Rep. Evan Hansen

Maddy summaryHB 4821 creates a new state-run health insurance program in West Virginia that allows eligible residents to "buy in" to a Medicaid-like plan. It directly affects adults who are ineligible for Medicaid or Medicare but remain enrolled in employer-sponsored coverage (and whose employers haven’t denied them coverage due to this program). The plan uses a sliding-scale premium based on income, covers essential services like hospital care, mental health, prescriptions, and preventive care, and must coordinate with existing Medicaid to avoid coverage gaps. The West Virginia Department of Human Services will administer the program, prioritizing those transitioning from Medicaid, and must apply for federal funding to maximize cost efficiency.

Maddy summaryHB 4822 redirects tax revenue from "High Impact Data Centers" (as defined under West Virginia law) to three specific recipients: the Public Employees Insurance Association (PEIA) fund, local counties, and public school boards. The bill amends tax distribution rules to require that incremental property tax revenue from these data centers - calculated using a new formula based on assessed value and levy rates - be reallocated instead of following previous distribution methods. This change directly affects data centers certified as "High Impact" under §11-6N-2, ensuring their tax contributions support state health insurance programs, county services, and school funding. The policy shift replaces prior tax allocation rules with a fixed distribution structure for these facilities.

Maddy summaryHB 4509 prohibits counties and municipalities from imposing local zoning, building permits, licensing, or other regulations on certified microgrid districts and certified high impact data centers. It bans local governments from enacting ordinances that restrict the development, operation, or expansion of these specific projects. The bill designates a "Data Economy Liaison" at the Department of Commerce to coordinate with developers and expedite project approvals. This measure removes local regulatory authority over these projects, directly affecting county/municipal governments and the owners of certified microgrid and data center facilities.

Maddy summaryHB 4547 aims to improve voting access for people with disabilities in West Virginia by amending existing laws regarding identification and polling procedures. The bill allows individuals who cannot sign their names to have a poll clerk mark their ballot in their presence and permits voters to use a provisional ballot with an affidavit if they lack standard identification. It also expands the list of acceptable ID documents to include various student, military, and government-issued cards, while allowing long-time acquaintances to vouch for a voter's identity without requiring physical identification. These changes seek to reduce barriers that might prevent disabled citizens from casting their ballots at the polls.

Maddy summaryHB 4371 would legalize cannabis possession of up to one ounce for adults aged 21 and older and allow for regulated production, sales, and consumption in counties that approve it through local referendums. The bill establishes a licensing system for cannabis businesses through the Bureau for Public Health and requires counties to hold votes before permitting sales. It creates a new excise tax on cannabis products, directs tax revenue to a dedicated fund for public purposes, and preserves existing laws prohibiting cannabis use while driving under the influence or for minors. The legislation explicitly states it does not alter West Virginia’s current medical cannabis program.

Maddy summaryHB 4107 requires businesses applying for environmental permits with West Virginia's Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) to disclose the specific lawful activity they plan to conduct (e.g., "chemical manufacturing" or "wastewater treatment") as part of their permit application. This disclosure must be detailed enough for the public and nearby residents to understand the nature of the proposed activity at the permit location. The bill explicitly excludes trade secrets or proprietary information from this requirement. It applies to all industrial, manufacturing, or similar activities needing a DEP permit under the relevant chapter of state law.

Maddy summaryHB 4195 would temporarily cap electric utility rates in West Virginia at current levels for two years, through July 1, 2027. This directly affects all residential and business customers of electric utilities across the state, freezing their rates except for limited adjustments tied to fuel and purchased power costs. The bill aims to provide immediate relief from rapidly rising rates - highlighted as having more than doubled since 2005 - particularly for low-income households and elderly residents relying on fixed incomes. After the cap expires, utilities would return to standard rate-setting processes under existing law.

Maddy summaryHB 4110, the WV Energy Efficiency Jobs Creation Act, requires West Virginia's electric utilities to develop and implement energy efficiency programs aimed at reducing electricity consumption. Utilities must achieve specific, incremental savings targets - starting at 0.5% of 2020 sales by 2027 and reaching 5% by 2031 - through cost-effective programs approved by the Public Service Commission. The bill also creates a "self-directed" option for eligible residential and business customers to manage their own energy efficiency plans, with requirements to meet minimum goals and repay avoided charges if they fail to do so. The Public Service Commission oversees program approval, ensures cost recovery for utilities, and mandates annual reporting to track progress toward state energy efficiency goals.

Maddy summaryHB 4050 requires West Virginia public utilities that are members of a regional transmission organization (RTO) to submit annual reports to the state utility commission. These reports must detail all recorded votes cast by the utility or its affiliates at RTO meetings during the previous year, including a brief explanation of how each vote serves the public interest. The reports are due by February 1 each year and cover all votes, even those not previously disclosed. This bill aims to increase transparency around utility voting in RTOs, directly affecting utilities operating under the state's regulatory framework.

Maddy summaryHB 4111 establishes a community solar program in West Virginia allowing subscribers (residents, renters, and businesses) to receive bill credits for solar energy generated at shared community facilities. Subscribers get credits equal to the kilowatt-hours produced at a rate approved by the Public Service Commission, applied to their monthly utility bills for at least 25 years. The program requires facilities to have at least three subscribers, limit size to 5 MW per site (with a 100 MW aggregate utility cap), and reserve 40% of capacity for low-income households (defined as ≤80% area median income) or small subscriptions (≤25 kW). This directly expands access to solar energy for those who cannot install rooftop systems, such as renters or low-income residents, while ensuring credits are calculated fairly and applied long-term.