WEST virginia legislature

2021 regular session

Introduced

Senate Bill 452

By Senator Maynard

[Introduced February 25, 2021; referred to the Committee on Economic Development; and then to the Committee on Finance]

A BILL to amend the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, by adding thereto a new section, designated §5B-2-18, relating to requiring the Executive Director of the West Virginia Development Office develop a comprehensive and strategic plan for the support and development of off-highway vehicle recreation across the state.

Be it enacted by the Legislature of West Virginia:

ARTICLE 2. WEST VIRGINIA DEVELOPMENT OFFICE.

§5B-2-18. Development of comprehensive recreation plan and cooperation with other public land-owning entities.

The Executive Director of the West Virginia Development Office shall develop a comprehensive and strategic plan for the support and development of outdoor recreation across the state. This plan shall consider and address all forms of outdoor recreation including, but not limited to, camping, hunting, fishing, self-propelled and overland recreation and travel, equestrian activities, water-based recreation, snow sports, sight-seeing, nature study and observation, plein air arts, adventure sports, and lodging at or near parks and other recreational areas. The plan shall take into consideration the recreational activities available and uses permitted on all publicly owned tracts of land of 1,000 acres or more, be they owned by a federal agency, a state agency, or by a political subdivision of the state. The executive director is authorized to take such acts necessary to cooperate with the authorities owning and managing these properties in order to develop recreation plans consistent with the legal uses and ownership objectives for each property.

NOTE: The purpose of this bill is to require the Executive Director of the West Virginia Development Office develop a comprehensive and strategic plan for the support and development of off-highway vehicle recreation across the 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.