The civic record
Read. Follow. Verify.West Virginia Bill HB 5535 Permits Tow Trucks to Use Rear-Mounted Blue Warning Lights While Stationary
Last action · February 16, 2026: To House Energy and Public WorksSponsors: Joe Funkhouser and 3 others
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What This Bill Proposed
House Bill 5535 permits tow truck and operators in West Virginia to equip their vehicles with one or more flashing or revolving blue warning lights on the rear, in addition to previously authorized yellow lights. The blue lights may only be operated while the tow truck is stationary on the side of the road assisting a disabled vehicle and are strictly prohibited while the vehicle is in motion.
Tow truck operators gain legal authorization to use high-visibility blue warning signals during roadside rescues, subject to strict operational boundaries that forbid moving use.
- West Virginia law regulates specialized lighting on motor vehicles to prevent confusion with official police, fire, and emergency response vehicles. context
Who It Would Have Affected
Groups the bill's text would have affected, as described in the record. Being affected is not a position for or against it.
tow truck and wrecker operators
Tow truck and wrecker operators are permitted to install and operate rear-facing blue warning lights while stationary during roadside service.
motorists
Drivers encounter new rear-facing blue warning signals on stationary tow trucks assisting disabled vehicles along highways.
Key Facts
You don't have to trust us. Each fact below is taken straight from the official document - click any one to see the exact passage, highlighted in the original.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where can tow trucks install the newly permitted blue lights?
Can tow truck drivers use blue lights while driving down the highway?
Do tow trucks lose their ability to use yellow warning lights under this bill?
What else do you want to know?
News Coverage
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Votes, people, money & the original sourceWhere This Stands
This bill did not become law - Died at adjournment · in House committee.
Procedural history
4 actions- Feb 16, 2026HouseCommitteeTo House Energy and Public Works
- Feb 16, 2026HouseIntroducedIntroduced in House
- Feb 16, 2026HouseCommitteeTo Energy and Public Works
- Feb 16, 2026HouseIntroducedFiled for introduction
Version history
Only one version on file - nothing to compare yet. As later stages (committee substitute, engrossed, enrolled) are captured, the redline appears here.
View official text →Lobbying Activity
No state lobbying filings in our records match this bill. Federal lobbying reports (LDA) cover Congress, so they are not listed on state bills.
Full breakdown
Who this bill affects and the strongest case for and against it, written only from the bill’s own text.
Sponsors
Connected Entities
Sources
www.wvlegislature.gov
Analysis Score
0–100- Significance20Lowered because this bill did not pass (its text scored 25)
- Controversy10Intensity of disagreement among stakeholders
- Entertainment5Compellingness for a non-policy-wonk reader
- Buzz15Current news / social attention level
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