Sen. Zack Maynard

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a new felony offense for indecent exposure committed in front of minors and requires individuals convicted of this crime to register as sex offenders. The legislation defines indecent exposure as exposing one's nude penis, vagina, or anus and includes undressing in opposite-sex locker rooms as a violation while removing exemptions for breastfeeding. Penalties increase with repeat offenses, and the new crime counts as a qualifying offense for recidivist sentencing enhancements. The bill also clarifies that registration requirements apply retroactively to past convictions involving these offenses.

Maddy summarySJR 8 proposes a constitutional amendment to West Virginia's Constitution (Article IX, Section 3) regarding sheriff term limits. It modifies the rule that prevents someone from serving two consecutive terms as sheriff by adding an exception: if a sheriff is appointed to fill a term with less than two years remaining, they would be eligible to run for two consecutive full terms afterward. This directly affects county sheriffs in West Virginia who are appointed to finish short remaining terms. The amendment, titled the "Sheriff's Succession Amendment," requires voter approval at the 2026 general election to take effect.

Maddy summarySenate Resolution 49 is a ceremonial resolution adopted by the West Virginia Senate on February 25, 2026, to formally commend volunteers for their efforts in recovering from the May 2025 flash flooding at Chief Logan State Park. It specifically recognizes community members, organizations, and local officials - including park staff, students, business leaders, and emergency personnel - who volunteered to clear debris, restore facilities, and support recovery under difficult conditions. The resolution expresses the Senate’s gratitude for their "extraordinary service" and "selfless dedication" but contains no new policy, funding, or legal obligations. As a symbolic gesture, it does not affect any laws or directly impact specific groups beyond acknowledging their contributions.

Maddy summarySenate Resolution 48 memorializes the late Sarah Abigail (Mullennex) Minear, a former West Virginia State Senator (1994-2006) and community leader, by formally honoring her life and public service. The resolution recognizes her roles as a philanthropist, founding president of the Tucker Community Foundation and West Virginia Grantmakers Association, and her decades of volunteer work across West Virginia. It extends the Senate’s condolences to her family and directs the Clerk to send a copy of the resolution to her loved ones. This is a ceremonial resolution with no policy or financial impact, solely commemorating her legacy.

Maddy summarySB 718 increases the annual salary for magistrates in West Virginia to $70,000, effective July 1, 2026. This bill amends West Virginia Code §50-1-3, which sets magistrate compensation, building on previous increases from $60,375 (2021) to $63,250 (2022). The measure directly affects all magistrates serving in West Virginia courts. The change is a straightforward salary adjustment with no additional mechanisms or eligibility requirements specified in the bill text.

Maddy summarySB 1071 proposes creating a state office of public defense to manage the procurement and sale of machine guns to qualified West Virginia residents. The bill cites the Second Amendment and West Virginia's state constitution (Article III, Section 22) as legal foundations, arguing that "arms of modern warfare" including machine guns are protected under these provisions. It establishes a new state office to handle the transfer process, referencing federal laws that permit states to transfer machine guns to law-abiding citizens. This bill directly affects eligible residents seeking to legally acquire machine guns for self-defense or state defense, as defined by the proposed office's regulations. The bill is currently in committee referral after its February 2026 introduction.

Maddy summarySB 1047 creates a non-criminal system to address homelessness, addiction, and mental health challenges by requiring law enforcement to issue verbal warnings, then written warnings, and finally refer individuals to community behavioral health centers after three encounters - replacing arrests or citations. The bill sets standards for recovery housing to be substance-free, trauma-informed, and long-term, with specific provisions for family recovery housing supporting pregnant women and mothers with children. It prohibits criminalizing homelessness or addiction, integrates community behavioral health centers with recovery housing services, and mandates an annual report from a state advisory team, all using existing state resources without new funding. The law takes effect on July 1, 2026.

Maddy summarySB 1014 increases Medicaid dental reimbursement rates for providers in West Virginia to address rising costs, as noted in a 2024 state report showing current rates fail to cover service expenses. It expands dental coverage for adults 21+ to include diagnostic, preventative, and restorative services (excluding cosmetic procedures), with a $2,000 annual spending limit per beneficiary. The bill requires the state to implement a dental care system with quality oversight and submit annual cost reports to legislators starting in 2027. A 20% fee increase for dental services must be enacted by December 2028 to align with federal matching requirements.

Maddy summaryThis Senate Resolution (SR 32) expresses the West Virginia Senate's commitment to protecting coal-dependent communities and energy infrastructure. It specifically requires coal-fired power plants to operate at a minimum 69% annual capacity factor to maintain grid reliability and protect over 10,000 coal jobs, while opposing actions that threaten mine closures or job losses. The resolution also pledges to prioritize local coal jobs over "out-of-state contracting" and prevent ratepayers from bearing higher costs due to reduced coal generation. As a non-binding resolution (adopted February 18, 2026), it does not create new law but formally commits the Senate to supporting coal through policy advocacy and oversight.

Maddy summarySB 991 would codify the common law cause of action for public nuisance into West Virginia statute by adding a new section (§55-7-33) that defines public nuisance in a way consistent with its historical application. This bill directly affects individuals, businesses, and government entities involved in public nuisance lawsuits by replacing vague common law standards with a specific statutory framework. The key mechanism establishes clear legal criteria for when a public nuisance claim can be filed, such as conditions endangering public health or safety. The bill aims to clarify the legal process without altering the fundamental nature of public nuisance claims.