Del. Lisa White

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a process for adopted adults in West Virginia and their children or grandchildren to request their original birth certificates from the State Registrar. It requires a written request and sworn affidavit of paternity or adoption, while keeping adoption records sealed from public view. The original birth certificate would be provided to eligible individuals, with adoption documents remaining confidential except for court orders, vital statistics administration, or specific legal proceedings. This changes current policy by creating a formal pathway for access to birth records that were previously restricted.

Maddy summaryHB 2968 ends West Virginia's Public Employees Insurance Association (PEIA) as a state-run healthcare plan and allows it to operate as a private insurance company. Instead of employer payments going to PEIA, the bill requires employers to pay $1,100 monthly directly into employees' Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) for healthcare premiums or related costs. Employees can choose to use these HSA funds for any healthcare provider or continue using PEIA as a private insurer. The change takes effect on July 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 3075 prohibits counties and municipalities in West Virginia from imposing higher property taxes on residential rental properties than on owner-occupied homes, directly affecting landlords and tenants by aiming to keep rents affordable. The bill requires that all county/municipal property taxes on rental properties match the rate for owner-occupied housing (§11A-5-2(a)) and bans additional taxes based on zoning (§11A-5-2(b)). It explicitly states this does not change existing sales or service taxes for rental businesses (§11A-5-2(c)). The legislation targets a specific tax practice to reduce costs for tenants without altering other tax categories.

Maddy summaryHB 3074 requires West Virginia's Secretary of State to include "change audit data" in the existing $1,000 annual subscription service for voter registration data. This data shows monthly changes to voter records (like additions, deletions, or address updates) as a "delta" from the previous month. The bill directly affects organizations and individuals who purchase this subscription for noncommercial purposes, such as election monitoring or research. The Secretary must provide this data within 30 days via a secure digital platform, making it part of the standard subscription package. The change does not alter subscription fees or eligibility but adds transparency about voter record modifications.

Maddy summaryThis bill repeals West Virginia's outdated dog tax by removing sections of the state code (§19-20-1, §19-20-2, and §19-20-11) that previously required dog owners to pay a tax. It directly affects dog owners in West Virginia who were subject to this tax under the existing law. The bill eliminates the requirement for dog owners to pay this tax and removes the administrative processes for collecting it. No new provisions or mechanisms are added - only the repeal of the existing tax.

Maddy summaryHB 2965 redirects employer payments currently made to West Virginia's Public Employees Insurance Association (PEIA) into a Health Savings Account (HSA) for state employees. Starting July 1, 2025, eligible employees would receive $1,100 monthly into their HSA, which they can use to pay for healthcare insurance premiums and related expenses. Employees would choose their own healthcare plans using these funds instead of being enrolled in PEIA. The bill changes how employer contributions are delivered but does not alter existing insurance coverage options.

Maddy summaryHB 2400 prohibits election officials from mailing or delivering absentee ballot applications to voters without a specific request. The bill requires that applications only be provided when a voter personally requests them from the county clerk, either in person, by mail, or electronically. Applications must remain available at county clerk offices and online via the Secretary of State’s website. This change directly affects all registered voters in West Virginia by eliminating unsolicited mailings of ballot applications, ensuring they are only sent to those who actively seek them. The bill amends West Virginia Code §3-3-5 to clarify that unsolicited delivery is unlawful.

Maddy summaryHB 3055 requires West Virginia's Public Service Commission to hold hearings on rate adjustment requests from public electrical utilities and issue recommendations to the Legislature, shifting final approval authority from the Commission to the Legislature. This bill directly affects public electrical utilities, which must now seek legislative approval for rate changes instead of direct Commission approval. The key mechanism changes the Commission's role from decision-maker to advisory body, mandating it to review rate requests and forward recommendations to lawmakers for their final decision. This policy change alters the regulatory process for utility rates without altering the Commission's existing duties to ensure fair rates and service reliability.

Maddy summaryHJR 31 proposes a constitutional amendment to recognize the Holy Bible (including all 66 books of the Old and New Testaments) as the "divinely inspired, inerrant foundational document" for West Virginia society and government. If approved, it would require the Bible to be given "a place of prominence and reverence" in state public buildings, laws, policies, and schools. This is a procedural resolution seeking voter approval in the 2026 general election to add the amendment to the state constitution, not an immediate policy change. The bill does not alter current laws but aims to establish constitutional recognition of the Bible as the state's moral and historical foundation.

Maddy summaryHB 3021 requires West Virginia's Department of Commerce to develop a "competition plan" allowing electricity consumers to choose among multiple utility providers within the same geographic area. The bill mandates that any approved deregulation plan must include specific disclosures for consumers: energy sources used, federal/state subsidies received, environmental management practices, and detailed rate options. It also sets technical requirements for utility operators, including a 75% average daily utilization rate and 10% reserve capacity beyond peak demand to ensure grid reliability. Additionally, the bill separates grid maintenance responsibilities from utility operators, requiring utilities to contract with independent maintenance providers and include those costs in consumer rates.