Rep. Marshall Clay

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 summaryThis bill requires West Virginia's Division of Highways to provide the public with 48 hours' advance notice of non-emergency construction-related traffic changes (such as lane closures or detours) through local media and social media platforms. It directly affects drivers and commuters who encounter road construction, ensuring they receive timely information about planned traffic disruptions. The notice requirement does not apply to emergency situations requiring immediate traffic adjustments. The bill amends existing traffic control regulations to mandate this transparency.

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 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.

Maddy summaryHB 4152, the Workforce-Education Partnership Act, allows West Virginia business owners to contract employees to vocational programs or high school classes while the employees retain full-time status and benefits. Businesses receive a 100% tax credit on wages paid during participation, capped at $50,000 per business annually and $5 million statewide yearly. Employees must meet program qualifications and cannot replace certified teachers in core subjects, but may provide specialized training in fields like trade skills or healthcare. The law ensures fiscal responsibility through strict caps and uses existing state resources to minimize administrative costs.

Maddy summaryHB 4874 requires West Virginia's Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV) to provide the Tax Assessor's Office with vehicle registration records. This change would streamline annual personal property tax assessments by eliminating duplicate data collection, as the Assessor's Office would use the DMV's existing vehicle records instead of gathering them separately. The bill directly affects the Tax Assessor's Office and the DMV, mandating the DMV to share these records. It does not change tax rates or assessment methods, only the process for compiling property data.

Maddy summaryHB 4979 would restore the right to file civil lawsuits in West Virginia for "alienation of affection" (when a third party causes a spouse to lose affection) and "criminal conversation" (adultery). It requires such lawsuits to be filed within three years of the last relevant act and prohibits claims based on events occurring after a permanent separation of the couple. The bill reverses a 1969 law that had banned these claims, making them available again for new cases. It applies to both individuals and organizations, but not to acts happening after a permanent separation.

Maddy summaryHB 4880, "The Deployed Servicemembers Protection Act," protects West Virginia service members deployed for 30+ days (including National Guard on state duty) and their families. It prohibits spouses from selling property/vehicles over $10,000, closing joint accounts, withdrawing over 50% from accounts, or removing children without the service member’s written consent during deployment and for two months afterward. The bill also requires returning children to the home of record within one week of the service member’s return. Violations are misdemeanors punishable by up to 30 days in jail, $5,000 fines, or civil liability. The law incorporates existing federal Servicemembers Civil Relief Act protections.