Rep. Chris Anders

Maddy summaryHB 2578 amends West Virginia law to increase the maximum number of children allowed in informal family child care homes from 12 to 13 per home. This change directly affects unlicensed family child care providers operating in their residences, who previously could care for no more than 12 children. The bill modifies the definition of "child care" under §49-1-206 to reflect this updated limit, without altering licensing requirements or safety standards for these homes. The policy change specifically applies to informal family child care settings, not licensed child care centers (which already allow 13+ children).

Maddy summaryHB 2541 would establish rules for election observers in West Virginia, allowing political parties, candidates, and third-party organizations to have two observers per election location, plus any registered voter to serve as an observer. The bill requires election officials to provide observers with full access to voting, ballot-reviewing, and ballot-counting activities (excluding individual voter choices), including access to areas like ballot handling, verification, and tabulation. Observers must wear official badges, may take handwritten notes or use recording devices (except during ballot completion), and cameras must be stationed in all polling locations to enable public observation. The bill also mandates that election officials allow public observation of equipment testing and post-election audits, with failure to comply risking official sanctions.

Maddy summaryHB 2594 amends West Virginia law to permit year-round, 24/7 hunting of coyotes using artificial light or night vision technology at any hour. The bill explicitly overrides existing restrictions by stating it is lawful to hunt coyotes with these tools "at any hour and at all times throughout the year," removing previous time or seasonal limitations. This change directly affects coyote hunters in West Virginia who use artificial light or night vision equipment. The bill does not alter hunting regulations for other wildlife species like fox or raccoon.

Maddy summaryHB 2538 exempts retirement benefits received by retired West Virginia Division of Natural Resources (DNR) Police Officers from the state's personal income tax. The bill amends the state tax code to specifically exclude these pension payments from taxation, applying only to officers who served in the DNR Law Enforcement Division. This change directly affects retired DNR officers who currently pay state income tax on their pension benefits. The policy provides a tax exemption for this specific group under existing retirement laws, without altering other tax provisions or creating new state spending.

Maddy summaryHB 2564, titled "The Business and Public Area Liability Protection Act," removes restrictions on carrying firearms in state or municipal buildings and public areas when adequate security measures (like metal detectors or armed personnel at entrances) are not present. It directly affects legally qualified individuals (those not prohibited by law from carrying firearms) who enter public buildings without such security. The bill requires public employers to allow firearm carrying in public areas and throughout buildings if security is inadequate, but prohibits such carrying only where adequate security measures are in place. This amendment changes existing rules by shifting the burden to public buildings to implement security before banning firearms.

Maddy summaryHB 2577 modifies West Virginia's unemployment benefit disqualification rules to shorten periods when workers lose benefits. It specifically allows individuals who return to their previous employer within 14 days after a layoff (due to lack of work) to avoid disqualification for benefits. The bill affects unemployed workers who leave jobs voluntarily or face discharge, clarifying that re-employment with a prior employer under these conditions prevents benefit loss. It does not change maximum benefit amounts but adjusts eligibility rules for specific job separation scenarios. The bill is currently in the House Finance Committee.

Maddy summaryHB 2592 declares all current and future federal, state, and local laws restricting firearms, ammunition, or related activities (like possession, carrying, or manufacturing) invalid within West Virginia. It prohibits state officials from enforcing such laws and makes attempting to enforce them a felony punishable by up to two years in prison or a $10,000 fine. The bill also requires the state Attorney General to defend West Virginians prosecuted under federal gun laws. It applies broadly to all levels of government and covers all firearm-related activities protected under the Second Amendment and West Virginia's state constitution.

Maddy summaryHB 2591, the "Defend the Guard Act," requires the West Virginia National Guard to remain under state control for combat operations unless the U.S. Congress formally declares war or takes specific action under the Constitution to call the militia for enumerated purposes. It directly affects West Virginia National Guard members, preventing their deployment to active-duty combat without congressional authorization. The bill defines "active duty combat" as participating in armed conflict, performing hazardous duty in foreign countries, or using instruments of war. The governor must ensure compliance with this requirement, effectively blocking federal deployment for combat without explicit congressional action. This policy change aims to align state military control with the constitutional principle that Congress holds exclusive authority to declare war.

Maddy summaryHB 2590 would exempt law-enforcement officers employed by municipal police departments, county sheriff's offices, or the West Virginia State Police from paying state income tax and personal property tax on their personal belongings. The bill amends existing tax exemption laws to add these officers as a covered group, similar to other public servants like teachers or firefighters in some jurisdictions. This change directly affects eligible sworn law-enforcement personnel by reducing their state tax burden on both income and personal property. The provision would apply to officers' homes, vehicles, and other personal assets subject to West Virginia property tax.

Maddy summaryHB 2565 prohibits West Virginia municipalities from charging user fees to employees who were not physically present in the municipality while performing job duties. This directly affects employees and their employers, particularly those working for companies serving multiple jurisdictions but not physically located in a specific city during their work. The bill requires employers to provide a sworn affidavit confirming the employee's absence, and if a fee was incorrectly charged, the municipality must issue a credit for future payments. The law amends existing fee regulations to prevent municipalities from imposing such fees when the employee's work did not occur within the city limits.