Sen. Mark Maynard

Maddy summarySB 750 clarifies how West Virginia fills vacancies in the state Legislature. It requires the Governor to appoint a replacement from a list of three qualified candidates submitted by the relevant party committee (or county committee for single-county districts) within 15 days of the vacancy. If more than three candidates apply, the committee must conduct uniform interviews - potentially virtually - and select three finalists. The bill ensures appointees must belong to the same political party as the previous officeholder and have been affiliated for at least one year, while setting specific deadlines for submissions and appointments. This directly affects the Governor, party committees, and candidates seeking legislative vacancies.

Maddy summarySB 747 amends West Virginia law to clarify that individuals legally permitted to carry firearms or pepper spray may do so on public sidewalks and streets directly bordering and surrounding the State Capitol Complex grounds. The bill specifically removes restrictions that previously applied to these adjacent public areas, while maintaining existing rules about carrying weapons *within* the Capitol Complex grounds themselves. It directly affects lawful firearm carriers who use these bordering sidewalks and streets for access to or from the Capitol. The key change is a technical clarification of where existing carry laws apply, without altering the legal status of carrying weapons on Capitol grounds.

Maddy summarySB 775 prohibits all West Virginia state government entities - including public schools, universities, healthcare facilities, and social services offices - from promoting or facilitating discussions, policies, programs, or medical procedures related to sexual orientation or gender transitioning. It bans the use of state funds for gender transition treatments (such as puberty blockers or hormone therapy), referrals for such care, and materials promoting these topics in state-funded institutions. Enforcement includes potential termination for employees, funding suspension for violating entities, and allowing West Virginia residents to sue for violations. The bill directly affects state-funded education, healthcare, and social services by restricting content and funding related to gender identity and sexual orientation.

Maddy summarySenate 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.

Maddy summarySB 776 expands the West Virginia Public Service Commission's (PSC) oversight authority over public service districts (PSDs), which provide essential utility services like water and electricity in local communities. The bill requires PSDs to adopt PSC-approved operational guidelines, undergo mandatory biennial audits, submit annual financial transparency reports, and ensure board members complete continuing education. It also grants the PSC power to conduct scheduled and unscheduled inspections and impose fines or require management changes for non-compliance. These provisions aim to standardize PSD operations, enhance accountability, and ensure financial transparency for the communities they serve.

Maddy summarySB 770 establishes West Virginia's Off-Highway Motor Vehicle Recreation Act, creating a nine-member commission within the Division of Natural Resources to manage OHV recreation. The commission will designate public lands as OHV recreation areas, develop safety and environmental regulations (including speed limits, emissions, and trail restrictions), and administer a dedicated fund financed by OHV fees, fines, and state/federal funding. Private landowners may apply for grants to develop OHV trails under commission guidelines, while the program requires environmental impact assessments and annual reporting on expenditures and recreational impacts. The bill directly affects OHV users, land managers, and local communities through new regulatory frameworks and funding mechanisms for sustainable recreation.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates the "West Virginia Country Roads Mapping and Marketing Act," allowing West Virginia counties to apply for the Division of Highways to map scenic and recreational back roads for tourism promotion. It requires counties to submit applications, mandates classification of roads by surface type (paved, gravel, dirt) and 4x4 vehicle requirements, and establishes an interactive public map with a mobile app for travelers. The map will include user-submitted notes and route details, while the Division will fund the program using existing tourism and infrastructure budget resources. The law requires annual reports on participation and tourism impact to the Legislature.

Maddy summarySB 769, the "West Virginia Litter Control and Environmental Cleanup Act," establishes a coordinated statewide system to address litter and illegal dumping. It directly affects state agencies (DEP, DOT), counties with Litter Control Officers, and nonprofit contractors selected via a state RFP. Key provisions require the DEP to oversee efforts, the DOT to maintain clean roadways, counties to enforce local laws, and a nonprofit contractor to clean illegal dumps, roadways, and waterways. The bill mandates annual reports on progress and funding from existing sources, fines, and grants, effective July 1, 2026.

Maddy summarySB 777 creates the "Outdoor West Virginians with Disabilities Act" to improve access to state public lands for people with disabilities. It requires West Virginia’s Division of Natural Resources and Division of Forestry to update land management plans, ensuring at least 2.5 miles of accessible roads per square mile on state forest and natural resource lands. The bill mandates that road closures must not reduce accessible road mileage below this threshold without specific justification, and requires public input before closing roads. It also prioritizes including roads that support diverse recreation like hiking, fishing, and wildlife viewing while maintaining accessibility standards.

Maddy summarySB 767 establishes a new system for distributing West Virginia's emergency medical services (EMS) funding based on actual community needs rather than equal shares. The bill requires the state health department to conduct a biennial assessment evaluating factors like call volume, response times, financial stability, rural service gaps, and equipment shortages across all EMS agencies. Funding priorities will then target areas with high call volumes, slow response times, personnel shortages, or coverage deficits in rural and underserved communities. The law includes safeguards to prevent arbitrary funding cuts and mandates annual reports to the legislature detailing assessment results and funding allocations. This replaces the current equal-funding approach with a data-driven method to ensure resources reach the most critical areas.