Del. Mike Hornby

Maddy summaryHouse Concurrent Resolution 18 proposes renaming Johnsontown Bridge (located on WV 009 over Tilhance Creek in Berkeley County, West Virginia) to the "Paul J. Hofe Memorial Bridge" to honor Paul J. Hofe, a local resident who served in the U.S. Army, worked for the IRS for 35 years, and operated a well-drilling business for 50 years that provided free wells to families and community organizations. The resolution directs the Division of Highways to update the bridge's official name and install new signage identifying it as the "Paul J. Hofe Memorial Bridge." This is a commemorative resolution with no substantive policy changes beyond the bridge name and signage.

Maddy summaryHB 2776 requires the West Virginia Department of Health to add alpha-gal syndrome (a red meat allergy triggered by tick bites) to the list of diseases mandating reporting to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). This bill directly affects the Department of Health, which must propose new rules to include alpha-gal syndrome in statewide reporting protocols. The key mechanism is amending existing public health reporting requirements under West Virginia Code §16-1-4 to expand the list of reportable conditions. This change would ensure healthcare providers’ positive alpha-gal test results are systematically shared with the CDC for public health monitoring.

Maddy summaryHB 2634 doubles criminal penalties for specific offenses involving minors in West Virginia. It directly affects perpetrators convicted of sexual assault in the third degree (against minors under 16), sexual abuse by a parent/guardian/custodian or person in a position of trust (including cases where the minor "willingly participated"), and possession of child sexual abuse material by caregivers. Key provisions increase maximum prison terms (e.g., from 5 to 10 years for sexual assault in the third degree, and from 20 to 40 years for abuse by a guardian) and double fines (e.g., from $10,000 to $20,000 for sexual assault). The bill focuses on enhancing punishments for crimes against children, particularly those involving individuals in trusted caregiving roles.

Maddy summaryHCR 88 is a ceremonial resolution honoring two West Virginia first responders nominated for the Medal of Valor. It specifically recognizes Captain Donald Lawson (New Martinsville Police) for rescuing two people from carbon monoxide poisoning despite his own hospitalization, and Darrell Lambert (Lake Volunteer Firefighter) for entering a burning building without protective gear to save a trapped resident, sustaining burns in the process. The resolution formally confirms the Legislature's approval of their award and directs the House Clerk to send a copy to Governor Morrisey. This is a symbolic honor with no new policy or funding changes, directly affecting only these two nominees. It passed unanimously in both chambers on April 3, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 2777 simplifies documentation requirements for home-schooled children in West Virginia by establishing a digital "School Choice Portal" and email option for parents to submit required notices of intent. It replaces previous paper-based submission methods with these electronic alternatives, while still requiring parents to provide details about instruction subjects and annual assessments. The bill directly affects families homeschooling children who qualify for exemption under West Virginia's compulsory attendance laws. The portal must be operational by the 2025-2026 school year and will meet security and accessibility standards.

Maddy summaryHB 2410 (Safeguard the Right-To-Try Cutting-Edge Medicine Act) allows terminally ill or severely debilitated patients in West Virginia to access investigational drugs, biological products, or devices not yet approved by the FDA. It defines eligibility for patients who have exhausted all FDA-approved treatments, cannot participate in nearby clinical trials, and receive physician recommendations. The bill requires detailed written informed consent explaining treatment risks, costs, insurance limitations, and potential liability for expenses. It directly affects patients with qualifying illnesses and their physicians, establishing a legal framework for accessing unapproved treatments while clarifying that insurers and hospice care may not cover such treatments.

Maddy summaryThis House Concurrent Resolution (HCR 85) requests that the West Virginia Division of Highways rename a specific bridge in Mingo County - the Wharncliffe Box Beam bridge (coordinates 37.55534, -81.96599) carrying CR 010/01 over Bens Creek - as the "U.S. Army CPL Lavern 'Mousey' Testerman Memorial Bridge." It commemorates CPL Testerman, a WWII veteran who received a Bronze Star for saving his platoon, served in the Philippines, and later worked in the coal industry in the area. The resolution is purely commemorative, with no policy changes or direct effects beyond naming the bridge and installing signage.

Maddy summaryHB 2720 establishes the Southern Coalfield Resiliency and Revitalization Program to support communities in Boone, Logan, McDowell, Mingo, and Wyoming counties, which have been significantly impacted by declines in the coal industry. The program creates a Revitalization Council coordinated by the West Virginia Department of Economic Development, including representatives from state agencies, county commissions, and educational institutions, to coordinate existing state resources and technical assistance. It directs the council to develop economic strategies, prioritize support for local industries and natural resources, and report annually - without creating new positions or hiring additional staff. The program is set to operate for five years from its effective date, focusing on revitalizing communities through existing state infrastructure and partnerships.

Maddy summaryHCR 97 establishes the West Virginia Justice Reinvestment Taskforce to address challenges in the state's criminal justice system, including prison backlogs, high jail mortality rates, aging inmate populations, and behavioral health needs. The 21-member taskforce - comprising state officials, legislators, judges, community stakeholders (including formerly incarcerated individuals), and representatives from law enforcement and treatment programs - will analyze justice system data and develop policy recommendations on bail, sentencing, supervision, corrections programming, and behavioral health services. The taskforce must provide initial findings by December 2025, with ongoing reports to the Governor, Senate President, and House Speaker, using technical assistance from the Council of State Governments Justice Center. This resolution directly affects state agencies, local governments, and justice system participants by aiming to improve public safety, reduce costs, and strengthen community health outcomes.

Maddy summaryHCR 78 is a non-binding resolution urging West Virginia's Division of Highways to prioritize completing I-73 (the "King Coal Highway") across Wayne, Mingo, McDowell, Mercer, and Wyoming counties. It requests the highway agency treat the project as a high priority to improve economic development and emergency access, especially after recent flooding exposed transportation challenges in the region. The resolution asks the state to provide necessary funding and executive support to expedite the highway's completion but does not allocate new funds or create new law. It directly affects the Division of Highways and residents of the five specified counties by formally advocating for this infrastructure project.