This bill proposes the addition of a new section, 17-2A-26, to the Code of West Virginia, allowing the Division of Highways to permit the installation of cattle guards on specific public roads. The bill outlines the criteria for eligible roads, which must be classified as local access, farm-to-market, or dead-end roads, and must not be part of the interstate highway system or primary/secondary state highways. Additionally, these roads must be located in areas with active agricultural or livestock operations and meet any further criteria established by the Division of Highways.

The bill also details the responsibilities of applicants seeking to install cattle guards, including submitting an application, demonstrating a legitimate need, and executing an indemnification agreement. The installation must be at the applicant's expense, and the Division of Highways retains the authority to approve or deny applications based on 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 Division of Highways is tasked with proposing legislative rules to implement the provisions of this section, covering application procedures, design specifications, and maintenance requirements.

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