Del. George Street

Maddy summaryHB 4993 would amend West Virginia law to authorize the Division of Highways to use green flashing warning lights on its vehicles and equipment, at the Commissioner of Highways' discretion. Currently, only specific colors are permitted for certain emergency vehicles (e.g., blue for police, red for ambulances and fire trucks), with strict authorization rules. This bill adds green as an approved color for Highway vehicles, without mandating its use. It directly affects the Division of Highways' fleet, allowing flexibility in warning light colors for their operations. The change is procedural, focusing on updating vehicle lighting regulations rather than altering emergency response protocols.

Maddy summaryThis is a commemorative House resolution honoring former West Virginia House Speaker and Chief Justice Timothy P. Armstead following his passing. It memorializes his service, names a conference room in the House as the "Speaker Tim Armstead Memorial Conference Room," and extends condolences to his family. The resolution does not create new laws or affect policy - it formally recognizes his legacy and contributions to West Virginia.

Maddy summaryHB 5058 requires restaurants in West Virginia to clearly label any menu item containing or made from "analogue products," "cell-cultured products," or "food products" (as defined in state law) with specific terms. This directly affects restaurants serving lab-grown or lab-made food alternatives, such as cultivated meat or plant-based substitutes. The key provision mandates that these labels appear prominently on all menus to inform consumers about the product type before purchase. The bill aims to ensure transparency for dining choices without specifying how restaurants must implement the labeling. It does not change food safety standards or restrict the sale of these products.

Maddy summaryHB 5356 modifies how students in the Mountaineer Challenge Academy are counted toward high school graduation rates for school accreditation purposes. The bill specifies that students who complete the academy program within five years of starting ninth grade will be counted as graduates for accountability metrics, provided this does not conflict with federal law. This change directly affects students enrolled in the Mountaineer Challenge Academy (a designated alternative education program) and the schools that report graduation rates. The key mechanism adjusts the state's calculation method for graduation rates, ensuring these students are included in accountability measures under specific completion timelines. The bill does not alter the academy's funding structure or operations, only the reporting criteria for school accreditation.

Maddy summaryHR 9 is a ceremonial resolution honoring the late West Virginia House Delegate Douglas John Skaff Jr. It expresses the House of Delegates' condolences to his family and commemorates his service, including his roles as a delegate representing multiple districts and as Minority Leader. The resolution has no policy impact - it is purely symbolic, acknowledging his career in public service, business, and community leadership. It was unanimously adopted by the House on February 5, 2026, the same day it was introduced.

Maddy summaryHB 4994 requires utilities (like power and gas companies) to move or adjust their lines from state highway rights-of-way when needed for road construction projects. It mandates the state’s Highway Division to provide utilities with up to 18 months’ written notice and specific procedures for submitting relocation plans and work schedules. The bill also requires the state to reimburse utilities for work they must redo if highway project plans change after construction begins. Utilities are not held liable for delays caused by state schedule changes, incomplete right-of-way acquisitions, or extreme weather, as outlined in the bill.

Maddy summaryThis West Virginia House resolution states that the U.S. national debt (over $38 trillion in 2026) poses a national security threat, citing foreign debt ownership, projected Social Security/Medicare shortfalls, and warnings from military/intelligence leaders. It urges Congress to establish regular budgeting procedures but does not create new laws or alter federal spending. As a symbolic resolution, it has no direct legal effect on national debt policy or federal budgets. The resolution focuses on raising awareness rather than implementing concrete changes.

Maddy summaryHB 4489 allows West Virginia's Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV) to issue birth, death, marriage, and divorce records currently held by the State Registrar. The DMV must follow the State Registrar's rules when issuing these records and can collect fees for them, which must be sent monthly to the State Registrar. The bill requires the DMV and the Division of Health and Human Resources to create a Memorandum of Understanding to implement this service. This change directly affects residents needing vital records and state agencies managing vital statistics.

Maddy summaryHB 5027 amends West Virginia's eminent domain law to clarify that the state or its subdivisions cannot take private property primarily for private economic development where ownership or control transfers to a private entity (e.g., via purchase or lease). The bill prohibits such takings without the owner's consent, while preserving existing public uses like infrastructure, utilities, schools, and parks. It specifically targets cases where eminent domain would benefit private developers rather than serve a direct public purpose. This change applies to all property owners and government entities exercising eminent domain authority in West Virginia.

Maddy summaryHB 4992 creates a new "general contractor/construction manager" procurement method for West Virginia's highway projects, directly affecting the West Virginia Division of Highways. This alternative procedure allows the Division to hire contractors without following the standard design-build bidding rules outlined in existing highway laws. The bill authorizes the Division to develop specific rules for implementing this method, including conditions for agreements and preferred terms, in line with federal guidelines. It does not change existing funding limits for the current design-build program but provides a separate contracting path for highway construction projects.