Del. Rick Hillenbrand

Maddy summaryHB 2885 would allow West Virginia public employees who joined the retirement system on or after July 1, 2015, to use their unused sick leave toward retirement credit. Currently, these employees cannot apply unused sick leave to increase their retirement service time, unlike those who joined before that date. The bill removes this exclusion, permitting them to convert unused sick leave into retirement credit at the existing 2:1 ratio (two workdays for each sick day), without changing the current calculation method. This change directly affects newer state employees seeking to boost their retirement benefits through accrued sick time.

Maddy summaryHB 2870 amends West Virginia's DUI statute to clarify that fleeing the scene after driving while impaired is treated as part of the DUI offense itself, not a separate violation. This change directly affects drivers who flee after being stopped for DUI, as it will subject them to enhanced penalties under existing DUI sentencing structures. The key mechanism adds fleeing while impaired to the definition of the offense, ensuring it triggers the same license revocation periods (up to life) and jail terms (e.g., 2+ years for bodily injury) as a standard DUI. The bill does not create new penalties but corrects a legal gap where fleeing was previously not counted toward DUI sentencing.

Maddy summaryHB 2400 prohibits election officials from mailing or delivering absentee ballot applications to voters without a specific request. The bill requires that applications only be provided when a voter personally requests them from the county clerk, either in person, by mail, or electronically. Applications must remain available at county clerk offices and online via the Secretary of State’s website. This change directly affects all registered voters in West Virginia by eliminating unsolicited mailings of ballot applications, ensuring they are only sent to those who actively seek them. The bill amends West Virginia Code §3-3-5 to clarify that unsolicited delivery is unlawful.

Maddy summaryHB 3029 requires West Virginia's Board of Education to create and deploy a secure, internet-based "Home School Portal" by August 1, 2026. The portal will allow homeschooling families to electronically submit Notices of Intent (including exemption options) and required reports, while school boards can receive and manage these submissions. Key features include role-based access, secure data handling, mandatory dashboards for both families and boards, and clear labeling of optional information (which cannot be required). The system must work across all 55 counties with a single solution and notify users when submissions are received.

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 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 summaryHB 2782 requires West Virginia public elementary, secondary schools, and state institutions of higher education to display the national motto "In God We Trust" in a conspicuous location if the display is either donated or purchased using private donations. The bill mandates that any poster or framed copy must include centered representations of both the U.S. flag and the West Virginia state flag, with no additional text or images allowed. Schools may accept private donations specifically for this purpose but cannot use public funds to purchase the displays. The bill focuses solely on the physical display requirements and does not alter school curricula or religious practices.

Maddy summaryHB 2951 exempts the sale of small arms (rifles, shotguns, pistols under specific size limits), small arms ammunition, and related accessories (including optics, holsters, cleaning supplies, and storage devices) from West Virginia's sales and service taxes. It directly affects consumers purchasing these items for personal use, as well as shooting ranges hosting events. The bill defines "small arms accessories" broadly to cover equipment like target systems, scopes, reloading tools, and range gear. This policy change reduces the cost of acquiring firearms and related equipment by removing applicable state taxes. The bill is currently in the House Finance Committee after being introduced on February 25, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 2864 requires the West Virginia Division of Labor to create and distribute a poster containing contact information and resource details for veterans' benefits and services. The poster must include eight specific resources, such as mental health treatment, education programs, tax benefits, and the Veterans Crisis Line. Employers with more than 50 full-time employees must display the poster prominently in their workplace and on their website.

Maddy summaryHB 2924 would abolish the legal doctrine of adverse possession in West Virginia, meaning individuals can no longer claim ownership of land simply by occupying it openly and continuously for a set period without the owner's permission. The bill amends the state code to remove the existing 10-year limitation period for land claims and explicitly states that "the doctrine and law of adverse possession is abolished." This change directly affects landowners, who will no longer face the risk of losing property through adverse possession claims, and individuals who might have sought to claim land under this rule. The bill does not alter other property laws but specifically eliminates adverse possession as a method to obtain title to land.