WEST VIRGINIA LEGISLATURE

2024 REGULAR SESSION

Introduced

Senate Bill 413

By Senator Woodrum

[Introduced on January 12, 2024; referred
to the Committee on Economic Development]

A BILL to amend and reenact §5B-1A-3 of the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, relating to clarifying the department responsible for the administration of the Rails to Trails program.

Be it enacted by the Legislature of West Virginia:

CHAPTER 5B. ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ACT OF 1985

ARTICLE 1A. WEST VIRGINIA RAILS TO TRAILS PROGRAM.

§5B-1A-3. Definitions.

(1) "Abandoned railroad rights-of-way" means land on which discontinuance of rail service has been authorized by the interstate commerce commission.

(2) "Division" means the Division of Tourism and parks Division of Natural Resources.

(3) "Nonmotorized recreational trail use" means bicycle, hiking, cross-country skiing, horseback riding, horse drawn wagon, jogging or other similar activities.

(4) "Rail bank" means the holding intact of an abandoned railroad right-of-way for future railroad service.

(5) "Rail trail" means an abandoned railroad right-of-way utilized in the interim as a public nonmotorized recreational trail.

NOTE: The purpose of this bill is to properly reflect the Department responsible for the administration of the rails to trails program.

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