Transportation in West Virginia

in committee · West Virginia · House of Delegates Jan 30, 2026

HB 4431: Requiring the approval of the Legislature and the Governor before additional bonds may be issued by the Parkways Authority

HB 4431 requires West Virginia's Parkways Authority to obtain approval from both the Legislature and Governor before issuing new bonds for parkway projects. It also mandates that tolls on parkways must be removed six months after the bonds used for construction are fully paid off. The bill restricts bond proceeds to only parkway projects (not economic development or tourism initiatives) and clarifies that bonds can be issued for highways using Appalachian Regional Commission funds. This ensures legislative oversight of bond issuances and creates a clear timeline for toll removal.

Topics ✓ Transportation

Sub-Topics Transportation Funding

in committee · West Virginia · House of Delegates Feb 11, 2026

HB 4040: Non-State Owned Roads Improvement Act

HB 4040, the Non-State Owned Roads Improvement Act, grants West Virginia municipalities (cities, towns, and counties) authority to repair and improve roads not owned or maintained by state or federal governments. It allows municipalities to pave, fix potholes, install signage, and enhance drainage on these roads while providing legal protection from lawsuits if improvements are done in good faith and follow safety standards, excluding cases of serious negligence. Municipalities must notify the public through notices, media, or meetings before starting projects and publish details like timelines and funding sources online. The bill permits using existing municipal funds, state/federal infrastructure grants, or private partnerships to cover costs, with immediate effective date upon passage.

Topics ✓ Transportation

Sub-Topics Roads & Highways

signed · West Virginia · House of Delegates Jun 29, 2026

HB 4007: Relating to industrial access roads

HB 4007 amends West Virginia's Industrial Access Road Fund rules to clarify how state funds can be used for constructing or maintaining access roads to industrial sites. The bill directly affects counties and municipalities seeking funding for roads leading to approved manufacturing, distribution, or processing facilities (including West Virginia Business Ready Sites), while restricting the fund from covering roads to schools, hospitals, shopping centers, or private property. Key changes include raising the annual funding cap to $6 million per fiscal year, setting a $800,000 maximum for unmatched funds per county, and requiring counties to certify site construction or provide surety before funds are allocated. The bill also clarifies that funds cannot be used for utility adjustments or roads on private property, and mandates the Division of Highways must review location requests within 90 days.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Transportation

Sub-Topics Roads & Highways

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

HB 4151: Establishing the West Virginia Aviation Access and Tourism Growth Act

HB 4151 establishes the West Virginia Aviation Access and Tourism Growth Act to improve air travel infrastructure and boost tourism. It creates a $15 million state fund (with annual review) to provide matching grants for airport upgrades, revenue guarantees for new flight routes, and tax incentives like sales tax exemptions on jet fuel and property tax breaks for aviation facilities. The bill directly affects regional airports (prioritizing Yeager, North Central WV, Greenbrier Valley, and Eastern WV airports), tourism businesses through co-branded marketing programs, and aviation workers via new workforce training at community colleges. Key provisions include funding for airport modernization, tax credits for aviation employers creating jobs, and a 13-member task force to develop a 10-year aviation access plan. The act aims to enhance air connectivity to tourism destinations like national parks and rural communities.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Transportation

Sub-Topics Property Tax Sales Tax Airports

introduced · West Virginia · Senate Jan 14, 2026

SB 8: Requiring DOH Commissioner to develop formula for allocating road funds among districts

This bill requires West Virginia's Commissioner of Highways to create a formula for distributing state and federal road funds among the state's 10 road districts by 2027. The formula must consider specific factors like county population (from census data), road mileage, traffic volume, heavy truck usage, and bridge conditions to ensure funds are allocated based on actual needs. Before finalizing the formula, the Commissioner must gather public input through a six-week comment period and publish all feedback online. The proposed formula must be submitted to the Legislature for approval as a rule, guaranteeing districts cannot receive less funding than their highest previous five-year allocation unless the overall highway budget decreases.

