Del. Ian Masters

Maddy summaryHB 5009 clarifies zoning rules in West Virginia by redefining "use" to include only domestic activities, farming, or on-site water use (e.g., water drawn from land for local use), excluding commercial bottling, storage, or transport of water outside the state. It ensures existing agricultural, industrial, or manufacturing operations can continue using land or structures without new zoning restrictions, and allows property owners to maintain nonconforming uses (like farms) for one year after vacancy unless proven abandoned. The bill specifically prevents zoning ordinances from restricting natural resource use or farm operations on owned land, but exempts commercial water extraction in karst terrain counties from this protection. It applies to all municipalities and counties adopting zoning ordinances under state law.

Maddy summaryHB 4948 would require new data center construction or establishment in West Virginia to maintain a minimum 500-foot buffer zone from residences, schools, or houses of worship. This rule applies to planning and building new facilities, directly affecting developers seeking to locate data centers near these sensitive locations. The bill does not apply to existing data centers but sets a new siting standard for future projects. It aims to balance data center development with community proximity concerns without altering operational requirements for current facilities.

Maddy summaryHJR 29 proposes a constitutional amendment to clarify the West Virginia Board of Education's duties and authority. It would amend Article XII, Section 2 of the state constitution to state that the Board "shall perform only such duties as may be prescribed by law." The amendment also specifies the Board's composition (nine members appointed by the Governor with Senate approval, with term limits and a five-member political party cap), removal procedures, and requires voter approval at the 2026 general election. This change aims to formally limit the Board's authority to duties explicitly defined by statute.

Maddy summaryHB 4909 prohibits deceptive telephone solicitation in West Virginia by requiring prior written consent for automated calls (like robocalls) and banning caller ID spoofing, blocking, or calls between 8 PM and 8 AM. It directly affects consumers (protecting them from scams), businesses (requiring consent for sales calls), and telecom providers (mandating anti-spoofing technology like STIR/SHAKEN within 12 months). Violators face civil penalties of $100 per spoofed call, full reimbursement for customer damages, and a 5x restitution fee - 75% of which funds local fire and emergency medical services. Exemptions include charities, business-to-business calls, and communications within existing customer relationships.

Maddy summaryHB 4810 requires dental insurance companies in West Virginia to publicly report how they spend premiums collected from enrollees, similar to federal health insurance rules. It mandates annual reports detailing patient care spending versus administrative costs, prohibits insurers from restricting payment methods to dentists, and requires rebates to customers if less than 80% of premiums are spent on dental care. The bill directly affects dental insurers, licensed dentists, and patients enrolled in private dental plans (excluding Medicaid). Key provisions include transparency requirements for premium expenditures, rules against unfair payment restrictions, and automatic premium reductions when patient care spending falls below the 80% threshold.

Maddy summaryHB 4974 amends West Virginia law to clarify and expand the categories of people prohibited from legally owning or carrying firearms. It directly affects individuals with certain felony convictions (especially violent or drug-related offenses), those found mentally incompetent or involuntarily committed, unlawful drug users, people subject to specific domestic violence protective orders (requiring findings of credible threat or explicit force prohibitions), and others with disqualifying legal histories. The bill specifies penalties: misdemeanor fines/jail time for first-time violations of prohibitions, and felony charges with longer prison terms for repeat offenses or violations by those prohibited under stricter categories. It also maintains the process for eligible individuals to petition courts to restore firearm rights after meeting strict criteria.

Maddy summaryHB 4897 creates a 99% monthly utility bill discount for private property owners who provide public-access recreation spaces like trailheads, river access points, or small parks. Owners must maintain facilities safely, post risk-warning signage, and submit facility details to utility providers. The discount covers water, sewer, and electricity used for public restrooms, drinking fountains, and basic nighttime lighting. Utilities can seek reimbursement from a state tourism fund if funded annually, and the program requires ongoing maintenance verification to continue the discount.

Maddy summaryHB 4888 would change West Virginia's child support rules so that no payments are required when both parents share equal (50-50) physical custody of a child and both parents work. Currently, child support is calculated based on both parents' incomes, but this bill would eliminate that requirement specifically in cases of equal custody and dual employment. The change applies when a court orders equal time with the child and both parents are employed, meaning neither parent would owe the other child support. This directly affects families with shared custody arrangements where both parents are working full-time.

Maddy summaryHB 4856 requires all rebates from state agency purchasing cards (P-cards) to be directed entirely to the PEIA Rainy Day Fund, replacing current allocations. Currently, rebates are split between multiple funds (e.g., Purchasing Improvement Fund, Entrepreneurship Fund, Hatfield-McCoy Authority, and State Parks), but this bill eliminates those other transfers. The bill amends WV Code §12-3-10d to mandate that all remaining rebate funds - after any necessary operational costs - be transferred to the PEIA fund within three days of receipt. This directly affects state agencies using P-cards, as their card spending rebates will now solely support the PEIA fund’s stability.

Maddy summaryHB 4901 modifies West Virginia's workers' compensation system to create a new award category for miners with occupational pneumoconiosis (black lung disease) who have pulmonary massive fibroids but no current breathing impairment. This change allows affected miners to file claims earlier, before symptoms develop, addressing a gap where future impairment would otherwise fall outside filing deadlines. The bill specifically establishes payment guidelines for this condition under Section 23-4-2 of the West Virginia Code. It directly affects coal miners diagnosed with early-stage pneumoconiosis who have not yet experienced respiratory symptoms. The key mechanism is the new compensation category, enabling timely benefits for a condition that may cause future health issues.