Del. Mike Hornby

Maddy summaryHB 2836 creates a formal permit system for individuals to legally care for injured, orphaned, or ill native wildlife in West Virginia. It establishes "Wildlife Rehabilitators" who may capture, transport, provide medical care, release, or humanely dispatch such animals under permit conditions set by the Division of Wildlife Resources. The bill also allows licensed veterinarians or animal control agencies to provide emergency care (without a full permit) for up to 48 hours before transferring animals to a permitted rehabilitator. This directly affects wildlife caregivers, shelters, and veterinary professionals working with native species, while clarifying that only native wildlife is covered under the permit rules. The law amends existing wildlife possession statutes to align with these new rehabilitation protocols.

Maddy summaryHB 3187 establishes a West Virginia Task Force on Artificial Intelligence to study the impacts of AI on the state's economy, workforce, and public services. The task force, composed of state officials and industry experts, must analyze AI's effects on jobs, ethics, and regulatory needs, then submit recommendations to the legislature by 2026. This law directly affects state agencies responsible for implementing AI-related policies and provides a structured process for addressing emerging technology challenges. The bill became effective on July 31, 2025, after approval by the Governor.

Maddy summaryHB 2434, the Stop Squatters Act, creates a new legal process for property owners to immediately remove unauthorized occupants (squatters) from residential or commercial properties without using standard eviction court procedures. It defines a "squatter" as someone occupying without legal right (not including tenants who've overstayed), requires owners to first demand departure in writing, and allows law enforcement to remove occupants if specific conditions are met (e.g., no public access, no pending lawsuits). The bill also establishes criminal penalties: misdemeanors for property damage under $1,000 ($2,500 fine or 1 year jail) and felonies for damage over $1,000 (1-10 years prison), plus penalties for false documents or advertising properties without legal title. This directly affects property owners, law enforcement, and individuals occupying properties without legal authority.

Maddy summaryHB 2695 established the Raleigh and Mason Counties Economic Opportunity Development Districts to coordinate economic development efforts within those counties. The bill creates a formal structure for local governments to collaborate on initiatives like business recruitment, workforce training, and infrastructure improvements. This directly affects county officials, local businesses, and residents in Raleigh and Mason Counties by enabling targeted economic growth strategies. The legislation became law on April 28, 2025, after governor approval.

Maddy summaryHB 2479, now Chapter 67 of the 2025 regular session laws, addresses the management and control of county authority vested in county boards. The bill's title indicates it modifies how county governing bodies exercise specific powers, though the provided context does not detail the exact provisions or affected counties. As a procedural or administrative bill, it focuses on structural governance rather than new programs or funding. No specific mechanisms, affected groups, or policy changes are described in the available information. The bill was approved by the Governor on April 25, 2025, and enacted into law.

Maddy summaryHB 2773 authorizes existing legislative rules governing West Virginia's higher education programs, rather than creating new policies. It formally validates 19 previously filed rules related to the Higher Education Policy Commission, including the Underwood-Smith Teaching Scholars Program, PROMISE grants, degree-granting institution oversight, and the Teacher Loan Repayment Program. Specific provisions include updating citizenship requirements for scholarship recipients and clarifying evaluation criteria for college presidents. This bill directly affects state universities, community colleges, and students participating in these authorized programs. As a procedural measure, it confirms the legal standing of these rules without introducing new funding or requirements.

Maddy summaryHB 2165 allows disabled Purple Heart recipients to park for free at all municipal metered parking spaces. This law directly affects veterans who received a Purple Heart and have a disability, removing the requirement for them to pay for parking in city-owned metered spots. The key provision amends existing parking regulations to exempt these veterans from meter fees, streamlining access to public parking. The bill became law on April 25, 2025, after approval by the Governor and both legislative chambers.

Maddy summaryHB 2755 allows the West Virginia Board of Education to create new rules or policies for public education. These rules must then be submitted to the state Legislature for review. The bill directly affects the Board of Education and the legislative process for education policy changes. It does not change existing education laws but adds a step requiring legislative review of new Board rules before they take effect.

Maddy summaryHB 2066 makes intentionally destroying first responder equipment (such as police vehicles, fire trucks, or emergency medical devices) a criminal offense. It directly affects individuals who damage this equipment, imposing specific penalties including fines and potential jail time. The bill establishes clear legal consequences for willfully damaging gear critical to emergency services, rather than addressing accidental damage. This law became effective on July 30, 2025, as Chapter 76 of the 2025 Regular Session Acts.

Maddy summaryThis bill (HB 2491) establishes specific requirements for businesses conducting online raffles. It directly affects businesses that operate online raffles, requiring them to meet certain conditions set by the law. The bill passed the legislature and was signed into law by the Governor on April 28, 2025 (Chapter 122, Acts, Regular Session, 2025). However, the provided context does not include the specific conditions or mechanisms of the bill, only its passage and enactment date. Therefore, a detailed summary of its provisions cannot be provided from the available information.