This bill provides additional funding from the State Road Fund to the West Virginia Department of Transportation's Division of Highways for the 2026 fiscal year. It authorizes the use of unappropriated money already available in the state treasury to supplement existing budget allocations for road maintenance and construction projects. The legislation does not create new spending categories but rather increases the amount of money designated for the department's current operational fund. Once passed, the additional funds become available for the department to allocate toward its approved highway and infrastructure initiatives during the fiscal year ending June 30, 2026.
HB 4538 limits the use of photo/video speed enforcement equipment to West Virginia Division of Highways work zones. It requires two advance signs indicating photo enforcement, mandates a law enforcement officer's physical presence during violations, and sets strict evidentiary standards (including vehicle identification and a sworn officer statement). The bill prohibits automated enforcement outside work zones and restricts equipment use to state-owned devices or those in patrol/DOH vehicles. This applies to all state and local law enforcement using such technology in active highway construction areas where workers are present.
HB 4464 creates an Underground Facilities Damage Prevention Board to enforce rules preventing damage to underground infrastructure like gas pipelines, water mains, and telecom lines during excavation work. It defines key terms (such as "damage," "excavator," and "underground facility") and requires excavators to notify operators before digging. The bill specifies that civil penalties collected by the Board for violations must stay with the Board for its operations, rather than returning to the state general fund. This directly affects contractors, utility operators, and anyone performing excavation work in West Virginia.
HB 4053 establishes the "Blue Envelope Program" to improve communication between law enforcement and drivers with autism spectrum disorder, dementia, or intellectual/developmental disabilities during traffic stops. Eligible drivers (with a valid license/permit) can request a specially designed blue envelope containing their license, registration, and emergency contact information, along with a vehicle decal and communication guidance for officers. The program, set to launch January 1, 2027, will be administered through the West Virginia Division of Motor Vehicles, sheriff's offices, and police stations.
SB 982 creates a state program to fund improvements to public roads connecting residential neighborhoods and subdivisions to existing state roads. It establishes a special fund for projects serving at least 20 residential units (single or multifamily), with a $750,000 annual cap per project. The program excludes private roads, driveways, routine maintenance, and commercial areas, and requires annual reporting to the Legislature. The program expires after 10 years unless renewed by the Legislature.
West Virginia's SB 499 requires toxicology tests for drivers involved in any vehicle crash that results in death. The bill mandates these tests be performed "as soon as possible" after a fatal accident, directly affecting drivers in such crashes. It amends existing law (§17C-4-1) to add this requirement, specifying that testing applies to all drivers involved in fatal collisions. The bill, named "Erin’s Law," does not change penalties for hit-and-run offenses but adds this testing mandate as a new procedural step. This is a concrete policy change focused on gathering evidence in fatal crash investigations.
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.
SB 690 creates a new "general contractor/construction manager" (GCM) procurement method for West Virginia's Division of Highways (DOH) to use on highway, bridge, and infrastructure projects. This alternative procedure, authorized under federal law (23 U.S.C. 112), would allow the DOH to bypass traditional design-build bidding requirements for eligible projects. The bill directs the DOH to develop specific rules for implementing GCM agreements, including conditions and terms for entering such contracts. The change would primarily affect highway construction contractors and the DOH's project delivery process, offering a streamlined option for project procurement. The bill is currently in the Senate Transportation Committee for review.
SB 607 allows West Virginia airport authorities to use federally approved project delivery methods - such as design-build or construction manager-at-risk - for airport capital improvement projects funded by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Airport Improvement Program or Airport Terminal Program. This overrides state procurement laws (like §5-22-1 et seq.) that would otherwise require specific contracting processes, as long as projects meet FAA safety and engineering standards. The bill directly affects airport authorities managing FAA-funded airport projects in West Virginia, streamlining their ability to implement federal-approved construction approaches.
SB 697 regulates access points to West Virginia state highways for commercial, industrial, and agricultural properties. It requires new access points to get approval from the Commissioner of Highways before opening, while automatically treating existing entrances (established before July 1, 2016) as legally valid unless safety hazards are identified. The bill mandates safety reviews for existing entrances if accident reports or traffic surveys show significant risks, allowing the Commissioner to order changes at state expense. It also requires "no parking" signage or yellow markings for wide entrances (>50 feet) on highways with speed limits over 45 mph, applying to both pre-2016 and newer access points. This directly affects landowners, businesses, and rural operations relying on highway access.
