West Virginia SB708: Creating WV River Access and Bridge Modernization Act

What the bill says

To amend the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, by adding a new article, designated §17-4B-1, §17-4B-2, §17-4B-3, §17-4B-4, §17-4B-5, §17-4B-6, §17-4B-7, §17-4B-8, §17-4B-9, §17-4B-10, §17-4B-11, §17-4B-12, §17-4B-13, and §17-4B-14, relating to public river access and public safety in connection with bridge projects and hazardous river segments; creating a short title; providing legislative findings and purpose; providing definitions; clarifying how to evaluate river access during bridge projects; establishing when to undertake public access improvements; prohibiting eminent domai.

From the engrossed text, February 12, 2026:

A BILL to amend the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, by adding a new article, designated §17-4B-1, §17-4B-2, §17-4B-3, §17-4B-4, §17-4B-5, §17-4B-6, §17-4B-7, §17-4B-8, §17-4B-9, §17-4B-10, §17-4B-11, §17-4B-12, §17-4B-13, and §17-4B-14, relating to public river access and public safety in connection with bridge projects and hazardous river segments; creating a short title; providing legislative findings and purpose; providing definitions; clarifying how to evaluate river access during bridge projects; establishing when to undertake public access improvements; prohibiting eminent domain; requiring safety and design standards; prioritizing public safety; requiring informational signage in certain situations; clarifying liability of division and private property owners; authorizing inter-agency coordination; providing grant and funding authority; and providing legislative review. ARTICLE 4B. West Virginia River Access and Bridge Modernization Act. §17-4B-1. Short title. This article shall be known and may be cited as the "West Virginia River Access and Bridge Modernization Act." §17-4B-2. Legislative findings and purpose. The Legislature finds (2) Unmanaged or informal river access increases risks to public safety, emergency response personnel, and the traveling public, and may result in unnecessary environmental degradation; (3) Inadequate or unsafe ingress and egress from navigable waterways contributes to emergency rescues, injuries, and fatalities, including incidents requiring response by fire departments, emergency medical services, law enforcement, and search-and-rescue personnel; (4) The provision of controlled and properly designed river …