Del. George Miller

Maddy summaryHB 3065 creates new felony charges for individuals who assault West Virginia police officers or police dogs while they are performing official duties. The bill amends existing law to specifically include police dogs under the definition of "law-enforcement officer" for protection purposes. It establishes two felony levels: malicious assaults (3-15 years in prison) and unlawful assaults (2-5 years), with battery offenses escalating to felonies after a second or third violation. This bill directly affects anyone who intentionally harms officers or their working dogs during official duties, increasing penalties for such attacks.

Maddy summaryHB 3046 requires West Virginia's 55 county school districts to consolidate into no more than 27 regional or area school districts by July 1, 2028. The bill mandates the State Board of Education to study consolidation options and submit recommendations by October 31, 2025, including a new School District Unification Committee with 11 members representing educators, unions, and school boards. This committee must meet monthly until October 2025 to assist the State Board in developing consolidation plans, including regional processes for school boards and superintendents. The legislation directly affects all county school districts and their stakeholders, aiming to address shared challenges like funding and geography through a structured unification process.

Maddy summaryHB 3064 would add a $20,000 property tax exemption specifically for West Virginia farmers who earn more than half their income from farming. This additional exemption applies to qualifying farmers' primary residences (homesteads) beyond the existing $20,000 homestead exemption for older residents or disabled individuals. The bill directly affects West Virginia citizen farmers whose farm income constitutes over 50% of their total earnings. It provides concrete tax relief by reducing the taxable value of their primary residence by $20,000, lowering their annual property tax burden.

Maddy summaryHB 3062 would eliminate property taxes on farm structures (like barns or equipment sheds) for farmers who live on their property and earn at least 40% of their income from farming. The bill amends West Virginia law to add this exemption to existing tax rules for agricultural property. It specifically applies to structures used for farming operations, not the farmland itself, and requires farmers to reside on the property. This change directly affects qualifying farm owners by reducing their property tax burden on essential farm infrastructure.

Maddy summaryHB 3044 increases penalties for animal cruelty and updates protections for domestic animals in West Virginia. It directly affects pet owners, dog breeders, animal shelters, and humane officers by requiring breeders to provide written disclosures to buyers, setting minimum care standards, and defining when dogs are unfit for sale. Key provisions include raising fines for repeat cruelty offenses, creating new criminal penalties for animal hoarding and unlawful confinement, and mandating humane officers to report suspected child/elder abuse during cruelty investigations. The bill also clarifies enclosure requirements (e.g., limiting temporary confinement to 48 hours) and updates duties for animal care facilities. Introduced in February 2025, it is currently before the House Government Organization Committee.

Maddy summaryHJR 28 proposes a constitutional amendment to increase West Virginia's homestead property tax exemption. It would raise the current $20,000 exemption threshold for qualifying homeowners to a higher amount, specifically targeting owners with annual incomes under $20,000 who are 65 or older or permanently disabled. The bill requires voter approval at the 2025 general election to amend the state constitution, as it seeks to change Article X, Section 1b, which governs property tax exemptions. This change would directly affect low-income senior citizens and disabled homeowners by reducing their property tax burden.

Maddy summaryHB 3036, introduced in West Virginia's 2025 legislative session, requires the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) secretary to adopt standardized rules for oil and gas leases, deeds, and contracts. The bill directly affects landowners who sign these agreements with energy companies by mandating clearer, consistent document formats to reduce confusion. Key provisions direct the DEP to create standardized templates covering terms and conditions, ensuring uniformity across all such contracts. This policy change aims to improve transparency for landowners without altering existing contractual obligations or regulatory requirements. The bill is currently pending referral to the House Judiciary Committee.

Maddy summaryHB 3051 requires West Virginia counties to establish community education programs providing services like estate planning, healthcare information, and prescription assistance to senior citizens, adults without high school diplomas, and low-income residents. The state Board of Education must oversee these programs, which will operate through public facilities in partnership with community organizations. Key provisions mandate that counties coordinate these programs to address community needs in education, recreation, culture, and health. The bill aims to expand access to practical services for underserved groups through existing community infrastructure.

Maddy summaryHJR 32 proposes a constitutional amendment to increase West Virginia's homestead exemption for property taxes. Currently, the exemption covers the first $20,000 of assessed value for real property or mobile homes used as a primary residence by homeowners aged 65+ or permanently disabled residents. The amendment would raise this exemption amount, though the specific new figure isn't detailed in the provided text. This change requires voter approval in the 2025 general election, as it modifies Article X, Section 1-b of the state constitution. It directly affects qualifying senior and disabled homeowners who own and occupy their primary residence.

Maddy summaryThis bill would prevent property tax increases for eligible West Virginia homeowners by freezing their tax rates at current levels. It applies to residents aged 65 or older, those certified as permanently disabled, or widowed individuals earning under $20,000 annually, provided they have lived in the state for two years (with limited exceptions for military service or returning residents). The exemption covers the first $20,000 of a home's assessed value and locks in the tax rate when the homeowner qualifies. Proof of residency, such as voter or vehicle registration, is required to claim the exemption.