Rep. Bryan Ward

Maddy summaryHB 3105 would amend West Virginia's Deputy Sheriff Retirement System Act to allow deputy sheriffs to retire after 20 years of service with full benefits, aligning their retirement eligibility with corrections officers. This change directly affects county deputy sheriffs covered under the retirement system who currently may have different service requirements. The bill modifies §7-14D-5 to establish 20 years as the qualifying service period for full retirement benefits, matching the existing standard for corrections officers. The policy change would apply to new hires and potentially existing members who elect to transfer into this system under the revised terms.

Maddy summaryHB 3191 requires people to maintain a 25-foot distance from law enforcement officers, probation officers, firefighters, or emergency responders while they are performing their duties, particularly when someone is recording interactions. It prohibits approaching or staying within 25 feet after receiving a verbal warning, if the person intends to interfere with the officer’s work, threaten them, or intentionally distress them. Violating this rule is a misdemeanor punishable by a $50-$500 fine, up to one year in jail, or both. The bill directly affects members of the public who record police or emergency interactions near the scene.

Maddy summaryHB 2453 allows West Virginia public school teachers to carry over unused sick or personal leave days to the next academic year. The bill adds a new provision (§18A-2-16) to the education code, enabling teachers to bank these days without losing them at year-end. This directly affects all public school instructors in West Virginia who have unused leave balances. The policy change is straightforward, requiring no additional approval or application process for teachers to retain their accrued leave.

Maddy summaryHB 3113 increases the percentage of precincts required to undergo manual ballot audits during election canvassing in West Virginia. The bill mandates that a higher random selection of precincts (beyond the current threshold) must have voter-verified paper ballots manually counted. If discrepancies exceed 1% or change the election outcome in an audited precinct, all ballots in that precinct must be manually recounted, with the manual count becoming the official record. This directly affects election officials conducting canvasses and candidates who may demand recounts. The bill amends existing election code sections to implement these audit requirements.

Maddy summaryHB 3114 prohibits lobbyists from receiving compensation for lobbying West Virginia state officials on behalf of designated "foreign adversaries," such as governments of China, Russia, Iran, Cuba, and other entities listed in the bill. It requires lobbyists representing these entities to self-identify as agents of foreign adversaries and creates penalties including civil fines, court-ordered return of payments ("disgorgement"), and injunctive relief for violations. The bill defines "foreign adversaries" broadly to include specific countries, terrorist organizations, and entities controlled by them, with the list updated annually by the Secretary of Homeland Security. It directly affects lobbyists and lobbying firms working with these designated foreign entities within West Virginia. The bill is currently in the introduction phase, having been filed with the House Judiciary Committee on March 4, 2025.

Maddy summaryThis House Resolution (HR 8) is a symbolic request from the West Virginia House of Delegates asking Congress to pass the federal National Concealed Carry Reciprocity Act (HR 38). It states that West Virginia residents with valid concealed carry permits should be able to carry concealed weapons in any state that allows concealed carry, without needing to verify if that state recognizes their West Virginia permit. The resolution does not change any laws itself but urges Congress to enact HR 38, which would require all states to honor out-of-state concealed carry permits, similar to how driver's licenses are recognized across state lines. It directly affects West Virginia permit holders traveling to other states.

Maddy summaryHB 3138 would create a 25-foot buffer zone around first responders (including police, firefighters, and emergency medical personnel) while they are lawfully performing their duties. It makes it unlawful to approach within 25 feet after receiving a verbal warning, specifically to impede their work, threaten them with harm, or harass them. Violators would face misdemeanor charges with fines of $50-$500 or up to one year in jail. The bill directly affects anyone near first responders during emergency operations and aims to protect them from interference. (Note: The bill is in early stages, having been introduced on March 4, 2025.)

Maddy summaryHB 2383 replaces West Virginia's West Virginia Contraband Forfeiture Act with a new Criminal Forfeiture Process Act. It applies specifically to property used in or derived directly from felony violations of controlled substance laws (e.g., drug crimes), shifting forfeiture procedures from separate civil processes to the criminal court handling the underlying case. Key provisions define terms like "contraband" (unlawful items like drugs), "innocent owner" (someone unaware their property was used in a crime), prohibit civil forfeiture, and ban transferring seized property to federal agencies for federal forfeiture. This directly affects law enforcement agencies and individuals whose property is linked to drug-related felony convictions.

Maddy summaryHB 3108 would add a $15,000 annual commission to West Virginia sheriffs' pay after they collect 85% of all property taxes (real and personal) in their county. This commission, paid from tax funds, would become part of the sheriff's regular compensation alongside their existing salary. The bill directly affects county sheriffs, who serve as the chief tax collectors for their jurisdictions. It modifies current compensation by creating a fixed payment tied to a specific tax collection threshold.

Maddy summaryHB 3115 expands expungement eligibility in West Virginia to include individuals who plead guilty to certain misdemeanors after successfully completing pre-trial diversion or deferred adjudication programs. It allows these individuals to petition a circuit court for the removal of all related arrest, charge, and misdemeanor conviction records, treating the matter as if it never occurred. The process requires a 60-day waiting period after program completion, no filing fees, and mandates agencies to certify expungement within 60 days. This applies only to qualifying misdemeanors and excludes felony convictions, domestic violence cases involving family members, and records held by the Division of Motor Vehicles.