Del. Ian Masters

Maddy summaryHCR 78 is a non-binding resolution urging West Virginia's Division of Highways to prioritize completing I-73 (the "King Coal Highway") across Wayne, Mingo, McDowell, Mercer, and Wyoming counties. It requests the highway agency treat the project as a high priority to improve economic development and emergency access, especially after recent flooding exposed transportation challenges in the region. The resolution asks the state to provide necessary funding and executive support to expedite the highway's completion but does not allocate new funds or create new law. It directly affects the Division of Highways and residents of the five specified counties by formally advocating for this infrastructure project.

Maddy summaryHCR 52 is a ceremonial resolution requesting the West Virginia Division of Highways name I-64 Nitro Interchange Bridge (Bridge Number 40-064/00-044.47) in Putnam County as the "Ronnie W. Matthews Memorial Bridge." It commemorates Ronnie W. Matthews, a local businessman, Putnam County Circuit Clerk (2008), U.S. Army veteran, and community leader who passed away in 2018. The resolution directs the agency to install signage identifying the bridge with this name. This is a non-binding memorial gesture with no policy or funding changes, solely honoring an individual's contributions to the Nitro community.

Maddy summaryHCR 93 is a concurrent resolution requesting the West Virginia Division of Highways name a 4.3-mile bypass segment on US 33 in Roane County the "Scott Miller Bypass Road." It specifically asks the Division to install signs at both ends of the bypass to identify the road, honoring W. Scott Miller (for whom the area was named) and his grandson Scott W. Miller, a WWII soldier killed at Normandy who received a Purple Heart. This resolution has no policy or funding impact - it solely requests a ceremonial road name change. The resolution was adopted by the House on March 27, 2025, and referred to the Senate Transportation Committee.

Maddy summaryHB 2146 would exempt slaughterhouses from collecting West Virginia's Consumer Sales and Service Tax when processing beef, pork, or lamb for individual livestock owners (e.g., farmers or ranchers processing their own animals). This amendment adds the specific exemption to the state's tax code, removing tax liability for this service when performed for personal ownership. It applies only to individual owners, not commercial businesses or slaughterhouse operations. The bill does not alter other existing tax exemptions or affect general meat processing services.

Maddy summaryHB 2876 increases the Natural Resources Commission from seven to eleven members by adding four new positions. These additional members must be Division of Natural Resources staff wildlife biologists, each specializing in a specific wildlife area: deer, bears, turkeys, or fisheries. The bill directly affects the commission's structure and operations, requiring specialized expertise in key species management. This change takes effect with appointments in 2025, expanding the commission's capacity to address species-specific conservation needs.

Maddy summaryHB 3438, titled the "Connor Drennan Substitute Teachers' Act," allows retired teachers with specialties in math, science, STEM fields, English, or foreign languages to work as long-term substitutes for up to 180 days per academic year without losing retirement benefits. It directly affects retired educators in these high-need subject areas who fill substitute roles, preventing disruptions to student learning when substitutes must leave due to prior retirement pay restrictions. The bill amends retirement rules to set a clear 180-day limit for such substitute work (up from 140 days) and clarifies that employers won’t make additional retirement contributions during this period. Retired teachers may choose to contribute to their retirement from substitute earnings, but it’s not required. This change aims to stabilize classrooms by retaining qualified retired teachers in critical subject areas.

Maddy summaryHB 2730 proposes a three-year pilot program to make childcare more affordable for working parents in West Virginia. The bill would require the state, employers, and employees to each pay one-third of childcare costs for children under 18, targeting households earning 150-250% of the Federal Poverty Level who don’t qualify for existing subsidies. The program would launch in 2025 across three urban and two rural counties, with the Department of Human Services developing guidelines and reporting annually on participation and outcomes. If successful, it could lead to a statewide expansion of this cost-sharing model. The bill focuses on improving childcare access, stability, and quality without changing existing subsidy programs.

Maddy summaryHCR 72 designates March 20, 2025 as "Black Lung Awareness Day" in West Virginia. It honors coal miners affected by black lung disease (coal worker's pneumoconiosis), a preventable occupational lung condition caused by coal dust exposure. The resolution does not create new laws, funding, or policy changes - it serves as a ceremonial observance recognizing the disease's impact and existing protections like the Black Lung Benefits Act. It follows the Federal Coal Mine Health and Safety Act's emphasis on miner safety without altering current regulations.

Maddy summaryHB 3072 requires new two-lane highways in West Virginia to use a "Super Two" design, which adds alternating passing lanes on rural roads to allow safe passing in both directions. This applies to all new road construction projects that do not need full four-lane infrastructure, meeting existing safety standards for lane width and shoulders. The design improves immediate traffic safety by reducing hazardous passing attempts while enabling future upgrades to four lanes with minimal modifications. It follows Texas' approach to cost-effectively enhance safety on existing two-lane corridors.

Maddy summaryHB 2651 changes employment terms for certain education administrators in West Virginia counties. It mandates that general and special supervisors or directors of instruction employed by county boards of education serve "at the will and pleasure" of the board, meaning they can be terminated without cause at any time. This directly affects these specific administrative roles, shifting their status from potentially protected positions to at-will employment. The bill amends Section 18-5-32 of the state code to explicitly state this employment condition, while maintaining existing requirements for teaching certificates and substitute teaching duties.