Bill Could Expand West Virginia Off-Road Recreation

The West Virginia House of Representatives debuted a bill that would allow conjoining counties to form “regional recreational authorities” to establish new recreational trail systems and recreation management programs tailored to the needs of their communities. The proposed law was reintroduced by the legislature after failing to gain passage in 2017, according to the SEMA Action Network (SAN).

At least three counties that share borders would be able to form a regional recreational authority if the law is approved. The bill would require that these authorities work with private landowners, county officials, community leaders, government agencies, recreational user groups and recreational entrepreneurs on these initiatives.

The bill will be considered by the House Political Subdivisions Committee. A similar version of this bill passed the West Virginia legislature and was vetoed by the Governor during the 2017 session.