Rep. Laura Kimble

Maddy summaryThis House Resolution honors the life and legacy of the late West Virginia legislator Larry D. Kump, who passed away on February 28, 2026. The resolution formally expresses the House of Delegates' condolences to Kump's family and acknowledges his service as a representative for Berkeley County across three different terms. It recognizes his career in criminal justice and mediation, his commitment to limited government, and his role as a devoted family member and church leader. The document is a ceremonial tribute rather than a law that changes policy or affects public programs.

Maddy summaryThis bill (HB 4604) amends West Virginia law to clarify payment procedures for public defender panel attorneys handling abuse and neglect cases. It requires attorneys to submit detailed time and expense records via electronic vouchers within 90 business days of case completion, with payments processed within 45 days if approved. If payments are rejected or reduced, the bill establishes a 15-day appeal process to the appointing court, prohibiting the requirement of privileged client information during disputes. The changes directly affect public defender offices and appointed attorneys, streamlining payment accountability without altering case handling standards.

Maddy summaryHB 5676 amends West Virginia law to clarify standards for "voluntary pooling" in horizontal oil and gas drilling, directly affecting landowners with unleased mineral rights (royalty owners) and operators seeking to include their land in a horizontal well unit. The bill requires operators to offer "fair and reasonable" payments based on a non-consenting owner's net acreage in the unit, rather than relying on traditional lease negotiations. It establishes specific definitions (like "horizontal well unit" and "royalty owner") and mandates that operators provide this "unitization consideration" to owners who do not voluntarily agree to participate in the unit. The policy change aims to balance operator needs for efficient drilling with property rights for landowners.

Maddy summaryHB 5665 amends West Virginia's ethics code to require House and Senate clerks to record individual roll call votes in the journal when a legislative vote concerns a member's direct personal or financial interest and more than one-third of members present vote using a voting machine. This provision increases transparency for votes involving potential conflicts of interest by mandating specific documentation of electronic votes. The bill does not change existing conflict-of-interest rules but adds a new record-keeping requirement for such circumstances. It directly affects legislative clerks (who must implement the recording) and members who may vote on matters involving their personal interests.

Maddy summaryHB 5666 amends West Virginia law to change the phrase on state-issued driver's licenses and IDs from "Not for REAL ID Purposes" to "Authorized for all West Virginia State ID Purposes." This change directly affects all residents who hold or apply for a West Virginia driver's license or state ID card. The bill modifies §17B-2-8 of the state code to require this new wording at the top of all licenses, clarifying that they are valid for any state ID purpose within West Virginia. The change removes a previous disclaimer about federal REAL ID requirements, making state IDs more clearly usable for routine state services without confusion.

Maddy summaryThis House Resolution (HR 17) requests federal authorities - including the Justice Department and FBI - to conduct a full, transparent investigation into Jeffrey Epstein-related files and release non-classified records. It specifically urges special attention to any individuals or entities with ties to West Virginia, such as public officials or businesses. The resolution aims to restore public trust by ensuring accountability for potential violations of state law connected to Epstein’s activities. As a non-binding resolution, it does not create new legal requirements but formally encourages federal action.

Maddy summaryHJR 39 proposes a constitutional amendment to change how the West Virginia State Board of Education is structured. It would replace the current system of nine governor-appointed members with five elected regional members (serving four-year terms, limited to two terms) and four appointed members (serving staggered terms). The amendment requires the Board to submit proposed policies to the Legislature for review, approval, or rejection. This change, if approved by voters in 2026, would take effect for the 2028 election cycle and directly affects how board members are selected and how education policies are reviewed.

Maddy summaryHB 4062 allows homeschool students participating in organized homeschool athletic teams to compete against West Virginia Secondary School Activities Commission (WVSSAC) member schools in regular-season games. It requires homeschool organizations to follow similar health, safety, and eligibility rules as public/private schools and provide comparable insurance. Crucially, homeschool teams cannot be included in official WVSSAC rankings, standings, or postseason tournaments, and member schools may choose whether to schedule games with them. The bill ensures homeschool participation does not affect official records of WVSSAC member schools while creating a framework for their involvement.

Maddy summaryHB 5561 would require West Virginia's Secretary of State to refer potential election fraud cases directly to the state Attorney General for prosecution, rather than to a county prosecuting attorney. Currently, the Secretary refers such cases to the Prosecuting Attorneys Institute, which appoints a county-level special prosecutor. This change would shift the primary responsibility for prosecuting election fraud from local county authorities to the state Attorney General's office. The bill affects how election fraud allegations are handled, moving the referral process from county to state level.

Maddy summaryHB 5547 requires healthcare providers to obtain specific written consent from parents before conducting newborn genetic screening, which cannot be fulfilled by general consent forms signed at hospital admission. It limits blood collection to only what's necessary for screening and mandates destruction of blood samples after three weeks unless parents give additional written consent for retention. The bill also prohibits using newborn blood samples for research, law enforcement, or other purposes without separate consent from parents or the adult who was a minor when the sample was taken. Healthcare facilities must provide written information about screening options and the right to opt out during pregnancy.