Transportation

introduced · West Virginia · Senate Jan 19, 2026

SB 482: Creating WV Driver Safety Modernization Act

SB 482 creates West Virginia's Driver Safety Modernization Act to improve road safety by establishing a system for reviewing drivers whose medical conditions, age, or behavior may affect driving ability. It requires periodic medical certification for certain drivers (not solely based on age), creates a medical review unit for fair assessments, and mandates reporting of wrong-way driving incidents. The bill also provides immunity for doctors reporting medical concerns, offers senior driver safety courses and mobility planning resources, and requires the state to review highway interchanges where wrong-way crashes occurred. This law directly affects drivers over a certain age, medical professionals, law enforcement, and the Division of Motor Vehicles.

Topics ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill creates medical review system and mandates reporting for driver safety, directly enhancing road safety standards under transportation policy.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Driver Licensing Roads & Highways Traffic Safety

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in committee · West Virginia · House of Delegates Jan 22, 2026

HB 4719: To eliminate the process of vehicle inspection in West Virginia

HB 4719 repeals all West Virginia laws requiring mandatory state inspections of motor vehicles. The bill eliminates the requirement for vehicle owners to obtain annual safety or emissions inspections and removes related enforcement mechanisms, such as penalties for operating without a certificate. It directly affects all vehicle owners in West Virginia who previously needed to comply with these inspections. The bill removes specific sections of the law that governed inspection stations, fees, and consequences for non-compliance. This is a straightforward repeal of existing inspection requirements with no new provisions added.

Topics ✗ EnvironmentOpposes EnvironmentRemoves mandatory vehicle emissions inspections, weakening pollution control standards for vehicles per bill summary.90% confidence ✗ TransportationOpposes TransportationEliminates mandatory vehicle safety inspections, weakening transportation safety standards per bill's repeal of safety/emissions requirements.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Driver Licensing Vehicle Registration

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in committee · West Virginia · Senate Feb 3, 2026

SB 620: Exempting certain physicians from specified traffic laws when responding to emergencies

This bill allows licensed physicians in West Virginia to operate designated large medical vehicles with red flashing warning lights during medical emergencies, similar to ambulances and fire trucks. It requires the West Virginia Board of Medicine and Board of Osteopathic Medicine to create and manage programs designating which physicians' vehicles qualify as emergency vehicles. Physicians using these designated vehicles would be exempt from standard traffic laws (like speed limits) while responding to emergencies. The medical boards must propose specific rules for legislative approval before implementing this program.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareEnables faster emergency medical response by exempting physicians from traffic laws, improving access to urgent care during critical situations.90% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationExempts emergency medical vehicles from traffic laws to improve emergency response safety, directly enhancing transportation safety protocols during critical incidents.92% confidence

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in committee · West Virginia · House of Delegates Jan 19, 2026

HB 4503: Prohibiting driving slow in left lane except under certain circumstances

HB 4503 requires drivers on multi-lane highways to stay in the rightmost lane unless specific exceptions apply. The bill lists nine exceptions allowing left-lane driving, including during snow or inclement weather, when preparing to exit, avoiding hazards in the right lane, or during traffic merging. Violating the rule is a misdemeanor punishable by fines up to $500, but enforcement can only occur as a secondary charge after another traffic violation is addressed. This bill directly affects all drivers operating vehicles on multi-lane roads in West Virginia.

Topics ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationEnforces lane discipline to improve highway safety and traffic flow, directly enhancing transportation safety standards per bill language.92% confidence

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in committee · West Virginia · House of Delegates Jan 21, 2026

HB 4700: To require railroad companies to provide alternative entry and exit ways

HB 4700 requires railroad companies to provide alternative entry and exit routes for communities when performing maintenance, repairs, or construction on a road that serves as the sole access point for residents or state employees for more than 24 consecutive hours. This applies specifically to roads designated as the only entry/exit way for public health and safety reasons. The bill amends existing laws (§17-4-8 and §31-2A-2 of West Virginia Code) to mandate this requirement during extended work periods. It directly affects railroad companies operating in communities reliant on single-road access during infrastructure projects.

Topics ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationRequires railroad companies to provide alternative access during road maintenance, enhancing transportation safety and infrastructure reliability for critical routes.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Rail Roads & Highways

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in committee · West Virginia · House of Delegates Jan 23, 2026

HB 4723: Make it illegal to operate a “squatted” vehicle on West Virginia roads.

