Sen. Mark Maynard

Maddy summarySB 923, the "GRANITE Act," creates a legal cause of action for West Virginia residents and businesses in digital communication, blockchain, and internet services to sue foreign governments or international organizations that enforce censorship laws conflicting with U.S. or West Virginia constitutional protections. It allows lawsuits against foreign entities for imposing penalties (like fines or platform shutdowns) for speech protected under the First Amendment and West Virginia’s Constitution, shifting the burden of proof to the foreign entity to justify such laws. The bill prohibits West Virginia from recognizing or enforcing foreign judgments that compel censorship or criminalize protected U.S. speech, and it establishes civil penalties for violations. This directly affects West Virginia’s digital innovation sector by aiming to shield it from extraterritorial censorship efforts, such as those seen in the UK’s Online Safety Act enforcement against 4chan or Brazil’s court orders against X. The bill is currently in the Senate Judiciary Committee (introduced February 12, 2026).

Maddy summarySB 933 requires West Virginia's Commissioner of Highways to create a digital map showing unimproved public roads (unpaved, dirt, or gravel roads) and their specific features. The map must indicate road status, permitted vehicle types (including ATVs and motorcycles), and recreational value. County commissions and the West Virginia Department of Tourism can request mapping of roads with scenic, historic, or recreational value by providing details on use, surface, value, and location. The digital map will be publicly available online in a downloadable format to help tourists and recreation users plan trips. This bill expands existing mapping efforts using current resources to support outdoor tourism without new funding.

Maddy summaryThis bill increases compensation rates for panel attorneys who provide court-appointed legal services to eligible clients in West Virginia. It directly affects public defense attorneys by requiring updated payment rates and mandating detailed time-tracking records (in tenths of hours) for case work. Key provisions include setting 45-day payment timelines after voucher submission, establishing clear appeal processes for rejected or reduced payments, and requiring Public Defender Services to annually report legal services data to oversight bodies like the Legislative Oversight Commission and Supreme Court. The bill also adds new requirements for electronic voucher processing and court review of payment disputes.

Maddy summarySB 921 prohibits West Virginia Medicaid from funding abortions (except as allowed under existing law) or gender transition procedures. It disqualifies healthcare providers performing these services from participating in Medicaid and bans Medicaid payments for referrals related to them. The bill defines "public funds" broadly to include state and federal healthcare funds and allows lawsuits by affected individuals or the Attorney General to enforce these restrictions. It directly affects Medicaid recipients seeking these services and healthcare providers who perform them.

Maddy summarySB 912 would remove the 6% state sales tax on prepared food purchased from vending machines and money-operated machines in West Virginia, effective January 1, 2027. This change applies specifically to food sold through these machines (like snacks or meals), meaning consumers would pay no sales tax on such purchases and businesses operating the machines would not collect the tax. The bill amends West Virginia's tax code (§11-15-3) to explicitly exclude this category of food from the standard sales tax rate. It does not affect tax on food sold in stores, restaurants, or other retail settings.

Maddy summarySB 501 requires the West Virginia Division of Highways (WVDOH) to expand digital mapping of secondary and backroads for all counties that apply. Counties must submit standardized applications to have their scenic, historic, and recreational backroads mapped, with roads classified by surface type (paved, gravel, dirt) and marked for 4x4 vehicle use where needed. The WVDOH will create a public mobile app and interactive map showing these classifications, allowing travelers to view route details and user-added notes (moderated by counties). Funding comes from the WVDOH tourism and infrastructure budget, with annual reports to the Legislature on participation and tourism impact. This directly affects counties seeking tourism promotion and travelers navigating rural roads.

Maddy summaryWest Virginia's SB 850 creates the "Second Amendment Preservation Act," prohibiting state enforcement of federal regulations on intrastate firearm sales, transfers, or possession within West Virginia. The bill declares such federal rules "null and invalid" and imposes civil penalties of $50,000 per violation plus attorney fees against federal entities like the ATF that attempt to enforce them. It requires the state Attorney General to defend West Virginia residents prosecuted by federal authorities for intrastate firearm transactions and to sue federal actors violating the act. The law specifically applies to transactions occurring entirely within West Virginia, not interstate commerce.

Maddy summarySB 746 would establish two new wildlife viewing stamps: a resident stamp for West Virginia residents and a nonresident stamp for out-of-state visitors. These stamps, purchased in addition to a standard hunting or fishing license, allow holders to view wildlife on state-owned lands and roads (including fire roads and gated roads) in a regular vehicle, excluding UTVs and ATVs. The fee for each stamp would be set by the Department of Natural Resources and require legislative approval, with revenue funding wildlife programs. The program would not apply to Coopers Rock or Kanawha State Forests.

Maddy summarySB 748 requires West Virginia public schools to notify a minor's parent or guardian before dispensing any FDA-approved contraceptive (such as birth control pills or devices) to a minor. This bill directly affects public school health services and minors aged 18 or younger who receive contraceptives at school. The key provision mandates written parental notification prior to dispensing, with "contraceptive" defined as any drug or device approved by the FDA to prevent pregnancy. The bill does not alter access to contraceptives but adds a parental notification step for school-based dispensing. (Introduced February 5, 2026; referred to Health and Human Resources Committee).

Maddy summarySB 751 limits landowner liability for injuries occurring on property leased to government entities for specific noncommercial uses, including military training, law enforcement exercises, wildlife propagation, and recreational activities. It removes the duty of care landowners owe to people entering such land, eliminating distinctions between invitees and licensees as clarified by the Mallet v. Pickens court case. Exceptions apply for deliberate harm or when landowners charge fees for entry beyond government payments. This bill directly affects landowners who lease property for these designated purposes in West Virginia.