Del. Lisa White

Maddy summaryHB 4894, the "West Virginia Utility Affordability and Economic Competitiveness Act," prohibits utility companies from raising rates for one year (a moratorium) and establishes a phased approach to reduce high utility costs for West Virginia residents and businesses. It requires utilities to evaluate all costs - including base rates, fees, environmental impacts, and long-term system reliability - when making future rate decisions, rather than focusing solely on individual projects. The bill directly affects all West Virginia households and businesses that pay utility bills, aiming to lower the state’s position as having some of the highest combined electricity and water costs in the U.S. The law mandates that affordability be measured by total system costs and competitiveness relative to neighboring states, not just immediate rate changes.

Maddy summaryHB 5681 would allow qualified certified nurse practitioners and certified nurse midwives in West Virginia to prescribe, administer, and dispense prescription drugs without needing a collaborating physician. Currently, state law requires these professionals to have a written agreement with a physician to prescribe medications, but the bill removes this requirement. The legislation amends specific sections of the West Virginia Code governing registered nurses and their practice standards. This change would directly affect nurse practitioners and midwives by expanding their independent prescribing authority for medications.

Maddy summaryThis bill would allow public schools and charter schools in West Virginia to refuse enrollment to students who are unlawfully present in the United States, provided the student or their parent has exhausted all available legal appeals. The legislation requires schools to verify a student's immigration status through documentation before enrollment, accepting only U.S. citizenship, citizenship applications, or legal visa status as valid proof. By adding a new section to state law, the bill creates an eligibility standard for public school enrollment that differs from current federal precedent, permitting schools to deny access to students with final removal orders without charging tuition.

Maddy summaryHB 5667 directs $20 million from the Division of Economic Development to the West Virginia Division of Highways (Region 2) for accelerating road repairs in Wayne and Mingo Counties, effective July 1, 2026. It also directs $20 million from the Water Development Authority - $10 million to Wayne County Commission and $10 million to Mingo County Commission - for water infrastructure projects in those counties, effective the same date. The bill specifies these funds must be used for public road repairs and water system improvements, respectively. It does not create new taxes or alter existing programs but reallocates existing state funds to targeted local infrastructure needs.

Maddy summaryHB 5644 requires all West Virginia public K-12 schools and accredited colleges/universities to record students' immigration status and nationality as defined by federal law. This includes categories like U.S. citizens, permanent residents, non-immigrants, undocumented individuals, and refugees. Schools must annually publish aggregated demographic data (without individual student details) on immigration status to the state education superintendent, who will post it online. The bill directly affects every public educational institution in West Virginia by mandating this data collection and reporting process. It does not change student eligibility for education but creates a statewide database for tracking enrollment demographics.

Maddy summaryThis House Resolution (HR 17) requests federal authorities - including the Justice Department and FBI - to conduct a full, transparent investigation into Jeffrey Epstein-related files and release non-classified records. It specifically urges special attention to any individuals or entities with ties to West Virginia, such as public officials or businesses. The resolution aims to restore public trust by ensuring accountability for potential violations of state law connected to Epstein’s activities. As a non-binding resolution, it does not create new legal requirements but formally encourages federal action.

Maddy summaryHB 4062 allows homeschool students participating in organized homeschool athletic teams to compete against West Virginia Secondary School Activities Commission (WVSSAC) member schools in regular-season games. It requires homeschool organizations to follow similar health, safety, and eligibility rules as public/private schools and provide comparable insurance. Crucially, homeschool teams cannot be included in official WVSSAC rankings, standings, or postseason tournaments, and member schools may choose whether to schedule games with them. The bill ensures homeschool participation does not affect official records of WVSSAC member schools while creating a framework for their involvement.

Maddy summaryHB 4065 amends West Virginia's Hope Scholarship Board composition by adding three parent members appointed by the Governor (with Senate approval). These parent members must be state residents from geographically diverse areas, represent parents of students in varied educational settings (like microschools), and serve staggered three-year terms. The bill maintains existing voting members (State Treasurer, Auditor, Attorney General) and non-voting members (Superintendent, Higher Education Chancellor, Minority Affairs Director), while specifying that parent appointments must meet residency and diversity requirements. This procedural change directly affects the board's makeup and the process for selecting parent representatives on the Hope Scholarship Board.

Maddy summaryHB 5551 requires West Virginia to continue issuing non-REAL ID compliant driver's licenses and ID cards, clearly marked "NOT FOR REAL ID ACT PURPOSES," which remain valid for all state purposes like driving and identity verification. The bill prohibits the state from collecting biometric data (such as facial scans or fingerprints), retaining copies of identity documents (like birth certificates or Social Security cards), or sharing personal information from these licenses with federal or interstate databases. It mandates that applicants be informed of their choice between REAL ID and non-REAL ID options and provided with a list of TSA-acceptable IDs, while banning digital IDs and requiring physical licenses for all purposes. The law also prohibits state agencies from entering agreements that conflict with these protections.

Maddy summaryHB 5602 allows property owners of undeveloped land (less than 2% impervious surfaces) within city limits to petition for annexation into the county. It requires written owner consent, county commission approval, and eligibility for potential future purchase by a county development authority. The bill establishes an application process including a map, proof of undeveloped status, and county development authority confirmation, with municipalities notified and allowed 30 days to comment. If approved, the property leaves the city and becomes unincorporated county land, with the county development authority gaining a five-year right of first refusal to purchase at fair market value. This applies only to land not yet developed, aiming to streamline annexation for specific property types.