Greg Watt

Votes by issue

Their recorded votes on bills that divided the chamber (unanimous votes left out), grouped by topic. A bill can sit under more than one topic. "With" and "against" compare each vote with how most Republicans voted. How topics are assigned

• ›Jobs & cost of living101 with · 4 against105 votes

  Most contested

  • Yes

    E-Verify Safe Harbor Act

    As passed by the House, requires all employers to register with E-Verify, check new hires' work authorization and keep records, gives employers who use E-Verify a legal defense, removes some criminal penalties, and sets escalating sanctions from warnings to state-contract bans and business-license revocation.

    Feb 10, 2026 · Passed 48–46 · with most RepublicansOfficial record ↗

  • No

    To create the Southern Coalfield Resiliency and Revitalization Program

    As passed by the House, creates a five-year Southern Coalfield Resiliency and Revitalization Program for Boone, Logan, McDowell, Mingo and Wyoming counties, with a council to coordinate existing state, local and university resources for economic development, annual reports, and outreach to businesses on existing tax credits.

    Feb 20, 2026 · Failed 48–48 · with most RepublicansOfficial record ↗

  • No

    Exempting certain employees from the classified civil service system

    Exempts new hires and promoted employees in the Departments of Health Facilities, Human Services and Health from the classified civil service system and state grievance procedures starting July 1, 2026. Secretaries may restore coverage where federal law requires; bars nepotism and favoritism in decisions.

    Mar 14, 2026 · Passed 62–34 · against most RepublicansOfficial record ↗

  All jobs & cost of living votes
• ›Rights & public safety49 with · 0 against49 votes

  Most contested

  • No

    Modifying parole eligibility for crime of second degree murder and voluntary manslaughter

    On the version voted Mar 11, 2026: Lengthens prison terms for second-degree murder to 15 to 60 years and voluntary manslaughter to 5 to 25 years, sets minimum time served before parole for each, and raises minimum time before parole for life sentences.

    Mar 6, 2026 · Failed 45–47 · with most RepublicansOfficial record ↗

  • Yes

    E-Verify Safe Harbor Act

    As passed by the House, requires all employers to register with E-Verify, check new hires' work authorization and keep records, gives employers who use E-Verify a legal defense, removes some criminal penalties, and sets escalating sanctions from warnings to state-contract bans and business-license revocation.

    Feb 10, 2026 · Passed 48–46 · with most RepublicansOfficial record ↗

  • No

    Prohibiting law enforcement from placing surveillance cameras on private property

    Feb 25, 2026 · Failed 30–62 · with most RepublicansOfficial record ↗

  All rights & public safety votes
• ›Education & families39 with · 1 against40 votes

  Most contested

  • No

    Repealing obsolete and outdated sections of the Education code.

    As first passed by the House, before Senate and later House amendments, repeals education code sections on teacher professional development, a behavior interventionist pilot program, use of school buildings as child care facilities, and the High School Graduation Improvement Act.

    Mar 14, 2026 · Failed 47–49 · with most RepublicansOfficial record ↗

  • Yes

    Supplemental appropriation to State Board of Education, fund 3517

    Mar 12, 2026 · Passed 68–25 · with most RepublicansOfficial record ↗

  • No

    Creating Sustaining Opportunities for Academics in Rural Schools Act

    Changes public charter school law: gives charter schools first refusal on public schools a county board is closing, allows rural in-person charters and a second campus, and lets colleges apply for on-campus charter microschools.

    Mar 13, 2026 · Passed 70–21 · against most RepublicansOfficial record ↗

  All education & families votes
• ›Health & care31 with · 0 against31 votes

  Most contested

  • No

    Creating the Vape Safety Act

    On the version voted Mar 13, 2026: Creates the Vape Safety Act, requiring a state license ($1,200 annual fee) for vape or smoke shops. Sets applicant qualifications, requires shops to be at least 300 feet from churches, schools and daycares, regulates signs and sales, and sets criminal and administrative penalties.

    Feb 27, 2026 · Failed 29–61 · with most RepublicansOfficial record ↗

  • Yes

    Prohibition on cell-cultured products

    Feb 13, 2026 · Passed 64–25 · with most RepublicansOfficial record ↗

  • Yes

    Requiring MDs and DOs to complete continuing education

    Requires physicians renewing their medical or osteopathic licenses to complete continuing medical education in nutrition, and authorizes rulemaking.

    Feb 3, 2026 · Passed 58–35 · with most RepublicansOfficial record ↗

  All health & care votes
• ›Climate & energy19 with · 5 against24 votes

  Most contested

  • Yes

    Clarifying Commissioner of Agriculture's authority to regulate bees

    As introduced, makes the Agriculture Commissioner the sole regulator of beekeeping and apiaries, overriding local rules, and requires clear and convincing evidence of damage for lawsuits against nearby farm operations.

    Mar 12, 2026 · Passed 49–40 · with most RepublicansOfficial record ↗

  • No

    Relating generally to aboveground storage tanks

    Mar 12, 2026 · Passed 58–34 · against most RepublicansOfficial record ↗

  • Yes

    To create a new hunting license stamp for upland game birds

    Feb 20, 2026 · Passed 64–32 · with most RepublicansOfficial record ↗

  All climate & energy votes
• ›Transportation11 with · 0 against11 votes

  Most contested

  • Yes

    Modifying priority of insurance coverage for drivers of certain vehicles provided by entities

    Changes which insurance pays first for vehicles supplied by dealers, repair shops and rental or leasing companies. A driver's own coverage is primary for a permitted replacement vehicle with no separate charge; an employee's coverage is secondary when driving for work.

