Del. Mike Hornby

Maddy summaryHB 2762 (Tobacco Products Excise Tax Act) extends West Virginia's existing tobacco excise tax to e-cigarettes and heated nicotine products, which were previously excluded. The bill amends tax code sections to define "heated tobacco products" and explicitly include them under the tobacco tax framework, requiring manufacturers and retailers to pay the tax on these items. This directly affects businesses selling e-cigarettes and similar products, as they must now comply with the same tax obligations as traditional tobacco products. The change updates the tax system to cover newer nicotine delivery products without altering existing tax rates or creating new revenue streams.

Maddy summaryHB 2870 amends West Virginia's DUI statute to clarify that fleeing the scene after driving while impaired is treated as part of the DUI offense itself, not a separate violation. This change directly affects drivers who flee after being stopped for DUI, as it will subject them to enhanced penalties under existing DUI sentencing structures. The key mechanism adds fleeing while impaired to the definition of the offense, ensuring it triggers the same license revocation periods (up to life) and jail terms (e.g., 2+ years for bodily injury) as a standard DUI. The bill does not create new penalties but corrects a legal gap where fleeing was previously not counted toward DUI sentencing.

Maddy summaryThis bill repeals West Virginia's outdated dog tax by removing sections of the state code (§19-20-1, §19-20-2, and §19-20-11) that previously required dog owners to pay a tax. It directly affects dog owners in West Virginia who were subject to this tax under the existing law. The bill eliminates the requirement for dog owners to pay this tax and removes the administrative processes for collecting it. No new provisions or mechanisms are added - only the repeal of the existing tax.

Maddy summaryHB 2965 redirects employer payments currently made to West Virginia's Public Employees Insurance Association (PEIA) into a Health Savings Account (HSA) for state employees. Starting July 1, 2025, eligible employees would receive $1,100 monthly into their HSA, which they can use to pay for healthcare insurance premiums and related expenses. Employees would choose their own healthcare plans using these funds instead of being enrolled in PEIA. The bill changes how employer contributions are delivered but does not alter existing insurance coverage options.

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.

Maddy summaryHB 2405 creates a tax credit for West Virginia residents who homeschool or send children to private schools for primary and secondary education. It provides a credit equal to the annual HOPE Scholarship amount per taxpayer, regardless of how many children are homeschooled or in private school. Families already eligible for the HOPE Scholarship are excluded from this credit. The State Tax Commissioner must establish rules for claiming the credit, which reduces income tax liability but does not impose new education regulations on homeschooled children.

Maddy summaryHB 2966 requires individuals and groups spending over $1,000 annually on independent election activities (like ads not coordinated with candidates) to disclose detailed information publicly. This includes the spender's name, the source of funds (reporting contributors who gave over $1,000), and specific details about each contribution (like donor occupation and employer). The bill mandates these disclosures within 48 hours for certain last-minute spending before elections, with tighter 24-hour deadlines for large expenditures targeting specific candidates. It directly affects political committees, advocacy groups, and donors engaging in election-related spending, aiming to increase transparency in campaign finance. The law also clarifies that federal entities must comply with these state disclosure rules.

Maddy summaryHB 2868 prohibits counties and municipalities in West Virginia from imposing additional taxes on residential rental properties based on their zoning classification or charging higher rates than owner-occupied homes. This bill directly affects landlords who own rental properties and tenants who pay rent, aiming to reduce costs by ensuring rental properties are taxed at the same rate as homes occupied by owners. Key provisions require all county/municipal property taxes on rentals to match owner-occupied rates and ban extra taxes tied to zoning. The bill does not affect sales or service taxes on rental businesses. Its goal is to make housing more affordable by preventing double taxation of rental properties.

Maddy summaryHB 2815 increases minimum prison terms and parole eligibility requirements for certain murder-related offenses in West Virginia. It raises the minimum parole eligibility for second-degree murder from 10 to 20 years and for attempted first-degree murder from 3 to 10 years. The bill also increases the minimum sentence for attempted second-degree murder from 1 year to 5 years. These changes directly affect inmates convicted of second-degree murder, attempted murder, or related firearm offenses, delaying their potential parole consideration.

Maddy summaryHB 2875, the "American Campuses Act," prohibits West Virginia state universities from hosting foreign missions (like Confucius Institutes) or participating in talent recruitment programs from China, Russia, North Korea, or Iran. The bill requires universities to stop recognizing these foreign entities after July 1, 2025, and report any existing or past involvement with such programs. It defines "Foreign Government-Sponsored Talent Recruitment Programs" as efforts by these countries to recruit U.S. researchers or students, sometimes to share intellectual property or technology. The law directly affects all state-funded higher education institutions and their faculty, staff, and researchers in West Virginia.