HB 4723 prohibits operating vehicles with a front or rear fender raised four or more inches higher than the other side ("squatted" vehicles) on West Virginia roads starting July 1, 2026. It directly affects drivers who modify their vehicle suspensions in this manner. For the first six months after the effective date, law enforcement may issue only warning citations; after January 1, 2027, violations carry escalating penalties: $100 for a first offense, $200 for a second, and $300 plus a one-year license suspension for a third offense. The bill defines "squatted" vehicles specifically and establishes clear enforcement timelines.

Topics ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationProhibits unsafe vehicle modifications to enhance road safety standards, directly protecting transportation infrastructure and public safety on roads.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Driver Licensing Vehicle Registration

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in committee · West Virginia · Senate Jan 30, 2026

SB 131: Creating credit against severance tax for certain infrastructure improvements

SB 131 creates a tax credit against West Virginia's severance tax for businesses that make qualifying investments in road/highway infrastructure improvements or coal production/processing facilities. It directly affects coal industry businesses and infrastructure developers in coal-producing regions by allowing them to reduce their severance tax liability. The credit covers costs for labor, materials, and real property improvements tied to certified road projects or coal facilities, with applications required through the Transportation Secretary. Unused credits can be carried forward, and the credit may be transferred to successors. This policy aims to incentivize private investment in infrastructure and coal sector capital projects.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesCreates severance tax credit for infrastructure investments, reducing tax liability for qualifying businesses.90% confidence ✗ EnergyOpposes EnergyBill provides severance tax credit for coal infrastructure, directly subsidizing fossil fuel production instead of promoting renewables or clean energy infrastructure.95% confidence ✗ EnvironmentOpposes EnvironmentProvides tax credits for coal infrastructure, prioritizing industry over environmental protection and potentially increasing pollution from coal operations.85% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationCreates tax credit for road/highway infrastructure investments, directly funding transportation improvements via severance tax reduction for qualifying projects.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Business Taxes Tax Credits Tax Incentives Coal Roads & Highways Transportation Funding Tags Economic Development

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in committee · West Virginia · House of Delegates Feb 12, 2026

HB 4426: Ensure State Road Construction Account funds are in addition to general highways funds provided to the DOT districts

HB 4426 creates a special State Road Construction Account within the State Road Fund to provide dedicated highway construction and maintenance funding for 10 specific West Virginia counties: Raleigh, Fayette, Wyoming, Mercer, Kanawha, Greenbrier, Monroe, Summers, McDowell, and Nicholas. The bill explicitly requires that funds from this new account must be in addition to, not reduce, existing highway funding those counties receive from the general State Road Fund. It ensures counties listed in the bill will not lose their regular highway funding simply because they receive money from this new account. The account will be used for highway projects in these counties as defined in specific transportation plans from 2017.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill creates dedicated funding for highway construction without reducing existing allocations, explicitly requiring new funds to be 'in addition to' current highway funding, strengthening fiscal support for infrastructure.95% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationCreates dedicated highway funding for 10 counties without reducing existing funds, explicitly advancing transportation infrastructure.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Roads & Highways Transportation Funding

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introduced · West Virginia · Senate Jan 16, 2026

SB 447: Relating to Industrial Access Road Grant Program

SB 447 amends West Virginia's Industrial Access Road Fund to clarify spending rules and raise monetary limits. It increases the annual county allocation cap for unmatched funds from $400,000 to $800,000 and sets a $300,000 cap for matched funds. The fund can only finance roads to existing or planned industrial sites (e.g., manufacturing, distribution, or West Virginia Business Ready Sites Program locations), not schools, shopping centers, or private property. Counties must provide surety bonds if sites aren't built on time, and projects require Division of Highways approval within 90 days.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesIncreases county funding caps for industrial road program within state budget, advancing fiscal allocation for infrastructure spending.90% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationIncreases funding caps for industrial road infrastructure, expands program scope to support industrial access roads, directly advances transportation infrastructure funding.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Airports Roads & Highways Transportation Funding

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in committee · West Virginia · House of Delegates Jan 14, 2026

HB 4069: To remove the helmet law in West Virginia.

HB 4069 would remove West Virginia's current requirement that motorcycle operators and passengers wear helmets meeting specific safety standards (ANSI Z90.1, DOT FMVSS 218, or Snell) and eye protection meeting ANSI Z2.1 standards. The bill specifically targets sections (a) and (b) of existing law §17C-15-44, which mandate these safety equipment requirements. If passed, this change would directly affect all motorcycle riders and passengers in West Virginia, eliminating the legal obligation for helmets and eye protection. The bill does not alter other motorcycle safety rules, such as handlebar height limits, seating positions, or rearview mirror requirements.

Topics ✗ TransportationOpposes TransportationBill eliminates mandatory helmet/safety standards for motorcycles, directly weakening transportation safety regulations per the topic's indicators.95% confidence

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