Del. George Miller

Maddy summaryHB 3040 creates a 35% tax credit against West Virginia's business and occupation tax for coal-fired electric generating units that spend money on environmental pollution control equipment (like air/water pollution systems or carbon capture technology) to meet regulatory requirements. The credit applies to expenses for installing, repairing, or maintaining such equipment, but cannot reduce a company's tax bill by more than 50% in a single year. Unused portions of the credit can be carried forward for up to five years. This bill directly affects coal power plants operating in West Virginia that comply with environmental regulations and pay the business and occupation tax.

Maddy summaryHB 3041 requires West Virginia public elementary and secondary schools to display a specific version of the Ten Commandments in every classroom starting with the 2025-2026 school year. The display must be a durable poster or framed copy at least 16 inches wide by 20 inches tall, containing the exact text of the Ten Commandments as specified in the bill, and legible from any point in the classroom. Schools without compliant displays must accept private donations of qualifying posters or replace existing displays using public funds or donations. The bill also mandates that schools offer surplus displays to other public schools.

Maddy summaryHB 2984 would create a "Law-Enforcement Officers' Bill of Rights" in West Virginia, establishing procedural protections for officers during investigations. It defines "law-enforcement officer" broadly to include state police, campus police, hospital police, and certain specialized roles (like rangers and litter control officers), but excludes chief executives and some probationary officers. Key provisions require agencies to use hearing boards for complaints, allow officers to have legal counsel during investigations, provide expungement of formal complaint records, and prohibit false reporting. The bill supersedes conflicting local laws and aims to standardize administrative procedures across all law-enforcement agencies in the state.

Maddy summaryHB 2985 would allow West Virginia water and sewer utilities to offer reduced rates (up to 20% lower) to residential customers living in communities with fewer than 1,000 residents, regardless of income. It also permits reduced rates for customers receiving Social Security SSI, TANF, TANF-UP, or SNAP benefits (if age 60+), with eligibility verified through the Department of Human Services. Utilities must apply retroactive credits to eligible customers’ bills for the previous month’s service, reflecting the rate difference on the next billing cycle. The bill requires the Public Service Commission to approve rate designs and ensures small-community residents can access these lower rates even if they don’t qualify under the income-based programs. This policy directly affects low-income households and small-town residents in West Virginia’s utility service areas.

Maddy summaryHB 2976 establishes a state subsidy program to help volunteer fire departments and emergency rescue personnel cover increases in their workers' compensation insurance premiums. The State Auditor will administer the program, requiring departments to submit documentation like premium invoices and receipts to qualify for funds that offset premium hikes. Eligible departments must register with the Auditor's Office, maintain good standing with the State Fire Marshal, and agree to have subsidies paid directly to their insurance carrier. The program standardizes how premiums are tracked and billed across different service classifications (e.g., fire fighting, emergency medical services) to create a more equitable process.

Maddy summaryHB 2979 requires sex offenders registered under West Virginia's Sex Offender Registry to provide all online identifiers - including email addresses, social media handles, mobile app usernames, phone numbers, and mobile device details - when registering. It also mandates disclosure of information about all-terrain vehicles (ATVs) and utility terrain vehicles (UTVs) operated by registrants. The bill amends registration requirements to include verification via mobile device inspection, ensuring police can confirm all digital identifiers are provided. This directly affects individuals convicted of sex offenses required to register under West Virginia law.

Maddy summaryHB 2962 amends West Virginia law to establish specific procedures for updating sex designation on state-issued identification documents. The bill requires individuals to follow defined steps to change their sex marker on driver's licenses, identification cards, or instruction permits, clarifying the process for revisions. It directly affects residents seeking to update their gender marker on official state IDs, particularly those transitioning or correcting initial documentation. The bill focuses on administrative requirements for ID changes without altering birth certificate issuance procedures for new registrations.

Maddy summaryHB 2671 creates a $60 monthly (capped at $720 annually) income tax exemption for West Virginia residents who pay for gym memberships at facilities located within the state. This provision directly affects individual taxpayers who maintain gym memberships at in-state fitness centers. The bill sets a specific, fixed amount for the exemption with a clear annual cap, rather than offering a percentage-based deduction. It applies to personal income tax returns filed by West Virginia residents who meet the membership requirement. The bill is currently pending in the House Finance Committee.

Maddy summaryHB 2700 modifies West Virginia's requirements for obtaining licenses as funeral directors and embalmers. It clarifies that applicants must complete either an associate degree in mortuary science, 60+ academic credits toward a bachelor's in mortuary science, or a bachelor's degree in mortuary science, along with specific apprenticeship hours. The bill also specifies that apprentices must perform at least 35 embalming procedures and conduct 35 funeral services during their training, and requires passing a 75% minimum score on licensing exams. These changes apply to new license applicants seeking to work in funeral services within the state.

Maddy summaryHB 2698 would remove West Virginia's legal requirement for vehicles to undergo periodic safety and emissions inspections. This change directly affects all vehicle owners in the state, eliminating the need for annual inspections at designated stations and removing associated fees. The bill repeals all existing provisions (§17C-16-1 through §17C-16-9) that mandated inspections, required inspection certificates, or imposed penalties for non-compliance. If enacted, vehicles would no longer need to be inspected to remain legally registered or operated.