Transportation

in committee · West Virginia · House of Delegates Jan 16, 2026

HB 4480: Relating to Access Management and Entrances to State Highways

HB 4480 modifies West Virginia's rules for access points to state highways used by commercial or industrial properties. It removes permit requirements for new access points, streamlining the process for businesses. The bill also creates standards for reviewing existing access points (especially those over 50 feet wide on highways with speed limits above 45 mph), allowing the Division of Highways to require safety changes like "no parking" signs based on traffic data. These changes directly affect property owners with highway-facing commercial or industrial properties.

Topics ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationRemoves permit barriers for commercial highway access and establishes safety standards for entrances, enhancing transportation infrastructure management and safety.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Roads & Highways

Track

introduced · West Virginia · Senate Jan 19, 2026

SB 485: Establishing WV Behavior-Based E-Bike and Multi-Use Trail Mobility Act

This bill establishes a behavior-based regulatory system for e-bikes and other trail devices across West Virginia. It creates three operational classes: Class A (traditional pedal bikes), Class B (limited motor-assist bikes), and Class C (motor-propelled devices like throttled e-bikes), classifying devices based on how they're used rather than technical specs. The law requires all users to yield to equestrians and pedestrians, sets default speed limits (12-15 mph on natural trails, 20 mph on paved paths), and prohibits exceeding posted speeds. It applies to all public trails statewide, directly affecting cyclists, e-bike riders, pedestrians, equestrians, and trail managers.

Topics ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationEstablishes safety regulations for e-bikes on trails, enhancing transportation safety standards through speed limits and yielding requirements.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Bicycle Infrastructure Electric Vehicles

Track

in committee · West Virginia · House of Delegates Jan 14, 2026

HB 4127: Repealing section of code authorizing additional registration fees for alternative fuel vehicles

HB 4127 repeals a provision in West Virginia law (§17A-10-3c) that allowed for extra registration fees on alternative fuel vehicles. This bill directly affects owners of vehicles using alternative fuels like electric, hybrid, or propane by removing the requirement to pay these additional fees. The key mechanism is the deletion of the specific code section authorizing the fees, meaning the standard registration fees will apply instead. The bill makes no other changes to vehicle registration rules or fees.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill repeals additional registration fees for alternative fuel vehicles, providing direct tax relief to owners by eliminating a specific fee provision.90% confidence ✓ EnergySupports EnergyRemoves registration fee barrier for alternative fuel vehicles, encouraging adoption of renewable energy transportation solutions.85% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationRemoves additional fees for alternative fuel vehicles, reducing cost barriers and promoting sustainable transportation adoption per bill's repeal of fee-authorization code.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Electric Vehicles Electric Vehicles Vehicle Registration

Track

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

HB 4530: Creating Retail Impact Intersection Improvement Fund

HB 4530 creates a dedicated fund within West Virginia's State Road Fund to improve traffic intersections near large retail operations like shopping malls, grocery stores, and warehouses. County officials must submit annual priority lists of needed upgrades (based on traffic counts and local urgency) to the Division of Highways, which administers the program. The fund finances specific fixes such as adding turning lanes, updating traffic signals, adjusting signal timing, and improving drop-off/pick-up areas to reduce congestion. Projects must occur on eligible state highways and directly address retail-impacted intersections, with funding limited to these designated improvements.

Topics ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationCreates dedicated fund for intersection improvements near retail, directly enhancing road infrastructure and traffic flow per Transportation subjects.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Roads & Highways Transportation Funding

Track

introduced · West Virginia · Senate Jan 16, 2026

SB 458: Providing pay raise for state road employees

SB 458 provides a $5,000 salary increase for all employees of the West Virginia Division of Highways, effective July 1, 2026. This direct pay raise applies to current road maintenance and highway workers employed by the state. The bill amends existing law to implement this specific salary adjustment without altering other existing provisions like scholarship programs. The change is effective immediately upon enactment for all eligible employees as of the specified date.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentDirect $5,000 salary increase for state road employees strengthens wage compensation without restrictions, aligning with 'increases minimum wage' indicator.95% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill provides direct salary increase for highway maintenance workers, strengthening transportation infrastructure workforce stability and maintenance quality.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Roads & Highways

