Establishing non-denominational chapel within WV State Capitol building
Senate Bill 771 establishes a non-denominational chapel within the West Virginia Capitol building, open to all visitors, legislators, and employees for prayer, meditation, and religious observance regardless of faith. The bill designates the Department of Administration to manage the chapel's maintenance and operations, requiring a non-discriminatory Capitol Chapel Advisory Committee with legislative and public members. Funding will come from state appropriations, private donations, or grants, with explicit prohibition against using state funds to promote any specific religion. The chapel must operate as a neutral space adhering to First Amendment religious freedom principles, open during regular Capitol business hours. This bill takes effect immediately upon passage.
Bill status
in committee
1 of 4 stages cleared
Introduction
Feb 2026
Committee Review
Floor Vote
Governor
Introduced Feb 5, 2026
Last action Feb 5, 2026
Floor votes
How they voted
No floor votes recorded yet.
Full legislative history
Actions timeline
Total actions
4
Key actions
0
Committee
2
Feb 5, 2026
Committee
To Government Organization
upper
Feb 5, 2026
Introduced
Introduced in Senate
upper
Feb 5, 2026
Committee
To Government Organization then Finance
upper
1 primary · 0 co-sponsors
Sponsors
Role
Legislator
Party
State
District
P
Mark Maynard
RRepublican
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