Del. Chuck Horst

Maddy summaryHB 4445 would exempt the sale of small arms (such as rifles, shotguns, and pistols) and related items from West Virginia's sales and service taxes. This includes small arms ammunition, accessories like holsters and optics, storage devices (e.g., safes and cases), and fees for shooting sports events. The bill defines these terms to clarify the scope of the exemption, ensuring it applies only to specified firearms and related products. The stated purpose is to reduce costs for residents purchasing these items to exercise their Second Amendment rights.

Maddy summaryHB 4370 would allow individuals with a valid West Virginia concealed handgun permit to carry concealed firearms on the State Capitol grounds and inside the Capitol building. Permit holders must show their permit and firearm upon request when entering the building. However, concealed carry would be prohibited in the Governor's office and the Supreme Court chambers (including the third and fourth floors of the East wing). The Senate and House of Delegates would also have the authority to create their own rules for firearm carrying in their respective chamber galleries and floors.

Maddy summaryHB 4372 allows K-12 teachers, administrators, and support staff in West Virginia to carry concealed firearms if certified as School Protection Officers (SPOs). To qualify, applicants must complete state-developed training (including firearms instruction) through the Department of Homeland Security, meet specific qualifications, and receive county superintendent approval. The bill creates a new SPO designation with mandatory certification requirements, replacing the general prohibition on weapons in schools for these designated staff. This policy change directly affects school employees who pursue SPO certification, altering existing restrictions under §61-7-11a of the West Virginia Code.

Maddy summaryHB 4096, introduced in West Virginia's 2026 legislative session, aims to protect gun rights by declaring federal firearm restrictions within the state void and unenforceable. The bill creates legal causes of action for individuals whose rights are infringed, allowing claims for damages, costs, and attorney fees against those enforcing federal gun laws. It requires courts and law enforcement to uphold the right to keep and bear arms and prohibits state employment for officials who enforce federal restrictions. The bill directly affects law-abiding West Virginians and state employees, though it remains pending in the Judiciary Committee and has not yet become law.

Maddy summaryHB 4150 would amend West Virginia law to protect medical cannabis card holders and their caregivers from being denied the right to own, purchase, or possess firearms solely because of their medical cannabis status. The bill explicitly prohibits state and local authorities from restricting these firearm rights based on a person's status as a medical cannabis patient or caregiver. Existing restrictions on firearm possession - such as those for felony convictions, mental health issues, or domestic violence - remain in place. This bill does not override federal law, which still prohibits firearm ownership for cannabis users under federal law.

Maddy summaryHB 4095 would remove qualified immunity for West Virginia police officers who use excessive force or act negligently during no-knock warrant operations. If a court finds an officer violated equal protection laws through reckless, illegal, or excessive force causing injury or trauma, they could be held personally liable. The bill also requires courts to review both the officer's actions and their agency's training procedures; if inadequate training is identified, the police department could face liability. This directly affects officers executing no-knock warrants, their agencies, and residents subjected to such operations.

Maddy summaryHB 4094 would repeal three sections of West Virginia law (§19-20-1, §19-20-2, and §19-20-11) that imposed a tax on dogs. This bill directly affects dog owners in West Virginia who currently pay this tax under existing code. The key mechanism is the removal of the legal requirement for the dog tax by eliminating these specific code provisions. As a result, dog owners would no longer be subject to this tax obligation.

Maddy summaryHB 4184 would exempt safe gun storage devices (such as gun safes, lock boxes, and secure storage containers) from West Virginia's state sales tax. This change applies directly to individuals purchasing these devices for personal firearm storage. The bill amends West Virginia's tax code (§11-15-9) to add "safe gun storage devices" to the list of exempt items, meaning buyers would no longer pay the standard 6% state sales tax on these purchases. The policy change is limited to the tax treatment of these specific storage products.

Maddy summaryHB 4097, the "Protection of Shared Physical and Digital Property from Warrantless Searches Act," requires government agents to obtain a warrant based on probable cause or a person’s consent before accessing information shared with third parties (like banks or cloud services) when obtaining goods or services. It directly affects West Virginia residents whose personal data is held by third parties for commercial purposes, such as financial records or online accounts. The bill defines "digital property" and "physical property" to include information shared for services, and prohibits warrantless searches of this shared information, overturning the "Third Party Doctrine" that previously allowed government access without warrants. This law would take effect upon passage, creating a new legal standard for government access to shared personal data.

Maddy summaryHB 4175 would remove West Virginia's requirement for annual vehicle safety inspections. It repeals specific sections of state law (§17C-16-1 through §17C-16-9) that currently mandate these inspections for most vehicles. This change would directly affect vehicle owners who currently must complete annual inspections to register or operate their vehicles. The bill makes no new provisions or funding changes - its sole effect is to eliminate the existing inspection mandate.