Del. Bryan Ward

Maddy summaryHB 3071 requires all West Virginia workplaces to include an FDA-approved opioid overdose reversal medication (like naloxone) in first aid kits by December 1, 2027, and to train employees on its use. This applies directly to every employer across the state, mandating accessible emergency response tools for opioid overdoses. The bill specifies that the medication must be naloxone hydrochloride or another FDA-approved opioid antagonist, along with clear usage instructions. It aims to ensure immediate access to life-saving treatment in workplace settings without altering existing safety regulations.

Maddy summaryHB 2785 requires dental insurance carriers in West Virginia to publicly report how much of collected premiums are spent on actual dental care versus administrative costs, using a "dental loss ratio" (DLR) calculation. If a carrier’s DLR falls below 80% (the minimum threshold), they must issue rebates to enrollees for excess premiums collected. The bill mandates annual reports detailing premium spending, enrollee data, and coverage limits, with findings made searchable on a public state website by January 1 each year. This directly affects private dental insurance companies (excluding Medicaid/CHIP plans) and their enrollees by increasing transparency and financial accountability.

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 3045, the Farmer Protection Act, prohibits financial institutions in West Virginia from denying or restricting financial services to agriculture producers based on environmental or sustainability criteria. The bill defines "agriculture producer" and establishes clear standards to prevent unfair discrimination in financial service provision. It directly affects farmers and financial institutions by requiring state oversight to ensure compliance with these standards. The legislation was introduced to address concerns that ESG-related demands could harm small farms and increase food prices.

Maddy summaryHB 3007 would increase salaries for sheriffs who have prior law enforcement experience. To qualify, sheriffs must submit a written request to their county commission before the effective date, and counties must demonstrate fiscal capacity to cover the raise through auditor certification. The bill amends existing law to establish this higher pay rate for sheriffs meeting the experience requirement, effective July 1, 2025. It does not apply automatically; sheriffs must proactively request the increase, and counties must prove they can afford it without relying on federal grants or unencumbered funds. This change directly affects sheriffs with qualifying experience in counties that meet fiscal criteria.

Maddy summaryHB 3011 modifies West Virginia's tax code to limit pollution control facility tax benefits exclusively to wind power projects that were fully operational and generating electricity by January 1, 2025. This means new wind projects proposed after that date will not qualify for the special tax treatment that pre-2025 projects receive. The bill does not prohibit new wind projects but removes a key financial incentive for future developments. It specifically applies to wind turbines and towers (as defined in the bill), excluding other project components from the tax benefit. This policy change directly affects developers seeking tax advantages for wind energy infrastructure.

Maddy summaryThis West Virginia House Resolution (HR 7) requests Congress to create a combined investigative task force to examine the origins of the COVID-19 pandemic and the government response. It specifically asks the task force to coordinate with existing state, national, and international investigations, and to recommend corrective actions for pandemic-related issues like vaccine side effects, business closures, and alleged restrictions on public discussion. The resolution cites concerns about adverse health reactions from emergency-approved vaccines, employment discrimination against unvaccinated individuals, and business impacts from public health mandates. It is a non-binding request to Congress - not a law - and does not create any new government authority. The resolution was introduced on February 24, 2025, and referred to the House Judiciary Committee.

Maddy summaryHB 2814 requires West Virginia's Governor to create comprehensive crisis preparedness plans to address five specific threats: nuclear attacks, major energy grid disruptions, long-term cyber-attacks, invasion, and insurrection. The bill mandates that these plans include preventative measures, mitigation strategies, immediate response protocols, remediation steps, and recovery efforts. The Governor must brief the legislature on initial plans by August 31, 2025, with final plans due by November 30, 2025, followed by annual updates. The legislation directly affects state government operations and aims to protect all West Virginia residents by preparing for high-risk scenarios.

Maddy summaryHB 2758 prohibits any entity from intentionally injecting, releasing, or dispersing chemicals, substances, or apparatus into West Virginia's atmosphere with the purpose of altering temperature, weather, or sunlight intensity. This directly affects federal agencies, private entities, or other groups conducting such atmospheric experiments within the state. The bill explicitly bans these activities by amending state law to make such dispersal unlawful. It takes effect 30 days after passage and aligns with the West Virginia Department of Environment Protection's air quality monitoring responsibilities.

Maddy summaryHB 2783 would require West Virginia's Division of Natural Resources to establish new rules for hunting antlered deer, subject to legislative approval. The rules would limit hunters to harvesting two antlered deer per season: the first can be taken by any method, but the second must have at least three scorable points on one antler. Hunters would not be permitted to harvest additional antlered deer after reaching this two-deer limit. This bill directly affects licensed deer hunters in West Virginia by setting specific, measurable criteria for antlered deer harvests.