SB 771 West Virginia Senate · 2026 Regular Session

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
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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
Photo of Mark Maynard
Mark Maynard
RRepublican
WV
6