Del. Geno Chiarelli

Maddy summaryHB 2792 would amend West Virginia's personal income tax code to exempt Social Security benefits from state taxation. Specifically, it adds a provision (section §11-21-12(c)(7)) stating that Social Security benefits received under Title 42 U.S.C., Chapter 7, will no longer be included in taxable income for West Virginia residents. This change directly affects West Virginia residents who receive Social Security payments, as it reduces their taxable income for state tax purposes. The exemption applies to tax years beginning after December 31, 2024, and modifies the calculation of "West Virginia adjusted gross income" by removing Social Security benefits from the taxable base.

Maddy summaryHB 2562 would remove the state sales tax on gun safes and specific firearm safety devices, such as trigger locks or storage containers. The bill amends West Virginia's tax code to explicitly exempt these products from the consumer sales tax, which currently applies to most retail purchases. This change would directly affect consumers who purchase these safety items, making them less expensive at the point of sale. The policy focuses on reducing the cost of legally storing firearms safely, without altering firearm ownership laws or regulations.

Maddy summaryHB 2477 provides a one-time 20% cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) to retirement benefits for eligible retired state employees covered by the Public Employees Retirement System and State Teachers Retirement System. It directly affects retirees who voluntarily retired under normal circumstances and currently receive annual annuities, with the first payment due by June 30, 2025. The adjustment applies to both retirees and their beneficiaries (payable pro rata) and is subject to federal tax limitations. The bill corrects the title's 15% figure to the actual 20% specified in the legislation.

Maddy summaryHB 2613 reclassifies possession of Schedule I and II narcotics and methamphetamine as felonies in West Virginia, increasing penalties from previous misdemeanor or lesser felony classifications. It establishes minimum prison sentences of one to three years for these offenses (up to 15 years for fentanyl), prohibits probation for certain drug convictions, and requires inert substances mixed with drugs to count toward weight measurements for sentencing. The bill also mandates a minimum 10-year prison term for "drug delivery death" cases and creates a process to reduce some felony convictions to misdemeanors under specific conditions. This bill directly affects individuals convicted of drug possession in West Virginia, particularly for higher-schedule substances.

Maddy summaryHB 2600 would exempt active and volunteer firefighters in West Virginia from paying state income taxes and real and personal property taxes. The bill amends existing tax exemption laws (§11-3-9) to add firefighters to the list of groups already exempt from these taxes, such as churches, schools, and fire department equipment. This change would directly affect all eligible firefighters by reducing their personal tax burden. The bill does not specify implementation details but would require legislative approval to take effect. (Note: Bill introduced February 19, 2025, currently in the House Finance Committee.)

Maddy summaryHJR 21 proposes a constitutional amendment requiring a two-thirds vote in both the West Virginia House and Senate to pass any bill that imposes a new tax, creates a new license fee, or increases an existing tax or fee rate. This would directly affect the legislative process for tax-related bills, making it harder to pass such measures without broad bipartisan support. The amendment includes one exception: a simple majority vote could approve a tax or fee increase solely to pay state debt interest or principal when due. The bill does not apply to taxes or fees already authorized before the amendment's ratification. If approved by voters in 2026, this would change how West Virginia handles tax legislation.

Maddy summaryHB 2606 would increase payments to therapists and other non-state-employed professionals contracted to provide early intervention services through West Virginia's Birth-to-Three program by 25 percent. This applies to providers delivering services for children with developmental delays, effective July 1, 2025. The bill amends existing law to require this payment adjustment for all contracted services under the program. The change directly affects contracted service providers in the Birth-to-Three program, improving their compensation for delivering early intervention care.

Maddy summaryHB 2563 amends West Virginia's parole eligibility rules to automatically exclude individuals convicted of a felony against a police officer who was performing their official duties. This means such offenders cannot be considered for parole at any point and must serve their full sentences without early release. The bill directly affects inmates convicted of crimes where a law enforcement officer was the victim during work-related duties. It applies to all felony offenses meeting this criteria, regardless of the specific crime committed.

Maddy summaryHB 2561 establishes a formal process for appealing municipal ordinances that may violate West Virginia's home rule provisions. It allows any person subject to a municipality's jurisdiction - such as residents paying local taxes or fees - to appeal to the Intermediate Court of Appeals. During an appeal, 1% of municipal sales tax revenue is held in an escrow fund; if the court rules the ordinance invalid, the funds go to the state general fund, otherwise they return to the municipality. This bill creates procedural rules for appeals but does not change what municipalities can or cannot do under home rule.

Maddy summaryHB 2591, the "Defend the Guard Act," requires the West Virginia National Guard to remain under state control for combat operations unless the U.S. Congress formally declares war or takes specific action under the Constitution to call the militia for enumerated purposes. It directly affects West Virginia National Guard members, preventing their deployment to active-duty combat without congressional authorization. The bill defines "active duty combat" as participating in armed conflict, performing hazardous duty in foreign countries, or using instruments of war. The governor must ensure compliance with this requirement, effectively blocking federal deployment for combat without explicit congressional action. This policy change aims to align state military control with the constitutional principle that Congress holds exclusive authority to declare war.