Del. Geno Chiarelli

Maddy summaryHB 4884 changes how West Virginia calculates child support payments by shifting from using parents' adjusted gross income to their net pay (after mandatory deductions like taxes). The bill allows parents to deduct up to 25% of their net pay for student loans used for their own education, with strict disclosure requirements for any changes to loan payments. This directly affects parents legally responsible for child support payments in the state. The bill modifies multiple sections of child support law to implement this net pay calculation method and student loan deduction provision.

Maddy summaryHB 4863, the West Virginia Refugee Absorptive Capacity Act, requires state and local officials to assess community capacity before resettling refugees or immigrants. The bill mandates that the state office within the Department of Human Services evaluate factors like healthcare access, housing availability, school capacity, job market impact, and law enforcement resources through a formal assessment. It also requires quarterly coordination meetings with local governments, 30 days of public notice for resettlement plans, and fiscal impact reports before new resettlements begin. This directly affects local governments (counties/cities), the Department of Human Services, refugee resettlement organizations, and the communities receiving refugees.

Maddy summaryHB 4411 clarifies trespassing rules at West Virginia's state institutions of higher education (universities, colleges, and community colleges). It defines "residence hall" as student housing and "student facility" as venues selling alcohol to students, specifying who may enter (students, guests, parents, employees, or authorized vendors). The bill states that anyone not authorized to enter these areas can be asked to leave immediately, without needing to cause disruption. Violating this - by remaining after being asked to leave - incurs a misdemeanor fine of $15 for a first offense, rising to $100 for repeat offenses within a year.

Maddy summaryHB 4864 requires West Virginia counties to make all election data - including voting records, system logs, and audit files - publicly accessible under the state's Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) to any registered voter, removing all standard exemptions for this information. It mandates random physical inspections of electronic voting systems, restricts certain software, and establishes hand-counting procedures for verification. The bill directly affects all West Virginia counties using electronic voting systems and registered voters seeking election data transparency. Key provisions become effective immediately upon passage, shifting election data access from limited official review to direct public disclosure.

Maddy summaryHB 4888 would change West Virginia's child support rules so that no payments are required when both parents share equal (50-50) physical custody of a child and both parents work. Currently, child support is calculated based on both parents' incomes, but this bill would eliminate that requirement specifically in cases of equal custody and dual employment. The change applies when a court orders equal time with the child and both parents are employed, meaning neither parent would owe the other child support. This directly affects families with shared custody arrangements where both parents are working full-time.

Maddy summaryHB 4841 allows county commissions in West Virginia to formally request the Division of Highways to prioritize repairs for local roads. County commissions must submit detailed petitions including road locations, condition, traffic volume, complaints, and repair cost estimates. The Division must respond within 90 days (with explanations for denials) and hold public hearings for repairs costing over $100,000. The bill requires the Division to annually report petition status to the Joint Committee on Government and Finance. This directly affects county governments and residents relying on local road infrastructure.

Maddy summaryHB 4080 requires all West Virginia cities, towns, and villages to hold partisan elections for mayors and city council members starting July 1, 2032, meaning candidates will run under party labels. It prohibits appointing mayors except to fill vacancies, ensuring mayors are elected directly by voters. The bill also mandates municipalities to align local election dates with statewide primary or general elections by the same deadline. All affected municipalities must amend their charters or ordinances to comply by July 1, 2032.

Maddy summaryHB 4840 exempts federally qualified health centers (FQHCs) from prior authorization requirements for behavioral health services. This bill amends specific sections of West Virginia law (including §5-16-7f) to clarify that FQHCs - community health clinics serving underserved areas - do not need prior approval from insurers for these services. The key mechanism is a direct exemption in the prior authorization process, removing a bureaucratic hurdle for FQHCs to provide mental health and substance use treatment. This change directly affects FQHCs and their patients by streamlining access to behavioral health care without altering prior authorization rules for other providers.

Maddy summaryHB 4773 would increase the cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) for retired state employees by 20% - not 15% as the title states - applying to retirees from the Public Employees Retirement System and State Teachers Retirement System who voluntarily retired in good standing. The bill requires the first full payment of this 20% adjustment to be issued by June 30, 2026, with benefits also shared proportionally to eligible beneficiaries. The adjustment is subject to IRS limits and mandates a legislative review every decade to assess future COLA increases.

Maddy summaryThis bill changes when West Virginia holds its presidential primary election. Currently, the law requires the presidential primary to be held on the third Tuesday in February every four years (starting in 2028). HB 4751 would instead move this primary to the second Tuesday in May every two years, beginning in 1986 (though this date appears to be an error, as the bill was introduced in 2026). The change directly affects West Virginia voters participating in presidential primaries by altering the timing of the election. This is a procedural adjustment to election scheduling with no other policy provisions.