Del. Larry Kump

Maddy summaryHouse Bill 4902 provides a 3% salary adjustment for non-uniform administrative staff in West Virginia's Division of Corrections and Rehabilitation (DCR) who have at least three years of continuous service, effective July 1, 2026. Employees with less than three years of service will receive the same 3% adjustment after completing three years, calculated based on their salary at that time. The bill directs that funding for these increases come from the DCR's general revenue appropriations and specifies that adjustments will take effect even if they exceed standard pay grade maximums. This change directly affects DCR non-uniform administrative staff by creating a separate pay structure for their roles.

Maddy summaryHB 4866 creates the West Virginia Public Participation Protection Act, which establishes a legal process to quickly dismiss lawsuits targeting protected public speech. The bill allows defendants to file a "special motion to dismiss" within 60 days if a lawsuit claims to be based on free speech, petitioning government, association on public issues, digital expression (like social media), consumer reviews, or information gathering for expressive works. If the motion is filed, all court proceedings automatically pause until the court rules, and the plaintiff must prove they have a strong case to win. This applies to all pending and future cases involving public concern issues, but excludes state enforcement actions and pure contract disputes without public interest.

Maddy summaryHB 4864 requires West Virginia counties to make all election data - including voting records, system logs, and audit files - publicly accessible under the state's Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) to any registered voter, removing all standard exemptions for this information. It mandates random physical inspections of electronic voting systems, restricts certain software, and establishes hand-counting procedures for verification. The bill directly affects all West Virginia counties using electronic voting systems and registered voters seeking election data transparency. Key provisions become effective immediately upon passage, shifting election data access from limited official review to direct public disclosure.

Maddy summaryHB 4882 repeals West Virginia's requirement for mandatory annual vehicle inspections, which currently requires drivers to obtain a sticker after a state inspection. This bill directly affects all vehicle owners in West Virginia who would no longer need to get annual inspections or display a sticker. The bill removes the legal mandate by repealing specific sections of the state code (§17C-16-1 to §17C-16-9) that established the inspection program. As a result, the state would no longer enforce this inspection requirement for motor vehicles.

Maddy summaryHB 4898 requires West Virginia's Division of Corrections to provide every person on probation with one physical copy of their birth certificate and one physical copy of their Social Security card upon release from any correctional facility. This applies specifically to individuals being released after serving time under probation supervision. The bill mandates this document handout as a standard procedure, ensuring probationers have essential identification documents immediately after release. It directly affects all probationers exiting West Virginia correctional facilities, helping them access services like employment, housing, or government benefits that require these documents. The requirement is a straightforward administrative change with no additional fees or conditions specified.

Maddy summaryHJR 27 proposes a constitutional amendment to transfer control of most roads in West Virginia from the state to counties. It would repeal nine existing constitutional amendments related to road funding and management, replacing them with a new Amendment 19. Under this amendment, counties would have exclusive authority over the maintenance and upkeep of all local roads, excluding roads in the National Highway System and designated West Virginia State Highways. The state legislature would still be required to appropriate funds to support county road maintenance through the regular budget process. This amendment must be approved by voters in the 2027 general election to take effect.

Maddy summaryHB 4845 (West Virginia) creates new state-level criminal offenses for "illegal entry into the state" and "illegal reentry," directly affecting individuals entering West Virginia without legal authorization. Key provisions establish penalties for these offenses, prohibit probation or parole for convictions, require the Criminal Identification Bureau to maintain records of such entries, and grant immunity to officials enforcing these provisions. The bill also mandates court procedures for deportation orders and ensures prosecution continues regardless of federal immigration status. It does not address border security but defines state-level criminal liability for unauthorized entry.

Maddy summaryHB 4715 removes the requirement for nurse practitioners and physician assistants in West Virginia to practice under direct physician supervision. The bill repeals sections §30-3E-10a and §30-3E-11 of the state code, which previously mandated supervision, and amends related provisions to allow these providers to practice independently. This change directly affects licensed nurse practitioners and physician assistants who will no longer need a collaborating physician's oversight for their scope of practice. The bill focuses on updating regulatory language to eliminate supervision barriers, without altering prescribing rules or other practice parameters.

Maddy summaryHB 4837 extends the waiting period for former state legislators and other public officials to become lobbyists, changing the current one-year ban to five years. This bill directly affects former state legislators, county officials, and public employees who leave their government roles. The key mechanism requires these individuals to wait five years before lobbying state agencies or officials, aiming to reduce potential conflicts of interest from recent government service. The change applies to all public officials covered under West Virginia’s ethics code, including those in county and municipal positions.

Maddy summaryHB 4820 amends West Virginia law to clarify that people who voluntarily provide emergency care or assistance at accident, emergency, disaster, or non-emergent situations - without payment - cannot be held liable for civil damages resulting from their actions. This protection applies to all individuals, including trained professionals, who act in good faith at the scene. The bill defines "emergency" as situations requiring immediate medical treatment due to natural causes, accidents, or crime, and references existing definitions for "disaster." It directly affects anyone offering unsolicited aid in crisis situations by shielding them from civil lawsuits related to their voluntary assistance.