Rep. Bill Bell

Maddy summaryHJR 19 proposes a constitutional amendment to allow local governments (counties, municipalities) to approve additional tax increases specifically for fire protection and emergency medical services (EMS) with a simple majority vote (50% plus one vote) instead of the current 60% requirement for all other tax increases. This change would apply only to levies limited exclusively to fire/EMS funding, with a three-year maximum duration and a cap preventing increases from exceeding 50% above existing tax rates. The amendment requires voter approval in the 2026 general election and leaves the 60% threshold unchanged for all other tax increases. It does not alter existing tax exemptions or revenue distribution rules.

Maddy summaryHB 4527 would require West Virginia's Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV) to establish an automatic vehicle registration renewal system with automatic billing. This change would directly affect all vehicle owners in West Virginia who must renew their registrations annually. Under the bill, the DMV would automatically renew registrations and charge the owner's designated payment method without requiring manual renewal actions. The bill creates new procedures for implementing this system but does not alter registration fees or requirements.

Maddy summaryHJR 21 proposes a constitutional amendment to lock the property tax valuation for West Virginia homeowners aged 65 or older (or permanently disabled) at the assessed value when they turned 65 or purchased their home - whichever occurred later. This would prevent their taxable value from increasing due to rising market prices, potentially reducing annual property tax bills over time. The amendment must be approved by voters in the 2028 general election to take effect. It directly affects senior homeowners who occupy their primary residence as their principal dwelling.

Maddy summaryHB 4487 would allow West Virginia property owners to pay current real and personal property taxes in monthly installments instead of the current two-installment system (due September and March). Property owners choosing monthly payments would pay a 2.5% convenience fee on each monthly payment. The bill maintains the existing 2.5% discount for paying both installments on time under the current system. This change directly affects all residential and commercial property owners who pay local property taxes in West Virginia.

Maddy summaryHB 4077 would eliminate standardized testing requirements in all West Virginia public and private schools by directing the State Board of Education to stop administering such tests. The bill takes effect for the 2026-2027 school year and all subsequent years. This change would directly impact every student, teacher, and school administrator in the state by removing a longstanding assessment requirement. The policy shift specifically targets the administration of standardized tests, without specifying alternative evaluation methods.

Maddy summaryHB 4528 would require that juveniles accused of assaulting law enforcement officers, reserve deputies, court security officers, or first responders be held in custody without being released to parents or guardians. This change means that for these specific offenses, juveniles cannot be released even if other conditions for release (like no immediate danger) would otherwise apply. The bill does not alter the existing requirement for a detention hearing within 24 hours. It directly affects juveniles charged with assaulting these public safety personnel in West Virginia.

Maddy summaryHB 4540 requires municipalities and courts to send written notice at least 30 days before suspending licenses for unpaid traffic tickets, clearly listing both the fine owed and the administrative fee. It mandates that courts forward any collected administrative fees directly to the state division. The bill applies to most traffic violations (excluding parking tickets) and affects drivers who fail to pay citations in West Virginia. This changes how courts handle fee collection and license suspension notices for motor vehicle violations.

Maddy summaryThis bill would eliminate West Virginia's separate tax on gasoline and diesel (currently paid per gallon) and replace it with an equivalent increase in the state's general sales tax rate. It directly affects consumers who purchase gasoline or diesel fuel and gas stations that would collect the general sales tax instead of the fuel-specific tax. The change is revenue-neutral, meaning total tax revenue from these fuels would remain the same, but the tax would be collected through the standard sales tax system rather than a per-gallon excise tax. The bill repeals all existing sections related to motor fuel excise tax and creates new provisions to implement this shift.

Maddy summaryHB 4515 would establish rules for religious organizations leaving a denomination while keeping property. It requires a local church to get a two-thirds vote from its members to disaffiliate and mandates that the parent denomination provide a detailed financial accounting within 60 days. Property is divided into three classes: real estate (Class A) can be kept if over 50% of its costs were raised locally, movable items (Class B) go to the buyer, and financial assets (Class C) are split based on funding sources over two years. The bill aims to clarify property division during disaffiliation disputes without favoring either side.

Maddy summaryHB 4449 permits public school teachers in West Virginia to request classroom cameras with principal approval, directly affecting students, staff, and parents in public schools. Key provisions require cameras to cover all classroom areas (excluding restrooms/changing areas), mandate 3-month recording retention (extending through summer breaks), and demand written notice to parents and staff about placement, purpose, and access. The bill strictly prohibits using recordings for teacher evaluations or any purpose beyond student safety, and mandates confidentiality, requiring school administrators to review footage only for verified incidents like bullying or abuse. All recordings must remain accessible for review upon request and during related investigations.