Rep. Mark Dean

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 4011 creates a certification framework for verifying that recycled materials used in manufacturing actually contribute to the final product, through third-party certification of "mass balance attribution." This directly affects manufacturers who want to use recycled feedstock (like plastic waste) in new products, as it standardizes how recycled content is measured and verified. The bill amends West Virginia's solid waste laws to clarify that advanced recycling facilities (which convert waste plastics into raw materials) are not considered waste disposal sites, supporting their role in recycling. By streamlining certification, the bill aims to reduce barriers for businesses adopting recycled materials in production.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires oil and gas operators to provide financial assurance before drilling new wells that aren’t expected to produce, either through a bond or funds held in an escrow account managed by the State Treasurer. It aims to prevent future "orphan wells" by ensuring money is available to plug wells that become abandoned without a responsible operator. The funds must be used only for plugging the well or, if the operator fails to act, for the state to plug it using the reserved funds. This directly affects operators seeking new permits after July 2026 and protects landowners from property devaluation and environmental risks linked to unplugged wells.

Maddy summaryHB 5415, the Orphan Well Prevention Act of 2026, requires new oil and gas wells (after July 1, 2026) and transferred wells to have financial assurance for plugging costs. Operators must provide either a state bond or an escrow account managed by the Office of the State Treasurer to cover future plugging expenses. This prevents wells from becoming "orphaned" - meaning they lack a responsible operator to plug them - protecting landowners from contamination risks and financial liability. The law applies to all operators seeking new permits or transferring existing wells, ensuring funds are secured before wells are drilled or transferred.

Maddy summaryHB 5355 requires West Virginia public school districts to place any teaching position held by an uncertified individual up for public bidding every school year. This applies directly to school districts and teachers currently working without valid teaching certification. The bill mandates that such positions remain open for bid annually until filled by a certified educator, ensuring only qualified staff occupy teaching roles. It does not change certification requirements but adds a recurring annual bidding process for uncertified positions.

Maddy summaryHB 5342 clarifies when home purchasers in West Virginia can cancel a real estate contract if a seller fails to provide required resale disclosures. The bill mandates that sellers must give purchasers a certificate containing key financial and legal details about a property (like unpaid fees, insurance, and association rules) before closing. If the certificate isn't delivered by the contract ratification date, purchasers can cancel within three days (or a longer period specified in the contract). This directly affects buyers and sellers in condominiums, cooperatives, and other community property sales governed by association rules. The law amends West Virginia Code §36B-4-109 to standardize cancellation timelines and reduce disputes over missing disclosures.

Maddy summaryHB 5374 prohibits telemarketers from using auto-dialing systems (robo-calls) to make unsolicited sales calls for Medicare benefits, auto insurance, warranties, or charitable donations in West Virginia. The bill directly affects consumers who receive these unwanted calls and telemarketers who currently make such solicitations. It bans all phone calls using auto-dialing technology to sell insurance-related products, warranties, or solicit donations for charities. The law would apply to all locations, including workplaces, and aims to reduce nuisance calls without exempting political or non-commercial communications. The bill is currently in the House Judiciary Committee after being introduced on February 9, 2026.

Maddy summaryHB 5320, the "Welcome Act," aims to address West Virginia's housing shortage by changing how land is taxed during development. It allows property owners to keep their original tax classification for subdivided land until individual lots are sold, directly affecting homeowners and developers. The bill protects property owners' right to further subdivide land after initial sales, requires new parcels to include 24/7 access to a road (without mandating road construction), and limits local governments from imposing stricter road standards than the existing access road. These provisions apply to casual land divisions but not to formally recorded subdivisions with existing deed restrictions.

Maddy summaryHB 5070 requires real estate brokerage firms in West Virginia to pay realtors their earned commissions on open contracts when those realtors leave the firm to join another brokerage. Specifically, it amends the real estate license law to mandate that brokers must remit to the departing agent any compensation due from contracts signed while the agent was affiliated with that brokerage, upon receipt of the commission. This directly affects real estate agents who transition between brokerages and ensures they receive payment for work completed under prior contracts. The bill does not alter other licensing requirements or commission-sharing rules but focuses solely on ensuring fair payment for existing contracts during agent transitions.

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.