Del. Chris Anders

Maddy summaryHB 4376, titled "Say No to Good Old Boy Governance," prohibits elected state officials from appointing family members to state or local government positions. The bill defines "family member" broadly to include spouses, parents, children, grandparents, grandchildren, siblings, and extended relatives like aunts, uncles, nieces, and nephews. This law applies specifically to elected officials holding state office (such as state legislators or governors) who have appointment authority for public roles. It aims to prevent nepotism by banning the practice of favoring relatives in government appointments.

Maddy summaryHJR 11 proposes amending West Virginia's state constitution to increase the homestead exemption from $10,000 to $20,000. This change would directly affect homeowners aged 65 or older, or those permanently and totally disabled, who own their primary residence as their principal place of abode. The bill would exempt the first $20,000 of assessed value for qualifying residential property from ad valorem property taxes. This constitutional amendment requires voter approval at the 2026 general election to take effect. The current exemption amount is $10,000 under the existing constitutional provision.

Maddy summaryHB 4083 prohibits physicians in West Virginia from providing gender reassignment surgery or gender-altering medication to individuals under 18 years old. It allows exceptions only for medically verified disorders of sex development (DSD), treatment of complications from prior gender transition procedures, or immediate life-threatening conditions. Violating this prohibition would result in license revocation for physicians and allow affected individuals to sue for damages, including costs of subsequent care. The bill defines "gender transition" as changing from identifying with one's sex assigned at birth and specifies that "sex" means male or female as observed at birth, with exceptions for DSD conditions under medical verification. The bill is currently pending in the House Judiciary Committee and would take effect in 2024.

Maddy summaryHB 2067, the West Virginia Firearms Liability Clarification Act, clarifies that firearm owners or sellers are generally not liable for civil lawsuits related to firearms they lawfully possess or transfer, unless negligence or intentional misconduct is proven. This law directly affects firearm owners, sellers, and businesses involved in gun transactions by limiting their civil liability in specific scenarios. The bill, now law after being approved by the Governor on April 25, 2025, establishes clear legal standards to prevent frivolous lawsuits targeting lawful firearm activities.

Maddy summaryHCR 100 is a non-binding request to the Joint Committee on Government and Finance to study hospital pricing transparency and cooperative agreements in West Virginia. The resolution asks the committee to examine current hospital price disclosure requirements, compliance with transparency laws, hospital mergers' impact on pricing, and the role of federal oversight agencies. This study will assess whether current policies foster competition, reduce healthcare costs, and improve patient outcomes. The committee is required to report findings and potential legislative recommendations to the Legislature by 2026.

Maddy summaryHCR 99 is a legislative resolution requesting the Joint Standing Committee on the Judiciary to study policies preventing financial fraud and scams in West Virginia. It directs the committee to examine current state laws, review national approaches, and focus on four key areas: reducing robocalls and spoofing, addressing cryptocurrency-related scams (noting $1.4 million in losses in 2023), improving victim restitution, and protecting against property title fraud. The resolution cites data showing 8,000 West Virginians lost $27 million to fraud in 2024, with national losses exceeding $12.5 billion. The committee must report findings and recommendations to the legislature, governor, and attorney general by December 31, 2025. This is a study resolution, not a law, and does not create immediate policy changes.

Maddy summaryHCR 88 is a ceremonial resolution honoring two West Virginia first responders nominated for the Medal of Valor. It specifically recognizes Captain Donald Lawson (New Martinsville Police) for rescuing two people from carbon monoxide poisoning despite his own hospitalization, and Darrell Lambert (Lake Volunteer Firefighter) for entering a burning building without protective gear to save a trapped resident, sustaining burns in the process. The resolution formally confirms the Legislature's approval of their award and directs the House Clerk to send a copy to Governor Morrisey. This is a symbolic honor with no new policy or funding changes, directly affecting only these two nominees. It passed unanimously in both chambers on April 3, 2025.

Maddy summaryHCR 78 is a non-binding resolution urging West Virginia's Division of Highways to prioritize completing I-73 (the "King Coal Highway") across Wayne, Mingo, McDowell, Mercer, and Wyoming counties. It requests the highway agency treat the project as a high priority to improve economic development and emergency access, especially after recent flooding exposed transportation challenges in the region. The resolution asks the state to provide necessary funding and executive support to expedite the highway's completion but does not allocate new funds or create new law. It directly affects the Division of Highways and residents of the five specified counties by formally advocating for this infrastructure project.

Maddy summaryHCR 93 is a concurrent resolution requesting the West Virginia Division of Highways name a 4.3-mile bypass segment on US 33 in Roane County the "Scott Miller Bypass Road." It specifically asks the Division to install signs at both ends of the bypass to identify the road, honoring W. Scott Miller (for whom the area was named) and his grandson Scott W. Miller, a WWII soldier killed at Normandy who received a Purple Heart. This resolution has no policy or funding impact - it solely requests a ceremonial road name change. The resolution was adopted by the House on March 27, 2025, and referred to the Senate Transportation Committee.

Maddy summaryHCR 72 designates March 20, 2025 as "Black Lung Awareness Day" in West Virginia. It honors coal miners affected by black lung disease (coal worker's pneumoconiosis), a preventable occupational lung condition caused by coal dust exposure. The resolution does not create new laws, funding, or policy changes - it serves as a ceremonial observance recognizing the disease's impact and existing protections like the Black Lung Benefits Act. It follows the Federal Coal Mine Health and Safety Act's emphasis on miner safety without altering current regulations.