Sen. Zack Maynard

Maddy summarySB 811 would amend West Virginia law to allow registered voters to change their political party affiliation on the day of any election, including primaries, general elections, or special elections. Currently, voters must select a party affiliation when registering and cannot update it until after an election, but this bill would permit changes at polling places on election day. The provision applies to all registered voters who wish to switch parties without requiring prior registration updates. It does not affect voter eligibility, voting methods, or other registration requirements - only the timing of party affiliation changes.

Maddy summarySB 734 updates the filing fee structure for time-share developers in West Virginia. It sets an initial filing fee at $500 plus $1 per time-share period (capped at $1,500 total) and requires a $250 fee for changes that add inventory to public offering statements. These fees apply to developers submitting time-share sales documents to the state division. The bill also clarifies procedural timelines for fee payments and document reviews, directly affecting time-share developers who must comply with these filing requirements.

Maddy summarySB 736 requires West Virginia's Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV) to issue a free temporary identification card to eligible released inmates no earlier than seven days before their release. The card is valid for 180 days and has the same legal standing as a standard DMV ID, enabling released inmates to prove identity, age, and residency when applying for new IDs or driver's licenses. Eligibility excludes inmates who already hold a valid West Virginia ID or driver's license expiring more than 30 days after release, or non-U.S. citizens. The bill also mandates collaboration between Corrections and DMV to verify Social Security numbers for applicants lacking other documentation.

Maddy summarySB 735 would eliminate West Virginia's corporate net income tax over a four-year period by reducing the tax rate annually until it reaches zero. The bill applies to corporations conducting business in the state, excluding those already exempt under current law. The key mechanism is a scheduled annual reduction in the tax rate, with the tax fully phased out by the end of the four-year period. This change would remove a direct tax on corporate profits, altering the state's primary revenue source for business taxation.

Maddy summarySB 716 would lower the participation requirement for West Virginia's volunteer firefighter tax credit from 30% to 20% of department activities. This change directly affects volunteer firefighters seeking the tax credit, making it easier to qualify by reducing the minimum activity threshold. The bill amends Section 11-13JJ-4 of the state code to update the participation percentage while keeping other eligibility conditions unchanged. Currently, firefighters must participate in 30% of activities; the bill would require only 20%.

Maddy summarySB 678 amends West Virginia law to make the Director of the Office of Miners’ Health, Safety, and Training a voting member of the Board of Coal Mine Health and Safety (previously nonvoting). It also clarifies that the board may take action when a quorum is present, standardizing meeting procedures. This directly affects the board’s decision-making process, as the Director will now have a vote on coal mine health and safety regulations and policies.

Maddy summarySB 424, the Affordable Electricity and Economic Growth Act of 2026, would amend West Virginia law to streamline regulations for coal-based electricity generation and coke production (used in steelmaking) by requiring state agencies to simplify permitting processes. The bill directs the Department of Economic Development to lead efforts in promoting these industries, with the goal of leveraging the state's metallurgical coal resources to boost economic growth. It states that developing these sectors would improve economic opportunities, stabilize electricity prices, and strengthen West Virginia's competitiveness with neighboring states. The legislation aims to address regulatory barriers that have hindered coal-related projects compared to other states.

Maddy summarySB 637 creates a tax credit for physicians who move to West Virginia and practice in medically underserved areas. To qualify, physicians must have graduated from an accredited U.S. medical school, completed residency within the past year, and agree to practice in designated underserved areas for six years. The credit equals up to their personal taxable income for three consecutive years, but any unused portion is forfeited after that period. This aims to address West Virginia’s physician shortage by incentivizing new medical professionals to locate in communities with limited healthcare access.

Maddy summarySB 396 creates the West Virginia Job Training and Placement Act, allowing certified retailers (specifically "workforce training community centers" meeting strict criteria) to keep 75% of sales tax revenue collected after their first $1 million in annual sales. These retailers must use the retained funds exclusively to provide job training and placement services for people facing barriers to employment, such as disabilities, criminal records, homelessness, or low education. The law requires certified organizations to serve at least three people per $10,000 retained, with an average of 2.25 successful job placements, and to monitor job retention for 90 days. Certification lasts three years, with renewal possible, and organizations must report usage to the state Department of Revenue.

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.