Rep. Pat McGeehan

Maddy summaryHB 4695 doubles criminal penalties for specific offenses against minors in West Virginia. It increases maximum prison terms and fines for sexual assault in the third degree (from 5 to 10 years/ $10,000 to $20,000), sexual abuse in the third degree (from 3 to 5 years/ $500 to $1,000), child neglect resulting in death (from 15 to 40 years/ $5,000 to $10,000), and sexual abuse by parents/guardians (from 20 to 40 years/ $5,000 to $10,000). The bill directly affects individuals convicted of these crimes against minors under 16 years old or in positions of trust over children. These changes amend sections §61-8B-5, §61-8B-9, §61-8D-4a, and §61-8D-5 of West Virginia law.

Maddy summaryHB 4468 seeks to repeal Section 61-8B-19 of the West Virginia Code, which currently sets rules for keeping court files and law-enforcement records confidential. This bill would remove the existing legal requirements governing how these records must be handled and protected. It directly affects West Virginia courts and law enforcement agencies, which currently follow these confidentiality rules. The bill does not propose new rules for confidentiality but would eliminate the current statutory framework.

Maddy summaryHB 5377, the Burial Equity Act, expands eligibility for burial in West Virginia's state veterans' cemetery to include former National Guard and military reserve members (such as IMA, AGR, ART, and TR) who served at least four years, were West Virginia residents for two years before death, or served in the West Virginia National Guard, with retroactive application to deaths after March 15, 2022. It creates a Burial Equity Grant Program administered by Veterans Affairs, providing up to $1,000 per family to cover burial costs on a first-come, first-served basis. The bill also establishes a dedicated Burial Equity Fund in the state treasury, initially funded with $50,000 from the legislature, plus federal funds and private donations, to sustain the grant program without annual budget reversion.

Maddy summaryHB 5209 creates a state registry for individuals convicted of animal abuse (misdemeanor or felony) in West Virginia. It requires these individuals to register with the West Virginia State Police and pay an annual $125 fee, which funds mental health services for state police employees. The registry is integrated into an existing "Central Abuse Registry" that already includes records for child abuse, elder abuse, and sex offenses. This bill directly affects only those with final convictions for animal abuse crimes, not suspected abusers or general animal cruelty cases.

Maddy summaryHB 5207 strengthens animal welfare protections in West Virginia by requiring owners to confine unspayed female dogs during heat cycles and establishing a clear duty of care for companion animals. The bill creates new criminal penalties for animal hoarding and unlawful confinement, increases fines for repeat cruelty offenses, and mandates humane officers to report suspected abuse of vulnerable humans (like children or elderly adults) to relevant agencies. It also updates facility requirements for stray and abandoned animals, including public access to shelters, and revises humane officers' duties and enforcement procedures. These changes directly affect pet owners, animal shelters, law enforcement, and courts handling animal welfare cases.

Maddy summaryThis House Resolution (HR 11) encourages West Virginia's K-12 students to design a new state highway route number shield for the 2026 anniversaries of the U.S. founding (250th) and the U.S. numbered highway system (100th). It directs the West Virginia Division of Highways and Department of Tourism to hold a statewide student design competition, requiring the shield to maintain federal safety standards for legibility while incorporating West Virginia identity. The winning design would be implemented gradually on state highways starting July 2027, replacing existing signs only as they wear out, and the student designer would receive legislative recognition. The resolution is procedural and non-binding, focusing on celebration and civic engagement rather than new policy.

Maddy summaryHR 9 is a ceremonial resolution honoring the late West Virginia House Delegate Douglas John Skaff Jr. It expresses the House of Delegates' condolences to his family and commemorates his service, including his roles as a delegate representing multiple districts and as Minority Leader. The resolution has no policy impact - it is purely symbolic, acknowledging his career in public service, business, and community leadership. It was unanimously adopted by the House on February 5, 2026, the same day it was introduced.

Maddy summaryHB 4994 requires utilities (like power and gas companies) to move or adjust their lines from state highway rights-of-way when needed for road construction projects. It mandates the state’s Highway Division to provide utilities with up to 18 months’ written notice and specific procedures for submitting relocation plans and work schedules. The bill also requires the state to reimburse utilities for work they must redo if highway project plans change after construction begins. Utilities are not held liable for delays caused by state schedule changes, incomplete right-of-way acquisitions, or extreme weather, as outlined in the bill.

Maddy summaryThis is a symbolic House Resolution (not a bill), introduced by multiple West Virginia delegates. It designates the month of June as "Fidelity Month" to promote the values of faith, family, and patriotism across the state. The resolution cites declining support for these values in polling and research, and calls for the state to "rededicate" itself to them during June. It has no binding policy requirements or direct impact on specific groups; it is purely a commemorative gesture.

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.