The civic record
Read. Follow. Verify.West Virginia prohibits highway runoff discharge onto private property and authorizes off-site drainage construction
Last action · February 2, 2026: To Transportation and InfrastructureSponsors: Robbie Morris and 1 other
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What This Bill Proposed
The West Virginia Division of Highways is prohibited from constructing or operating drainage facilities that discharge concentrated highway runoff onto private property causing damage, unless the water is directed to a . The measure authorizes the state to acquire easements, extend drainage beyond s, and perform limited maintenance on private property to prevent flooding and erosion.
Adjoining and downstream property owners gain legal protections against highway-induced flooding and erosion, while the state obtains explicit authority to acquire off-site easements and enter private land for necessary drainage maintenance.
- The West Virginia Division of Highways manages the construction, maintenance, and operation of the state road system. 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.
Adjoining and downstream property owners
Property owners receive statutory protection against harmful concentrated runoff and flooding originating from state highways.
Division of Highways
The agency is restricted from discharging runoff onto private property but gains explicit authority to acquire easements and perform off-site maintenance.
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
What qualifies as a lawful outfall under this bill?
Can state highway workers enter private property without a permanent easement?
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 Senate committee.
Procedural history
4 actions- Feb 2, 2026SenateCommitteeTo Transportation and Infrastructure
- Feb 2, 2026SenateIntroducedIntroduced in Senate
- Feb 2, 2026SenateCommitteeTo Transportation and Infrastructure then Judiciary
- Feb 2, 2026SenateIntroducedFiled 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
Discoveries
Patterns POLISCOPE noticed across the record. These are observations to investigate, not conclusions.
Codification of Highway Drainage Protections
The bill establishes a formal statutory standard in West Virginia code specifically addressing runoff damage to private properties adjacent to state roads.
Connected Entities
Sources
www.wvlegislature.gov
Analysis Score
0–100- Significance20Lowered because this bill did not pass (its text scored 65)
- Controversy20Intensity of disagreement among stakeholders
- Entertainment5Compellingness for a non-policy-wonk reader
- Buzz30Current news / social attention level
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