Del. John Paul Hott

Maddy summaryHB 2152, the Prompt Payment Act of 2025, requires West Virginia state agencies to pay vendors and grantees within 45 days of receiving a legitimate claim for payment. It directly affects entities providing goods/services to state agencies (vendors) or receiving state grants (grantees), excluding employee compensation, federal pass-through funds, and certain other categories listed in the bill. Key mechanisms include defining "legitimate claim" (verified invoices or grant entitlements), setting a 45-day payment deadline from claim receipt, and mandating state agencies to report delays to the State Auditor or allowing vendors/grantees to report violations. The State Auditor must then publish a monthly list of noncompliant agencies online. This law applies to all state agencies for payments made on or after July 8, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 2889 exempts certain transactions from the registration requirements of the Uniform Securities Act by permitting a "fairness hearing" process instead. It directly affects securities firms or entities that would otherwise need to register under the Act for specific transactions. The bill's key provision replaces standard registration with a fairness hearing to determine if a transaction is fair to investors, streamlining the process for qualifying cases. This law, enacted as Chapter 218 of the 2025 Regular Session, takes effect immediately upon approval.

Maddy summaryHB 2711 repeals the previous common law rule limiting trust durations and sets a new 1,000-year maximum for all trusts. It directly affects individuals and families creating trusts for estate planning, wealth transfer, or generational asset management. The key provision replaces the old time limit with a fixed 1,000-year rule, ensuring trusts comply with current law without requiring future legal adjustments. This change simplifies trust administration and aligns with modern estate planning practices.

Maddy summaryHB 2963 requires that after a bank merger, reorganization, purchase, or assumption of liabilities in West Virginia, the surviving bank entity must be insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC). This directly affects banks undergoing such ownership changes, ensuring depositors' funds remain protected under FDIC insurance without interruption. The bill mandates that the surviving bank maintain FDIC coverage as part of the transaction process, preventing gaps in insurance that could occur during ownership transitions. It does not create new insurance programs but clarifies existing requirements for bank continuity.

Maddy summaryHB 3111 increases salaries for West Virginia judges effective July 1, 2026, and 2027. It raises Supreme Court justices' annual pay to $154,600 (from $149,600), circuit court judges to $143,600 (from $138,600), and family court judges to $113,950 (from $103,950). The bill also requires judicial employees to contribute to the retirement system while suspending employer contributions until specific conditions are met. These changes directly affect all state judges and their staff, aligning family court secretary-clerk salaries ($44,876) with future state employee increases.

Maddy summaryHB 3294 creates legal protections for banks, broker-dealers, and investment advisors who intervene to prevent financial exploitation of vulnerable adults. It directly affects eligible adults (West Virginia residents 65+ or adults with significant mental impairments affecting financial decisions) and financial institutions. The bill allows these institutions to delay, refuse, or block transactions they believe risk financial exploitation, and requires them to report suspected exploitation to state agencies like the Department of Human Services. It provides legal immunity for institutions acting in good faith to protect eligible adults, without creating a duty to override customer instructions.

Maddy summaryHB 3521 reallocates $1,192,452 from the Attorney General’s Consumer Protection Recovery Fund (fund 1509) to the State Fund’s surplus balance, then directs that same amount to the Department of Health’s Central Office for the Tobacco Education Program (fund 0407). It specifically uses excess funds identified in the Attorney General’s account, which the bill states "exceeds that which is necessary" for its purpose. The bill does not create new policy or affect public services directly - it only moves existing surplus funds between state accounts. This is a routine budget adjustment, not a substantive legislative change.

Maddy summaryHCR 29 is a memorial resolution requesting the West Virginia Division of Highways name a 2.9-mile segment of County Route 9 (Knobley Road) between specific coordinates as "Sheriff Jeremy Taylor Memorial Road." It commemorates Sheriff Jeremy Taylor, a Mineral County law enforcement officer and firefighter who died in 2024, by designating this road segment and installing signage. The resolution has no policy impact - it is purely a naming convention with no direct effect on residents, laws, or government operations. It was enacted by the legislature on April 12, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 3520 redirects $56.2 million in unused funds from 10 specific state accounts - such as the Treasurer’s Office ($20 million) and Insurance Commission Fund ($30 million) - into the State Fund’s General Revenue surplus for the 2025 fiscal year. The bill transfers money from accounts where balances exceeded necessary funding needs, as noted in the legislature’s findings. This action increases the available surplus balance in General Revenue for potential future appropriations. The bill does not create new spending but reallocates existing unspent funds to the state’s general treasury.

Maddy summaryThis symbolic resolution designates November 7th annually as "Pastor Appreciation Day" in West Virginia. It honors clergy members for their community service, spiritual leadership, and roles in life events like weddings, funerals, and disaster response. The resolution does not create new laws, funding, or obligations - it serves solely as ceremonial recognition. It affects no specific individuals or policies, as it is a non-binding declaration of appreciation.