Del. George Miller

Maddy summaryHB 3288 requires that 5% of all elk hunting permits issued in West Virginia be reserved for West Virginia residents who are honorably discharged veterans of the U.S. armed forces. This applies specifically to permits under the state's elk restoration program in designated counties, including Logan, Mingo, McDowell, and Wyoming. The bill does not change the total number of permits but sets aside a fixed percentage for veterans, with the remaining permits available through standard application processes. The Division of Natural Resources will administer this allocation as part of the elk management plan.

Maddy summaryHB 3048 limits new permits for wind power facilities in West Virginia and requires that for each new wind project approved, the tax burden on existing and new coal-fired power plants must decrease proportionally. The bill directly affects wind energy developers (by restricting new projects) and coal power plant operators (by mandating tax offsets). Key provisions include capping wind power permits, defining wind turbines as pollution control facilities for tax purposes, and requiring that tax reductions for coal plants match the scale of new wind development. The bill cites coal as the only reliable power source during emergencies like storms, though this rationale does not create new emergency rules.

Maddy summaryHB 2968 ends West Virginia's Public Employees Insurance Association (PEIA) as a state-run healthcare plan and allows it to operate as a private insurance company. Instead of employer payments going to PEIA, the bill requires employers to pay $1,100 monthly directly into employees' Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) for healthcare premiums or related costs. Employees can choose to use these HSA funds for any healthcare provider or continue using PEIA as a private insurer. The change takes effect on July 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryThis bill repeals West Virginia's outdated dog tax by removing sections of the state code (§19-20-1, §19-20-2, and §19-20-11) that previously required dog owners to pay a tax. It directly affects dog owners in West Virginia who were subject to this tax under the existing law. The bill eliminates the requirement for dog owners to pay this tax and removes the administrative processes for collecting it. No new provisions or mechanisms are added - only the repeal of the existing tax.

Maddy summaryHB 2986, introduced in West Virginia's 2025 legislative session, creates a central purchasing program to reduce costs for volunteer fire departments and emergency medical services (EMS) first responders. The bill amends state code to authorize department secretaries to develop rules enabling bulk or discounted purchasing of essential supplies. This program would directly affect volunteer fire and EMS organizations by potentially lowering their operational costs through centralized procurement. The bill focuses on administrative implementation rather than new funding, requiring departments to establish the purchasing mechanism through rulemaking. It remains in committee referral as of March 2025.

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 3057 would limit how much a county tax assessor can increase the property tax value of antique or classic cars each year in West Virginia. To raise a car's assessed value, the tax assessor must provide written justification based on inflation, the cost-of-living index, or actual market activity for antique/classic cars - not simply the county's revenue needs. This justification must be given to the vehicle owner before any increase takes effect. The bill directly affects owners of antique or classic cars in West Virginia counties by requiring transparency in tax assessments.

Maddy summaryHB 3038 establishes "quick response teams" (QRTs) under West Virginia's Office of Drug Control Policy to provide immediate support for individuals experiencing drug-related medical emergencies following arrest. The teams, trained to work with people who have substance use disorders, will respond at regional jails or treatment facilities within 24 hours of arrest to connect them with recovery services. This requires coordination with law enforcement, emergency medical services, and healthcare providers, starting July 1, 2025. The bill directly affects people arrested for drug-related incidents by creating a structured pathway to treatment rather than solely processing arrests.

Maddy summaryHJR 29 is a constitutional amendment proposal that would allow West Virginia's legislature to exempt certain business property from ad valorem taxation by general law. Specifically, it would authorize exemptions for tangible machinery/equipment used in business, tangible inventory used in business, and personal property tax on motor vehicles. This change requires voter approval at the 2026 general election, as the resolution mandates submitting the amendment to voters for ratification. The proposal does not change current tax rates but provides a constitutional basis for future legislative exemptions affecting businesses that own these property types.

Maddy summaryHB 3060 allows West Virginia counties and municipalities to require property owners to clean up unsafe buildings or debris that pose risks to public safety. Local governments can declare a property hazardous via resolution, give owners 15 days to remove hazards, and hold hearings if owners object. If owners fail to act, local governments can clean up the property and charge the cost as a lien against the property. This directly affects property owners of unsafe structures, with appeals possible through county commissions and circuit courts.