Topics ✓ Transportation

Sub-Topics Bridges Roads & Highways Transportation Funding

in committee · West Virginia · House of Delegates Jan 30, 2026

HB 4363: Establishing a program for camera assisted speed enforcement in active work zones on public highways

HB 4363 allows the use of camera systems to enforce speed limits in active road construction zones on West Virginia public highways. It authorizes the state highway commissioner to set work zone speed limits and permits "work zone speed control systems" (cameras) as an exception to general bans on photo enforcement devices. The bill requires drivers to obey speed limits in work zones and specifies that cameras can only be used to assist law enforcement with speed enforcement, not for general traffic monitoring. It also sets rules for camera operation, including machine function restrictions and lawful use conditions. This directly affects drivers traveling through active highway construction sites and highway authorities managing work zone safety.

Topics ✓ Labor & Employment ✓ Transportation

Sub-Topics Roads & Highways Traffic Safety

signed · West Virginia · Senate Jun 25, 2026

SB 692: Authorizing green flashing warning lights on DOH vehicles

Senate Bill 692 would amend West Virginia law to authorize the use of green flashing warning lights on Division of Highways (DOH) vehicles. Currently, the law restricts light colors (blue for police, red for emergency vehicles, yellow/amber for others), but this bill adds green as a permitted color specifically for DOH vehicles. The Commissioner of the Division of Highways would have discretion to use these green lights on DOH vehicles and equipment. This change directly affects DOH road maintenance, construction, and emergency response vehicles operating on West Virginia highways.

Topics ✓ Transportation

Sub-Topics Driver Licensing Roads & Highways

in committee · West Virginia · House of Delegates Jan 29, 2026

HB 4972: To expressly prohibit motorcycle lane splitting and lane filtering in West Virginia while preserving a motorcycle’s full use of a lane

HB 4972 prohibits motorcycle lane splitting (riding between lanes of moving traffic) and lane filtering (riding between stopped/slow vehicles) on West Virginia roads, directly affecting motorcycle riders. The bill preserves a motorcycle’s right to occupy an entire lane and bans maneuvers that would force motorcycles to share lanes. Exceptions include following law enforcement direction, avoiding immediate hazards like debris, or participating in permitted events with traffic control. Violations carry fines up to $500 for repeat offenses, with rules to be developed for driver education and licensing. The law aims to clarify existing traffic rules without restricting motorcycles’ full use of a single lane.

Topics ✓ Transportation

signed · West Virginia · Senate Jun 25, 2026

SB 309: Authorizing DOT to promulgate legislative rules

This bill authorizes West Virginia's Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV) to implement an existing rule about motor vehicle equipment standards, which was previously filed in the State Register on July 24, 2025. It directly affects vehicle owners and manufacturers by allowing the DMV to enforce specific equipment requirements under the rule (91 CSR 11). The bill does not create new regulations but formally authorizes the DMV to put the existing rule into effect. This is a procedural measure to finalize the rule's implementation.

Topics ✓ Transportation

Sub-Topics Vehicle Registration

in committee · West Virginia · House of Delegates Jan 30, 2026

HB 4430: Eliminating the authority of the West Virginia Parkways Authority to issue further parkway revenue, parkway revenue refunding, or special obligation bonds after July 1, 2025

HB 4430 would eliminate the West Virginia Parkways Authority's power to issue new parkway revenue bonds, parkway revenue refunding bonds, or special obligation bonds after July 1, 2026. This means the Authority cannot raise additional funds for future parkway projects through these bonds after that date. The bill does not affect existing bonds or projects already funded prior to July 1, 2026. It amends specific sections of West Virginia law to set this expiration date for new bond issuances.

Topics ✗ Budget & Taxes ✗ Transportation

Sub-Topics Debt & Bonds Transportation Funding

All transportation bills