Del. Mike Hornby

Maddy summaryHB 2061 modifies how lottery revenues from racetrack video games are distributed in West Virginia. It redirects all funds that would have gone to specific programs (like racetracks and workers' compensation debt reduction) into the State Excess Lottery Revenue Fund, effectively stopping those payments starting in 2014. The bill also allows the Governor to temporarily redirect half of these lottery revenues to the General Revenue Fund during severe budget shortfalls (over $100 million) until the state's workers' compensation debt is fully covered. This directly affects how state funds are allocated from lottery activities, shifting money away from targeted programs toward a central lottery fund.

Maddy summaryHB 2458, the School Board Election Date Act, requires all West Virginia school districts to hold board elections on the first Tuesday after the first Monday in November - coinciding with general elections. This directly affects school districts and candidates running for school board positions by standardizing election timing. The bill mandates that school board candidate names be listed alphabetically on ballots and references existing law for filling vacancies. It does not change election eligibility or voting procedures beyond the date and candidate listing requirements.

Maddy summaryHB 2481 requires most West Virginia retail businesses - including those selling food, goods, or services - to accept physical cash as payment without discrimination, meaning they cannot force customers to use credit cards or digital payments. The bill applies to in-person transactions at physical locations but excludes online, mail-order, or remote sales. Businesses violating the rule face a maximum $500 fine, and the Treasurer’s Office may create exemptions for specific situations like small transactions or certain business types. The law takes effect immediately upon passage.

Maddy summaryHB 2452 amends West Virginia's property tax code to explicitly include educational activities conducted on religious property under an existing tax exemption. The bill expands the current exemption for property used for "divine worship" to cover all non-profit educational activities (preschool through 12th grade) operated by churches or affiliated non-profits on that property. This specifically clarifies that churches may be reimbursed for utility or maintenance costs without losing the tax exemption. The change directly affects religious schools and homeschooling operations using church-owned property for educational purposes. It modifies existing law to ensure these educational spaces qualify for the same property tax exemption previously applied to worship areas.

Maddy summaryHB 2455, the Birth Freedom Act, protects women's rights to choose where and with whom they give birth, including home births or birth centers, and to direct all aspects of their prenatal, labor, delivery, and postpartum care. It removes barriers for birth centers by repealing certificate of need requirements, eliminating mandatory hospital transfer agreements, and prohibiting state agencies from creating new mandatory occupational licenses for maternal care providers. The bill explicitly states that birth centers are exempt from location proximity rules to hospitals and clarifies that midwives may practice within their training scope (but cannot prescribe medications). This directly affects women seeking non-hospital birth options, midwives, birth center operators, and healthcare providers offering maternal care in non-hospital settings.

Maddy summaryHB 2380 would amend West Virginia law to impose a life sentence for individuals convicted of knowingly selling fentanyl. Specifically, it targets dealers who handle fentanyl classified as a Schedule II controlled substance, escalating penalties from the standard 3-15 year sentence for other Schedule II drugs to life imprisonment. The bill applies only to fentanyl sales (not other drugs or lower-schedule substances) and requires proof the dealer knew the substance was fentanyl. This change modifies Section 60A-4-401 of West Virginia Code, directly affecting fentanyl dealers convicted under this provision.

Maddy summaryHB 2385 would exempt safe gun storage devices from West Virginia's state sales tax. The bill amends the state's tax code to add these devices - such as gun safes or lockboxes - to the list of tax-exempt items. This change would directly affect consumers purchasing these safety products, reducing their cost by eliminating the 6% sales tax. The policy change specifically targets storage devices designed to securely hold firearms, not other gun-related items.

Maddy summaryHB 2343 requires the West Virginia State Auditor to conduct financial audits of all county boards of education. The bill mandates these audits cover every source of income or funds received by school districts, including local property taxes, state allocations, and federal grants. This policy change directly affects all 55 county school boards across West Virginia by expanding audit requirements beyond previous limitations. The State Auditor must now review all financial records related to these funds, ensuring comprehensive oversight of public education funding. The bill aims to standardize financial accountability for school district finances statewide.

Maddy summaryHB 2384 would amend West Virginia law to allow individuals aged 18-20 to carry concealed deadly weapons without a permit, matching the current allowance for those 21 and older. The bill specifically revises sections of the code that currently impose misdemeanor penalties (fines up to $1,000 or up to 12 months in jail) on 18-20 year olds carrying concealed deadly weapons without authorization. Existing exceptions remain in place, such as carrying on one's own property, transporting unloaded firearms between home and a repair shop, or during lawful hunting. This change directly affects West Virginia residents aged 18-20 who would no longer need a permit for concealed carry of deadly weapons under the revised law.

Maddy summaryHB 2114 repeals West Virginia Code §19-1-4b, which previously allowed the Agriculture Commissioner to increase certain agricultural fees through rules or regulations. This bill directly affects the Agriculture Commissioner, who would no longer have the authority to adjust these fees via administrative rules, and the agricultural businesses or individuals paying those fees. The key mechanism is the removal of this statutory provision, requiring any future fee changes to go through the full legislative process instead of administrative rulemaking. The bill does not create new fees or alter existing fee structures, only changing how fee adjustments can be implemented.