Del. Lisa White

Maddy summaryHB 4681 would allow West Virginia residents injured by Covid-19 vaccines to sue pharmaceutical companies for damages without limits on the amount they can recover. Currently, drug manufacturers typically avoid liability for vaccine injuries by providing warnings to healthcare providers (the "learned intermediary" rule), but this bill removes that protection specifically for Covid-19 vaccines. The law change would let injured individuals seek full compensation in court for vaccine-related harm. This exception applies only to Covid-19 vaccines and does not affect liability rules for other drugs or medical devices.

Maddy summaryHB 4684 eliminates tax credits for corporations and businesses using solar, wind, or other renewable energy systems after July 1, 2025, while maintaining tax credits for individual homeowners with residential renewable energy systems. It also requires renewable energy projects to be set back at least one mile from residential homes and mandates $400 million in liability insurance per 100 acres for cleanup after disasters. The bill directly affects commercial renewable energy operators by removing financial incentives, but does not impact residential users. These changes aim to reduce state subsidies for large-scale renewable energy operations.

Maddy summaryHB 4666 requires medical examiners in West Virginia to review immunization and medical records for any person under 20 who dies suddenly and unexpectedly (including SIDS, SUID, SDY, or SADS cases). Specifically, examiners must document any immunizations or emergency countermeasures given within 90 days before death and report these cases to the national SUID/SDY registry. The bill applies directly to medical examiners and health departments handling such deaths, with penalties including fines up to $5,000 for failing to report. It mandates this review as part of autopsy procedures to improve data collection for sudden deaths in young people.

Maddy summaryHB 4686 amends West Virginia law to clarify that landowners (and their immediate family members) do not need a hunting license to hunt on their own private property during open seasons. The bill specifically adds this exemption to existing provisions, while maintaining that licenses are still required if the land is designated as a wildlife refuge or preserve. It directly affects private landowners who hunt on their own property, removing a licensing requirement they previously faced. The change streamlines existing exemptions without altering requirements for public land hunting or other license categories.

Maddy summaryHB 4689 allows localities (like towns, cities, or counties) contiguous to West Virginia's border to join the state through a specific process. It requires a binding local referendum, a simple majority vote by the West Virginia Legislature, and final voter approval at the next general election. If approved, the bill mandates transition steps: the Secretary of State must notify Congress and tax authorities within seven days, provide tax payment instructions with a grace period, and offer free business licensing and professional license grandfathering until December 31 of the admission year. This bill directly affects border communities seeking state admission and outlines concrete procedures for their integration into West Virginia's governance and tax systems.

Maddy summaryHB 4669 prohibits the addition of specific fluoride compounds - fluorosilicic acid, sodium fluorosilicate, and sodium fluoride - to public water systems in West Virginia. It directly affects water utilities and local governments that currently fluoridate drinking water. The bill creates a new "Safe Drinking Water Act" section banning these additives in public water systems and prohibits local ordinances requiring or allowing fluoride addition. This law would take effect immediately upon passage, removing existing fluoride treatment from public water sources.

Maddy summaryHB 4687 creates the State Bank of West Virginia as a custodial agency within the State Treasurer's office, specifically for holding physical precious metals (bullion and specie) owned by the state, its agencies, or political subdivisions. The bill establishes rules for deposits, withdrawals, and account management, prohibits the bank from paying interest, and requires strict record-keeping and reporting to the Treasurer. It directly affects state entities that hold precious metals by providing a dedicated, secure repository and defines procedures for private individuals or businesses to deposit metals under specific conditions. The bank will operate under a State Bank Administrator appointed by the Treasurer with gubernatorial approval, focusing solely on safekeeping and administrative handling of these assets.

Maddy summaryHB 4672 allows adopted adults aged 18 or older, or their direct descendants if the adoptee has died, to request certified copies of their original birth certificates from the State Registrar. The bill requires written requests and specifies that these copies must clearly state they cannot be used for legal identification. It applies the same procedures, fees, and waiting periods to adopted individuals as those used for non-adopted West Virginia residents seeking birth certificates. The original adoption records remain sealed except as permitted by this bill or other law.

Maddy summaryHB 4676 eliminates West Virginia's application of the "open fields doctrine," a legal rule allowing police to search areas like fields or wooded land surrounding a home without a warrant. The bill directly affects property owners whose land extends beyond their immediate dwelling (including fenced areas and woods), requiring police to obtain a warrant for searches there, except for established constitutional exceptions. It defines "open fields" as private property a reasonable person would view as private, not generally open to the public. The bill abolishes the previous common law rule and aligns state law with Fourth Amendment protections. This change applies to searches under both federal and West Virginia constitutional safeguards.

Maddy summaryHB 4680 prohibits state emergency orders from restricting religious gatherings, travel to places of worship, or imposing penalties on religious institutions during a declared state of emergency. It directly affects churches and religious organizations by ensuring their services cannot be shut down under emergency powers. The bill creates a legal right for religious institutions to sue if harmed by violations, with a two-year deadline to file claims for damages, attorney fees, and other relief. It applies immediately upon passage and requires the governor's emergency orders to comply with these protections.