Del. Evan Hansen

Maddy summaryHB 2908 restricts the West Virginia Water Development Authority’s power to fund infrastructure projects, limiting it to in-state projects only and removing its previous authority to fund projects recommended by the Secretaries of Commerce, Economic Development, or Tourism. It creates a new "West Virginia Economic Enhancement Grant Fund" with two subaccounts: one for matching federal grants (requiring recommendations from state economic councils) and another for specific project costs like bid overruns, service expansions for economic development, or utility mergers. The bill directs funding toward water, stormwater, and wastewater projects that support economic development or tourism, as recommended by designated state officials. This affects local governments and non-profits seeking state funding for eligible infrastructure projects within West Virginia.

Maddy summaryHJR 27 proposes a constitutional amendment to legalize cannabis for adults 21 and older in West Virginia. It would allow possession of up to two ounces of cannabis or four plants per person, permit the legislature to regulate sales and manufacturing, and require courts to dismiss or expunge prior convictions for possessing two ounces or less. The amendment must be approved by voters in the 2026 general election before taking effect. This would directly affect adults 21+ and individuals with past cannabis possession convictions.

Maddy summaryHB 2955 amends West Virginia's Hope Scholarship Program to restrict state funding from covering costs for students attending out-of-state private schools or using services from out-of-state education providers. The bill directly affects Hope Scholarship students who currently use state funds for out-of-state education, requiring them to enroll in in-state private schools instead. It changes the program's funding rules by limiting "Hope scholarship funds" to eligible in-state education service providers and participating schools within West Virginia. This policy change ensures state scholarship dollars only support education within the state's public school system or in-state private schools.

Maddy summaryHB 2913 establishes a $1,000 refundable state child tax credit for West Virginia residents who qualify for the federal child tax credit. The credit, effective for tax years beginning January 1, 2025, will be refundable - meaning any amount exceeding a taxpayer's state income tax liability will be paid directly to them. It replaces West Virginia's current non-refundable child tax credit with this new refundable version, targeting families with children who meet federal eligibility criteria. The bill aims to support working families, reduce child poverty, and stimulate the state economy through direct financial assistance.

Maddy summaryHB 2858 clarifies that West Virginia county commissions may regulate floodplains under National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) guidelines but cannot impose rules stricter than federal NFIP requirements. The bill specifically prohibits counties from adopting ordinances that exceed NFIP standards for floodplain management, while allowing them to enforce NFIP rules to maintain eligibility for the program. It directly affects county commissions, which must align local floodplain regulations with federal NFIP requirements. The bill aims to prevent conflicting local rules that could disrupt counties' participation in the federally backed flood insurance program.

Maddy summaryHB 2928 creates two tax credits for West Virginia residents aged 18-40: a credit equal to accumulated student loan interest (or $1,000 annually for graduates without loans) and a refundable child care credit matching federal dependent care deductions. It applies to tax years starting January 1, 2025, and requires taxpayers to have lived in West Virginia for at least three years. The bill directly affects young professionals with student debt or child care costs, offering cash payments for qualifying expenses. It does not change existing tax rates but provides new refundable credits to reduce state income tax liability.

Maddy summaryThis bill would restore voting rights for West Virginia residents convicted of felonies once they complete their sentences. It requires the Division of Corrections to notify people upon release and the Division of Probation to notify upon discharge about their renewed eligibility to vote. Currently, individuals must re-register themselves after sentence completion, but this bill mandates state agencies to provide written notice and voter registration forms. The change applies to all felony convictions except treason or election bribery, which remain disqualifying under current law.

Maddy summaryHJR 25 proposes a constitutional amendment to West Virginia's Bill of Rights, establishing a state-level right to reproductive freedom for all residents. It explicitly guarantees individuals' rights to make decisions about contraception, fertility treatment, pregnancy continuation, miscarriage care, and abortion. The amendment prohibits the state from restricting these rights unless it uses the least restrictive means to protect health under evidence-based medical standards, while allowing abortion bans after fetal viability - except when a physician deems it necessary to protect the patient's life or health. The amendment defines "fetal viability" as the point when a fetus can survive outside the womb with medical assistance, determined case-by-case by a treating physician.

Maddy summaryHB 2850 creates a paid parental leave pilot program for West Virginia state employees. It provides up to 12 weeks of paid leave at 90% of an employee's average weekly wage (capped at $1,000/week) for birth or adoption during July 2025-July 2027, in addition to existing leave benefits. Eligible employees must be full-time, permanent state workers with 12 consecutive weeks of service, and employers must maintain health coverage during leave. The program requires employers to submit employee claims to the Department of Labor and ends December 31, 2028, as a time-limited pilot.

Maddy summaryHB 2853 establishes a legal right for individuals to access contraception and for healthcare providers to offer it in West Virginia. The bill prohibits state or local laws that restrict access to FDA-approved contraceptives (like pills, IUDs, condoms, or implants) or interfere with their sale, provision, or use. It specifically blocks restrictions that "impede access" to contraception, requiring any such restriction to be justified by clear evidence of safety benefits and shown to be the least restrictive option. This directly affects patients seeking birth control, healthcare providers, and state/local agencies implementing health regulations.