Sen. Mark Maynard

Maddy summaryThis is a ceremonial Senate Resolution (SR 44) honoring basketball legend Jerry West, a native of West Virginia. It memorializes his life and legacy, recognizing his birth in Chelyan, West Virginia; his high school and college career at West Virginia University; his NBA playing career with the Los Angeles Lakers; and his contributions to basketball as a player, coach, and executive. The resolution also acknowledges his philanthropy, including the Jerry West Scholarship for WVU students. It does not create new laws or affect any policies - it is a formal tribute expressing the Senate's respect and extending sympathy to his family.

Maddy summarySJR 8 proposes a constitutional amendment requiring all voters in West Virginia elections to be U.S. citizens. The amendment would add language to the state constitution stating: "Only citizens of the state who are citizens of the United States shall be entitled to vote at all elections." This would codify the existing requirement that voters must be U.S. citizens, which is already enforced under current law. The proposal must be approved by voters in the 2026 general election to take effect.

Maddy summarySJR 16 proposes a constitutional amendment to increase West Virginia's homestead property tax exemption from $20,000 to at least $25,000 for qualifying homeowners. The amendment would affect homeowners aged 65 or older, or those who are permanently and totally disabled, who own and occupy their homes as primary residences. If approved by voters in the 2026 general election, it would change the constitutional language governing homestead exemptions while allowing the Legislature to make further modifications to the exemption through regular legislation after January 1, 2027. The amendment is currently pending voter approval as a proposed constitutional change.

Maddy summarySB 925 establishes a needs-based assessment system for distributing West Virginia's emergency medical services (EMS) funding, replacing equal per-agency allocations. It requires the state health department to conduct a biennial assessment evaluating call volume, response times, equipment shortages, personnel needs, and geographic challenges - particularly in rural areas - to determine funding priorities. EMS agencies facing high call volumes, slow response times, financial instability, or service gaps in underserved regions will receive priority funding. The bill mandates that funding decisions be justified by assessment data, with reports to the legislature every two years for oversight. This policy directly affects all EMS providers across the state, aiming to address resource disparities through data-driven funding.

Maddy summarySB 873 creates the West Virginia Homelessness Rehabilitation and Public Safety Act to address homelessness through structured rehabilitation programs. It requires law enforcement to refer homeless individuals with multiple loitering or vagrancy citations to mental health evaluations, and those deemed to have mental health or substance abuse needs must participate in treatment plans. The Department of Human Services will operate repurposed vacant buildings as structured residence halls, requiring residents to complete hygiene training, vocational skills (like maintenance and agriculture), and financial planning. Upon program completion, participants receive job placement assistance, financial oversight for savings, and help securing housing after saving for a security deposit. The program applies only to homeless individuals assessed as "of sound mind" who refuse rehabilitation, facing existing penalties for non-participation.

Maddy summarySB 839 requires the West Virginia Division of Labor to propose separate licensing rules for plumbers who work in residential homes versus commercial buildings. The bill amends existing law to mandate distinct standards, examinations, and fees for each work setting, replacing the current unified licensing approach. This change affects how the Division of Labor administers licensing but does not alter the basic requirements for plumbers. The bill is procedural, focusing solely on administrative rule-making rather than changing plumbing work practices.

Maddy summarySB 921 creates the "West Virginia Emergency Medical Services Oversight and Support Act," mandating the Office of Emergency Medical Services (OEMS) to provide oversight and support to county commissions operating emergency medical services (EMS). The bill requires OEMS to develop standardized operational frameworks, conduct financial audits of all county EMS services (including volunteer fire department operations), distribute state funding based on needs assessments, inspect facilities for compliance, and oversee training programs. County commissions must receive OEMS assistance for operational challenges, and OEMS must submit annual reports to the Legislature detailing inspections, audits, funding distribution, and support provided. The act takes effect July 1, 2025, directly affecting all 55 West Virginia counties and their EMS providers.

Maddy summarySB 595, the Mountain Bike Responsibility Act, establishes rules for commercial mountain bike trail operators and riders in West Virginia. It requires operators to post trail maps, mark difficulty levels with standardized symbols, maintain emergency plans, and display a specific risk-assumption warning stating that riders accept inherent trail hazards. The law explicitly limits operator liability for injuries or damage caused by natural terrain features like roots, rocks, uneven surfaces, or other trail conditions. It directly affects commercial trail operators (not public or non-profit entities) and mountain bicyclists using designated trails. The bill aims to clarify responsibilities while defining the risks riders assume when using mountain bike trails.

Maddy summarySB 922 establishes the West Virginia Comprehensive Childcare Program (WVCCP), integrating existing Head Start, Pre-K, and Birth-to-Three services into a single state-administered system managed by the West Virginia Department of Education. It aims to improve access, affordability, and quality of childcare for children from birth to age five, with priority for low-income families, children with disabilities, and those facing barriers. Key provisions include income-based fees for families above eligibility thresholds, standardized educator credentialing with K-12 comparable salaries, and county-level coordination boards to oversee implementation. The program will take effect on July 1, 2026, with a phased rollout to ensure continuity of care from early childhood through school entry.

Maddy summarySB 923 creates the West Virginia Litter Control and Environmental Cleanup Act to coordinate statewide litter and illegal dump cleanup efforts. It requires the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) to oversee statewide efforts, the Department of Transportation to maintain roadways, and county waste authorities to support local enforcement. The bill authorizes the DEP to contract with a nonprofit organization to clean illegal dump sites, roadways, and waterways (streams, creeks, rivers), while counties with Litter Control Officers may receive DEP funding for enforcement. Funding will come from existing litter control budgets, violation fines, and potential grants, with annual reports to the Legislature starting July 2026.