SB 1 West Virginia Senate · 2025 Regular Session

Requiring utility work and road paving coordination

SB 1 requires utility companies and local governments to coordinate utility work (like installing pipes or wires) with road paving projects. This directly affects utility providers and municipalities managing road construction. The law mandates that these entities hold joint planning meetings before starting work to avoid repeated road excavations. As a result, it reduces disruptions like multiple road cuts in the same area and saves public funds. The bill became law on April 24, 2025.

Issues: ✓ Transportation

Bill status signed all 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Feb 2025

Committee Review

Apr 2025

Senate Passage

Apr 2025

House of Delegates Passage

Apr 2025

Signed into Law

Aug 2025

Introduced Feb 12, 2025 Signed Aug 8, 2025

Maddy AI version diff · 4 comparisons

What changed between versions

sb1 riley _1 4-2 adopted.htm → sb1 hfa devault _ riley 4-4 _1 revised adopted.htm · 4 edits

MODERATE

This bill amendment changes the reporting requirements for utilities in West Virginia. It adds a new requirement for utilities to submit annual reports to the Division of Highways listing planned road projects and grants that would affect paved roads. The amendment also allows utilities to submit a 'no plans report' if they have no road improvement projects planned, and establishes that failure to comply could result in the Division withholding Right of Way Entry Permits.

Scope change

The bill now applies to all utilities operating in West Virginia with road projects, expanding from a specific subsection amendment to a comprehensive reporting requirement system.

REQUIREMENT

New annual reporting requirement for utilities to submit planned road projects and grant information to the Division of Highways by December 31 each year.

Option for utilities to submit a 'no plans report' if they have no road improvement projects planned for the next two years.

ENFORCEMENT

New enforcement mechanism allowing the Division of Highways to withhold Right of Way Entry Permits for utilities that fail to comply with reporting requirements.

TIMELINE

Establishes December 31, 2025 as the first reporting deadline, with annual reporting thereafter.

Floor votes · Senate Mar 24, 2025 · House of Delegates Apr 8, 2025

How they voted

32–0

Passed · 1 other

Total votes 33

Mar 24, 2025

D Democratic2

2 Yea

100% Yea

R Republican31

30 Yea 1

96% Yea

Vote distribution

All Yea All Nay Mixed No data

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Amendments

Apr 24, 2025

Signed into law

Approved by Governor 4/24/2025

upper

Apr 12, 2025

Signed into law

Approved by Governor 4/24/2025 - House Journal

lower

Apr 12, 2025

Signed into law

Approved by Governor 4/24/2025 - Senate Journal

upper

Apr 11, 2025

Upper · Passed

Senate concurred in House amendments and passed bill (Roll No. 519)

upper

Apr 8, 2025

Lower · Passed

Passed House (Roll No. 413)

lower

Apr 8, 2025

Lower · Passed

Committee amendment adopted (Voice vote)

lower

Apr 8, 2025

Introduced

Amendment reported by the Clerk

lower

Apr 7, 2025

Lower · Passed

Amendment adopted (Voice vote)

lower

Apr 7, 2025

Introduced

Amendment reported by the Clerk

lower

Apr 3, 2025

Lower · Passed

With amendment, do pass

lower

Mar 26, 2025

Committee

To House Energy and Public Works

lower

Mar 26, 2025

Introduced

Introduced in House

lower

Mar 24, 2025

Upper · Passed

Passed Senate (Roll No. 156)

upper

Mar 19, 2025

Upper · Passed

Reported do pass

upper

Mar 11, 2025

Committee

To Government Organization

upper

Mar 11, 2025

Upper · Passed

Committee substitute reported, but first to Government Organization

upper

Feb 12, 2025

Introduced

Introduced in Senate

upper

1 primary · 2 co-sponsors