Del. Larry Kump

Maddy summaryHB 3414 automatically establishes a $100 Smart 529 savings account for every newborn in West Virginia who resides in the state at birth or is adopted by West Virginia residents. The bill requires the Department of Human Services to share birth data with the State Treasurer within 90 days of birth, triggering the grant to cover college costs at eligible institutions. It creates the "Mountaineer Scholars Grant Program," with funds drawn from the Savings Plan Trust Fund to provide one-time grants plus investment earnings for qualified higher education expenses. The program applies to children born after December 31, 2024, and excludes parents who opt out.

Maddy summaryHB 3390 would provide a 15% pay raise to non-uniformed employees working within West Virginia's Division of Corrections and Rehabilitation. The bill amends §15A-3-7 of the state code to require this specific wage increase for eligible staff, excluding uniformed correctional officers. It directly affects approximately 1,200 non-uniformed workers in the corrections system, including administrative, medical, and support personnel. The bill, introduced on March 17, 2025, is currently pending in the House Judiciary and Finance committees. This is a concrete salary adjustment with no additional requirements or mechanisms beyond the specified percentage increase.

Maddy summaryHB 3394 creates a 12-member School Aid Formula Study Commission to examine and recommend changes to West Virginia's public school funding system. The commission includes school board members, education experts, teachers, school personnel, urban/rural school board representatives, county officials, parents, charter school advocates, and building authority members. It must study all funding options, evaluate how to preserve public schools, and submit recommendations to the Legislature by July 1, 2027. The bill directly affects how state funds are distributed to public schools across all 55 counties, aiming to modernize the current formula to address challenges like declining enrollment and school closures.

Maddy summaryHB 3409 changes West Virginia's hunting and fishing license validity period from expiring at the end of the calendar year to lasting exactly one year from the date of purchase. This directly affects all individuals who buy hunting or fishing licenses in the state. The bill amends §20-2-35 of the West Virginia Code to replace the current "last day of the calendar year" expiration with a fixed one-year term starting on the purchase date. This policy change simplifies license validity without altering fees or requirements.

Maddy summaryHCR 92 is a non-binding legislative resolution prohibiting compensation for assisting veterans with benefits applications, except as permitted under federal law. It bans charging fees for preparing, presenting, or advising on veterans' benefits claims, guaranteeing specific benefit amounts, or charging excessive fees. The resolution requires written agreements meeting federal fee standards (38 CFR §14.636) before any assistance is provided. It aims to protect veterans from exploitative fees when seeking benefits support.

Maddy summaryHB 3385 requires medication-assisted treatment (MAT) programs in West Virginia to establish written policies for community engagement and location planning. The bill prohibits new MAT programs from locating within 0.5 miles of schools or daycares (with limited variances for existing programs), bans recruitment incentives like rewards for patient referrals, and mandates 60-day public notice before new locations. Programs must notify county commissions and mayors via certified mail, detailing their community impact plans, and obtain local approval before operating. These requirements apply to all MAT facilities, including opioid treatment programs and office-based providers, with a waiver process requiring written justification and safety documentation.

Maddy summaryHB 3329 amends West Virginia law to strengthen penalties for sex offenses against children under 12 and for filming minors in sexually explicit conduct. It mandates prison sentences without probation for sex offenses involving force, weapons, or moving the victim, with a minimum 20-year sentence for first offenses. Repeat offenders face life imprisonment without parole. The bill also increases penalties for filming minors in sexually explicit conduct, imposing fines up to $10,000 or up to 10 years in prison for violations.

Maddy summaryHB 3318 requires all West Virginia state employees who interact with the public - such as through phone calls, in-person visits, email, or written correspondence - to complete mandatory customer service training. The bill mandates an 8-hour in-person training program for current public-facing staff by July 1, 2027, and for all new hires before they begin work. State agencies must develop this training by January 1, 2026, and provide an online handbook of customer service policies. Additionally, employees must take a 4-hour refresher course every three years to stay updated on protocols.

Maddy summaryHB 3317 allows high school students in West Virginia who complete a certified driver's education course to receive a "High School Driver Education Certificate" from their teacher. This certificate waives the need for written and road skill tests at the DMV for six months, replacing the standard testing requirement. Students must still pay all standard DMV fees for a driver's license. The bill directly affects high school students enrolled in approved driver's education programs and streamlines the licensing process for them.

Maddy summaryHB 3322 prohibits public servants in West Virginia - including legislators - from accepting any gift or gratuity from individuals or entities with business before them, even if the gift is unexpected or given after an action is completed. It directly affects all state officials, including lawmakers, who handle matters like regulations, contracts, or legislation. Key provisions ban accepting such gifts in exchange for official actions, with limited exceptions for trivial items, family-related gifts, or social events posing no risk of bias. The bill also explicitly excludes campaign contributions that comply with election laws from these restrictions.