Del. Gary Howell

Maddy summaryThis bill proposes a constitutional amendment to lock the assessed value of a primary residence for West Virginia homeowners aged 65 or older. It would prevent future property tax increases based on rising market values by fixing the taxable value at either the age the owner turned 65 or the date they purchased the home - whichever occurred later. The amendment, if approved by voters in 2026, would replace current rules requiring periodic statewide reappraisals for these properties. It directly affects senior homeowners who occupy their property as a primary residence and are subject to ad valorem property taxes.

Maddy summaryHB 2148 establishes "Tourism and Commercial Opportunity Zones" in West Virginia to incentivize business development. It creates designated zones (calculated as county population ÷ 1,000 × 30 acres per county) where businesses making qualified investments of at least $250,000 receive a tax credit. The bill grants these zones priority over conflicting local zoning ordinances and requires investment to bring new businesses into the designated areas. It directly affects businesses investing in these zones and county/municipal authorities managing land use.

Maddy summaryHB 2092 requires West Virginia counties and municipalities to provide public notice at least three months before purchasing land or buildings. The notice must include property size, sale details (date, location, method), inspection periods, and contact information, and must be accessible via social media, courthouse postings, or local newspapers. Proposals submitted for these purchases must be publicly available for 10 business days prior to final decisions. This bill directly affects local governments by standardizing transparency in property acquisitions, ensuring community awareness of potential land or building purchases.

Maddy summaryHB 2193 would eliminate the excise tax on gasoline and diesel in West Virginia, setting it to zero. To maintain the same tax revenue, the bill would increase the general sales tax rate by an amount equivalent to the revenue previously collected from the fuel excise tax. This change would directly affect all consumers and businesses purchasing gasoline and diesel, as they would no longer pay the specific fuel tax but would pay a higher general sales tax on all taxable goods and services. The total tax burden for these purchases would remain unchanged, shifting collection from a fuel-specific tax to the broader sales tax system.

Maddy summaryHB 2185 changes how sales tax is collected on private vehicle sales where the seller provides financing (not a dealership). Instead of paying the full 6% tax upfront when the car is sold, sellers would pay tax on each monthly payment as they receive it, based on 6% of the payment amount. This applies to all seller-financed vehicle transactions in West Virginia, spreading the tax collection over the entire loan term. The bill directly affects private sellers in these transactions, not buyers or dealers.

Maddy summaryHB 2050 requires municipalities and courts to provide drivers with clear written notice before suspending licenses for unpaid traffic violations. It mandates that notice detail both the fine owed to the court and any administrative fee owed to the state division, with a 30-day warning before suspension. The bill also requires courts collecting fees to forward administrative fees directly to the state division. This affects drivers who fail to respond to traffic tickets, ensuring they understand all costs before license suspension. The law changes how courts communicate fees and handle collections for motor vehicle violations.

Maddy summaryHB 2183 creates a state loan program for local airports to fund hangar construction. It authorizes the West Virginia Division of Multimodal Transportation to provide loans (not grants) to counties, municipalities, and regional airport authorities for hangar facilities. The bill establishes a pilot program with eligibility criteria including site readiness, economic impact, and market demand, and requires annual reports to the Joint Committee on Government and Finance. This policy directly affects local airports seeking capital for hangar infrastructure, aiming to support aviation-related economic development in the state.

Maddy summaryHB 2102 creates the West Virginia Title Protection Act to protect property owners from losing their homes due to fraudulent title claims. It requires county clerks to mail written notices to property owners whenever a transfer occurs or a deed (like a quitclaim or warranty deed) is filed or modified against their property, even if the owner didn’t initiate the action. This ensures rightful owners retain full title and are not held liable for loans or claims made using their property’s equity through fraud. The bill directly affects residential property owners in West Virginia who face risks of online title fraud, where thieves could forge documents to seize homes or take out loans.

Maddy summaryHB 2184 would allow West Virginia property owners to pay current real and personal property taxes in monthly installments instead of the current two-installment system (due September 1 and March 1). Property owners choosing monthly payments would pay a 2.5% convenience fee on each monthly payment. The bill does not change the existing two-installment option or the 2.5% early payment discount for those paying in full by the due dates. It directly affects property owners who select the monthly payment method, adding a fee for this payment flexibility. The existing tax due dates and delinquency interest rates remain unchanged for all other payment methods.

Maddy summaryHB 2118 allows off-duty and retired law enforcement officers (LEOs) meeting specific requirements to carry concealed handguns in locations where active-duty officers could carry, including the State Capitol Complex. It requires these officers to comply with their agency's firearms policies and present agency-issued credentials upon request. The bill modifies Capitol access rules to permit concealed carry on Capitol grounds and in the Capitol building (excluding the Governor's office, Supreme Court chambers, and designated gallery areas), while maintaining restrictions on pepper spray and other weapons. This directly affects off-duty LEOs, retired officers with LEOSA certification, and Capitol security protocols. The policy change clarifies exemptions for authorized officers without altering general concealed carry laws.