Sen. Darren Thorne

Maddy summarySenate Bill 36 makes syringe exchange programs illegal in West Virginia, prohibiting any program where individuals can access sterile needles without a prescription. It requires all existing syringe exchange programs to cease operations by the bill's effective date, with a 120-day transition period allowed only for referrals to treatment - no syringes may be exchanged during this time. Harm reduction services like overdose prevention education, wound care, and opioid antagonist distribution remain permitted, provided they do not include syringe exchanges. Violators face civil penalties of up to $2,500 per day, and the state health office can seek court orders to enforce the law.

Maddy summarySB 164 establishes a temporary Joint Commission on Government Efficiency to review state agencies and identify ways to reduce waste, improve efficiency, and save costs. The commission, composed of legislative members and private-sector volunteers with business management experience, will conduct audits and make recommendations but cannot implement changes directly. State agencies must cooperate with the commission’s requests; noncompliance risks losing future funding. The commission expires 18 months after enactment and operates without state funding or staff compensation.

Maddy summarySB 209 creates the Vape Regulation and Enforcement Act, requiring all businesses selling vapes or vape cartridges in West Virginia to obtain a license from the Alcohol Beverage Control Administration (ABCA). The law mandates background checks for business owners/operators, requires detailed personal information on licenses, and applies existing alcohol sales regulations to vape products. The ABCA gains authority to establish product restrictions (like packaging rules), enforce advertising standards similar to video lottery terminals, and impose penalties for violations - including license suspension or revocation. This directly affects vape retailers by imposing new licensing, reporting, and compliance requirements under the ABCA's oversight.

Maddy summaryThis bill (SB 33) allows West Virginia state legislators and legislative staff who already hold a valid concealed carry permit to carry concealed firearms inside Capitol buildings. It requires these individuals to register with the Capitol Police and submit a signed letter of intent to carry. The law does not change who may carry firearms but establishes a formal registration process for those who currently hold permits. It specifically permits concealed carry within Capitol buildings while maintaining existing restrictions on other weapons and conduct at the Capitol complex.

Maddy summarySB 17, the State Sovereignty Act of 2026, prohibits West Virginia and all its local governments - including counties, school districts, and health authorities - from enforcing or collaborating on mandates issued by the World Health Organization, the United Nations, or the World Economic Forum. The bill explicitly states that requirements from these international bodies, such as mask mandates, vaccine rules, medical testing, or data collection about residents, have no legal effect in the state. It ensures state laws and the constitution take precedence over such external directives, applying directly to all state and local entities. This law aims to prevent state compliance with international health or economic mandates that conflict with West Virginia's own legal framework.

Maddy summarySB 82 imposes a $3 tax per megawatt-hour on electricity produced from wind and solar sources for sale or trade in West Virginia, starting January 1, 2027. It applies to commercial producers at the point of interconnection with transmission lines, with exemptions for government facilities, personal consumption under 500 kWh daily, and new installations for the first three years of operation. Producers must report annual output by February 1 and pay taxes by the same date, facing penalties of up to 25% for late payment plus 12-18% annual interest. Revenue collected will be distributed to West Virginia counties based on the number of compliant volunteer fire departments, with counties then allocating funds directly to those departments.

Maddy summaryThis bill, formally titled the Patrolman Cassie Marie Johnson Memorial Act, amends West Virginia's murder sentencing laws to require the death penalty for first-degree murder when specific aggravating circumstances exist - particularly if the victim was a law enforcement officer killed in the line of duty. It establishes new procedures for jury sentencing, including requiring unanimous jury decisions on death penalty imposition based on specified aggravating factors (like killing an officer) and mitigating circumstances. The bill also mandates lethal injection as the execution method, requires automatic Supreme Court review of death sentences, and specifies protocols for handling death penalty cases, such as forensic DNA testing and transfer to correctional facilities. The memorial name honors Patrolman Cassie Marie Johnson but does not alter the bill's substantive legal provisions.

Maddy summarySenate Bill 47 prohibits drag performances in public spaces where minors could attend, specifically banning them in schools, libraries, and other public properties. The bill defines "drag performance" as entertainment involving performers using clothing/makeup to exaggerate gender identity for prurient appeal, intended for audiences of at least two people. It prohibits adult-oriented businesses (including drag shows) from operating in locations accessible to minors and bans state funding for drag shows hosted by state agencies. The law directly affects venues like schools and libraries, as well as event organizers seeking state support. This bill amends West Virginia’s obscenity laws to add these specific restrictions.

Maddy summaryThis Senate Joint Resolution (SJR 2) proposes a constitutional amendment to protect gun rights in West Virginia. It would add a new section to the state constitution stating that "a person has the right to keep and bear arms for defense of self, family, home and state, and for lawful hunting and recreational use." The amendment specifically prohibits state, county, municipal, or local government restrictions on this right based on factors like ammunition capacity, caliber, carry method, or accessories. If approved by voters in the 2026 election, it would become "Amendment 1" to the West Virginia Constitution.

Maddy summarySB 154 prohibits digitally inserting an actual minor’s image into sexually explicit content to falsely depict the minor as participating in the conduct. It directly affects anyone who modifies photographs, videos, or recordings containing sexually explicit material by adding a visual image of a living or former minor (under 18 when the original image was taken). The bill creates a new felony offense punishable by up to five years in prison, a $10,000 fine, or both. This law establishes a separate criminal penalty distinct from other offenses under West Virginia law.