Rep. Mike Hornby

Maddy summaryHB 4395 requires school boards to continue investigations into allegations that school personnel harmed student safety or welfare, even if the employee resigns or transfers to another school. It mandates that investigations must be completed regardless of the employee's employment status, and county superintendents must report all such cases - including reasons for suspension - to the state superintendent within seven business days. The state superintendent will maintain a confidential database of all investigated personnel, including the basis for investigations or disciplinary actions. This bill directly affects school personnel, school boards, and county superintendents by ensuring ongoing accountability for potential child safety violations.

Maddy summaryHB 4749 amends West Virginia's Foster Child Bill of Rights to ensure foster children aged 13 and older receive specific protections during court hearings affecting their care. The bill requires legal representatives (like guardians ad litem) to notify these children about upcoming hearings, ask if they wish to attend, and explain that the hearing might be distressing without discouraging attendance. It also mandates that the hearing outcome be explained to the child by their legal representative. These provisions directly affect foster youth in West Virginia aged 13+ involved in court proceedings related to their placement.

Maddy summaryHB 4798 requires all West Virginia schools to implement a wearable panic alert system called "Alyssa's Law" for staff by December 31, 2026. The bill mandates that every school staff member (including teachers) receives a device capable of instantly triggering 9-1-1 calls and campus-wide lockdowns while integrating with local emergency systems. Schools must also provide annual training on device use and share security data (like cameras and maps) with law enforcement. This policy directly affects all school staff across the state and aims to improve emergency response during crises. The bill is currently in committee review and has not yet become law.

Maddy summaryHB 5212 revises West Virginia's higher education financial aid programs to improve access and align with workforce development goals. It allows part-time enrollment for the higher education grant, combines the adult part-time grant into a new workforce-focused program, and updates medical/health sciences loan repayment programs to require direct payments to federal loan providers. The bill also adjusts eligibility for the PROMISE scholarship and WV Invests grant programs. These changes aim to better connect financial aid with employer needs as outlined in the bill's legislative findings.

Maddy summaryHB 4577 creates a reciprocity agreement with the Republic of Ireland for driver licenses, allowing Irish license holders to drive in West Virginia without retaking tests if their license meets comparable standards. The bill requires that foreign license standards (specifically for Ireland) align with West Virginia's, and mandates that drivers operating under this agreement comply with the state's mandatory motor vehicle liability insurance and financial responsibility laws. This agreement applies only to Ireland and does not alter the standard driver's license examination process for new applicants in West Virginia.

Maddy summaryHB 4087 establishes the West Virginia-Ireland Education Alliance Partnership to strengthen academic, cultural, and workforce connections between West Virginia and Ireland. It creates a formal partnership requiring five four-year universities and five two-year colleges in West Virginia to collaborate with Irish institutions. The bill provides for five $50,000 grants to fund joint programs between these institutions. This partnership is governed by a commission with specific membership rules, including legislative and community representatives. The bill directly affects West Virginia higher education institutions and their Irish counterparts through structured collaboration and grant opportunities.

Maddy summaryHB 4592 requires West Virginia colleges and universities to create standardized safety mapping data for campus buildings and grounds, directly affecting all public institutions of higher education. The bill mandates that maps include detailed floor plans, hazard locations, emergency equipment, and accurate aerial imagery, all formatted to integrate with public safety software without additional costs. These maps must be verified on-site, stored within the U.S., and shared permanently at no cost with local police, fire, EMS, and the state emergency management division. The requirement becomes effective September 1, 2026, with counties eligible to receive up to $4,500 per school for implementation.

Maddy summaryHB 4801 amends West Virginia law to allow municipalities and counties to use hotel occupancy tax revenue for two new purposes: demolishing unsafe or unsanitary structures and planning for reuse or improvement of publicly owned property. This bill adds these specific activities to the list of permissible expenditures while maintaining the existing requirement that at least 50% of the tax revenue must fund tourism promotion. Local governments can still allocate funds to convention visitor bureaus or hotels (up to 75% of eligible tax revenue) for tourism-related expenses like advertising and marketing, subject to budget approval. The law directly affects counties and municipalities collecting hotel occupancy taxes, providing clearer guidelines for how these funds can be spent on community infrastructure and tourism development.

Maddy summaryHB 4819 would change West Virginia's licensing rules for professions requiring state authorization. It prevents disqualification for most past criminal convictions unless the crime directly relates to the profession's duties and poses a clear public risk. Licensing agencies must now consider factors like the crime's nature, time passed since conviction, and evidence of rehabilitation (such as completed treatment or employment history) before denying a license. Applicants with past convictions can petition for reconsideration after five years without new offenses (excluding violent/sexual crimes), with agencies required to respond within 60 days. This affects all individuals seeking professional licenses in West Virginia, including fields like healthcare, education, or licensed trades.

Maddy summaryHB 4546 changes West Virginia's reporting requirements for limited liability companies (LLCs) and foreign LLCs from annual to biennial (every two years). It mandates that these businesses submit a report to the Secretary of State containing their name, addresses, agent for service, and an email for notices, due between January 1 and July 1 of every other calendar year. The bill applies directly to all LLCs operating in West Virginia, including foreign entities authorized to do business here, and takes effect July 1, 2026. This change does not alter existing fees or forgive prior annual filing failures.