Del. George Street

Maddy summaryHB 4472 clarifies that commercial real property insurance policies in West Virginia may be written for any amount agreed upon by the insurer and policyholder - including amounts below the property's replacement cost value. This directly affects commercial property owners and insurers, allowing coverage based on options like actual depreciated value, market value, or a mutually agreed amount. The bill amends existing law to explicitly state that policies need not cover full replacement cost, removing ambiguity about permissible coverage levels. It does not change insurance requirements but provides clarity for contracts between commercial property owners and insurers.

Maddy summaryHB 4880, "The Deployed Servicemembers Protection Act," protects West Virginia service members deployed for 30+ days (including National Guard on state duty) and their families. It prohibits spouses from selling property/vehicles over $10,000, closing joint accounts, withdrawing over 50% from accounts, or removing children without the service member’s written consent during deployment and for two months afterward. The bill also requires returning children to the home of record within one week of the service member’s return. Violations are misdemeanors punishable by up to 30 days in jail, $5,000 fines, or civil liability. The law incorporates existing federal Servicemembers Civil Relief Act protections.

Maddy summaryThis bill revises West Virginia's legal framework for the State Guard, establishing a formal structure to operate alongside the National Guard. It requires the Governor to create five regional regiments by September 2026, each with headquarters, battalions, medical units, and engineering teams staffed by volunteers aged 16+ (open to all genders). Members must complete 12 hours of monthly training, including at least one 8-hour block, with coordination allowed with local emergency services. Funding will be managed through a dedicated annual budget line item, with unused funds carrying over to future fiscal years.

Maddy summaryHB 4841 allows county commissions in West Virginia to formally request the Division of Highways to prioritize repairs for local roads. County commissions must submit detailed petitions including road locations, condition, traffic volume, complaints, and repair cost estimates. The Division must respond within 90 days (with explanations for denials) and hold public hearings for repairs costing over $100,000. The bill requires the Division to annually report petition status to the Joint Committee on Government and Finance. This directly affects county governments and residents relying on local road infrastructure.

Maddy summaryHB 4846 changes how certain high-technology property is taxed in West Virginia by valuing qualifying servers and equipment at their scrap value (instead of full market value) for property tax purposes. It applies only to assets over $100 million owned by businesses in high-tech or internet advertising sectors, as defined by existing law. This reduces the taxable value of these assets, directly lowering property tax bills for qualifying businesses. The bill does not alter tax rates but modifies the valuation method for specific high-value technology assets.

Maddy summaryHB 4766 increases West Virginia's homestead property tax exemption for eligible homeowners from a flat $20,000 to 50% of a property's assessed value (capped at $20,000 if the property is valued below $40,000). This change directly affects homeowners aged 65 or older or certified as permanently and totally disabled who meet the state's residency requirements. The bill modifies existing law (§11-6B-3) to adjust the exemption calculation method while preserving the same eligibility criteria. It does not alter residency rules or other qualifying conditions for the exemption.

Maddy summaryHB 4779 requires West Virginia parole boards to consider a sentencing judge's recommendation for a specific term of imprisonment when reviewing cases involving certain felony offenses. The bill applies to 44 designated crimes, including DUI causing death, drug trafficking near schools, sexual assault, murder, and child abuse. Under this law, judges may recommend a definite prison term during sentencing for these offenses, and parole boards must factor that recommendation into their decisions. This change modifies how parole considerations are handled for these specific cases but does not alter sentencing authority or penalties.

Maddy summaryHB 4780 requires private or government entities taking property through eminent domain to pay an additional 15% fee on the court-ordered value paid to landowners. This fee, paid to the county where the property is located, is in addition to all other costs and does not reduce the amount paid to landowners. The funds must be used exclusively by counties for acquiring or improving public forests, parks, recreation facilities, and related enhancements. The bill clarifies that this fee is a new requirement not affecting existing landowner compensation.

Maddy summaryHB 4623 requires West Virginia counties and municipalities to provide public notice at least three months before purchasing land or buildings. The notice must include property size, sale details (date, location, method), inspection periods, and contact information, and can be shared via social media, courthouse postings, or news ads. It also mandates that proposals within 10% of specifications be made publicly available for 10 business days prior to the purchase decision. This bill directly affects local governments buying property, ensuring transparency for potential buyers. The legislation is currently in the introduction phase, having been referred to the Judiciary Committee on January 21, 2026.

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.