Del. Larry Kump

Maddy summaryHCR 53 is a House Concurrent Resolution (not a law) affirming West Virginia's constitutional right to legal standing in matters affecting its residents. It states the state recognizes no judicial authority that denies West Virginia's standing in issues impacting its people, citing the Tenth Amendment, the Declaration of Independence, and West Virginia's own Constitution. The resolution declares any effort to restrict this standing "illegal, void, and an attack on the sovereignty of the People and State." As a concurrent resolution, it expresses the legislature's position but does not create new law or directly affect residents.

Maddy summaryHB 2079 prohibits public sewer districts serving at least 4,500 customers with $3 million+ annual revenue from requiring mandatory hook-up fees or installation charges for new or expanded sewer systems. The bill amends West Virginia law to eliminate these fees, directly affecting homeowners and property developers connecting to municipal sewer infrastructure. Key provisions require sewer districts to establish rates based on usage, fixtures, or customer count instead of connection charges, while maintaining public notice requirements for rate changes. This policy change removes a financial barrier for property owners connecting to existing or new sewer systems.

Maddy summaryHB 2537 would amend West Virginia law to allow landlords to serve eviction notices by posting them conspicuously on the rental property (e.g., on the front door) with photographic evidence, instead of requiring personal delivery, if a tenant refuses to accept service. This change directly affects landlords seeking evictions and tenants who avoid being served personally. The bill specifies that landlords must attach photos of the posted notice to court filings as proof. It does not alter eviction standards but streamlines the service process for landlords when tenants evade contact. The bill is currently pending in the House Judiciary Committee.

Maddy summaryHB 2539 would provide a 25% discount on lodging and services at West Virginia State Parks for residents who present a valid West Virginia driver's license or state ID card. The bill directly affects West Virginia residents seeking to use state park facilities, requiring documented residency to qualify for the reduced fees. It amends state code to mandate this discount through the director of state parks, applying only to fees for lodging and services exclusively used by residents. The bill was introduced on February 18, 2025, and referred to the House Finance Committee, but has not yet been enacted into law.

Maddy summaryHB 2578 amends West Virginia law to increase the maximum number of children allowed in informal family child care homes from 12 to 13 per home. This change directly affects unlicensed family child care providers operating in their residences, who previously could care for no more than 12 children. The bill modifies the definition of "child care" under §49-1-206 to reflect this updated limit, without altering licensing requirements or safety standards for these homes. The policy change specifically applies to informal family child care settings, not licensed child care centers (which already allow 13+ children).

Maddy summaryHB 2541 would establish rules for election observers in West Virginia, allowing political parties, candidates, and third-party organizations to have two observers per election location, plus any registered voter to serve as an observer. The bill requires election officials to provide observers with full access to voting, ballot-reviewing, and ballot-counting activities (excluding individual voter choices), including access to areas like ballot handling, verification, and tabulation. Observers must wear official badges, may take handwritten notes or use recording devices (except during ballot completion), and cameras must be stationed in all polling locations to enable public observation. The bill also mandates that election officials allow public observation of equipment testing and post-election audits, with failure to comply risking official sanctions.

Maddy summaryHB 2536 requires full cash bail for individuals rearrested for violent or gun-related crimes while on bail for a prior similar offense. It applies specifically to people already out on bond for violent or gun-related crimes who commit another offense in that category. The bill mandates cash-only bail (no bail bondsmen allowed) and requires consecutive sentencing if the person is convicted of the new crime. This changes bail procedures and sentencing for repeat offenders in specific violent or gun crime cases.

Maddy summaryHB 2540 requires the West Virginia state to reimburse counties for daily incarceration costs when an inmate’s conviction results in credit for time already served toward their sentence. This directly affects counties that house inmates who receive sentence reductions due to prior time served in custody. The bill amends §15A-3-16 of state code to establish a reimbursement process for these costs, replacing the current system where counties pay daily per diem fees. Previously, counties paid for all days incarcerated, but the state now covers costs for days not served due to time credit.

Maddy summaryHB 2530 creates a state program within West Virginia’s Department of Homeland Security to facilitate the transport of "inspected unauthorized aliens" (people processed by federal authorities but not formally admitted under immigration law) within the United States. The bill establishes the Unauthorized Alien Transport Program, authorizing the state to contract services and adopt rules for transporting these individuals, while requiring compliance with federal law. It does not address deportation or sanctuary cities, as the bill’s title misrepresents its purpose. The program is temporary, expiring June 30, 2028. This bill directly affects West Virginia’s administrative processes for handling individuals already processed by federal immigration systems.

Maddy summaryHB 2535 would require West Virginia inmates in state prisons to face additional prison time if found with illegal drugs or testing positive for drug use while incarcerated. For a first offense, inmates would have six months added to their current sentence; for a second or subsequent offense, one year would be added per incident, served consecutively. The bill mandates drug testing to begin after three months of incarceration for all inmates, with additional testing allowed if staff suspects drug use. This directly affects individuals serving sentences in West Virginia correctional facilities who test positive or possess drugs during their imprisonment.