Rep. Evan Hansen

Maddy summaryHB 3416 requires oil and gas operators to secure funds for plugging new wells before they are permitted, effective July 1, 2026. Operators must provide either a single-well bond covering full plugging costs or set aside money in an escrow account managed by the state treasurer. This prevents "orphaned wells" - unplugged wells left on land without a responsible operator to pay for closure, which currently threaten landowners' property, safety, and groundwater. The law directly affects new well operators and protects surface landowners from future liabilities. It replaces outdated bonding methods that contributed to thousands of unplugged wells in West Virginia.

Maddy summaryThis bill would allow certain zero-emission vehicle manufacturers to operate as new car dealers in West Virginia, directly affecting companies that exclusively produce electric or hydrogen-powered vehicles. To qualify, manufacturers must have made zero-emission vehicles since 2008, never sold through franchised dealers in the state, and have no ownership ties to franchising entities. The key provision removes barriers preventing these manufacturers from selling directly to consumers, bypassing traditional dealership models. It applies only to zero-emission vehicle producers meeting all three criteria, not to conventional automakers.

Maddy summaryHB 3405 allows the West Virginia Commissioner of Highways to provide up to $10,000 annually in locality pay to employees working in specific jurisdictions where such pay is needed to recruit and retain staff for highway projects. This applies to Division of Highways employees in areas designated by the Commissioner as requiring competitive compensation. The pay differential can exceed standard salary ranges for their position, and the Commissioner must create implementation rules. The bill directly affects highway workers in designated locations, aiming to support workforce stability for road maintenance and construction.

Maddy summaryHB 3415, the Orphan Well Prevention Act of 2025, requires oil and gas operators to secure financial guarantees before obtaining new well permits or transferring existing wells. For new wells (after July 1, 2025), operators must provide either a bond or an escrow account to cover future plugging costs. For transferred wells, the previous operator remains liable until the new owner provides a similar financial guarantee. This directly affects oil and gas companies and landowners by preventing wells from becoming "orphaned" (unplugged with no responsible operator), reducing state or community costs for cleanup. The bill aims to address West Virginia’s thousands of existing orphaned wells by making operators financially accountable upfront.

Maddy summaryHB 3392 allows West Virginia's Governor to temporarily borrow up to $50 million from the state's Revenue Shortfall Reserve Fund to support the Unemployment Compensation Fund when its balance falls below $50 million. The Governor must first confirm a projected shortfall within 30 days, and borrowed funds can only cover unemployment benefit payments. These loans must be repaid within 180 days without interest from excess funds in the Unemployment Compensation Fund, and no borrowing is permitted after September 1, 2027. The bill directly affects unemployment benefit recipients by ensuring funds remain available during short-term financial strain.

Maddy summaryHB 3393 would establish a temporary license for foreign breweries to import nonintoxicating beer (beer with less than 0.5% alcohol) into West Virginia for sale. Foreign corporations seeking this license would need to pay a $1,500 annual fee, submit corporate documentation, and comply with labeling and transportation requirements. The bill directly affects foreign breweries aiming to sell nonintoxicating beer in West Virginia, providing a temporary authorization pathway. The exact duration of the temporary license is not specified in the provided bill text.

Maddy summaryHB 3340 prohibits discrimination based on hair texture or protective hairstyles (such as braids, afros, curls, and twists) in workplaces and educational institutions. It directly affects people whose hair textures or styles are historically associated with Black communities, particularly in settings with dress codes or grooming policies. The bill allows individuals to challenge discriminatory policies by showing that safety concerns are unfounded, could be mitigated with alternative tools, or are a pretext for bias. It does not ban all hair policies but requires institutions to justify restrictions that disproportionately impact textured hair. The bill is currently pending in the House Government Organization Committee after its March 13, 2025, introduction.

Maddy summaryHB 3327 modifies West Virginia's Hope Scholarship Program to clarify eligibility requirements for nonpublic schools and education service providers. It requires these entities to submit participation notices, provide expense receipts to parents, pass background checks for staff, and certify against discrimination to accept scholarship funds. The bill explicitly states participating schools and providers are not required to change their curriculum, admission policies, or religious practices to participate. This directly affects nonpublic schools and educational service organizations seeking to offer services to Hope Scholarship students. The changes aim to formalize participation rules while preserving provider autonomy.

Maddy summaryHB 3235 requires health insurance plans in West Virginia to cover specific breast cancer screenings. It mandates annual mammograms for women aged 40 and older, baseline mammograms for women aged 30-39, and additional screenings (like ultrasounds) for those with dense breast tissue or risk factors like family history. Mammography facilities must also provide patients with breast density information and educational materials about associated risks and screening options. These requirements apply to all insurance policies delivered, issued, or renewed after January 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 3224, the State Living Donor Protection Act, prohibits insurers in West Virginia from denying or limiting coverage on life insurance, major medical, disability, or long-term care policies solely because a person is a living organ donor. The bill specifically bans insurers from refusing coverage, making organ donation a condition for maintaining coverage, or discriminating in pricing or terms based on donor status alone. It amends West Virginia Code §33-13-25 to add these protections, requiring insurers to treat living donors the same as other policyholders without additional risk-based premiums. This bill directly affects individuals considering or who have already donated organs, ensuring they cannot face insurance discrimination for that decision. The bill was introduced in the House on March 7, 2025, and referred to the Finance Committee.