Track

vetoed · West Virginia · Senate Apr 1, 2026

SB 558: Relating to school bus safety violations by vehicle operators

West Virginia's SB 558 strengthens penalties for drivers who pass a stopped school bus with activated stop arms and red lights while children are boarding or exiting. It creates new aggravated offenses: causing serious injury becomes a felony with 1-3 years in jail and $2,000-$5,000 fines, while causing death becomes a felony with 1-10 years in jail and $5,000-$10,000 fines. Repeat violations now trigger mandatory jail time (48 hours for third offenses), longer license suspensions (up to one year), and require completion of a driver safety course. The bill also allows civil stop-arm camera enforcement, holds vehicle owners liable for violations, and dedicates collected fines to school bus safety initiatives.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationStrengthens penalties for unsafe school bus driving, directly protecting K-12 students during transportation, aligning with education safety protections.95% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationStrengthens school bus safety penalties, enhancing road safety for children through stricter vehicle regulation enforcement, directly supporting transportation safety standards.95% confidence

Sub-Topics School Safety School Transportation Driver Licensing Public Transit Traffic Safety

Track

in committee · West Virginia · Senate Feb 10, 2026

SB 501: Expanding digital mapping of unimproved public roads

SB 501 requires the West Virginia Division of Highways (WVDOH) to expand digital mapping of secondary and backroads for all counties that apply. Counties must submit standardized applications to have their scenic, historic, and recreational backroads mapped, with roads classified by surface type (paved, gravel, dirt) and marked for 4x4 vehicle use where needed. The WVDOH will create a public mobile app and interactive map showing these classifications, allowing travelers to view route details and user-added notes (moderated by counties). Funding comes from the WVDOH tourism and infrastructure budget, with annual reports to the Legislature on participation and tourism impact. This directly affects counties seeking tourism promotion and travelers navigating rural roads.

Topics ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationExpands digital mapping of secondary/backroads with public app, improving navigation and safety for travelers on rural road infrastructure.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Roads & Highways

Track

in committee · West Virginia · Senate Feb 18, 2026

SB 94: Relating to Robert C. Byrd Corridor H Highway Authority

SB 94 continues the Robert C. Byrd Corridor H Highway Authority, which serves the economic development needs of seven counties (Lewis, Upshur, Barbour, Randolph, Tucker, Grant, and Hardy) along Corridor H. The bill establishes the authority’s structure, including 21 voting members appointed by the seven counties (three per county) and five ex-officio nonvoting members from state agencies (like the Department of Highways and Economic Development). It outlines meeting rules (requiring 11 voting members for a quorum), confirms members receive expense reimbursements but no salary, and defines the authority’s duties to foster economic partnerships, develop tourism assets, and manage property to support regional growth. The authority must report annually to the Joint Committee on Government and Finance.

Topics ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationContinues highway authority for Corridor H infrastructure, establishing transportation-focused structure with highway department involvement, directly advancing road infrastructure development.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Roads & Highways Tags Economic Development

Track

introduced · West Virginia · Senate Jan 16, 2026

SB 444: Enhancing flexibility, responsiveness, and economic development potential of Industrial Access Road Fund

SB 444 amends West Virginia law to improve how the Industrial Access Road Fund is managed and used. It allows counties to retain unobligated funds for three years (instead of reverting immediately) and enables counties within regional economic development organizations to pool funds for shared industrial road projects across county lines. The bill also waives surety bond requirements for federally funded projects and clarifies that funds can cover signage, safety upgrades, and matching federal infrastructure projects. This directly affects counties, municipalities, and industrial developers seeking to build or improve roads connecting to manufacturing, distribution, or economic development sites.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesPromotes fiscal responsibility by allowing fund retention and pooling, improving budget efficiency for road projects without tax changes.85% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill improves Industrial Access Road Fund management, allows fund pooling for shared road projects, and covers safety upgrades/signage - directly advancing transportation infrastructure funding and maintenance.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Airports Roads & Highways Transportation Funding

Track

in committee · West Virginia · House of Delegates Jan 26, 2026

HB 4829: Make speeds that exceed 30MPH over the speed limit reckless driving

HB 4829 amends West Virginia law to define driving more than 30 miles per hour over posted speed limits as reckless driving. This directly affects drivers who exceed speed limits by 30+ mph on public roads, school zones, state parks, or educational institution properties. The bill establishes penalties: a first offense carries up to 90 days in jail or a $500 fine, with harsher penalties for repeat offenses or if the speeding causes serious injury. Exceptions include temporarily closed racing events and designated recreational vehicle areas within state parks.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeIncreases penalties for speeding by reclassifying 30+MPH over limits as reckless driving, expanding criminalization and harsher sentencing per bill language.95% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill enhances transportation safety by defining excessive speeding as reckless driving, imposing penalties to deter dangerous behavior on roads, directly advancing public safety within transportation infrastructure.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Traffic Safety

Track