Del. Ian Masters

Maddy summaryHB 2670 would double West Virginia's homestead property tax exemption from $20,000 to $40,000. This change directly affects homeowners aged 65 or older, or those certified as permanently and totally disabled, who occupy their primary residence and meet residency requirements. The bill increases the dollar amount covered by the exemption, meaning eligible homeowners would pay property taxes on the value above $40,000 instead of $20,000. It maintains existing eligibility conditions, including two years of continuous West Virginia residency (with exceptions for returning residents and military personnel), without altering other provisions.

Maddy summaryHB 2650 would allow individuals aged 21 or older with a valid concealed handgun permit to carry a concealed firearm in public school property and buildings in West Virginia. The bill creates an exception to the existing ban on firearms in schools, specifically permitting licensed permit holders to carry concealed handguns while adhering to strict storage rules: firearms must be stored out of view when in a vehicle, or locked in a glove compartment, trunk, or secured container when the vehicle is unoccupied. This change directly affects licensed concealed carry permit holders who are not students and applies to public primary and secondary schools (not private schools with their own policies). The bill does not alter existing restrictions for students or other prohibited individuals.

Maddy summaryHB 2662 creates a new felony offense called "aggravated vehicular homicide" for reckless driving causing death when the driver shows "reckless disregard of human life," raising the penalty to 2-5 years in prison and up to $20,000 in fines. It also amends existing law to clarify that both the driver and an unborn child (embryo or fetus) are considered separate victims in vehicular homicide cases. This directly affects drivers convicted of causing death through extreme recklessness while operating a vehicle, and expands legal recognition of unborn victims in criminal prosecutions. The bill maintains the existing misdemeanor "negligent vehicular homicide" standard but distinguishes felony-level offenses with stricter criteria and harsher penalties.

Maddy summaryHB 2617 amends West Virginia law to require law enforcement to obtain a warrant before entering privately owned land that is posted with "No Trespassing" signs, except in emergencies. The bill directly affects landowners who post their property and law enforcement agencies by clarifying that warrantless entry is generally prohibited. Key provisions include updating §20-1-7 (which governs Natural Resources entry powers) to add these warrant requirements and clarifying that surveillance cameras on or near posted private lands must comply with these rules. The bill does not change existing emergency exceptions for law enforcement entry during immediate threats.

Maddy summaryHB 2386 requires law enforcement to obtain a warrant before entering private lands for searches or seizures, directly affecting landowners and law enforcement officers. The bill prohibits warrantless entry onto posted private property, bans surveillance cameras on private land, and clarifies that using drones to gather information from private land constitutes a search requiring a warrant. It abolishes the common law "open fields" doctrine, which previously allowed warrantless searches in unoccupied areas, and sets specific procedures for lawful entry. These changes aim to strengthen privacy protections for private property owners across West Virginia.

Maddy summaryHB 2539 would provide a 25% discount on lodging and services at West Virginia State Parks for residents who present a valid West Virginia driver's license or state ID card. The bill directly affects West Virginia residents seeking to use state park facilities, requiring documented residency to qualify for the reduced fees. It amends state code to mandate this discount through the director of state parks, applying only to fees for lodging and services exclusively used by residents. The bill was introduced on February 18, 2025, and referred to the House Finance Committee, but has not yet been enacted into law.

Maddy summaryHB 2572 would amend West Virginia Code §20-2-22a to remove the prohibition against hunting bears using bait during hunting seasons when deer and bear hunting overlap. This change specifically allows hunters to use bait for deer hunting during concurrent seasons without violating bear hunting restrictions. The bill directly affects hunters participating in deer hunting seasons where bait is permitted, enabling them to hunt bears in those same areas without needing separate authorization. The key provision eliminates the current ban in Section (d)(3) that prohibits bear hunting "through the use of bait" during such concurrent seasons.

Maddy summaryHB 2578 amends West Virginia law to increase the maximum number of children allowed in informal family child care homes from 12 to 13 per home. This change directly affects unlicensed family child care providers operating in their residences, who previously could care for no more than 12 children. The bill modifies the definition of "child care" under §49-1-206 to reflect this updated limit, without altering licensing requirements or safety standards for these homes. The policy change specifically applies to informal family child care settings, not licensed child care centers (which already allow 13+ children).

Maddy summaryHB 2541 would establish rules for election observers in West Virginia, allowing political parties, candidates, and third-party organizations to have two observers per election location, plus any registered voter to serve as an observer. The bill requires election officials to provide observers with full access to voting, ballot-reviewing, and ballot-counting activities (excluding individual voter choices), including access to areas like ballot handling, verification, and tabulation. Observers must wear official badges, may take handwritten notes or use recording devices (except during ballot completion), and cameras must be stationed in all polling locations to enable public observation. The bill also mandates that election officials allow public observation of equipment testing and post-election audits, with failure to comply risking official sanctions.

Maddy summaryHB 2536 requires full cash bail for individuals rearrested for violent or gun-related crimes while on bail for a prior similar offense. It applies specifically to people already out on bond for violent or gun-related crimes who commit another offense in that category. The bill mandates cash-only bail (no bail bondsmen allowed) and requires consecutive sentencing if the person is convicted of the new crime. This changes bail procedures and sentencing for repeat offenders in specific violent or gun crime cases.