Del. Joe Funkhouser

Maddy summaryHB 2817 requires political action committees (PACs) to follow the same detailed reporting rules as candidates for public office regarding independent political spending. Specifically, it mandates that PACs disclose contributors' names, addresses, occupations, and employers for all contributions over $1,000 annually, and file immediate reports within 24 hours for large expenditures (over $5,000 for statewide/legislative races or $500 for local races) made within 12 hours of an election. The Secretary of State must compile and publish these reports by candidate before elections to increase transparency. This bill directly affects PACs, independent spending groups, and their contributors by standardizing disclosure requirements across campaign finance activities.

Maddy summaryHB 2725 defines "urban agriculture" in West Virginia law as any agricultural operation within urban or suburban areas on public or private property inside municipal boundaries. The bill aims to clarify this term to support economic development, better conservation practices, and improved access to fresh local food. It directly affects urban farmers, community gardens, and small-scale food producers operating in city or suburban settings. The bill does not create new programs or funding but establishes a legal definition to guide future regulations and policies related to urban farming.

Maddy summaryHB 2865 modifies parole eligibility for specific violent offenses in West Virginia. It increases the minimum time inmates must serve before becoming parole-eligible for second-degree murder (from 10 to 20 years) and for attempted second-degree murder (from 5 to 20 years), as outlined in amended sections §61-2-3 and §61-11-8. The bill also clarifies that inmates convicted of attempted first-degree murder remain subject to a minimum 10-year parole eligibility period under §61-11-8(4). These changes directly affect individuals serving prison sentences for these specific crimes, raising the required time served before parole consideration.

Maddy summaryHB 2869 clarifies that West Virginia judicial officers must explicitly consider a person's residency status when setting bail or release conditions for misdemeanor offenses. The bill specifically requires judges to evaluate whether the person is a West Virginia or U.S. resident, has community ties, and poses a flight risk. It applies to all misdemeanor cases except those listed in subsection (a)(1) (e.g., violent offenses, crimes against minors, or offenses involving stolen property over $250). The law adds residency status as a mandatory factor in the existing list of considerations under §62-1C-1a, alongside factors like criminal history and community safety. This change directly affects individuals charged with qualifying misdemeanors who seek release before trial.

Maddy summaryHB 2482 allows youth hunters (under 16) and hunters with a Class Q special hunting permit (for handicapped individuals) to take one antlered deer during the state's Special Youth Deer Season. This change applies the deer taken during this special season toward the hunter's regular firearms deer season bag limit. The bill specifically excludes holders of Class XS licenses from this privilege during the special season. It modifies existing hunting regulations to expand harvest opportunities for these specific groups during designated seasons.

Maddy summaryHB 2801 prohibits West Virginia state and local government agencies (including counties, schools, and state departments) from purchasing electric vehicles or their components if they may contain forced labor or oppressive child labor. The bill defines "forced labor" as work obtained through coercion, fraud, or abuse of law, and "oppressive child labor" as employment of children under 14 in hazardous work like mining. It aligns with federal actions like the Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act and restrictions on EV tax credits for components linked to forced labor in Xinjiang or child labor in cobalt mining. The bill is currently pending in the House Government Organization Committee after introduction on February 21, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 2628 amends West Virginia law to classify attacks on police service canines (K-9 units) as felonies. The bill adds "police service canine" to the definition of "law-enforcement officer" for protection purposes and increases penalties for intentionally harming them while on duty. Specifically, malicious assaults causing injury to a K-9 would carry 3-15 years in prison, up from misdemeanor penalties for similar attacks on human officers. This directly affects K-9 units and their handlers by granting them the same legal protections as human law enforcement officers. The bill does not change existing protections for human officers but extends felony-level penalties to attacks targeting K-9s.

Maddy summaryHB 2757 amends West Virginia law to clarify definitions of terrorism and establish new criminal offenses, directly affecting individuals who commit or support terrorist acts. It creates mandatory sentencing for terrorism-related crimes (including membership in terrorist groups, "terrorist swatting," and using hoax devices), prohibits probation or suspended sentences, and requires restitution payments to victims for economic harm like lost wages or business shutdowns. The bill defines "terrorist act" broadly to include intimidation, policy influence, or retaliation against government, and designates fentanyl as a weapon of mass destruction. The Attorney General must identify terrorist groups, with members automatically deemed terrorists under this law.

Maddy summaryHB 2747 amends West Virginia's DUI statute (§17C-5-2) to clarify that fleeing the scene after driving under the influence is treated as part of the DUI offense itself, not a separate violation. This change directly affects drivers who flee after being impaired, ensuring such conduct is prosecuted under DUI penalties rather than as a separate charge. The key mechanism adds language to the statute explicitly stating that fleeing constitutes a DUI offense when combined with driving while impaired. The bill does not alter existing penalties but corrects a legal inconsistency in how fleeing DUIs are classified. This is a procedural amendment to the existing DUI code.

Maddy summaryHB 2759 increases penalties for bribery and corrupt government practices in West Virginia. It raises prison terms to up to 10 years for bribery (felony) and up to 3 years for lesser corruption (misdemeanor), with fines up to $250,000. Anyone convicted is permanently barred from holding any state office or position of trust. The bill also clarifies that all corruption convictions automatically disqualify offenders from public service.