Del. Buck Jennings

Maddy summaryHB 3143, the Workforce-Education Partnership Act, allows West Virginia business owners to contract employees to participate in vocational programs or high school classes while keeping them on payroll. Business owners receive a tax credit equal to 100% of the employee’s wages during participation, capped at $50,000 per business annually and $5 million statewide. The program requires written agreements between businesses and schools, ensures employees retain all benefits (including workers’ compensation), and prohibits replacing certified teachers in core subjects. It limits tax credits to one academic year per employee per tax year and mandates state approval for claims.

Maddy summaryHB 3151, the Closed Captioning Act, requires public venues like restaurants, bars, hospitals, colleges, and government buildings to have at least half of their public-facing televisions display closed captions continuously during regular hours. It mandates that these venues prevent patrons from disabling captions and distribute captioned TVs so they are visible to all guests. Exceptions apply if no TVs are present or if available TVs cannot display captions. The bill defines "closed captioning" as on-screen text of audio content and takes effect upon passage. This law aims to improve accessibility for deaf and hard-of-hearing individuals in public spaces.

Maddy summaryHB 3140 requires West Virginia government agencies to create and maintain a public online database tracking all Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests and outcomes. It directly affects public bodies (like state agencies) that handle FOIA requests, mandating they redact requesters' names and contact information from the database - except in specific cases like government officials' requests, public interest overrides, or explicit consent. The bill requires the Secretary of State to update all public FOIA databases within 90 days of enactment to comply with these redaction rules, and failure to redact personal details would trigger penalties under existing law. This changes how agencies currently manage FOIA request records by standardizing public access while protecting requester privacy.

Maddy summaryHB 3048 limits new permits for wind power facilities in West Virginia and requires that for each new wind project approved, the tax burden on existing and new coal-fired power plants must decrease proportionally. The bill directly affects wind energy developers (by restricting new projects) and coal power plant operators (by mandating tax offsets). Key provisions include capping wind power permits, defining wind turbines as pollution control facilities for tax purposes, and requiring that tax reductions for coal plants match the scale of new wind development. The bill cites coal as the only reliable power source during emergencies like storms, though this rationale does not create new emergency rules.

Maddy summaryHB 2965 redirects employer payments currently made to West Virginia's Public Employees Insurance Association (PEIA) into a Health Savings Account (HSA) for state employees. Starting July 1, 2025, eligible employees would receive $1,100 monthly into their HSA, which they can use to pay for healthcare insurance premiums and related expenses. Employees would choose their own healthcare plans using these funds instead of being enrolled in PEIA. The bill changes how employer contributions are delivered but does not alter existing insurance coverage options.

Maddy summaryHB 3065 creates new felony charges for individuals who assault West Virginia police officers or police dogs while they are performing official duties. The bill amends existing law to specifically include police dogs under the definition of "law-enforcement officer" for protection purposes. It establishes two felony levels: malicious assaults (3-15 years in prison) and unlawful assaults (2-5 years), with battery offenses escalating to felonies after a second or third violation. This bill directly affects anyone who intentionally harms officers or their working dogs during official duties, increasing penalties for such attacks.

Maddy summaryHB 3062 would eliminate property taxes on farm structures (like barns or equipment sheds) for farmers who live on their property and earn at least 40% of their income from farming. The bill amends West Virginia law to add this exemption to existing tax rules for agricultural property. It specifically applies to structures used for farming operations, not the farmland itself, and requires farmers to reside on the property. This change directly affects qualifying farm owners by reducing their property tax burden on essential farm infrastructure.

Maddy summaryHB 3031 replaces West Virginia's current Fusion Center Joint Oversight Committee with a new committee effective July 1, 2025, terminating the existing committee as of June 30, 2025. The new committee, appointed by the House Speaker and Senate President (with party balance rules), will oversee the Fusion Center's handling of intelligence data, including collection, storage, and destruction. Key provisions require an annual audit by the Inspector General, grant the committee confidential access to the Fusion Center, and mandate security clearances for committee members handling classified information. Violations identified in audits may lead to disciplinary action against Fusion Center staff.

Maddy summaryHB 3063 would provide free license plates and vehicle registration for volunteer firefighters in West Virginia who have completed at least five years of service. The bill amends state law to exempt qualifying firefighters from paying standard registration and license plate fees. This policy change directly affects volunteer firefighters meeting the service requirement by eliminating a recurring cost for their personal vehicles. The bill is currently under review by the House Finance Committee after being introduced on February 28, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 3061 would amend West Virginia law (§11-12-3) to prevent municipalities or counties from requiring separate business licenses if a business already holds a valid state-issued business registration certificate. This directly affects businesses operating in West Virginia that have obtained the state certificate but face additional local licensing demands. The key provision states that holding the state certificate exempts businesses from needing duplicate local licenses, streamlining requirements for those already registered at the state level. The bill does not change the state license requirement itself or address tax obligations.