WEST virginia legislature

2021 regular session

Introduced

House Bill 2521

By Delegate Fast

[Introduced February 15, 2021; Referred to the Committee on Government Organization]

A BILL to amend the Code of West Virginia,1931, as amended, by adding thereto a new section, designated §16-13A-9b, relating to public service districts’ laying of water or sewer lines on state rights-of-way; limiting the onsite time required supervision by a state engineer; and requiring payment and performance bonds to cover a reasonable length of time for defects to be discovered.

Be it enacted by the Legislature of West Virginia:

ARTICLE 13A. PUBLIC SERVICE DISTRICTS.

§16-13A-9b. Supervision of laying of lines on state rights-of-way limited.

When a public service district lays water or sewer lines on state rights-of-way, the state may require a state engineer to inspect the project at its commencement, periodically and at its conclusion. The state may not require a public service district to have an on-site state engineer for the entire time the project is under construction. The public service district shall require payment and performance bonds to cover a reasonable length of time for defects to be discovered.

NOTE: The purpose of this bill is to provide oversight into the public service districts’ laying of water or sewer lines on state rights-of-way; to limit the onsite time required supervision by a state engineer; and to require payment and performance bonds to cover a reasonable length of time for defects to be discovered.

Strike-throughs indicate language that would be stricken from a heading or the present law, and underscoring indicates new language that would be added.