    Mar 11, 2026 · Passed 77–16 · with most RepublicansOfficial record ↗

  • Yes

    Relating to driver’s licenses

    On the version voted Mar 14, 2026: Directs the Division of Motor Vehicles commissioner to seek reciprocal agreements with Ireland and Japan so their lawfully present citizens may drive in West Virginia on valid home licenses. Requires insurance compliance, allows fees, and says recognition does not register holders to vote.

    Feb 20, 2026 · Passed 88–7 · with most RepublicansOfficial record ↗

  • Yes

    WV Short Line Railroad Modernization Act

    Mar 9, 2026 · Passed 89–7 · with most RepublicansOfficial record ↗

  All transportation votes
• ›Housing & rent3 with · 2 against5 votes

  Most contested

  • No

    Camping ban on certain public property.

    Mar 3, 2026 · Passed 62–32 · against most RepublicansOfficial record ↗

  • Yes

    To make the posting of a summons in a conspicuous place on rental property acceptable service when a tenant is unavailable for personal service

    Feb 6, 2026 · Passed 84–8 · with most RepublicansOfficial record ↗

  • No

    Prohibiting certain restrictions on regulation of accessory dwelling units

    Bars municipalities from prohibiting at least one accessory dwelling unit by right on lots with a single-family home. Limits size to the lesser of 75% of the home or 1,000 square feet, and bars extra parking or matching-design requirements, except in historic districts.

    Mar 3, 2026 · Passed 85–10 · against most RepublicansOfficial record ↗

  All housing & rent votes
• ›Technology & privacy1 with · 0 against1 vote

  Most contested

  • Yes

    Relating to the requirements of the state’s cyber security program and responsibilities and authority of the state chief information security officer

    Replaces agencies' self-assessment reports with an annual cybersecurity program review with the Office of Technology by November 30, and lets the state Chief Information Security Officer set minimum training requirements for users of state systems.

    Mar 14, 2026 · Passed 96–1 · with most RepublicansOfficial record ↗

  All technology & privacy votes

Where they stood out

Voted against most of their party on 8 of 98 party-divided votes on file.

Most often on: Climate & energy (3), Education & families (3), Jobs & cost of living (1)

• Clarifying Commissioner of Agriculture's authority to regulate bees

  What it does: As introduced, makes the Agriculture Commissioner the sole regulator of beekeeping and apiaries, overriding local rules, and requires clear and convincing evidence of damage for lawsuits against nearby farm operations.

  Voted no · most Republicans voted yes · Democrats 1–8, Republicans 65–20

  Mar 14, 2026Official record ↗

• Exempting certain employees from the classified civil service system

  What it does: Exempts new hires and promoted employees in the Departments of Health Facilities, Human Services and Health from the classified civil service system and state grievance procedures starting July 1, 2026. Secretaries ma…

  Voted no · most Republicans voted yes · Democrats 0–9, Republicans 62–25

  Mar 14, 2026Official record ↗

• Creating Sustaining Opportunities for Academics in Rural Schools Act

  What it does: Changes public charter school law: gives charter schools first refusal on public schools a county board is closing, allows rural in-person charters and a second campus, and lets colleges apply for on-campus charter mi…

  Voted no · most Republicans voted yes · Democrats 0–9, Republicans 70–12

  Mar 13, 2026Official record ↗

• Relating generally to aboveground storage tanks

  Voted no · most Republicans voted yes · Democrats 0–9, Republicans 58–25

  Mar 12, 2026Official record ↗

• Camping ban on certain public property.

  Voted no · most Republicans voted yes · Democrats 0–9, Republicans 62–23

  Mar 3, 2026Official record ↗

How this is counted

Their votes on the most contested roll calls

The votes in their chamber that came out closest and most divided by party, among those they voted on. How we rank

• No

  Modifying parole eligibility for crime of second degree murder and voluntary manslaughter

  With most of their party · Failed 45–47 · Yes 45–No 47 · Democrats 9–0, Republicans 36–47

  Mar 6, 2026Official record ↗

• Yes

  E-Verify Safe Harbor Act

  With most of their party · Passed 48–46 · Yes 48–No 46 · Democrats 0–9, Republicans 48–37

  Feb 10, 2026Official record ↗

• No

  Repealing obsolete and outdated sections of the Education code.

  With most of their party · Failed 47–49 · Yes 47–No 49 · Democrats 9–0, Republicans 38–49

  Mar 14, 2026Official record ↗

• Yes

  Clarifying Commissioner of Agriculture's authority to regulate bees

  With most of their party · Passed 49–40 · Yes 49–No 40 · Democrats 0–9, Republicans 49–31

  Mar 12, 2026Official record ↗

• No

  Relating generally to aboveground storage tanks

  Against most of their party · Passed 58–34 · Yes 58–No 34 · Democrats 0–9, Republicans 58–25

  Mar 12, 2026Official record ↗

• No

  To create the Southern Coalfield Resiliency and Revitalization Program

  With most of their party · Failed 48–48 · Yes 48–No 48 · Democrats 8–1, Republicans 40–47

  Feb 20, 2026Official record ↗

• No

  Exempting certain employees from the classified civil service system

  Against most of their party · Passed 62–34 · Yes 62–No 34 · Democrats 0–9, Republicans 62–25

  Mar 14, 2026Official record ↗

• No

  Camping ban on certain public property.

  Against most of their party · Passed 62–32 · Yes 62–No 32 · Democrats 0–9, Republicans 62–23

  Mar 3, 2026Official record ↗