Sen. Trenton Barnhart

Maddy summaryHB 2788 allows West Virginia State Police officers to convert unused annual or sick leave into retirement credit or to help cover health insurance costs. Officers would receive two days of retirement credit for every day of accrued leave used, calculated based on 20 workdays per month of service. However, officers who joined the retirement system on or after July 1, 2015, cannot use leave to increase retirement credit (though they may still use it for health insurance). The bill applies specifically to members of the West Virginia State Police Retirement System.

Maddy summaryHB 2605 would increase the tax credit available to West Virginia employers who provide child care for their employees. The bill amends Section 11-21-97 of the West Virginia Code to expand the credit, making it more valuable for businesses operating on-site child care facilities or sponsoring such services. It clarifies key terms like "qualified child-care property" and establishes rules for claiming the credit, including conditions for recapture if facilities are sold or repurposed. This legislation directly affects employers in West Virginia who offer child care benefits, potentially reducing their state tax liability.

Maddy summaryHB 2716 creates a tax credit against West Virginia's severance tax for private companies that spend on highway infrastructure improvements or coal facility upgrades. Eligible businesses - those paying severance tax on coal production - can claim the credit for qualified expenses like road construction, mine equipment, or facility repairs. Companies must apply for certification before claiming the credit, and unused credits can be carried forward or transferred to other entities. The bill aims to encourage private investment in infrastructure projects tied to coal operations and highway improvements.

Maddy summaryHB 2642 establishes a Commercial Property Assessed Capital Expenditure (C-PACE) financing program in West Virginia, allowing commercial property owners to fund eligible improvements like energy efficiency, renewable energy systems, and stormwater management. The program, administered by the West Virginia Economic Development Authority with private partners, enables property owners to repay loans through special assessments added to their property tax bills. Eligible properties include most commercial real estate (excluding small residential buildings), and the special lien on the property has priority over mortgages only if subordination agreements are signed by existing lienholders. This creates a new financing tool for property upgrades without requiring new property tax assessments.

Maddy summaryHB 2706 clarifies that ad valorem taxes on oil and gas mineral rights must be paid to the county where the mineral property is physically located, not the county where the well pad is situated. This directly affects oil and gas mineral rights owners and county governments that collect property taxes. The bill's key provision requires tax payments to follow the property's location, resolving potential disputes when well pads cross county lines. It does not change tax rates or create new revenue streams, only specifying the correct county for tax collection.

Maddy summaryHB 2641 provides a state tax credit to West Virginia employers (both for-profit and nonprofit corporations) who operate existing on-site or sponsored childcare facilities for their employees. The credit equals 100% of the employer’s annual operational costs (excluding property costs) for these facilities, minus any employee fees paid. Employers can apply the credit against their state corporate net income tax or personal income tax, with unused credits carryable forward for up to five years. The credit is limited to the employer’s total tax liability for the year and requires certification of employee usage to ensure compliance.

Maddy summaryHB 2636 would allow West Virginia municipalities to re-bid public construction projects if a contractor is deemed not reputable. The bill amends existing law to explicitly permit municipalities to reject a bid and solicit new bids specifically when a contractor's reputation is questionable, beyond the current general authority to reject all bids. This change directly affects municipalities and contractors involved in construction projects costing over $25,000, which must follow competitive bidding rules. The bill does not alter the requirement that contracts be awarded to the lowest qualified responsible bidder but clarifies a specific circumstance for re-bidding.

Maddy summaryHB 2423 prohibits individuals or entities from charging fees for assisting veterans with benefits claims, except as allowed under federal law. It specifically bans compensation for preparing, presenting, or advising on veterans' benefits claims, referring clients to such services, guaranteeing specific benefit amounts, or charging excessive fees (using federal fee guidelines). The bill requires written agreements outlining fees before services begin, aligning with federal regulations (38 C.F.R. §14.636). Violations would be treated as breaches of West Virginia’s Consumer Credit and Protection Act. This directly affects veterans’ service providers (e.g., attorneys, advocates) and veterans seeking assistance with VA claims.