Del. Mike Hite

Maddy summaryHB 2883 creates a state-maintained directory of e-cigarette products (ENDS) sold in West Virginia, requiring manufacturers to certify FDA compliance annually. Manufacturers must submit documentation proving their products have FDA marketing authorization or a valid premarket application, pay a $100 fee per product, and list all brands, categories, and flavors. Only products appearing on this publicly accessible directory - updated monthly - can be legally sold, with retailers facing unannounced compliance checks. The Alcohol Beverage Control Administration enforces the rule, imposing fines for violations like selling non-listed products or failing to update certifications. This directly affects e-cigarette manufacturers, retailers, and wholesalers operating in West Virginia.

Maddy summaryHB 2800 requires West Virginia's Public Service Commission (PSC) to survey solid waste collection and transportation fees in border counties by October 1, 2025, and establish an annual maximum rate for these services. It directly affects private commercial waste carriers operating in those border counties, allowing them to adjust fees up to the PSC-set maximum rate. Carriers must provide customers with written notice of any fee increase at least one billing cycle in advance. The bill aims to standardize fees across border counties while giving carriers flexibility within the established rate cap.

Maddy summaryHB 2117 changes the deadline for submitting mail-in ballot applications in West Virginia. It requires most voters' applications to be received by the sixth day before an election, while qualified first responders must submit theirs by 5:00 p.m. the day before the election. The bill maintains the same deadline (six days before) for overseas and uniformed services voters. This affects all voters requesting mail-in ballots, adjusting the timing for when applications must be accepted by election officials.

Maddy summaryHB 2187 would allow K-12 teachers in West Virginia who hold valid concealed handgun permits to carry concealed firearms on school grounds when designated as "school protection officers" by their school. The bill amends state law to create this exception, explicitly permitting teachers (but not all staff) to carry concealed weapons as part of their role, provided they meet standard concealed carry requirements. This changes existing rules that generally prohibit firearms on school premises, except for specific exemptions like law enforcement. The bill is currently under review by the House Judiciary Committee after initial referral to Education.

Maddy summaryHB 3261 clarifies the qualifications for Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists (CRNAs) to administer anesthesia in West Virginia. It requires CRNAs to hold both a registered nursing license and an advanced practice nursing license, complete a nationally accredited anesthesia program, and maintain national certification. The bill defines "cooperation" between CRNAs and physicians/dentists as a collaborative process where each contributes based on their expertise, and specifies that physicians are not liable for CRNA actions under this framework. This directly affects CRNAs, physicians, dentists, and healthcare facilities by standardizing practice requirements and supervision protocols for anesthesia administration.

Maddy summaryHB 3165, the Streaming Rights and Equality Act, sets maximum fees for streaming high school sports in West Virginia: $250 per football game and $100 for other sports, with annual increases capped at 5%. It requires publicly funded high schools to allow West Virginia-based streaming producers to broadcast events at these rates, ensuring equal access statewide. The bill mandates that schools cannot deny local producers access to regular-season or playoff games if fees are paid, and requires the West Virginia Secondary School Activities Commission (WVSSAC) to make championship events available to local producers under the same terms as regular season. Violations incur penalties, including double the streaming fee for non-compliance or failure to provide required on-camera oversight during events.

Maddy summaryThis constitutional amendment (HJR 34) proposes changing West Virginia's constitution to give the legislature greater flexibility in taxing tangible personal property. It would allow the legislature to exempt specific property types (like motor vehicles) from ad valorem tax, reduce tax rates for certain items, set different tax rates for different property categories, or classify property as real vs. personal for tax purposes. The amendment requires voter approval in the 2026 general election to take effect. It does not enact a specific tax reduction but creates a constitutional framework for future legislative action on property taxation.

Maddy summaryHB 2690, the Dental Insurance Transparency Act, requires dental insurance carriers in West Virginia to publicly report how much of collected premiums are spent on actual patient care versus administrative costs. Carriers must file annual reports with the Insurance Commissioner detailing medical loss ratios (MLRs), similar to federal standards, including enrollment data, cost-sharing details, and coverage limits. If a carrier spends less than 80% of premium funds on patient care (the MLR threshold), they must issue rebates to policyholders as reduced premiums. The law also mandates transparency around payment methods, requiring carriers to notify providers of fees for electronic payments and offer fee-free alternatives. These reports will be summarized and made publicly available yearly by the commissioner.

Maddy summaryHB 2400 prohibits election officials from mailing or delivering absentee ballot applications to voters without a specific request. The bill requires that applications only be provided when a voter personally requests them from the county clerk, either in person, by mail, or electronically. Applications must remain available at county clerk offices and online via the Secretary of State’s website. This change directly affects all registered voters in West Virginia by eliminating unsolicited mailings of ballot applications, ensuring they are only sent to those who actively seek them. The bill amends West Virginia Code §3-3-5 to clarify that unsolicited delivery is unlawful.

Maddy summaryHB 3005, the West Virginia Consumer Privacy Act of 2025, requires businesses to obtain explicit consumer consent ("opt-in") before selling or sharing their personal financial information. It directly affects West Virginia consumers and businesses like financial institutions, credit reporting agencies, mortgage lenders, and brokers that handle consumer financial data. The law mandates that businesses clearly disclose what information is being shared and gives consumers control over their data to prevent identity theft and unsolicited marketing. Violations carry fines of up to $10,000 per offense, with additional penalties for bad-faith lawsuits.