees to offer alcoholic beverages (beer, wine, or spirits) as prizes in raffles. Currently, §47-21-11 prohibits alcohol as a raffle prize, but this bill would remove that restriction. The change directly affects nonprofit organizations and charities that operate licensed raffles, enabling them to include alcohol as a prize option. The bill is currently in the House Judiciary Committee after being introduced on February 10, 2026.

Maddy summaryHJR 38 proposes a constitutional amendment in West Virginia to lower the voter approval threshold for emergency services levies - from 60% to 50% - for funding fire and emergency medical services. This change would directly affect local communities seeking to pass these levies, making it easier to secure voter approval for critical emergency service funding. The bill modifies Article X, Section 10 of the West Virginia Constitution, which currently requires 60% voter support for such levies. If approved, the amendment would require only a simple majority (50%) for passage, though levies would still need voter approval and could not exceed existing tax rate limits. The resolution is pending in the House Judiciary Committee after introduction on February 10, 2026.

Maddy summaryHB 5396 amends West Virginia law to permit charitable raffles to accept credit card payments instead of requiring cash or debit transactions. This change directly affects nonprofit organizations and charities that operate raffles as fundraising activities. The bill adds a new section (§47-21-31) to clarify that credit cards may be used for raffle purchases, removing a previous restriction. The policy change simplifies payment options for participants while maintaining the charitable nature of raffles.

Maddy summaryHB 5373 allows two or more charitable or public service organizations to hold joint raffles under specific conditions. It amends existing law to permit organizations with annual licenses to obtain one temporary "limited occasion" license for joint events, while non-annual license holders may receive up to three such licenses per year. The bill requires each participating organization to hold its own limited occasion license for the joint raffle, which is valid for up to six months. This change directly affects charitable groups seeking to collaborate on fundraising events without violating current raffle licensing restrictions.

Maddy summaryHB 5385 would repeal three specific sections of West Virginia's legal code (§55-2-1, §55-3-1, and §55-3-6) that currently govern adverse possession laws. Adverse possession allows someone to gain legal ownership of property by openly occupying it for a set period under certain conditions. This bill would remove these provisions from state law, directly affecting property owners and occupants who might have relied on or challenged adverse possession claims. The change would eliminate the legal framework for such claims, though it does not create new rules or specify alternative procedures.

Maddy summaryHB 5331 amends West Virginia law to allow municipalities with paid firefighters to join the Municipal Police Officers & Firefighters Retirement System (MPFRS) without requiring prior approval. This directly affects cities and towns that currently cannot participate in MPFRS for their full-time firefighters. The bill removes existing barriers by revising eligibility rules in the retirement system statutes, enabling these municipalities to enroll their paid firefighters in the existing retirement program. The change provides a structured pathway for local governments to offer retirement benefits to municipal firefighters under MPFRS, which currently serves some fire departments but not all.

Maddy summaryHB 5029 extends the payment period for fees charged by county fire prevention units from 75 days to 180 days. It directly affects property owners or responsible parties who must pay for firefighting, rescue, or debris cleanup services provided by these units. The bill maintains the $1,500 cap for single incidents (except for hazardous materials or complex rescues), requires written itemized billing, and keeps the 90-day deadline for initiating court action if payment isn't received. This change provides more time for responsible parties to settle charges without altering fee limits or service requirements.

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.

Maddy summaryHR 9 is a ceremonial resolution honoring the late West Virginia House Delegate Douglas John Skaff Jr. It expresses the House of Delegates' condolences to his family and commemorates his service, including his roles as a delegate representing multiple districts and as Minority Leader. The resolution has no policy impact - it is purely symbolic, acknowledging his career in public service, business, and community leadership. It was unanimously adopted by the House on February 5, 2026, the same day it was introduced.

Maddy summaryHB 4446 establishes a four-year pilot program in Kanawha, Ohio, Mineral, and Raleigh counties to provide free Fire Fighter I and II training through community colleges. It directly affects eligible high school and college students in those counties by covering tuition and fees for courses meeting West Virginia State Fire Commission standards. The program requires each county to provide at least one certified fire service instructor, funded by the Higher Education Policy Commission, with annual reports tracking participation, certifications earned, costs, and student employment. The pilot runs from July 2026 through June 2030, with mandatory evaluations to determine future expansion or termination.