Del. John Paul Hott

Maddy summaryHB 4360 allows West Virginia's Supreme Court of Appeals to establish uniform pay scales for judicial support staff instead of using fixed salary amounts. It directly affects magistrate court clerks, magistrate assistants, and deputy clerks - positions currently paid $54,596 and $49,232 annually under statute. The bill replaces specific salary figures with a flexible pay scale managed by the Supreme Court's Administrative Director, while still permitting these staff to receive general state employee salary increases. This change aims to streamline compensation adjustments across judicial offices without altering job duties or eligibility for broader state pay adjustments.

Maddy summaryThis House resolution formally recognizes President Donald J. Trump for various policies and actions that the West Virginia House of Delegates claims have benefited the state. The document highlights specific initiatives including regulatory reforms in the energy sector, tax relief measures, funding for rural healthcare, and programs aimed at reducing prescription drug costs and establishing investment accounts for newborns. It also cites border security improvements and drug control efforts as contributing factors to public safety and economic well-being. The resolution expresses appreciation for these actions and requests that the formal recognition be sent to the President.

Maddy summaryThis House Resolution honors the life and legacy of the late West Virginia legislator Larry D. Kump, who passed away on February 28, 2026. The resolution formally expresses the House of Delegates' condolences to Kump's family and acknowledges his service as a representative for Berkeley County across three different terms. It recognizes his career in criminal justice and mediation, his commitment to limited government, and his role as a devoted family member and church leader. The document is a ceremonial tribute rather than a law that changes policy or affects public programs.

Maddy summaryThis House Resolution urges the Capitol Building Commission and Department of Administration to assess and address hazardous trees along California Avenue and Kanawha Boulevard on the State Capitol Complex grounds. The resolution requests an immediate evaluation of trees that have caused property damage through falling limbs and broken trunks over the past two years. It specifically asks officials to trim trees back to the grass side of sidewalks or remove and replace hazardous trees to protect public safety and state property. This non-binding resolution directs state agencies to take preventative maintenance actions without mandating specific enforcement measures.

Maddy summaryHB 5474 creates a tax credit for businesses in West Virginia's outdoor recreation industry located between Charleston and the New River Gorge. The bill directly affects qualifying outdoor recreation businesses operating in this specific corridor, including those offering activities like hiking, biking, and fishing. It establishes a tax credit to reduce business taxes for eligible operations, aiming to encourage economic growth and job creation in the region. The legislation cites the area's natural resources, transportation access, and appeal to remote workers as key reasons for this incentive.

Maddy summaryHCR 21 is a study resolution requesting the Joint Committee on Government and Finance to examine whether West Virginia counties should direct a portion of new property tax revenue from large-scale investments (like manufacturing or energy projects) toward property tax relief for primary residence homeowners. The study would assess thresholds for "significant" revenue growth, prioritize relief for retirees, develop revenue allocation formulas, and analyze constitutional requirements for such a policy. It does not create new tax relief but evaluates feasibility and implementation details, including safeguards to maintain funding for schools and public safety. The committee must report findings by 2027, potentially leading to future legislation or constitutional amendments.

Maddy summaryHB 5476 requires hospitals in West Virginia to maintain an unaltered audit trail for all electronic health care records, showing who made changes, when, and why. It directly affects hospitals (health care providers) and patients, granting patients the right to review their records, request corrections for inaccuracies within five days, and seek $2,000 minimum damages if records are altered without justification. The bill creates a rebuttable presumption that records were improperly altered if no audit trail exists and prohibits hospitals from retaliating against employees who report tampering. These provisions aim to increase transparency and accountability in medical record-keeping while protecting patient rights.

Maddy summaryHB 4693 declassifies Community and Technical Education (CTE) teaching positions at community colleges and trades-based high school instructors teaching CTE courses, allowing counties to target additional funding to specific roles in critical need. Currently, all CTE positions are grouped together, requiring county funding to be distributed across all positions; this bill removes that classification barrier. The bill maintains existing state funding for these positions while enabling counties to add supplemental funds to high-demand roles like skilled trades or healthcare education. This change aims to help fill staffing shortages in key CTE fields by letting counties offer targeted financial incentives without reducing state support.

Maddy summaryHB 4459 would repeal all existing West Virginia laws regulating kratom (Chapter 19, Article 12F) and remove kratom ("Mitragyna speciosa") from Schedule I of the state's controlled substances list (Section 60A-2-204). This would eliminate legal restrictions on kratom sales, possession, and use for consumers and businesses currently operating under the repealed regulations. The bill directly affects kratom vendors, users, and enforcement agencies by ending the state's classification of kratom as an illegal Schedule I substance. It does not create new regulations but removes the existing legal framework governing kratom.

Maddy summaryHB 5680 establishes a system requiring all West Virginia state agency rules to automatically expire after set periods (2, 4, or 6 years) unless agencies prove their necessity. Agencies must justify renewal with "clear and convincing evidence" showing each rule is legally authorized, necessary for public safety, cost-effective, and not duplicative. This "zero-based review" shifts the burden of proof entirely to agencies, mandating they demonstrate benefits outweigh compliance costs and restrictions on businesses, citizens, and healthcare providers. The bill creates a new oversight commission and requires annual reductions in regulatory burdens, aiming to eliminate outdated or unnecessary rules without requiring legislative action for each repeal.