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.
SB 1023 creates a "Responsible Recreation" special license plate for West Virginia vehicle owners, requiring a $50 initial fee and $25 annual renewal fee. Proceeds beyond administrative costs fund a special "Responsible Recreation Fund" managed by the Division of Natural Resources. The fund may only be used for ATV/UTV safety education, safety signage, volunteer stewardship programs on public roads/trails, and responsible recreation outreach - prohibiting land acquisition or general marketing. This directly affects license plate buyers and supports off-highway vehicle safety and environmental stewardship programs.
HB 5587 requires school buses to have cameras that automatically send footage of drivers illegally passing stopped buses directly to law enforcement for ticketing. It applies to drivers who violate school bus stop laws (e.g., passing when flashing lights are active), which currently carry fines and license suspensions. The bill adds a new enforcement mechanism: camera footage is transmitted directly to police without manual reporting, streamlining the process for issuing citations. This directly affects drivers who fail to stop for school buses, with penalties ranging from $500 fines for first offenses to jail time for repeat or severe violations causing injury or death.
HB 5388 creates a tax credit for independently owned West Virginia businesses participating in the official motorist services logo signing program. The bill allows eligible businesses to claim a credit equal to 100% of the fees paid to the West Virginia Division of Highways for program signage, directly reducing their state tax liability. To qualify, businesses must be locally owned (51% West Virginia-domiciled owners), operate fewer than five locations in the state, and not be bound by national branding requirements. The credit applies only to official program fees, excludes private advertising costs, and is nontransferable. This policy aims to lower costs for small, rural businesses along transportation corridors that provide traveler services.
HB 5667 directs $20 million from the Division of Economic Development to the West Virginia Division of Highways (Region 2) for accelerating road repairs in Wayne and Mingo Counties, effective July 1, 2026. It also directs $20 million from the Water Development Authority - $10 million to Wayne County Commission and $10 million to Mingo County Commission - for water infrastructure projects in those counties, effective the same date. The bill specifies these funds must be used for public road repairs and water system improvements, respectively. It does not create new taxes or alter existing programs but reallocates existing state funds to targeted local infrastructure needs.
HB 5668 establishes the Central West Virginia Economic Development and Rural Revitalization Program to address economic challenges in eight specific counties: Webster, Clay, Braxton, Roane, Calhoun, Wirt, Lewis, and Gilmer. The bill creates a state program within the Department of Commerce that provides grants, loans, and technical assistance for projects like business development, infrastructure improvements, broadband expansion, and tourism initiatives. It also introduces a 25% tax credit for businesses making qualified investments in the region that create or retain full-time jobs. Projects must be located in the designated counties and prioritize job creation, private funding leverage, and support for economically distressed communities.
HB 5137 would exempt county school buses from paying toll fees when used for regular school activities. Specifically, it covers buses transporting students to and from school, school-related events (like field trips and sports), and maintenance driving. The bill applies only to buses operated by county school systems within their regular school operations. This change would directly affect school districts and bus drivers by eliminating toll costs for these essential transportation services.
HB 5487 proposes to repeal West Virginia Code §33-6-31d, which previously established optional limits for uninsured and underinsured motor vehicle coverage. The bill would remove this specific provision from state law, eliminating a requirement that insurers offer policyholders the option to set lower coverage limits for these scenarios. This change would directly affect auto insurance policies in West Virginia, as it removes a structured option for consumers to choose reduced coverage levels. The bill focuses solely on repealing an existing legal provision, with no new requirements or changes to standard coverage mandates.
HB 5329 would allow West Virginia counties to use up to 25% of impact fees (fees charged to developers for new construction) for operational costs, such as maintaining roads and public services, instead of only for specific infrastructure projects. The bill creates an "operational sinking fund" that can cover all county operations except schools, and existing impact fees already collected can be redirected to this fund. It takes effect immediately upon passage. This change directly affects counties managing development fees and developers paying those fees.
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.
