Del. Gary Howell

Maddy summaryHB 4528 would require that juveniles accused of assaulting law enforcement officers, reserve deputies, court security officers, or first responders be held in custody without being released to parents or guardians. This change means that for these specific offenses, juveniles cannot be released even if other conditions for release (like no immediate danger) would otherwise apply. The bill does not alter the existing requirement for a detention hearing within 24 hours. It directly affects juveniles charged with assaulting these public safety personnel in West Virginia.

Maddy summaryHB 4534 creates West Virginia's Title Protection Act to shield property owners from fraudulent title claims. It ensures rightful owners retain full title to their property - even if someone files fake deeds or takes loans using their property - without facing financial liability. The bill requires county clerks to mail notices to owners whenever property transfers occur or deeds are filed/modified, acting as an early warning system for potential fraud. This directly affects homeowners vulnerable to title theft, where criminals might forge documents online to steal equity or saddle owners with unauthorized loans.

Maddy summaryHB 4540 requires municipalities and courts to send written notice at least 30 days before suspending licenses for unpaid traffic tickets, clearly listing both the fine owed and the administrative fee. It mandates that courts forward any collected administrative fees directly to the state division. The bill applies to most traffic violations (excluding parking tickets) and affects drivers who fail to pay citations in West Virginia. This changes how courts handle fee collection and license suspension notices for motor vehicle violations.

Maddy summaryThis bill would eliminate West Virginia's separate tax on gasoline and diesel (currently paid per gallon) and replace it with an equivalent increase in the state's general sales tax rate. It directly affects consumers who purchase gasoline or diesel fuel and gas stations that would collect the general sales tax instead of the fuel-specific tax. The change is revenue-neutral, meaning total tax revenue from these fuels would remain the same, but the tax would be collected through the standard sales tax system rather than a per-gallon excise tax. The bill repeals all existing sections related to motor fuel excise tax and creates new provisions to implement this shift.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows high school students in West Virginia who complete a certified driver's education course to receive a "High School Driver Education Certificate" instead of taking the written and road skill tests at the DMV. Upon successful course completion, certified teachers issue the certificate, which waives these tests for six months. Students must still pay standard DMV license fees, and the certificate expires after six months, requiring full testing if not renewed. Out-of-state license transfers for applicants under 18 still require a full DMV test.

Maddy summaryHB 4503 requires drivers on multi-lane highways to stay in the rightmost lane unless specific exceptions apply. The bill lists nine exceptions allowing left-lane driving, including during snow or inclement weather, when preparing to exit, avoiding hazards in the right lane, or during traffic merging. Violating the rule is a misdemeanor punishable by fines up to $500, but enforcement can only occur as a secondary charge after another traffic violation is addressed. This bill directly affects all drivers operating vehicles on multi-lane roads in West Virginia.

Maddy summaryHB 4507 would exempt the salaries of certain first responders from West Virginia's state personal income tax. It directly affects law enforcement officers, paid firefighters, correctional officers, and emergency medical services (EMS) personnel as defined in existing state law. The bill adds a new provision to the tax code stating these workers' salaries are not subject to state income tax. This change applies only to their earned income from these specific roles, not other income they may receive.

Maddy summaryHB 4438 requires all West Virginia schools and school contractors to conduct background checks on applicants for positions involving direct contact with children. It mandates that applicants provide written consent for schools to verify their employment history, including any past abuse investigations, disciplinary actions, or license suspensions related to misconduct. Schools must review this information using a standardized form from the education department and confirm the applicant’s employment eligibility before hiring. Violations, such as providing false information, can result in denied employment or professional discipline.

Maddy summaryThe Disaster Recovery Acceleration Act allows West Virginia homeowners to rebuild or repair homes damaged by natural disasters up to 125% of the original square footage without triggering new development standards or lengthy environmental reviews. It requires rebuilding to follow current building codes, while preserving any grandfathered rules (such as older construction standards) that applied to the original property. This applies directly to individuals restoring their own residential property after a disaster, aiming to simplify and speed up recovery efforts. The bill does not alter building code requirements but removes additional regulatory barriers for reconstruction.

Maddy summaryHB 4479 provides tax credits to West Virginia manufacturers that transform locally harvested wood into value-added products like veneer, engineered lumber, or wood pellets. The credits - ranging from $1.25 to $6 per ton of processed wood - apply to corporate or personal income tax based on volume tiers, with annual caps of $1.25 million for existing facilities and $2.5 million for new operations or expansions. To qualify, manufacturers must meet a "minimum transformation standard" (e.g., altering wood structure) using West Virginia-sourced feedstock, excluding basic handling like cutting or sorting. Credits are prorated based on the percentage of West Virginia wood used in production.