Del. Joe Funkhouser

Maddy summaryHB 2816 clarifies that secondary legal sources - such as textbooks, treatises, or scholarly articles - do not constitute binding law or public policy in West Virginia. It specifies these sources are only persuasive when addressing causes of action, rights, or remedies, and only if they align with existing state law. The bill also allows circuit courts to certify novel legal questions (issues of "first impression") to the Supreme Court of Appeals for resolution. This directly affects courts and legal practitioners by setting clear boundaries for when external legal commentary may influence judicial decisions.

Maddy summaryHB 3090 requires health insurance policies in West Virginia to cover habilitative speech therapy for stuttering, starting July 1, 2025. It directly affects all health insurers offering coverage for speech therapy, mandating they cover both in-person and telehealth sessions without annual limits, prior authorization, or restrictions based on the cause of stuttering. The bill specifies that coverage must apply regardless of whether stuttering is developmental and prohibits limits on the number of therapy visits. This policy change ensures consistent access to speech therapy for individuals whose daily communication is impacted by stuttering.

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 summaryThis bill amends West Virginia law to explicitly include federal correctional facilities within the definition of "correctional facilities" for existing laws against smuggling contraband. It makes it illegal to deliver weapons, drugs, alcohol, escape tools, dangerous materials, or telecommunications devices into federal prisons in West Virginia without authorization, with penalties ranging from misdemeanors (up to $500 fines and 1 year in jail) to felonies (up to 10 years in prison). The law directly affects individuals who attempt to smuggle such items into federal correctional institutions within the state, including visitors, staff, or outsiders. It expands existing state penalties - previously limited to state facilities - to cover federal prisons, without creating new exemptions or altering inmate rights.

Maddy summaryHB 2892 clarifies pedestrian rights and duties on West Virginia roadways. It prohibits pedestrians from walking on roadways when sidewalks are available, requires pedestrians to walk facing traffic on the left side of roadways without sidewalks, and bans standing in roadways to solicit rides. The bill also prohibits obstructing traffic with one's body or objects placed in the roadway. Violations are misdemeanors punishable by fines up to $500 for repeat offenses within a year. This law directly affects pedestrians using roadways in West Virginia, particularly those walking near traffic or soliciting rides.

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 summaryHB 3305 would extend the required period of party affiliation for candidates seeking partisan office from 60 days to 180 days before filing their candidacy. This change directly affects candidates for state legislative seats, judgeships, and other partisan offices who wish to switch political parties before submitting their nomination paperwork. The bill modifies the existing requirement that candidates must have been registered with their chosen party for at least 60 days prior to filing, increasing that window to 180 days. This adjustment applies specifically to the certification process for partisan candidates, requiring them to maintain consistent party registration for a longer period before filing their candidacy.

Maddy summaryHB 3001 authorizes West Virginia county courts to establish county parks and recreation commissions, requiring them to create these bodies unless financially unable or if a commission already exists. The bill specifies commissions must have 11 members (adjusted for county population), all residents who own property in the county, serving staggered three-year terms with initial appointments split across one-, two-, and three-year terms. It also requires county courts to fill vacancies and mandates that members remain eligible residents and property owners to retain their seats. This bill directly affects county governments by setting governance standards for existing or new parks systems.

Maddy summaryHB 2456 establishes the West Virginia Mothers and Babies Pregnancy Support Program under the Bureau for Public Health to provide state funding to pregnancy help organizations (excluding abortion industry organizations). The program funds capital improvements, new services, compliance with licensing standards, and staff training for eligible organizations. Funding is distributed through a fee-per-service model, with specific rates set by the managing agency. This bill directly affects pregnancy help organizations by providing targeted financial support for operational needs.

Maddy summaryHB 2646 allows eighth and ninth-grade students in West Virginia to attend summer school specifically to improve their grades and meet academic eligibility requirements for fall sports. The bill amends existing law to explicitly permit this use of summer school programs, which previously focused on general remedial or accelerated instruction. Key provisions ensure counties can operate these programs with tuition limited to actual costs, offer reduced fees for financially needy students, and maintain existing teacher pay structures. This change directly affects middle and high school athletes seeking to qualify for sports participation under current academic standards.