This bill proposes the addition of a new section, 17-4-56, to the Code of West Virginia, aimed at establishing a comprehensive highway hazard reporting and monitoring system managed by the Division of Highways. The system will allow the public to report dangerous conditions on state highways through various methods, including a 24-hour toll-free hotline, an online portal, and a mobile application. The bill outlines the types of hazards that can be reported, such as potholes, damaged guardrails, and obstructed roadways, and mandates that reports concerning local roadways be forwarded to the appropriate local authorities.

Additionally, the bill requires the Division of Highways to track and respond to reported hazards, including assigning unique tracking numbers, classifying conditions by severity, and maintaining a publicly accessible dashboard with report statistics. An annual report summarizing the number of reports, response times, and recommendations for improvement must be submitted to the Joint Committee on Government and Finance. The bill also establishes limited liability for the state in cases where the Division of Highways fails to address reported hazards in a timely manner, while providing rulemaking authority to the commissioner for implementing the new system and protecting the privacy of individuals reporting hazards.

Statutes affected:
Introduced Version: 17-4-56