Laura Wakim Chapman is a Republican member of the West Virginia State Senate, representing District 1, and is seeking re-election in the November 3, 2026 general election.[1]An attorney, she has served since December 1, 2022, succeeding Owens Brown.[1]
Laura Wakim Chapman was born in Wheeling, West Virginia, earned a B.A. from Middlebury College and a J.D. from the West Virginia University College of Law, and has worked as an attorney.[1]
Chapman assumed office in the State Senate on December 1, 2022, and advanced from the Republican primary on May 12, 2026.[1]In a 2022 Ballotpedia survey, she described herself as a constitutional lawyer and said her priorities included repairing roads, expanding broadband, economic development in the Northern Panhandle, and school security.[2]
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 living60 with · 17 against77 votes
As passed by the Senate, bars 23 more food additives, including some preservatives and artificial sweeteners, from school meals starting August 2027, phases down added sugars to 5% of daily calories by 2029, requires online menu ingredient lists, and allows waivers if compliant products are unavailable or costlier.
Feb 26, 2026 · Failed 17–17 · against most RepublicansOfficial record ↗
On the version voted Apr 12, 2025: Requires the State Board of Education to submit new rules through the Legislature's education oversight commission to the Legislature, which may approve, amend or reject them; rules take effect as written if not acted on within 15 months. Sets deadlines after which board emergency rules expire.
Apr 10, 2025 · Passed 19–15 · with most RepublicansOfficial record ↗
On the version voted Apr 12, 2025: Expands West Virginia University's Board of Governors to 15 governor-appointed members, including WVU Tech and Potomac State graduates, specifies that elected faculty, student and staff board members serve as nonvoting advisers, and requires an agriculture or forestry member on the WVU and West Virginia State University boards.
As passed by the House, requires county commissions to inspect vote-counting machines before each election to confirm they cannot connect to the internet, report findings to the Secretary of State, and bars use of noncompliant machines; adds Secretary of State audits.
As passed by the Senate, bars 23 more food additives, including some preservatives and artificial sweeteners, from school meals starting August 2027, phases down added sugars to 5% of daily calories by 2029, requires online menu ingredient lists, and allows waivers if compliant products are unavailable or costlier.
Feb 26, 2026 · Failed 17–17 · against most RepublicansOfficial record ↗
Repeals state laws on preventing and reporting inflammation of the eyes of newborns, including the required preventive eye medication at birth and related duties and penalties.
Apr 10, 2025 · Passed 18–15 · with most RepublicansOfficial record ↗
On the version voted Apr 12, 2025: Lets pharmacists prescribe certain non-controlled drugs after a positive rapid test for flu, COVID-19 or RSV, or to refill an expired epinephrine injector prescription, with physician notification and a 30-day supply limit within six months.
Mar 14, 2025 · Failed 14–17 · with most RepublicansOfficial record ↗
As amended in committee, creates a Forest Carbon Registry run by the Division of Forestry and requires developers, or landowners selling directly, to record forest carbon offset agreements with mapping data within 60 days, with fines of $2,500 and $5,000, then permanent business license suspension.
On the version voted Apr 10, 2025: Allows a person operating a motorcycle, motor-driven cycle or moped to ride standing astride the vehicle with both feet on the footpegs or pedals, facing forward, instead of only sitting on the seat.
Voted against most of their party on 7 of 100 party-divided votes on file.
Most often on: Education & families (3), Health & care (2), Rights & public safety (2)
Changing certain school calendar requirements from days or months to hours
What it does: Replaces the 180-instructional-day school requirement with a 900-instructional-hour minimum, requires three Educator Focus Days for teachers to improve instruction, limits use of teacher preparation days, and lets non…
Voted no · most Republicans voted yes · Democrats 0–2, Republicans 26–6
Relating to requiring the Department of Human Services to establish a pilot program to contract for supplemental caseworker aide services for the Bureau for Social Services
Voted no · most Republicans voted yes · Democrats 0–2, Republicans 23–8
Relating to requirements for school nutrition programs
What it does: As passed by the Senate, bars 23 more food additives, including some preservatives and artificial sweeteners, from school meals starting August 2027, phases down added sugars to 5% of daily calories by 2029, requires…
Voted yes · most Republicans voted no · Democrats 2–0, Republicans 15–17
Relating to exemptions from disclosure of certain records; and exempting the legislative branch if it adopts its own rules.
What it does: As amended by the Senate, amends the state public records law to exempt private personal information and more internal and security records, extend the response deadline from 5 to 14 business days, allow search fees,…
Voted no · most Republicans voted yes · Democrats 0–2, Republicans 25–7
Substantive votes concern legislation or nominations; procedural votes concern how the chamber considers them. A Yes vote applies to the motion shown, which may not be final passage.
SB 890 · WV SENATE
Changing certain school calendar requirements from days or months to hours
NoVOTED
Motion: Senate amended House amendment and passed bill
Replaces the 180-instructional-day school requirement with a 900-instructional-hour minimum, requires three Educator Focus Days for teachers to improve instruction, limits use of teacher preparation days, and lets nonpublic schools count up to 25 hours of alternative instruction on closure days. Starts July 1, 2027.
Changing certain school calendar requirements from days or months to hours
YesVOTED
Motion: Effective July 1, 2027
Replaces the 180-instructional-day school requirement with a 900-instructional-hour minimum, requires three Educator Focus Days for teachers to improve instruction, limits use of teacher preparation days, and lets nonpublic schools count up to 25 hours of alternative instruction on closure days. Starts July 1, 2027.
Creating Sustaining Opportunities for Academics in Rural Schools Act
YesVOTED
Motion: Senate concurred in House amendments and passed bill
On the version voted Mar 13, 2026: 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.
Relating to annexation by minor boundary adjustment
YesVOTED
Motion: Senate amended House amendment and passed bill
As introduced, removes the limit allowing a city only one annexation by minor boundary adjustment every two years, keeping the existing caps on how much a single adjustment can expand the city.
Requiring MDs and DOs to complete continuing education
YesVOTED
Motion: Senate receded and passed
On the version voted Feb 3, 2026: Requires physicians renewing their medical or osteopathic licenses to complete continuing medical education in nutrition, and authorizes rulemaking.
Relating to annexation by minor boundary adjustment
YesVOTED
Motion: Senate reconsidered action and passed bill
As introduced, removes the limit allowing a city only one annexation by minor boundary adjustment every two years, keeping the existing caps on how much a single adjustment can expand the city.
On the version voted Mar 12, 2026: Makes it a misdemeanor, after a verbal warning, to approach or stay within 30 feet of a first responder on lawful duty in a way that impedes or threatens them. Penalty is a $50 to $500 fine, up to one year in jail, or both.
