HB 4127 repeals a provision in West Virginia law (§17A-10-3c) that allowed for extra registration fees on alternative fuel vehicles. This bill directly affects owners of vehicles using alternative fuels like electric, hybrid, or propane by removing the requirement to pay these additional fees. The key mechanism is the deletion of the specific code section authorizing the fees, meaning the standard registration fees will apply instead. The bill makes no other changes to vehicle registration rules or fees.
HB 4530 creates a dedicated fund within West Virginia's State Road Fund to improve traffic intersections near large retail operations like shopping malls, grocery stores, and warehouses. County officials must submit annual priority lists of needed upgrades (based on traffic counts and local urgency) to the Division of Highways, which administers the program. The fund finances specific fixes such as adding turning lanes, updating traffic signals, adjusting signal timing, and improving drop-off/pick-up areas to reduce congestion. Projects must occur on eligible state highways and directly address retail-impacted intersections, with funding limited to these designated improvements.
SB 458 provides a $5,000 salary increase for all employees of the West Virginia Division of Highways, effective July 1, 2026. This direct pay raise applies to current road maintenance and highway workers employed by the state. The bill amends existing law to implement this specific salary adjustment without altering other existing provisions like scholarship programs. The change is effective immediately upon enactment for all eligible employees as of the specified date.
West Virginia's SB 558 strengthens penalties for drivers who pass a stopped school bus with activated stop arms and red lights while children are boarding or exiting. It creates new aggravated offenses: causing serious injury becomes a felony with 1-3 years in jail and $2,000-$5,000 fines, while causing death becomes a felony with 1-10 years in jail and $5,000-$10,000 fines. Repeat violations now trigger mandatory jail time (48 hours for third offenses), longer license suspensions (up to one year), and require completion of a driver safety course. The bill also allows civil stop-arm camera enforcement, holds vehicle owners liable for violations, and dedicates collected fines to school bus safety initiatives.
SB 249 would repeal all existing West Virginia law requiring annual vehicle safety and emissions inspections. Specifically, it eliminates Sections 17C-16-1 through 17C-16-9 of the West Virginia Code, removing the mandatory requirement for vehicle owners to obtain annual inspection stickers. This change would directly affect all vehicle owners in West Virginia who currently must comply with these inspections. The bill is currently in the early stages of the legislative process, having been introduced in the Senate on January 14, 2026.
SB 501 requires the West Virginia Division of Highways (WVDOH) to expand digital mapping of secondary and backroads for all counties that apply. Counties must submit standardized applications to have their scenic, historic, and recreational backroads mapped, with roads classified by surface type (paved, gravel, dirt) and marked for 4x4 vehicle use where needed. The WVDOH will create a public mobile app and interactive map showing these classifications, allowing travelers to view route details and user-added notes (moderated by counties). Funding comes from the WVDOH tourism and infrastructure budget, with annual reports to the Legislature on participation and tourism impact. This directly affects counties seeking tourism promotion and travelers navigating rural roads.
SB 94 continues the Robert C. Byrd Corridor H Highway Authority, which serves the economic development needs of seven counties (Lewis, Upshur, Barbour, Randolph, Tucker, Grant, and Hardy) along Corridor H. The bill establishes the authority’s structure, including 21 voting members appointed by the seven counties (three per county) and five ex-officio nonvoting members from state agencies (like the Department of Highways and Economic Development). It outlines meeting rules (requiring 11 voting members for a quorum), confirms members receive expense reimbursements but no salary, and defines the authority’s duties to foster economic partnerships, develop tourism assets, and manage property to support regional growth. The authority must report annually to the Joint Committee on Government and Finance.
SB 444 amends West Virginia law to improve how the Industrial Access Road Fund is managed and used. It allows counties to retain unobligated funds for three years (instead of reverting immediately) and enables counties within regional economic development organizations to pool funds for shared industrial road projects across county lines. The bill also waives surety bond requirements for federally funded projects and clarifies that funds can cover signage, safety upgrades, and matching federal infrastructure projects. This directly affects counties, municipalities, and industrial developers seeking to build or improve roads connecting to manufacturing, distribution, or economic development sites.
HB 4829 amends West Virginia law to define driving more than 30 miles per hour over posted speed limits as reckless driving. This directly affects drivers who exceed speed limits by 30+ mph on public roads, school zones, state parks, or educational institution properties. The bill establishes penalties: a first offense carries up to 90 days in jail or a $500 fine, with harsher penalties for repeat offenses or if the speeding causes serious injury. Exceptions include temporarily closed racing events and designated recreational vehicle areas within state parks.
This bill clarifies West Virginia's Right to Farm Act to specifically protect residential beekeeping operations, ensuring honey beekeeping on private property is recognized as a permitted agricultural activity. It creates special vehicle registration plates for organizations promoting pollinators, with fees collected from these plates ($25 initial fee, $15 annual) deposited into the State Road Fund to fund highway beautification projects that support pollinator habitats. The bill also updates definitions to include "tropilaelaps mites" as a honey bee pest under the Apiary Act. These changes directly affect beekeepers, pollinator conservation groups, and state highway maintenance programs, while reinforcing the state's focus on protecting pollinators critical to agriculture.
