SB 708 West Virginia Senate · 2026 Regular Session

Creating WV River Access and Bridge Modernization Act

SB 708 requires the West Virginia Division of Highways to evaluate and potentially create public river access facilities during bridge projects over navigable waterways. It prohibits using eminent domain for access points but allows voluntary property acquisition (through purchase or donation) to improve safety for recreational users like fishermen and boaters. The law mandates that any new access facilities must prioritize public safety, avoid interfering with traffic, and be limited in size to address documented hazards. It applies directly to the Division of Highways, recreational users, and property owners near river crossings.
Bill status in committee 1 of 4 stages cleared
Introduction
Feb 2026
Committee Review
Floor Vote
Governor
Introduced Feb 2, 2026 Last action Feb 12, 2026
Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

Introduced Version Committee Substitute · 4 edits
MODERATE
The bill was amended to add three new co-sponsors and update the legislative history to reflect its status as a Committee Substitute. Substantive changes include broadening the definition of 'navigable waterway' to include any recreational activity rather than just navigation, changing the requirement for informational signage from optional to mandatory, and expanding liability protections to include private property owners in addition to the Division of Highways.
Scope change
The bill's scope was expanded by including private property owners in liability protections and broadening the definition of navigable waterways to cover a wider range of recreational uses.
DEFINITION

The definition of 'navigable waterway' was changed from requiring 'recreational navigation' to allowing 'recreational activities', significantly broadening the scope of waterways covered by the bill.

REQUIREMENT

The requirement for informational signage was changed from permissive ('may install') to mandatory ('shall install') when the Division determines it improves safety or orientation.

ENFORCEMENT

The liability limitation clause was expanded to protect private property owners from expanded liability, not just the Division of Highways.

SCOPE

Three new co-sponsors (Senators Deeds, Oliverio, and Woelfel) were added to the bill.

Floor votes

How they voted

No floor votes recorded yet.
Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
6
Key actions
0
Committee
4
Feb 12, 2026
Committee
To Judiciary
upper
Feb 12, 2026
Committee
Committee substitute reported, but first to Judiciary
upper
Feb 2, 2026
Committee
To Natural Resources
upper
Feb 2, 2026
Introduced
Introduced in Senate
upper
Feb 2, 2026
Committee
To Natural Resources then Judiciary
upper
1 primary · 5 co-sponsors

Sponsors