Transportation

signed · West Virginia · Senate Jun 25, 2026

SB 692: Authorizing green flashing warning lights on DOH vehicles

Senate Bill 692 would amend West Virginia law to authorize the use of green flashing warning lights on Division of Highways (DOH) vehicles. Currently, the law restricts light colors (blue for police, red for emergency vehicles, yellow/amber for others), but this bill adds green as a permitted color specifically for DOH vehicles. The Commissioner of the Division of Highways would have discretion to use these green lights on DOH vehicles and equipment. This change directly affects DOH road maintenance, construction, and emergency response vehicles operating on West Virginia highways.

Topics ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationAuthorizes green lights for DOH road maintenance vehicles to improve visibility and safety, enhancing transportation safety standards per bill's intent.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Driver Licensing Roads & Highways

in committee · West Virginia · House of Delegates Jan 29, 2026

HB 4972: To expressly prohibit motorcycle lane splitting and lane filtering in West Virginia while preserving a motorcycle’s full use of a lane

HB 4972 prohibits motorcycle lane splitting (riding between lanes of moving traffic) and lane filtering (riding between stopped/slow vehicles) on West Virginia roads, directly affecting motorcycle riders. The bill preserves a motorcycle’s right to occupy an entire lane and bans maneuvers that would force motorcycles to share lanes. Exceptions include following law enforcement direction, avoiding immediate hazards like debris, or participating in permitted events with traffic control. Violations carry fines up to $500 for repeat offenses, with rules to be developed for driver education and licensing. The law aims to clarify existing traffic rules without restricting motorcycles’ full use of a single lane.

Topics ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationProhibits lane splitting to enhance motorcycle safety, aligning with transportation safety indicators under vehicle regulations.90% confidence

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signed · West Virginia · Senate Jun 25, 2026

SB 309: Authorizing DOT to promulgate legislative rules

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.

Topics ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationAuthorizes enforcement of existing vehicle equipment standards (91 CSR 11), directly enhancing transportation safety compliance for vehicle owners and manufacturers.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Vehicle Registration

signed · West Virginia · Senate Jun 25, 2026

SB 690: Creating alternative DOH procurement procedure

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.

Topics ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill creates alternative procurement method for highway/bridge infrastructure projects, enabling efficient project delivery under federal law to advance transportation infrastructure development.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Bridges Roads & Highways

in committee · West Virginia · Senate Jan 14, 2026

SB 74: Establishing criminal offense of obstructing highway or other passageway

SB 74 (introduced by Senator Thorne) creates a new criminal offense for intentionally blocking public highways, streets, sidewalks, or other public passageways without legal authority. It defines "obstruct" as making passage impassable or unreasonably inconvenient/hazardous, and penalizes violations as a misdemeanor (fines of $500+ or up to 1 year in jail). Aggravated cases - such as blocking emergency vehicles, hospitals, or repeat offenses - become felonies with penalties of $1,000+ fines or 1-3 years in prison. The bill directly affects individuals who obstruct public routes (e.g., during protests or accidents) and law enforcement tasked with enforcing it.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeCreates new criminal offense with penalties, expanding criminalization (indicates 'oppose' per indicators). No reform or rights protections mentioned.95% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill criminalizes highway obstruction to enhance road safety and prevent hazards, directly advancing transportation infrastructure protection and public safety standards.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Law Enforcement Roads & Highways

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in committee · West Virginia · House of Delegates Jan 22, 2026

HB 4718: Secure Roads and Safe Trucking Act

HB 4718, the Secure Roads and Safe Trucking Act, requires nonresident commercial truck drivers operating in West Virginia to present a valid work visa and proof of citizenship (such as a birth certificate or passport) while driving. It also mandates that drivers demonstrate sufficient English proficiency to communicate with the public, understand traffic signs, respond to officials, and complete required records. Commercial motor carriers face $3,000 fines per violation if their drivers fail to meet these requirements, while drivers operating without compliance risk a misdemeanor charge with fines up to $1,000 or 90 days in jail. The bill additionally allows the state to adopt the FMCSA's Even Exchange Program, waiving skills tests for military drivers with relevant experience and certain first responders.

Topics ✗ ImmigrationOpposes ImmigrationRequires nonresident truck drivers to present work visas and citizenship proof, restricting immigrant access to commercial driving jobs.95% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationRequires safety measures for commercial drivers (visa, citizenship, English proficiency) to enhance road safety compliance, directly advancing transportation safety standards.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Citizenship & Naturalization Driver Licenses & IDs Driver Licensing Freight

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signed · West Virginia · House of Delegates Jun 29, 2026

HB 4464: Relating generally to Underground Facilities Damage prevention

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.

Topics ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationPrevents damage to underground infrastructure (pipelines, utilities) critical for transportation safety and operations, aligning with infrastructure protection indicators.92% confidence

introduced · West Virginia · Senate Jan 14, 2026

SB 50: Providing all coal severance tax be provided to county that produced coal

This bill redirects a portion of West Virginia's coal severance tax to the specific counties where coal is mined. Starting in 2012, it gradually increases the share sent to coal-producing counties (from 1% to 5% of the tax), with an annual cap of $20 million. Counties must use these funds exclusively for economic development or infrastructure projects like roads, broadband, mine reclamation, or water systems - barring personal services or bond costs. It ensures local communities directly benefit from coal extracted within their borders.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesRedirects severance tax revenue to coal counties for local economic development and infrastructure, directly allocating state tax funds to targeted budget uses.90% confidence ✓ EnergySupports EnergyRedirects coal severance tax to coal-producing counties for infrastructure, directly supporting fossil fuel energy production and local economic development tied to coal.90% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill explicitly permits use of funds for broadband infrastructure, directly expanding internet access as a permitted economic development project.85% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill explicitly allocates funds for road infrastructure (listed as eligible use) and mandates county spending on transportation-related projects like roads.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Coal Broadband Access

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

HB 4808: Federally Approved Project Delivery Methods for Airport Capital Improvement Projects

This bill 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). It specifically authorizes these methods when they meet FAA safety and design standards, streamlining procurement for projects like terminal upgrades or runway construction. The bill affects airport authorities managing FAA-funded projects, ensuring compliance with federal requirements satisfies state procurement rules. It does not change funding levels but adjusts how projects can be delivered.

Topics ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationEnables streamlined procurement for FAA-funded airport infrastructure projects, advancing transportation infrastructure development through approved delivery methods.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Airports

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introduced · West Virginia · Senate Jan 15, 2026

SB 407: Allowing orphan roads to be upgraded by certain entities

SB 407 allows homeowners' associations and similar entities to upgrade orphan roads at their own expense to qualify for inclusion in the state road system. To qualify, these roads must secure necessary rights-of-way - either through property owner dedication or by the entity donating funds to the state road fund for acquisition. The West Virginia Division of Highways can then accept the upgraded road for maintenance if it meets state standards. This bill directly affects groups maintaining orphan roads, defined as public roads not maintained by any government agency and without a responsible private owner.

Topics ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationEnables upgrading orphan roads for state maintenance, improving infrastructure quality and expanding road network coverage per bill's purpose.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Bridges Roads & Highways Transportation Funding

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