Del. Joe Funkhouser

Maddy summaryThis West Virginia House resolution states that the U.S. national debt (over $38 trillion in 2026) poses a national security threat, citing foreign debt ownership, projected Social Security/Medicare shortfalls, and warnings from military/intelligence leaders. It urges Congress to establish regular budgeting procedures but does not create new laws or alter federal spending. As a symbolic resolution, it has no direct legal effect on national debt policy or federal budgets. The resolution focuses on raising awareness rather than implementing concrete changes.

Maddy summaryHB 4460 modifies West Virginia's sewer connection rules to balance urban and rural needs. It exempts properties with properly maintained onsite wastewater systems (verified by a recent inspection) and those more than 200 feet from a sewer line from mandatory connections. In densely populated areas (over 500 people per square mile), connections may still be required if systems are failing or impractical. The bill also mandates that municipalities provide financial assistance - including payment plans or subsidies - for low-income homeowners who must connect, covering both connection fees and necessary plumbing modifications.

Maddy summaryHB 5027 amends West Virginia's eminent domain law to clarify that the state or its subdivisions cannot take private property primarily for private economic development where ownership or control transfers to a private entity (e.g., via purchase or lease). The bill prohibits such takings without the owner's consent, while preserving existing public uses like infrastructure, utilities, schools, and parks. It specifically targets cases where eminent domain would benefit private developers rather than serve a direct public purpose. This change applies to all property owners and government entities exercising eminent domain authority in West Virginia.

Maddy summaryHB 5026, the West Virginia Unfunded Federal Mandate Accountability Act, requires state agencies to annually identify and document costs from federal unfunded mandates - federal requirements that cost the state without corresponding federal funding. The bill mandates detailed tracking of expenses like personnel, equipment, and administrative costs for each mandate, and requires the Governor to produce an annual report with comprehensive cost data, historical comparisons, and projected expenses. This report must be used to submit detailed reimbursement requests to federal agencies and Congress, supported by full documentation, and the bill also requires these costs to be separately listed in the state budget. The law directly affects all state agencies that expend state funds, as they must conduct annual reviews and provide cost documentation.

Maddy summaryHB 5031 requires West Virginia's Fatality and Mortality Review Team (under the Department of Health) to have access to vaccination records during death investigations. The bill amends state law to explicitly include vaccination records as a type of medical information the team may request from government agencies. State, county, and local agencies must provide these records upon written request. This change directly affects the review team's ability to gather data for forensic and public health research, while requiring health and government agencies to share vaccination history in death cases. The bill standardizes reporting practices by adding vaccination records to the types of information investigators can access.

Maddy summaryHB 5035 requires medication-assisted treatment (MAT) programs - facilities providing medication for opioid addiction - to create written community relations policies. These policies must detail how the program will engage with local communities and avoid disrupting public functions. The bill mandates that MAT programs publish a public notice 60 days before opening or moving, notify county commissioners and mayors by certified mail, and obtain local government approval for new locations. It also restricts new MAT facilities from locating within half a mile of schools or daycares (with limited variances for existing facilities), aiming to address community concerns through transparency and local input.

Maddy summaryHB 5034, the West Virginia Genomic Information Privacy Act of 2026, requires medical facilities, research organizations, and companies collecting genetic data to inform West Virginia residents about how their genetic information is gathered, used, and shared. The bill prohibits these entities from selling, transferring, or using genetic data for foreign adversaries (as defined by federal law) and mandates secure storage of such information. It also establishes a private right of action, allowing individuals to sue if their genetic privacy is violated.

Maddy summaryHB 5006 clarifies that legal textbooks, scholarly articles, and other secondary sources (like treatises) are not binding law or public policy in West Virginia. It states these materials can only be used as persuasive guidance when they align with existing state law, not to create or change legal rights. The bill also allows circuit courts to submit "first impression" legal questions - about new causes of action or rights - to the Supreme Court for formal guidance. This directly affects judges, lawyers, and courts handling cases involving novel legal interpretations.

Maddy summaryHB 5001 prohibits employers from terminating an employee who uses reasonable and proportionate force (including deadly force in specific circumstances) to defend themselves or others from an attack at their workplace. The bill amends West Virginia law to explicitly protect employees from adverse employment actions - such as termination - solely for using force that reasonably prevents imminent death or serious bodily harm. It specifies that deadly force may be used without a duty to retreat only if an employee reasonably believes it is necessary to save themselves or others from imminent lethal harm. The protection does not apply if the employee was committing a felony, provoked the attack, or was otherwise engaging in unlawful activity. This bill directly affects all employees in West Virginia workplaces who must defend against violent attacks.

Maddy summaryHB 5007 would create a state income tax exemption for West Virginia residents who pay for gym memberships at gyms located within the state. The bill allows taxpayers to reduce their taxable income by $60 per month, capped at $720 annually for gym membership costs. It directly affects individual taxpayers who maintain gym memberships at in-state facilities and would lower their state income tax liability. The policy change is limited to qualifying gym memberships purchased within West Virginia, with no additional eligibility requirements specified.