SB 712 West Virginia Senate · 2026 Regular Session

Allowing installation of cattle guards on certain public roads

SB 712 allows the West Virginia Division of Highways to authorize cattle guards on specific public roads used by agricultural operations. It permits installation only on local access, farm-to-market, or dead-end roads (not major highways) in active farming areas, subject to strict conditions. Applicants must cover all costs, prove a genuine agricultural need, sign liability waivers, and comply with Division design and maintenance rules. The Division retains full authority to deny, condition, or revoke approvals if safety, maintenance, or infrastructure concerns arise. This directly affects farmers and landowners needing to prevent livestock from crossing roads on eligible public rights-of-way.

Bill status signed all 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Feb 2026

Committee Review

Mar 2026

Senate Passage

Mar 2026

House of Delegates Passage

Mar 2026

Signed into Law

Jun 2026

Introduced Feb 2, 2026 Signed Jun 24, 2026

Maddy AI version diff · 3 comparisons

What changed between versions

sb712 hepw am. _1 3-3 adopted.htm → sb712 hfat anderson 3-9 adopted.htm · 5 edits

MODERATE

The bill's text was completely replaced with a new version that changes the committee name from Energy and Public Works to a Delegate Anderson, and the legislative action from a full bill amendment to a specific title substitution. The new text introduces a new section allowing the Division of Highways to permit private installation of cattle guards on specific local roads, provided the applicant covers all costs and signs an indemnification agreement.

Scope change

The scope changed from a general amendment of the bill to a specific proposal to add a new section (§17-2A-26) regarding cattle guard installations.

ELIGIBILITY

Added eligibility criteria restricting cattle guards to local access, farm-to-market, or dead-end roads that are not part of the interstate or primary state highway systems and are located in active agricultural areas.

FISCAL

Added a requirement that the applicant must pay for the design, construction, installation, maintenance, repair, and removal of the cattle guard at no cost to the state.

REQUIREMENT

Added new requirements for applicants to submit a formal application, demonstrate a bona fide need, and execute an indemnification agreement protecting the state from liability.

ENFORCEMENT

Added authority for the Division of Highways to approve, deny, suspend, or revoke authorization if the installation poses a safety risk or interferes with highway operations.

TECHNICAL

Changed the committee name from 'Energy and Public Works' to 'Delegate Anderson' and the action from amending the entire bill to substituting only the title.

Floor votes · Senate Feb 17, 2026 · House of Delegates Mar 9, 2026

How they voted

32–0

Passed · 1 other

Total votes 33

Feb 17, 2026

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

Mar 17, 2026

Signed into law

Approved by Governor 3/17/2026

upper

Mar 14, 2026

Signed into law

Approved by Governor 3/17/2026 - House Journal

lower

Mar 14, 2026

Signed into law

Approved by Governor 3/17/2026 - Senate Journal

upper

Mar 10, 2026

Upper · Passed

Senate concurred in House amendments and passed bill (Roll No. 385)

upper

Mar 9, 2026

Lower · Passed

Title amendment adopted (Voice vote)

lower

Mar 9, 2026

Lower · Passed

Passed House (Roll No. 368)

lower

Mar 9, 2026

Lower · Passed

Committee amendment adopted (Voice vote)

lower

Mar 9, 2026

Introduced

Amendment reported by the Clerk

lower

Mar 6, 2026

Introduced

Amendments pending

lower

Mar 4, 2026

Lower · Passed

With amendment, do pass

lower

Feb 18, 2026

Committee

To House Energy and Public Works

lower

Feb 18, 2026

Introduced

Introduced in House

lower

Feb 17, 2026

Upper · Passed

Passed Senate (Roll No. 104)

upper

Feb 12, 2026

Upper · Passed

Reported do pass

upper

Feb 2, 2026

Introduced

Introduced in Senate

upper

Feb 2, 2026

Committee

To Agriculture

upper

1 primary · 3 co-sponsors