Del. Mike Hornby

Maddy summaryHB 2663 requires state agencies to surrender unused funds from "special revenue accounts" to the General Revenue Fund after periods of inactivity. Specifically, accounts with no activity (neither receiving nor disbursing funds) for 1-2 years must surrender 50% of the funds, while accounts inactive for over two years must surrender 100%. The bill prohibits agencies from spending from these accounts while awaiting forfeiture. It directly affects state departments managing special revenue accounts (e.g., for specific programs or funds) that have become inactive, ensuring unspent funds are returned to the general budget for broader state use.

Maddy summaryHB 2676 would remove specific restrictions on outdoor advertising signs in West Virginia, directly affecting businesses and property owners who display commercial signage along state roads. The bill eliminates prohibitions on motion/rotation signs (except rapid motion), using words like "stop" or "danger," copying traffic signs, unshielded lighting, flashing lights, signs on natural features, and several size limitations (including the 672-square-foot cap for single-direction signs and restrictions on stacked or side-by-side sign formations). These changes would allow more flexible signage configurations near roads, while maintaining requirements for unobstructed views and traffic safety. The bill amends West Virginia Code §17-22-4, which currently governs outdoor advertising rules.

Maddy summaryHB 2650 would allow individuals aged 21 or older with a valid concealed handgun permit to carry a concealed firearm in public school property and buildings in West Virginia. The bill creates an exception to the existing ban on firearms in schools, specifically permitting licensed permit holders to carry concealed handguns while adhering to strict storage rules: firearms must be stored out of view when in a vehicle, or locked in a glove compartment, trunk, or secured container when the vehicle is unoccupied. This change directly affects licensed concealed carry permit holders who are not students and applies to public primary and secondary schools (not private schools with their own policies). The bill does not alter existing restrictions for students or other prohibited individuals.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires West Virginia's Legislature and Governor to approve any new bonds issued by the Parkways Authority. It applies to all additional bond issuances beyond current authorizations, adding legislative and executive oversight. The bill also mandates that tolls on parkways must be removed six months after bond debt (encumbrances) is fully paid. It does not change the permitted uses of bond funds, which remain limited to parkway projects and highway maintenance.

Maddy summaryHB 2644 creates a separate "State Road Construction Account" within West Virginia's highway budget to fund road projects in 10 specific counties: Raleigh, Fayette, Wyoming, Mercer, Kanawha, Greenbrier, Monroe, Summers, McDowell, and Nicholas. It ensures that funding from this new account does not reduce the counties' existing allocations from the general State Road Fund. The bill explicitly prohibits any modification of a county's regular highway funding due to receiving money from this dedicated account.

Maddy summaryHB 2662 creates a new felony offense called "aggravated vehicular homicide" for reckless driving causing death when the driver shows "reckless disregard of human life," raising the penalty to 2-5 years in prison and up to $20,000 in fines. It also amends existing law to clarify that both the driver and an unborn child (embryo or fetus) are considered separate victims in vehicular homicide cases. This directly affects drivers convicted of causing death through extreme recklessness while operating a vehicle, and expands legal recognition of unborn victims in criminal prosecutions. The bill maintains the existing misdemeanor "negligent vehicular homicide" standard but distinguishes felony-level offenses with stricter criteria and harsher penalties.

Maddy summaryHJR 21 proposes a constitutional amendment requiring a two-thirds vote in both the West Virginia House and Senate to pass any bill that imposes a new tax, creates a new license fee, or increases an existing tax or fee rate. This would directly affect the legislative process for tax-related bills, making it harder to pass such measures without broad bipartisan support. The amendment includes one exception: a simple majority vote could approve a tax or fee increase solely to pay state debt interest or principal when due. The bill does not apply to taxes or fees already authorized before the amendment's ratification. If approved by voters in 2026, this would change how West Virginia handles tax legislation.

Maddy summaryHB 2606 would increase payments to therapists and other non-state-employed professionals contracted to provide early intervention services through West Virginia's Birth-to-Three program by 25 percent. This applies to providers delivering services for children with developmental delays, effective July 1, 2025. The bill amends existing law to require this payment adjustment for all contracted services under the program. The change directly affects contracted service providers in the Birth-to-Three program, improving their compensation for delivering early intervention care.

Maddy summaryHB 2423 prohibits individuals or entities from charging fees for assisting veterans with benefits claims, except as allowed under federal law. It specifically bans compensation for preparing, presenting, or advising on veterans' benefits claims, referring clients to such services, guaranteeing specific benefit amounts, or charging excessive fees (using federal fee guidelines). The bill requires written agreements outlining fees before services begin, aligning with federal regulations (38 C.F.R. §14.636). Violations would be treated as breaches of West Virginia’s Consumer Credit and Protection Act. This directly affects veterans’ service providers (e.g., attorneys, advocates) and veterans seeking assistance with VA claims.

Maddy summaryHB 2386 requires law enforcement to obtain a warrant before entering private lands for searches or seizures, directly affecting landowners and law enforcement officers. The bill prohibits warrantless entry onto posted private property, bans surveillance cameras on private land, and clarifies that using drones to gather information from private land constitutes a search requiring a warrant. It abolishes the common law "open fields" doctrine, which previously allowed warrantless searches in unoccupied areas, and sets specific procedures for lawful entry. These changes aim to strengthen privacy protections for private property owners across West Virginia.