Bill Text: WV SB5 | 2025 | Regular Session | Introduced
Bill Title: Authorizing Adopt-A-Road volunteer programs under jurisdiction of DOT
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Republican 2-0)
Status: (Introduced) 2025-02-12 - To Transportation and Infrastructure [SB5 Detail]
Download: West_Virginia-2025-SB5-Introduced.html
WEST VIRGINIA LEGISLATURE
2025 REGULAR SESSION
Introduced
Senate Bill 5
By Senator Maynard
[Introduced February 12, 2025; referred
to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure]
A BILL to amend the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, by adding a new section, designated §17-4-56, relating to authorizing Adopt-A-Road volunteer programs for public roads under the jurisdiction of the Department of Transportation; requiring volunteer project agreements with the department; providing that volunteer road services shall not replace work that is ordinarily performed by state personnel; providing for project coordination; and establishing minimum requirements for volunteer organizations.
Be it enacted by the Legislature of West Virginia:
Article 4. State Road System.
§17-4-56. Establishment of Adopt-A-Road programs for unimproved primitive roads.
(a) The West Virginia Department of Transportation shall establish an Adopt-A-Road program that will allow volunteer groups to assist in maintaining and enhancing unimproved primitive roads that are state owned.
(b) Subject to subsection (e) of this section, volunteer groups in the Adopt-A-Road program may adopt any available road or road segment and may choose any one or more of the following volunteer activities:
(1) Spring cleanups;
(2) Accessibility projects;
(3) Special events;
(4) Road maintenance, enhancement, or realignment;
(5) Public information and assistance; or
(6) Training.
(c) The Department shall review and approve specific activities to be performed by a volunteer group in the Adopt-A-Road program which shall be executed with an approved Adopt-A-Road agreement. Volunteer services shall not include work historically performed by department or West Virginia Division of Highways employees, including services that result in a reduction of hours or compensation or that may be performed by an employee on layoff; nor shall volunteer services be inconsistent with the terms of a collective bargaining agreement. The division may provide for more than one volunteer group to adopt an eligible road or road segment.
(d) If the department operates other programs in the vicinity of the road that allows volunteers to participate in similar programs, the division shall coordinate these programs to provide for efficient and effective volunteer programs in the area.
(e) A volunteer group that wishes to participate in the Adopt-A-Road program shall apply to the department on a form provided by the department. Volunteer groups shall agree to the following:
(1) Volunteer groups participate in the program for at least a two-year period;
(2) Volunteer groups shall consist of at least six people who are 18 years of age or older, unless the volunteer group is a school, scout organization, or a religious youth group, in which case the volunteers may be under 18 years of age, but supervised by someone over the age of 18;
(3) Volunteer groups shall contribute a total of at least 200 service hours over a two-year period;
(4) Volunteer groups shall only execute Adopt-A-Road projects and activities after a volunteer project agreement has been completed and approved by the department;
(5) Volunteer groups shall comply with all reasonable requirements of the departments; and
(6) Volunteer groups shall, when applicable, help provide maintenance on the road.
(f) The department shall allow the volunteer group to coordinate with the closest solid waste authority so that any tires, appliances, televisions, and trash may be properly disposed of with the proper documentation.
NOTE: The purpose of this bill is to authorize Adopt-A-Road programs for volunteers to clean up and maintain roads in this state.
Strike-throughs indicate language that would be stricken from a heading or the present law and underscoring indicates new language that would be added.
