Del. Joe Funkhouser

Maddy summaryHB 2871 creates new vehicular homicide offenses (including aggravated versions and those occurring in school/construction zones) and expands criminal protections to embryos. It establishes specific fines, penalties, and automatic driver's license revocation for convictions related to these offenses. The bill also links these new crimes to commercial driver's license disqualification, insurance policy cancellation, and updated definitions in juvenile court proceedings. This directly affects drivers involved in fatal crashes, insurance companies, and law enforcement handling traffic-related deaths.

Maddy summaryHB 2678, now Chapter 100 of the 2025 Regular Session Acts, establishes new regulations for school zones around public and private schools in the state. The bill directly affects school districts, local law enforcement, and drivers operating near school property during designated hours. While the specific provisions (such as speed limits or enforcement protocols) are not detailed in the provided context, the bill creates a statutory framework for defining and managing school zone boundaries. It became law after receiving gubernatorial approval on April 25, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 3164 requires registered sex offenders to pay an annual fee starting in 2025. This law directly affects individuals classified as registered sex offenders under state law, imposing a new financial obligation on them. The key provision mandates an annual payment to the state, replacing or adding to previous requirements. The bill became law after Governor approval on April 28, 2025, and was enacted as Chapter 81 of the 2025 Regular Session.

Maddy summaryHB 3274 requires circuit courts to file specific reports with the state judicial branch regarding court proceedings. This bill directly affects circuit courts and state judicial administration by establishing a new reporting requirement. The key provision mandates that courts submit detailed records of certain proceedings to ensure transparency and consistency in documenting court activities. It is a procedural change focused on administrative reporting, not altering court procedures or outcomes. The bill became law on April 28, 2025, as Chapter 72 of the 2025 Regular Session Acts.

Maddy summaryHB 2761 increases the monetary jurisdictional limit for civil cases in West Virginia magistrate courts from $20,000 to a higher amount. This change directly affects individuals and small businesses involved in civil disputes where the value exceeds $20,000 but falls within the new threshold. The bill amends the existing law to allow magistrate courts to handle more significant civil matters without requiring transfer to higher courts. The measure does not alter magistrate courts' jurisdiction over other areas like eviction cases or property disputes without title disputes. The bill became effective on July 7, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 2358 sets specific timelines for postmortem examinations in West Virginia. It requires autopsies requested by prosecutors or courts to be completed within 72 hours of a death being received by the medical examiner's office, and mandates that autopsy reports be provided to prosecutors within 24 hours of completion. The bill also requires medical examiners to notify the Sudden Infant Death Syndrome program in infant deaths where SIDS is suspected and to report drug overdose deaths to the Controlled Substances Monitoring Program. These provisions directly affect medical examiners, prosecutors, hospitals (for quality review), physicians, and public health programs.

Maddy summaryHB 3272 (West Virginia) changes eviction procedures by requiring courts to schedule eviction hearings within 5-10 judicial days of filing the petition. Tenants must be given 5 days after receiving notice to file a written defense to the eviction claim. The bill directly affects residential tenants and landlords in eviction cases by shortening timelines and clarifying notice requirements. It amends West Virginia Code §55-3A-1 to ensure timely judicial review of eviction petitions. The law takes effect July 11, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 3275 updates West Virginia's appeal process by removing outdated language and aligning deadlines with current court procedures. It replaces the previous fixed four-month deadline for filing appeals and the circuit court extension rules with a system where appeal deadlines (for notices, perfecting appeals, and related documents) are set by the Supreme Court of Appeals through its own rules. This change directly affects anyone filing appeals in the Intermediate Court of Appeals or Supreme Court of Appeals, including plaintiffs, defendants, and their attorneys. The bill corrects an inconsistency where appeals were no longer initiated by "petitions" as previously stated in law.

Maddy summaryHouse Concurrent Resolution 18 proposes renaming Johnsontown Bridge (located on WV 009 over Tilhance Creek in Berkeley County, West Virginia) to the "Paul J. Hofe Memorial Bridge" to honor Paul J. Hofe, a local resident who served in the U.S. Army, worked for the IRS for 35 years, and operated a well-drilling business for 50 years that provided free wells to families and community organizations. The resolution directs the Division of Highways to update the bridge's official name and install new signage identifying it as the "Paul J. Hofe Memorial Bridge." This is a commemorative resolution with no substantive policy changes beyond the bridge name and signage.

Maddy summaryHB 3017 requires county commissions to inspect all precinct voting machines one week before in-person voting to verify they are disconnected from the internet (no modems or SIM cards) and properly sealed. The Secretary of State must then conduct a random pre-election audit of 10% of machines across at least five counties, with public reports detailing compliance. This directly affects county election officials and the Secretary of State, mandating specific verification steps and reporting. The bill aims to ensure voting equipment remains physically isolated from internet connectivity as required by state law.