The bill amends the Code of West Virginia by adding a new section, 17-2A-26, which allows the Division of Highways to permit the installation of cattle guards on specific public roads. These roads must be classified as local access, farm-to-market, or dead-end roads, and cannot be part of the interstate highway system or primary/secondary state highways. The installation is limited to areas with active agricultural or livestock operations and must adhere to additional eligibility criteria set by the Division of Highways. The bill outlines the responsibilities of the applicant, including the costs of installation, maintenance, and compliance with safety and design specifications.

Furthermore, the Division of Highways has the authority to approve or deny applications based on public safety and operational concerns. If authorization is revoked, the applicant must remove the cattle guard and restore the road at no cost to the state. The bill also mandates the Division of Highways to propose legislative rules to implement the section, covering application procedures, design specifications, and maintenance requirements.

Statutes affected:
Introduced Version: 17-2A-26
Enrolled Version: 17-2A-26