Senate 501

2026 REGULAR SESSION

Introduced

Senate Bill 501

By Senator M. Maynard

[Introduced January 19, 2026; referred
to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure; and then to the Committee on Finance]

A BILL to amend and reenact §17-2A-11 of the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, relating to expanding digital mapping of roads in this state; permitting counties to request the Division of Highways to map all scenic and back roads within the county for tourism purposes; establishing an application process for counties; establishing reporting and review; providing funding; requiring creation of a mobile application; and requiring road surface classification.

Be it enacted by the Legislature of West Virginia:

ARTICLE 2A. WEST VIRGINIA COMMISSIONER OF HIGHWAYS.

§17-2A-11. Road maps; digital road map.

(a) The commissioner shall prepare and currently maintain a master road and highway map which will show all of the state roads and highways located, created and classified as provided by law; the mileage of roads and highways; the status of improvements; and travel conditions when practical. The commissioner may make economical reproductions of the map for official use and public information purposes, including a digital road map. The goal is for the maps to be computerized and searchable by the public to map routes for travel throughout the state.  

(b) The digital road map shall indicate whether public roads are unpaved and unimproved, unpaved and improved, unlined and paved, or lined and paved. The digital road map shall further indicate the types of vehicles that may use each road, including full-size vehicles and off-highway vehicles, such as all-terrain vehicles, utility-terrain vehicles, motorcycles and off-road vehicles.

(c) Counties may apply to the West Virginia Division of Highways (WVDOH) for an exhaustive mapping process of their back roads and secondary routes.

(d) The WVDOH shall develop a standardized application process for counties to request mapping services.

(e) Approved counties shall have their roads digitally mapped, with routes identified for scenic, historic, and recreational value.

(f) The WVDOH shall classify all mapped roads according to existing division standards, including but not limited to:

(1) Paved (Asphalt or Concrete);

(2) Gravel or Aggregate; and

(3) Dirt/Unimproved.

(g) In addition to existing classifications, the WVDOH shall designate roads that require high-clearance, four-wheel-drive (4x4) vehicles due to rough terrain, stream crossings, or steep grades.

(h) The interactive map and app shall clearly display surface classifications and 4x4-only designations to assist travelers in route selection.

(i) The WVDOH shall create an interactive, publicly accessible map of approved counties.

(j) The map shall be editable by the public to allow for notes, route recommendations, points of interest, and road condition updates, subject to moderation by the county commission.

(k) Data from the mapping project shall be integrated into a Geographic Information System (GIS) compatible format and made available to counties.

(l) The WVDOH shall work with technology partners to develop a mobile application that allows users to navigate mapped routes and view user-added notes.

(m) The app shall serve as a marketing tool for counties to promote tourism, travel, and outdoor recreation on back roads.

(n) The WVDOH shall issue a request for proposals (RFP) to develop the mapping technology and app infrastructure.

(o) Funding for this program shall be provided through the WVDOH tourism and infrastructure budget, with potential for grant partnerships.

(p) The WVDOH shall submit an annual report to the Legislature detailing county participation, app usage, and the program’s impact on tourism.

(q) Counties may provide feedback and request updates or modifications to the mapping system.

NOTE: The purpose of this bill is to expand the digital mapping of primary and secondary 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.