This bill amends the Code of West Virginia to require the state road commissioner to allocate 20 percent of the state road fund to reimburse counties for local funds spent on the construction, reconstruction, and maintenance of feeder and state local roads. The bill outlines the process for counties to apply for reimbursement, including deadlines and conditions for fund distribution. It also mandates that the commissioner develop a formula for allocating road funds among districts, taking into account various factors such as population, lane miles, and vehicle travel within each county. Additionally, the bill establishes a public comment period to gather input on the allocation process and requires the commissioner to submit the proposed formula to the Legislature for approval as a legislative rule.

The bill includes several new provisions, such as the requirement for annual public meetings by each district of the Division of Highways to discuss proposals and allow public input. It also emphasizes the importance of transparency in the allocation process and mandates that the commissioner consider public comments when developing the funding formula. The proposed legislative rule must ensure that no district receives less funding than in the highest of the previous five fiscal years, unless the overall state budget for the Division of Highways is reduced. Overall, the bill aims to incentivize counties to utilize local revenue sources for road maintenance and improvement while ensuring a fair and transparent distribution of state road funds.

Statutes affected:
Introduced Version: 17-3-6a, 17-31-1, 17-31-2, 17-31-3, 17-31-4, 17-31-5