Rep. Chris Anders

Maddy summaryHB 4928 prohibits counties and municipalities from taxing residential rental properties at higher rates than owner-occupied homes. It requires all property taxes on rental properties to match the rate for owner-occupied housing and bans additional taxes based on zoning. The bill directly affects landlords who own rental properties and aims to reduce their tax burden, potentially helping keep rents stable. It does not change sales or service taxes for rental businesses. The legislation focuses on changing property tax assessment rules, not on broader rent control or other housing policies.

Maddy summaryHB 4919 repeals the legal foundation of West Virginia's Department of Economic Development by removing 17 specific sections of state code that created the department and its cabinet-level position. This bill directly affects the department itself, eliminating its statutory existence and authority. The key mechanism is the repeal of all referenced code sections, which would dissolve the department's legal structure without creating new programs or funding. This is a procedural repeal targeting the department's organizational framework, not a policy change affecting residents or businesses.

Maddy summaryHB 4916 would eliminate West Virginia's state taxes on tobacco products (including e-cigarettes), alcohol, and gambling. The bill repeals specific tax code sections (like those covering tobacco excise taxes, alcohol sales taxes, and lottery table game taxes) that currently impose state levies on these industries. This change would directly affect businesses selling these products (e.g., tobacco shops, liquor stores, casinos) and consumers who pay these taxes. If passed, the bill would remove these tax obligations from West Virginia law.

Maddy summaryHB 4918 requires West Virginia public schools to provide a minimum of 180 instructional days per year, with specific daily minute requirements: 315 minutes for kindergarten through fifth grade, 330 minutes for sixth through eighth grade, and 345 minutes for ninth through twelfth grade. Counties may extend the school day by at least 30 minutes to meet the 180-day requirement, using the extra time for up to five days of weather-related closures or teacher professional development. The bill also mandates that noninstructional days total 20 annually, including holidays, election day, and designated days for staff training and school preparation. This directly affects all West Virginia public school districts and their annual calendars.

Maddy summaryHB 4924 prohibits municipalities participating in West Virginia's Municipal Home Rule Program from creating local anti-discrimination ordinances that include protected classes beyond those listed in state law. This means cities and towns in the program cannot add categories like sexual orientation or gender identity to their local non-discrimination protections if state law doesn't already cover them. The bill amends §8-1-5a of West Virginia Code to enforce this restriction, directly affecting participating municipalities' ability to expand local civil rights protections. It does not change existing state protections but limits local governments from adding new ones.

Maddy summaryHB 4927 would abolish West Virginia's personal income tax for all individuals, estates, trusts, and pass-through entities, effective for tax years beginning after December 31, 2026. The bill amends §11-21-3 of the West Virginia Code to eliminate the tax imposition described in the section, removing the requirement for taxpayers to pay income tax under current law. This change directly affects all West Virginia residents and nonresidents with taxable income subject to the state's personal income tax. The policy change is a complete repeal of the tax, not a reduction or modification of rates.

Maddy summaryHB 4980 would allow civil lawsuits against West Virginia judges who knowingly violate laws, hold unlawful hearings, or abuse litigants in their official duties. It requires victims to first report misconduct to a judicial oversight body, which must confirm "willful misconduct" before a lawsuit can proceed. The bill sets a five-year statute of limitations for claims and specifies remedies like financial compensation, punitive damages for severe cases, and attorney fees for successful plaintiffs. It explicitly excludes good-faith judicial decisions from liability and mandates public reporting of oversight findings.

Maddy summaryHB 4920, the "Second Amendment Preservation Act," declares federal regulations on intrastate firearm sales within West Virginia invalid, directly affecting West Virginia residents buying, selling, or transferring firearms, accessories, or ammunition within the state. It prohibits the ATF and other federal entities from enforcing rules that restrict these in-state transactions, stating such actions violate both the U.S. and West Virginia constitutions. The bill imposes civil penalties of $50,000 per violation for federal enforcement attempts and requires the West Virginia Attorney General to defend citizens prosecuted federally or sue federal agencies for violations. It also mandates state law enforcement to refuse enforcing federal gun regulations that infringe on Second Amendment rights.

Maddy summaryHB 4915, the Sudden Death Reporting and Transparency Act, requires medical examiners to collect and document vaccination and emergency countermeasure history (within 90 days prior to death) for all sudden or unexplained deaths in individuals under age 30, including SIDS, SUID, SDY, and SADS cases. This data must be included in official death reports and submitted to the CDC's SUID/SDY Case Registry while maintaining strict confidentiality. The bill prohibits using collected data to mandate vaccinations, alter medical eligibility, or discriminate, and mandates that all information be used solely for forensic investigations, public health research, or annual legislative reporting. It establishes standardized statewide procedures for data collection and protects personally identifiable information through privacy safeguards.

Maddy summaryHB 4910 prohibits West Virginia from using eminent domain to take private property for the primary purpose of economic development that would transfer ownership or control to a private corporation. It amends the state's eminent domain law by removing existing exceptions allowing private projects (like pipelines or commercial developments) and adding a new rule requiring property owners' consent for any taking where the primary purpose benefits a private entity. The bill specifically targets cases where private companies would gain ownership or control through mechanisms like purchase agreements or long-term leases, while still allowing eminent domain for traditional public uses like roads, schools, or utilities. This directly affects property owners and private corporations seeking to acquire land through eminent domain for commercial projects.