The "West Virginia Trails, Access & Stewardship Act" establishes a comprehensive framework for the development and management of non-motorized land and water trails throughout the state. It creates the West Virginia Trail Authority, an independent entity responsible for planning, funding, and maintaining a statewide interconnected trail system. The bill emphasizes stewardship, safety, and economic development through outdoor recreation while protecting private property rights and traditional land uses. It mandates uniform standards for trail signage, mapping, and emergency preparedness, and establishes a dedicated funding structure for trail maintenance, including the West Virginia Trail Maintenance and Stewardship Fund, supported by a one percent allocation from statewide lodging tax receipts.

The legislation outlines the Authority's responsibilities, including the appointment of an Executive Director, the establishment of advisory councils, and the preparation of a 10-year Statewide Trail Master Plan. It introduces provisions for the classification of electric bicycles, the development of ADA-accessible trails, and the establishment of Trail Maintenance Districts. The bill also emphasizes the preservation of private property rights, ensuring that trail corridors respect landowner autonomy and limiting the use of eminent domain. Additionally, it clarifies that no public access rights are created across private land without explicit agreements and provides liability protections for landowners who grant access for trail use. The Act is set to take effect on July 1, 2026, and aims to integrate existing local trail systems into the statewide framework while maintaining local authorities' rights to manage their trails.

Statutes affected:
Introduced Version: 33A-1-1, 33A-1-2, 33A-1-3, 33A-1-4, 33A-1-5, 33A-1-6, 33A-1-7, 33A-1-8, 33A-1-9, 33A-2-1, 33A-2-2, 33A-2-3, 33A-2-4, 33A-2-5, 33A-2-6, 33A-2-7, 33A-2-8, 33A-3-1, 33A-3-2, 33A-3-3, 33A-3-4, 33A-3-5, 33A-3-6, 33A-3-7, 33A-3-8, 33A-3-9, 33A-3-10, 33A-3-11, 33A-3-12, 33A-3-13, 33A-3-14, 33A-3-15, 33A-4-1, 33A-4-2, 33A-4-3, 33A-4-4, 33A-4-5, 33A-4-6, 33A-4-7, 33A-4-8, 33A-4-9, 33A-4-10, 33A-5-1, 33A-5-2, 33A-5-3, 33A-5-4, 33A-5-5, 33A-5-6, 33A-5-7, 33A-5-8, 33A-5-9, 33A-5-10, 33A-5-11, 33A-6-1, 33A-6-2, 33A-6-3, 33A-6-4, 33A-6-5, 33A-6-6, 33A-6-7, 33A-6-8, 33A-6-9, 33A-6-10, 33A-7-1, 33A-7-2, 33A-7-3, 33A-7-4, 33A-8-1, 33A-8-2, 33A-8-3, 33A-8-4, 33A-8-5, 33A-8-6, 33A-8-7, 33A-8-8, 33A-8-9, 33A-8-10, 33A-8-11, 33A-8-12