Rep. Chris Anders

Maddy summaryHB 5658, the Compassionate Access to Medical Cannabis Act (Ryan’s Law), allows terminally ill patients (with a life expectancy of one year or less) to use medicinal cannabis in designated health care facilities in West Virginia. It requires facilities to permit use without smoking or vaping, store cannabis securely, document it in medical records, and create facility-specific guidelines - while excluding emergency departments and chemical dependency hospitals. The bill clarifies that facilities cannot ban use solely due to federal Schedule I classification but permits suspension if federal agencies take enforcement actions against such programs. It does not require facilities to recommend cannabis or include it in discharge plans.

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.

Maddy summaryHB 5551 requires West Virginia to continue issuing non-REAL ID compliant driver's licenses and ID cards, clearly marked "NOT FOR REAL ID ACT PURPOSES," which remain valid for all state purposes like driving and identity verification. The bill prohibits the state from collecting biometric data (such as facial scans or fingerprints), retaining copies of identity documents (like birth certificates or Social Security cards), or sharing personal information from these licenses with federal or interstate databases. It mandates that applicants be informed of their choice between REAL ID and non-REAL ID options and provided with a list of TSA-acceptable IDs, while banning digital IDs and requiring physical licenses for all purposes. The law also prohibits state agencies from entering agreements that conflict with these protections.

Maddy summaryHB 5546 requires medical professionals in West Virginia to report all vaccine-related injuries and side effects to the Bureau for Public Health. It also mandates that these professionals receive annual educational materials about vaccine side effects and complete formal training every five years. The bill further requires the Bureau to produce an annual report for the Legislature and create a public mechanism for individuals, including parents, to report vaccine-related adverse effects. These provisions aim to improve data collection on vaccine safety without advocating for or against vaccination.

Maddy summaryHB 5593 would allow pharmacists in West Virginia to sell ivermectin to consumers without a doctor's prescription. The bill directly affects pharmacies, pharmacists, and anyone purchasing ivermectin for personal use. It adds a new section to state law (§60A-2-204a) specifically permitting over-the-counter sales, dispensing, and possession of ivermectin. This changes current requirements by removing the need for a prescription, making the drug accessible without a healthcare provider's authorization. The bill does not address medical uses or safety considerations, only the regulatory framework for its sale.

Maddy summaryThis is a commemorative House resolution honoring former West Virginia House Speaker and Chief Justice Timothy P. Armstead following his passing. It memorializes his service, names a conference room in the House as the "Speaker Tim Armstead Memorial Conference Room," and extends condolences to his family. The resolution does not create new laws or affect policy - it formally recognizes his legacy and contributions to West Virginia.

Maddy summaryThis House Resolution (HR 6) expresses the West Virginia House of Delegates' support for developing natural gas pipeline infrastructure, specifically an intra-Panhandle pipeline connecting western gas fields to the Eastern Panhandle. It aims to improve access to locally produced natural gas for residents, support industrial and commercial growth, and create jobs across the state. The resolution highlights West Virginia's status as a top natural gas producer and notes that existing pipelines transport most output out of state, while Maryland's opposition to pipeline extensions is cited as a barrier. It does not create new laws or funding but urges responsible infrastructure expansion to boost economic development. As a procedural resolution, it has no direct legal effect but signals legislative backing for pipeline projects.

Maddy summaryHB 5514 would prohibit West Virginia from enforcing the federal REAL ID Act, which requires state-issued driver’s licenses and ID cards to meet national security standards for federal purposes like air travel. The bill directs the state’s Department of Motor Vehicles to stop requiring REAL ID-compliant licenses and to report any federal efforts to implement the law. It clarifies that West Virginia residents may still choose to obtain a REAL ID-compliant license if they wish, but it would no longer be mandatory for state-issued IDs. The bill aims to avoid costs and inconvenience for residents while opposing what it calls a violation of state rights under the Tenth Amendment. This applies directly to all West Virginia drivers and ID card holders who currently need REAL ID for federal access.

Maddy summaryHB 5513 prohibits cloud seeding and other atmospheric geoengineering activities in West Virginia by defining "cloud seeding" as the deliberate introduction of substances into clouds to induce precipitation. The bill directly affects any entity - such as government agencies, private companies, or researchers - conducting weather modification within the state. Key provisions ban "atmospheric polluting activities," including cloud seeding, and authorize the Department of Environmental Protection to enforce the prohibition with penalties for violations. The law explicitly lists cloud seeding as a prohibited practice under its broader definition of geoengineering, which includes weather modification and stratospheric aerosol injection. Enforcement mechanisms are outlined through the Department of Environmental Protection's authority to address violations.

Maddy summaryHB 5518, the "Judicial Accountability and Recall Act," establishes a voter-initiated process to remove West Virginia judges from office during their term. It allows registered voters to petition for a recall election by collecting signatures equal to 20% of the votes cast in the last election for that judicial position (within 120-160 days, depending on the court level). A recall election requires a majority "yes" vote to remove the judge, with the ballot including the petition's stated reasons (limited to 200 words) and the judge's 200-word response. This bill directly affects all statewide and local judicial officers (including Supreme Court justices, circuit judges, and magistrates) and creates the first state mechanism for public removal of judges without requiring prior disciplinary findings.