Del. Gary Howell

Maddy summaryHB 2392 simplifies broadband installation permitting for companies seeking to run underground cables through multiple highway districts in West Virginia. It allows a single unified application to the Division of Highways headquarters instead of separate applications per district, caps permit fees at $10,000 or 1% of project cost (whichever is lower), and requires the division to approve applications within 60 business days if no deficiencies are cited. The bill also mandates the division to create an annual informational guide outlining all regulatory requirements for broadband projects. This directly affects broadband providers installing underground infrastructure in state highway corridors, streamlining their permitting process across multiple districts.

Maddy summaryHB 2641 provides a state tax credit to West Virginia employers (both for-profit and nonprofit corporations) who operate existing on-site or sponsored childcare facilities for their employees. The credit equals 100% of the employer’s annual operational costs (excluding property costs) for these facilities, minus any employee fees paid. Employers can apply the credit against their state corporate net income tax or personal income tax, with unused credits carryable forward for up to five years. The credit is limited to the employer’s total tax liability for the year and requires certification of employee usage to ensure compliance.

Maddy summaryHB 2189 sets a 60-day deadline for West Virginia municipalities and counties to approve or deny permit, license, or variance requests for property development. If a local body fails to act within 60 days, the request is automatically approved. The bill requires written denial reasons if a request is denied or deemed incomplete, prohibits adding new requirements after approval, and allows a 60-day extension for state/federal agency approvals. It directly affects property developers, homeowners, and contractors seeking local permits. The bill aims to streamline local permitting processes by establishing clear timelines and reducing delays.

Maddy summaryHB 2390 requires the West Virginia Commissioner of Highways to notify county legislative representatives via email or first-class mail when abandoning a road right-of-way, in addition to existing newspaper publication and website posting. This bill amends §17-2A-8 of the West Virginia Code to add direct notification of state legislators representing the affected county or counties. The change ensures lawmakers receive timely, specific updates about road abandonment decisions impacting their districts. It does not alter the existing requirements for public notice through newspaper ads or online posting.

Maddy summaryHB 2391 creates a new criminal offense in West Virginia for "pattern of harassment," defined as repeated, willful conduct causing emotional distress with no legitimate purpose. It directly affects individuals who repeatedly harass, intimidate, or make credible threats against others, while protecting victims through clearer legal definitions and enhanced penalties. Key mechanisms include setting misdemeanor penalties ($1,000 fine or 6 months jail) for first offenses, increasing penalties to felony status (1-5 years in prison) for repeat violations or violations of protective orders, and requiring court-ordered counseling for offenders. The bill also specifically addresses cases where harassment causes self-harm, imposing 2-10 year felony sentences in those instances. Restraining orders for victims can last up to 10 years, based on the severity of the violation and risk of future harm.

Maddy summaryHB 2149 requires tow operators, repair facilities, and salvage yards to implement specific safety protocols for damaged electric vehicles (EVs) to prevent fire hazards. The bill mandates that damaged EVs be towed to offsite locations for inspection (checking for battery leaks or structural damage), transported on flatbeds (or at under 5 mph if wheels turn), and stored with a 50-foot separation from combustibles or physical barriers like earth/concrete. These rules, to be enforced by the Division of Motor Vehicles and State Fire Marshal, directly affect businesses handling damaged EVs by standardizing safety procedures for transportation, storage, and repair. The law responds to fire risks linked to damaged EV batteries, particularly in states with higher EV adoption.

Maddy summaryHB 2095 requires all new public electric vehicle (EV) charging stations installed in West Virginia after January 1, 2026, to support any EV manufactured after July 1, 2025, from 18 major automakers including General Motors, Ford, Toyota, Hyundai, and Tesla. This applies specifically to stations for public use, directly affecting EV drivers and station installers. The law mandates universal compatibility - similar to standardized gas nozzles - ensuring chargers work with all major EV brands, eliminating the need for multiple proprietary systems. It does not apply to existing stations or private charging locations.

Maddy summaryHB 2191 allows West Virginia county commissions to sell, lease, trade-in, or dispose of county-owned real or personal property (including trade-ins for new property) without requiring public auction for trade-in transactions. It mandates public notice and auction for sales over $1,000 (except trade-ins), and requires public hearings for leases exceeding 50 years. The bill creates standardized rules for these transactions while exempting trade-in deals from auction requirements. This directly affects county governments managing their assets, streamlining property disposal for public purposes.

Maddy summaryHB 2192 prohibits West Virginia state agencies and local governments from restricting the use or sale of motor vehicles based on their power source (such as gasoline, electricity, or other energy types). The bill adds new sections to state law (§17-14-1 and §17-14-2) explicitly stating that no government entity may impose such restrictions on vehicles for propulsion or other functions. It does not affect government purchasing policies for their own vehicle fleets. This bill directly affects all state and local government operations that might regulate vehicle use or sales. The legislation aims to ensure equal treatment of all vehicle power sources under government rules.

Maddy summaryHB 2186 requires local governments in West Virginia, including counties, cities, and specific agencies like urban renewal authorities, to provide a 20% matching contribution for grants received from the Reclamation of Abandoned and Dilapidated Properties Program, unless they demonstrate fiscal inability using data from the State Auditor. The bill also mandates that fines collected from abandoned or dilapidated property violations must be used either to support these matching funds or to demolish condemned properties. This program, funded by a special state revenue fund including federal grants and charitable donations, helps communities address blighted properties through cleanup and redevelopment. The bill adds a new financial requirement for local entities seeking program grants.