Bill > SB8

This bill requires the West Virginia Commissioner of Highways, referred to as the "Commissioner," to develop a formula for allocating state and federal road funds among the state's 10 road maintenance districts and their respective counties. This initiative stems from a 2016 audit that found no existing formula for distributing these funds, leading to a recommendation for a transparent framework. The bill defines "road funds" as money for new construction, maintenance, or capacity improvements, and "heavy truck" as a vehicle weighing 50,000 pounds or more. The formula, to be proposed as a legislative rule by the 2027 legislative session, must consider factors such as county population and growth, lane miles, vehicle and heavy truck travel, and the number and condition of bridges. Before finalizing the formula, the Commissioner must solicit and consider public comments through a multimedia campaign, allowing six weeks for submissions and making them publicly available online, with targeted outreach to district offices, county commissions, and metropolitan planning organizations. The proposed legislative rule will allow districts flexibility in distributing funds to counties over five years, ensuring all counties eventually receive their allocated share, and guarantees that no district receives less funding than its highest allocation in the previous five years unless the overall Division of Highways budget is reduced.

Transportation and Infrastructure

http://www.wvlegislature.gov/Bill_Status/Bills_history.cfm?input=8&year=2026&sessiontype=RS&btype=bill