Del. Larry Kump

Maddy summaryHB 2091 directs Berkeley County Commission to hold a referendum at the next general election to change the term length for county commissioners from six years to four years. The bill requires voters to approve this change through a ballot measure, meaning the shorter term would only take effect if approved by the electorate. This is a procedural bill focused solely on altering the election process for county commissioners' terms.

Maddy summaryHB 2094 requires the West Virginia governor to provide all state legislators with at least five days' written notice before convening a special legislative session. This bill amends state law to mandate that the governor's proclamation calling a special session must be issued no fewer than five days prior to the session's start. The law directly affects all 100 state legislators by ensuring they receive sufficient advance notice of special session dates, aligning with the bill's stated purpose of improving legislative preparedness.

Maddy summaryHB 2078 requires all candidates for state, county, or local elected offices to live within the specific district they are running to represent. It defines "principal residence" as living in the district with intent to remain there, using concrete evidence like voter registration, driver's license, vehicle registration, or tax filings to verify residency. The bill does not apply to candidates for Circuit Court Judge, Family Court Judge, or Prosecuting Attorney positions. This law directly affects candidates seeking most elected offices by mandating they reside in their district, aiming to ensure representatives live where they serve.

Maddy summaryHB 2089 establishes a 13-member independent commission to draw West Virginia's state legislative district maps after each federal census, replacing the current process where legislators draw their own district lines. Commissioners must be registered voters with no current political office or party leadership roles, selected through a randomized process from applicants affiliated with the two major parties and those not affiliated. The commission will operate with nonpartisan staff, receive legislative funding for its work, and submit final maps to the Supreme Court for review. This bill directly affects all West Virginians by changing how district boundaries are determined, aiming to reduce partisan influence in redistricting.

Maddy summaryHB 2100 changes how West Virginia law enforcement agencies hire officers after competitive exams. It allows hiring agencies to select fewer than three candidates from the certified list if the ranked applicants are fewer than optimal. The bill also clarifies that if an appointing officer objects to candidates for reasons in existing law, the Civil Service Commission can remove them after a hearing, and a candidate's name is struck from the list after three rejections. These changes apply directly to police departments and sheriff's offices hiring under civil service rules.

Maddy summaryHB 2098 establishes a single, centralized statewide voter registration database in West Virginia to improve accuracy and security. It requires the Secretary of State to maintain a system containing unique identifiers for all registered voters, coordinate with other state agencies, and implement specific procedures for removing ineligible voters (like those convicted of felonies or deceased) per federal law. The bill mandates regular database maintenance to eliminate duplicates, prevent unauthorized access, and ensure eligible voters aren't mistakenly removed, while requiring county clerks to submit registration data electronically. This procedural bill directly affects the Secretary of State, county clerks, and all registered voters by changing how voter data is managed and verified.

Maddy summaryHB 2096 shortens the period during which an unregistered vehicle can be parked at a residence without penalty from 90 days to 60 days. This allows West Virginia law enforcement to issue fines to vehicle owners who leave unregistered vehicles parked at their home for more than 60 days. The bill does not change the existing requirement that owners register vehicles within 30 days of moving to the state. It directly affects individual vehicle owners who park unregistered vehicles at their residence for extended periods.

Maddy summaryHB 2099 requires random drug testing for West Virginia state legislators during each regular legislative session. The bill mandates that legislators be tested no more than twice per session, with a second test required if the first shows illegal drug use. Results of a second positive test or refusal to participate must be made public, while all other test results remain confidential. This bill directly affects all state legislators and establishes specific procedures for testing and disclosure during legislative sessions.

Maddy summaryHB 2126, titled "Say No to Good Old Boy Governance," prohibits elected officials in West Virginia from appointing family members to state or local government positions. The bill defines "family member" broadly to include spouses, parents, children, grandchildren, siblings, and extended relatives like aunts, uncles, nieces, and nephews. It directly affects all elected state and local officials who make appointments, aiming to prevent nepotism in government hiring. The law amends West Virginia Code §6B-2-5 to explicitly ban such appointments, effective upon enactment.

Maddy summaryHB 2101 creates a standing legislative committee to review and approve all financial contracts entered into by West Virginia’s Economic Development Authority (WVEDA) before they become effective. This directly affects WVEDA, which negotiates economic development deals, and the businesses or entities receiving state development funds. The bill mandates that WVEDA must obtain committee approval for every financial contract - including loans, insurance, or revenue bonds - before signing, as specified in the amended §31-15-6 and new §31-15-6d. This requirement applies to all such contracts, aiming to add legislative oversight to economic development spending.