Bill > HB4480

This bill, titled "Relating to Access Management and Entrances to State Highways," aims to establish clear standards for determining when a change in the use of existing entrances to state highways constitutes a significant alteration requiring review or modification. It introduces specific criteria, including increases in peak hour or daily traffic volume, a rise in heavy vehicle traffic (defined as vehicles weighing 26,000 pounds or more), or documented safety or operational issues, to define a "change of use." The bill also provides exemptions for temporary forestry, logging, and routine agricultural operations, and establishes provisions for "grandfathering" entrances that have been in existence for over 40 years or for which the Division of Highways lacks records, provided they have a documented history of use. Furthermore, it allows property owners to improve existing entrances to meet current safety and design standards without triggering a new permit, as long as the use of the entrance doesn't change, and limits the Division of Highways' authority to require disproportionate improvements or upgrades that exceed the established thresholds. The bill also designates certain provisions related to parking restrictions at wider entrances on highways with higher speed limits as "Sarah Nott's Law."

Transportation and Infrastructure

http://www.wvlegislature.gov/Bill_Status/Bills_history.cfm?input=4480&year=2026&sessiontype=RS&btype=bill