Sen. Mike Azinger

Maddy summarySB 561 establishes rules for local religious organizations in West Virginia seeking to disaffiliate from a parent denomination or conference. It requires a two-thirds vote of the local membership for disaffiliation approval and divides property into three classes: real estate (Class A), personal property (Class B), and financial assets (Class C). For real estate, a local church may retain a parcel if over 50% of its acquisition costs were raised locally (excluding parent funds), but must reimburse the parent for documented investments - though the parent must prove ownership claims within 60 days via receipts or records. If the parent fails to provide required documentation, the local church keeps the property without reimbursement for unproven claims.

Maddy summarySCR 2 is a symbolic Senate Concurrent Resolution (not a law) introduced in West Virginia on January 19, 2026. It expresses legislative support for religious freedom in public spaces, specifically endorsing practices like public school students and teachers openly expressing their faith, accommodating religious observances in government settings, protecting religious symbols in public areas, and fostering respectful dialogue among faiths. The resolution cites historical documents and recent Supreme Court decisions (like *Kennedy v. Bremerton*) to frame its support for religious expression in public life. It does not create new legal requirements or change existing laws, as it is a non-binding statement of principle.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes rules for local religious organizations that want to disaffiliate from a parent denomination or conference. It requires a two-thirds vote of the local membership to approve disaffiliation and classifies property into three types: real estate (Class A), movable items like furniture (Class B), and financial assets (Class C). Local groups can keep specific real estate parcels if over 50% of the costs for that parcel were raised locally, while parent denominations must provide detailed property accounting within 60 days and prove ownership claims with documentation. The law directly affects local religious groups seeking to leave a denomination and their parent organizations, focusing on how property ownership is determined during separation.

Maddy summarySB 503 requires all West Virginia state office buildings and individual agency offices to display the national motto "In God We Trust" in a visible, conspicuous location. The display must be durable, at least 8.5x11 inches, and may include the U.S. flag but no other text or imagery. State funds cannot be used for this display; agencies may only accept private donations. The law, effective July 1, 2026, applies to all state buildings used for official business. It does not change the motto itself but mandates its physical display in specified locations.

Maddy summarySenate Bill 42 (SB 42) allows licensed pharmacists in West Virginia to sell ivermectin for human use without a prescription. It requires pharmacists to provide the FDA-approved patient information sheet at the time of sale and eliminates the need for consultation. The bill protects pharmacists from liability in civil, criminal, or disciplinary actions if they follow the law in good faith, and also shields healthcare providers from disciplinary action for recommending ivermectin within their scope of practice. This directly affects pharmacists (who gain new dispensing authority) and patients (who can purchase ivermectin without a prescription). The law does not change ivermectin's FDA-approved uses or medical guidelines.

Maddy summarySB 43 would remove the existing exceptions that allow abortions in cases of rape or incest from West Virginia's abortion law. Currently, these exceptions require victims to report the assault to law enforcement and wait 48 hours before obtaining an abortion. If passed, the bill would eliminate these pathways, meaning abortions would only be permitted for nonviable pregnancies, ectopic pregnancies, or medical emergencies. This change would directly affect individuals who become pregnant due to rape or incest by removing their current legal access to abortion care in those circumstances.

Maddy summarySB 942 modifies state regulations governing diesel-powered equipment used in mining operations. It directly affects mining companies and operators who use such equipment at mine sites. The bill changes specific requirements related to emissions standards, maintenance, or equipment specifications for diesel machinery in mines (though the exact technical modifications are not detailed in the provided context). The legislation was enacted into law as Chapter 182 of the 2025 Regular Session Acts on April 25, 2025. Without additional bill text, the precise nature of the "modifications" cannot be specified.

Maddy summarySB 280 requires all public schools in the state to display the official U.S. motto, "In God We Trust," in a prominent location within each school building. This policy directly affects every public K-12 school in the state, mandating the physical display of the motto as part of school decor. The key provision specifies that the motto must be visible in a location easily accessible to students and staff, without requiring specific formatting or additional signage. The bill became law on April 29, 2025, after approval by the Governor.

Maddy summarySB 941 clarifies which state agency has authority over dams designed by the U.S. Conservation Service (likely a reference to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers). It directly affects state agencies responsible for dam oversight and maintenance. The bill specifies that the state dam safety agency, not the U.S. Conservation Service, holds primary authority for these dams. This eliminates ambiguity in existing regulations without creating new requirements or changing dam management practices. The bill became law on April 28, 2025.

Maddy summarySB 800 requires insurance companies operating within a holding company system in West Virginia to annually submit group capital calculations and liquidity stress test results to the lead state insurance commissioner. It mandates that these stress tests follow the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) framework and templates, while keeping all submitted data confidential. The bill also clarifies that affiliate data remains the insurer's property and subjects affiliates to the commissioner's authority during financial distress proceedings. These provisions directly affect all insurance companies in West Virginia that are part of a holding company system, aiming to enhance financial oversight and transparency.