Del. Mike Hornby

Maddy summaryHB 2874 requires West Virginia high schools to inform 11th and 12th grade students placed in a "free" or "teacher-assistant" period about available online college courses. Schools must provide this information to students not scheduled in a regular academic class during those periods. The bill aims to increase student awareness of college-level course options accessible while in high school. It does not mandate enrollment in these courses, only that schools share this information with affected students.

Maddy summaryHB 2725 defines "urban agriculture" in West Virginia law as any agricultural operation within urban or suburban areas on public or private property inside municipal boundaries. The bill aims to clarify this term to support economic development, better conservation practices, and improved access to fresh local food. It directly affects urban farmers, community gardens, and small-scale food producers operating in city or suburban settings. The bill does not create new programs or funding but establishes a legal definition to guide future regulations and policies related to urban farming.

Maddy summaryHB 2495 moves the Berkeley County Roundhouse Authority - a nonprofit managing historic railroad facilities - from its current structure into the West Virginia Department of Arts, Culture, and History. The bill transfers operational control to the department’s Division of Culture and History, where the authority will continue its work preserving the B&O Martinsburg Shops (a National Historic Landmark) and promoting tourism and education. This procedural change aims to streamline the authority’s efforts in historic preservation and community engagement under state oversight. The bill does not create new policies but reorganizes an existing entity.

Maddy summaryHB 2925 would make certain panhandling practices unlawful in West Virginia, directly affecting individuals soliciting money in specific public or private locations. The bill prohibits panhandling at bus/train stops, in public transit, on streets/sidewalks (if blocking paths, following people, or threatening harm), and on private property without permission. Violations carry misdemeanor penalties: $100 for a first offense and $250-$1,000 for repeat offenses. Fire departments are exempt from these restrictions when soliciting donations for their operations.

Maddy summaryHB 2895 sets the assessed value of business machinery, equipment, and inventory used directly in business operations, plus all personal motor vehicles, to $0 for property tax purposes starting July 1, 2025. This policy change directly affects businesses that own such equipment or inventory, as well as owners of personal vehicles (which are typically not business property but are included in the bill). The key mechanism is a flat $0 valuation for these specific property types, removing them from the standard ad valorem property tax calculation. This represents a significant tax relief for affected businesses and vehicle owners by eliminating property tax liability on these items.

Maddy summaryHB 2865 modifies parole eligibility for specific violent offenses in West Virginia. It increases the minimum time inmates must serve before becoming parole-eligible for second-degree murder (from 10 to 20 years) and for attempted second-degree murder (from 5 to 20 years), as outlined in amended sections §61-2-3 and §61-11-8. The bill also clarifies that inmates convicted of attempted first-degree murder remain subject to a minimum 10-year parole eligibility period under §61-11-8(4). These changes directly affect individuals serving prison sentences for these specific crimes, raising the required time served before parole consideration.

Maddy summaryHB 2869 clarifies that West Virginia judicial officers must explicitly consider a person's residency status when setting bail or release conditions for misdemeanor offenses. The bill specifically requires judges to evaluate whether the person is a West Virginia or U.S. resident, has community ties, and poses a flight risk. It applies to all misdemeanor cases except those listed in subsection (a)(1) (e.g., violent offenses, crimes against minors, or offenses involving stolen property over $250). The law adds residency status as a mandatory factor in the existing list of considerations under §62-1C-1a, alongside factors like criminal history and community safety. This change directly affects individuals charged with qualifying misdemeanors who seek release before trial.

Maddy summaryHB 2482 allows youth hunters (under 16) and hunters with a Class Q special hunting permit (for handicapped individuals) to take one antlered deer during the state's Special Youth Deer Season. This change applies the deer taken during this special season toward the hunter's regular firearms deer season bag limit. The bill specifically excludes holders of Class XS licenses from this privilege during the special season. It modifies existing hunting regulations to expand harvest opportunities for these specific groups during designated seasons.

Maddy summaryHB 2798 creates a pilot program for public high schools in West Virginia to offer a trades-focused elective course. This course, taught at community colleges across the state, replaces standard English, language arts, and science instruction with trade-specific content while counting toward graduation credit. It directly affects high school students interested in trade careers by providing career preparation, resume help, and exposure to available trade fields. The pilot, funded through existing state resources and potential industry grants, begins in the 2025/2026 school year and requires annual reports on its effectiveness.

Maddy summaryHCR 65 is a West Virginia legislative resolution urging the U.S. Congress and Department of Energy to fulfill federal obligations under the Nuclear Waste Policy Act of 1982 regarding spent nuclear fuel. It highlights that over 90,000 metric tons of spent fuel are stored at 76 sites nationwide, with taxpayers bearing $9 billion in costs and nuclear customers having prepaid $46 billion for disposal, yet no permanent repository exists. The resolution specifically requests Congress and the DOE to implement recommendations from the Blue-Ribbon Commission, streamline regulations, and establish a deep geologic repository. It directly affects nuclear utilities, taxpayers, and communities hosting nuclear sites that face long-term storage challenges. The resolution is procedural and non-binding, aiming to prompt federal action on a decades-old policy gap.