Del. Mike Hite

Maddy summaryHB 2922, the Safer Communities Act, allows West Virginia counties to impose a public safety sales or amusement tax of up to 1% on qualifying purchases, subject to voter approval via referendum. It directly affects counties that meet specific requirements (e.g., current on state fees, utilizing maximum millage rates, and having fire/EMS levies). The tax funds public safety services, emergency response, and school resource officers in unincorporated areas, while excluding municipalities already in the Municipal Home Rule Program or with existing amusement taxes. Counties must notify state tax officials 180 days before implementing the tax.

Maddy summaryHB 2377 updates West Virginia's child welfare laws to improve reporting and oversight of child abuse and neglect cases. It requires immediate reporting via a 24-hour hotline or web system with a case identifier, mandates a backup reporting system by July 1, 2023, and creates a Critical Incident Review Team to analyze serious cases. The bill also permits the Foster Care Ombudsman access to case details (including reporter identity) and changes public access to abuse reports to align with the team's reporting guidelines. Additionally, it adds new requirements for the child welfare dashboard and ensures confidentiality for reporters.

Maddy summaryHB 2736 creates an Underground Facilities Damage Prevention Board to enforce rules preventing damage to underground utility lines during excavation. It directly affects excavators (e.g., construction crews) and operators of underground facilities (e.g., gas, water, or telecom companies). The bill establishes the board’s authority to investigate damage incidents, assess civil penalties, require training, and collect fines - which must be retained by the board (not the state general fund) for its operations. Key provisions clarify definitions of "damage," "excavation," and "underground facility" to standardize reporting and safety protocols. The law aims to reduce accidental utility line strikes during digging projects.

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 summaryThis concurrent resolution (HCR 47) requests that West Virginia's Division of Highways rename the Etam Bridge (Bridge Number 39-072/00-001.85) in Preston County as the "Clinton 'Randy' Dean 101st Airborne Vietnam Veterans Memorial Bridge." It honors Clinton "Randy" Dean, a West Virginia native and Vietnam War veteran who served with the 101st Airborne Division, received a Purple Heart, and later died from Agent Orange-related illness. The resolution specifically directs the Division of Highways to name the bridge and install prominent signage identifying it with this commemorative name. This is a ceremonial resolution, not a policy change affecting legislation or funding.

Maddy summaryHB 2422 would require all municipal elections in West Virginia to be held on the same day as statewide primary or general elections, which occur on the Tuesday after the first Monday in November during even-numbered years for general elections. This change would directly affect cities and towns (municipalities), eliminating separate local election dates and mandating coordination with county commissions on election timing, administrative costs, and election official use. Municipalities would share election costs based on their proportion of registered voters in the county, and must comply with existing rules for county election official coordination. The bill aims to streamline election administration by aligning municipal elections with the established statewide election cycle.

Maddy summaryHB 2609 requires device manufacturers and app stores to verify users' ages and obtain parental consent before allowing children under 16 to download applications. It mandates developers to provide parental controls - such as time limits, content filters, and account management tools - based on real-time age data provided by the app store. The law applies to new devices starting January 1, 2026, with older devices needing compliance by January 1, 2027. This directly affects parents/guardians, device makers (like Apple or Google), app developers, and children under 16.

Maddy summaryHJR 40 proposes a constitutional amendment to change how members of the West Virginia State Board of Education are selected. It would replace the current system of nine appointed members with a hybrid model: five members elected on a partisan basis from five geographic regions (serving staggered four-year terms), and four members appointed by the Governor with Senate consent. The amendment would require the Board to submit any rules or policies they create to the Legislature for review, approval, amendment, or rejection. If approved by voters in the 2026 general election, these changes would take effect with the 2028 general election, modifying the current appointment system for the Board.

Maddy summaryHB 3170 requires all rental properties in West Virginia to have approved sewage systems instead of straight piping sewage. It directly affects landlords of rental properties and property owners converting previously owner-occupied homes into rentals, mandating updated plumbing to meet current standards. The bill’s key provision prohibits straight piping sewage and requires all rental properties to install certified sewage systems. This policy change applies statewide to all residential rental units, focusing on infrastructure upgrades for public health and safety.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates West Virginia's campaign finance rules by allowing corporations and membership organizations (including nonprofits and LLCs) to directly contribute to candidates, candidate committees, or political action committees. It clarifies reporting requirements for these contributions and defines key terms like "corporation" and "contribution" to improve transparency. The changes affect candidates, their committees, and corporate donors by streamlining disclosure rules for campaign spending. The bill focuses on modernizing reporting standards rather than restricting contributions.