Del. Larry Kump

Maddy summaryHB 4337 prohibits public schools from using school resources - including facilities, staff time, or equipment - for election advocacy, such as promoting or opposing candidates. It also bans school employees from engaging in political activities during work hours or while representing the school administration. The bill applies directly to all West Virginia public school employees and school entities, preventing the use of official capacity for political purposes. It does not restrict political activity outside school hours or personal political expression unrelated to school duties. The law aims to maintain nonpartisan environments in educational settings by limiting political involvement during work-related activities.

Maddy summaryHB 4339 moves West Virginia county school board elections from primary elections to general election dates, affecting all county school board members. The bill requires these elections to be nonpartisan, with candidates running on a nonpartisan ballot, and limits representation to no more than two members per magisterial district. It also establishes procedures for certifying winners for full terms and unexpired terms based on vote totals, with tiebreakers handled per existing election laws. This change directly impacts how school boards are elected and who can serve from specific geographic areas.

Maddy summaryHB 4376, titled "Say No to Good Old Boy Governance," prohibits elected state officials from appointing family members to state or local government positions. The bill defines "family member" broadly to include spouses, parents, children, grandparents, grandchildren, siblings, and extended relatives like aunts, uncles, nieces, and nephews. This law applies specifically to elected officials holding state office (such as state legislators or governors) who have appointment authority for public roles. It aims to prevent nepotism by banning the practice of favoring relatives in government appointments.

Maddy summaryThis bill proposes a constitutional amendment to replace West Virginia's separate Treasurer and Auditor offices with a single Comptroller position. It would amend the state constitution to remove references to "Treasurer" and "Auditor" and substitute "Comptroller" in all relevant sections, including those governing executive offices and the school fund board. The change would affect state government structure by consolidating financial oversight duties into one elected office. The amendment must be approved by voters in the 2026 general election to take effect.

Maddy summaryHB 4161 would make it illegal to park a vehicle with an out-of-state license plate at a West Virginia residence for more than 90 days without registering it in the state. This directly affects individual vehicle owners who leave such vehicles unregistered at their home for extended periods. Law enforcement would have the authority to issue fines for violations, treating them as misdemeanor offenses under existing penalties. The bill updates the registration rules for out-of-state vehicles parked at residences but does not change the general 30-day registration requirement for new residents.

Maddy summaryHJR 2 proposes a constitutional amendment requiring the West Virginia governor to provide at least five days' notice to all state legislators before convening a special legislative session. Currently, the governor may call a special session without a specified notice period. If approved by voters in the 2026 general election, this amendment would mandate that the governor's proclamation for a special session be issued at least five days prior to its start. This change directly affects the governor's authority to call special sessions and ensures legislators have sufficient time to prepare for legislative business.

Maddy summaryHB 4160 requires West Virginia state agencies to obtain legislative approval before implementing any new federal election guidance or accepting new federal election funding. It also mandates that state agencies notify the Governor, Secretary of State, and Legislature whenever they receive communications from federal agencies about elections. The bill directly affects state election officials and the Legislature by creating formal review processes for federal election-related actions. Key provisions include the approval requirement for federal guidance and funding, plus the notification obligation for federal election communications. This bill does not change voter rules or election procedures but alters how state agencies interact with federal election policies.

Maddy summaryHB 4173 requires candidates for state, county, or local offices in West Virginia to have their principal residence (main home where they live and intend to stay permanently) within the election district they seek to represent. It defines "principal residence" using concrete factors like voter registration, driver's license, vehicle registration, and tax filings at that address. The rule does not apply to candidates running for Circuit Court Judge, Family Court Judge, or Prosecuting Attorney. This bill directly affects candidates for elected positions at all local and state levels except specific judicial roles.

Maddy summaryHB 4166 requires the West Virginia governor to provide at least five days' written notice to all state legislators before convening a special session of the Legislature. The bill mandates that the governor's proclamation announcing the special session must be issued no fewer than five days prior to its start. This directly affects the governor, who must follow this notice requirement, and all state legislators, who would receive timely notification. The measure sets a clear procedural standard without altering the governor's authority to call special sessions.

Maddy summaryHJR 11 proposes amending West Virginia's state constitution to increase the homestead exemption from $10,000 to $20,000. This change would directly affect homeowners aged 65 or older, or those permanently and totally disabled, who own their primary residence as their principal place of abode. The bill would exempt the first $20,000 of assessed value for qualifying residential property from ad valorem property taxes. This constitutional amendment requires voter approval at the 2026 general election to take effect. The current exemption amount is $10,000 under the existing constitutional provision.