Del. Larry Kump

Maddy summaryHB 2527 creates a tuition reimbursement program for West Virginia Corrections employees. It provides 20% annual tuition coverage for undergraduate courses at state colleges/universities, with full 100% reimbursement after five years of continued employment. Employees must first exhaust other financial aid (like Pell Grants), maintain academic progress, and prove employment to qualify. The program directly affects Corrections officers seeking to earn degrees while working.

Maddy summaryHB 3121 clarifies procedures for West Virginia's orphan roads and bridges program, requiring the Division of Highways to develop a statewide program for identifying and maintaining roads/bridges not maintained by any government agency. To qualify, roads must exist as of January 1, 2025, be under 0.1 mile long, and have donated rights-of-way; bridges must be under 0.2 miles and provide access to residential areas and West Virginia-owned businesses. The bill establishes a public electronic request form for submissions, mandates at least 20 annual approvals by the commissioner, and requires all necessary rights-of-way to be donated or purchased via state road fund contributions if owners disagree. It includes a 10-year sunset provision and aims to support economic development through maintenance of these infrastructure assets.

Maddy summaryHB 2018 requires West Virginia public schools operating on a standard calendar to begin instruction no earlier than September 1 and end no later than May 31 each school year. The bill amends existing law to establish these fixed start and end dates while maintaining the current requirement for 180 instructional days. It applies to all public schools except those using a "balanced calendar" as defined by state board policy. The measure does not change the total instructional day requirement but sets specific annual date boundaries for the school calendar.

Maddy summaryHB 2019 waives the $10 one-time application fee for West Virginia's Veterans license plate for first-time applicants with an Honorable Discharge from any U.S. military branch. This directly affects new veterans applying for the specialty plate, removing a cost barrier for eligible applicants. The bill amends §17A-3-14b of West Virginia law to eliminate this fee while requiring applicants to still provide documentation of their military service. It does not change renewal fees or apply to existing plate holders.

Maddy summaryHJR 40 proposes a constitutional amendment to change how members of the West Virginia State Board of Education are selected. It would replace the current system of nine appointed members with a hybrid model: five members elected on a partisan basis from five geographic regions (serving staggered four-year terms), and four members appointed by the Governor with Senate consent. The amendment would require the Board to submit any rules or policies they create to the Legislature for review, approval, amendment, or rejection. If approved by voters in the 2026 general election, these changes would take effect with the 2028 general election, modifying the current appointment system for the Board.

Maddy summaryHB 3396 establishes a three-year pilot program in West Virginia schools to provide mental and behavioral health services as an alternative to disciplinary action for students with disruptive behavior. Schools participating must already operate a school-based health center or use the state’s "expanded school mental health framework," then provide assessments, ongoing treatment, and family involvement for students referred by schools or courts. The program requires schools to bill insurance, school funds (for behavioral referrals), or the Department of Health (for court-ordered cases) for services. This directly affects students facing discipline, their families, and participating schools, shifting focus from punishment to mental health support.

Maddy summaryHB 3403 would remove West Virginia's sales tax from tax preparation services. Currently, these services are subject to the state's consumer sales and service tax, but this bill would exempt them from that tax. The change would directly affect individuals and small businesses that pay for professional tax preparation help, as they would no longer pay the tax on these services. The bill amends West Virginia Code §11-15-9 to add tax preparation services to the list of exempt items, which currently includes things like textbooks and certain government purchases.

Maddy summaryHB 3436, the Genetic Privacy Act, would require companies and organizations collecting genetic data in West Virginia to obtain clear, specific consumer consent before using or sharing that information. It defines "genetic data" broadly to include DNA sequences, health-related information connected to genetic testing, and related analyses. The bill mandates that entities provide privacy notices about data collection, use, and disclosure, and allows consumers to access or delete their data. It includes exceptions for healthcare providers under HIPAA, research with proper consent, and government use (with new warrant requirements starting in 2027), directly affecting genetic testing companies and any business handling consumer genetic information in the state.

Maddy summaryHB 3437 requires parents or guardians to provide specific, written consent before newborn genetic screening occurs, replacing general hospital admission forms. It limits blood sample collection to only what's necessary for screening and mandates destruction of blood spots after three weeks unless separate consent is obtained for retention. The bill also requires explicit parental consent for any future use of blood samples or test results - including research, law enforcement, or public health studies - preventing automatic retention or sharing. This applies directly to all newborns in West Virginia and ensures parents control how their child's genetic information is handled.

Maddy summaryHB 3405 allows the West Virginia Commissioner of Highways to provide up to $10,000 annually in locality pay to employees working in specific jurisdictions where such pay is needed to recruit and retain staff for highway projects. This applies to Division of Highways employees in areas designated by the Commissioner as requiring competitive compensation. The pay differential can exceed standard salary ranges for their position, and the Commissioner must create implementation rules. The bill directly affects highway workers in designated locations, aiming to support workforce stability for road maintenance and construction.