West Virginia 2026 Session Status: Enacted 3 R cosponsors

SB 712 — Allowing installation of cattle guards on certain public roads

Last action — Chapter 4, Acts, Regular Session, 2026

  1. ✓
    Introduced
  2. ✓
    In Committee
  3. ✓
    Passed Senate
  4. ✓
    Passed House of Delegates
  5. ✓
    To Executive
  6. 6
    Enacted

This bill has been enacted into law. Introduced February 02, 2026. Enacted.

Odds of enactment

High chance

Based on the sponsor, cosponsors, and committee posture, this bill has a high chance of becoming law.

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A statistical estimate from our own model of past outcomes — an insight, not a guarantee. Policymaking is volatile.

Prognosis

Likely to advance 78% · moderate confidence

  • Enacted

    Current position in the legislative process.

  • 4 sponsors

    1 primary, 3 co-sponsors signed on.

  • Single-party support

    Sponsorship is currently within one party (3 R).

  • Cleared a recorded vote

    Passed 3 recorded votes so far.

Based on stage, sponsorship breadth, committee status, recorded votes, and cross-state momentum — a description of the observable signals, not a prediction.

In plain language

The bill permits the installation of cattle guards on specific public roads.

This bill allows for the installation of cattle guards on designated public roads to help manage livestock. It is aimed at improving traffic safety and livestock control.

What this means for you
  • Workers: For individuals working in agriculture, this legislation could simplify livestock management in relation to public roadways.
  • Families: Families living near rural roads may see improved safety as cattle guards are installed to prevent livestock from wandering onto roads.
  • Small Business: If you operate a ranch or farm, this bill may help you manage livestock more effectively near public roads.

Summary

Allowing installation of cattle guards on certain public roads

Bill Text

What changed in the latest version

79 added · 1 removed

Plain-language change summary

The recent amendment to Senate Bill 712 allows the Division of Highways in West Virginia to permit the installation of cattle guards on certain public roads. Specifically, these cattle guards can be placed only on local access, farm-to-market, or dead-end roads that are not part of major highway systems and are located in agricultural areas. This change is important because it recognizes the needs of farmers and livestock operations, helping them manage cattle movement more effectively while ensuring safety on rural roads.

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SB712 HFAT Anderson 3-9Casto 3264 Delegate Anderson moved to amend the bill by striking out the title and substituting therefor a new title, to read as follows:“A Bill to amend the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, by adding a new section, designated §17-2A-26, relating to permission to install cattle guards on certain public roads by the Division of Highways;
WEST VIRGINIA LEGISLATURE REGULAR SESSION Enrolled Senate Bill 712 BYSENATORS M ORRI, HORNE , EEDS,AND HART [Passed March 10, 2026;
in effect 90 days from passage (June 8, 2026)] Enr SB 712 AN ACT to amend the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, by adding a new section, designated §17-2A-26, relating to permission to install cattle guards on certain public roads by the Division of Highways;
and providing for rulemaking.”   AdoptedRejected 
and providing for rulemaking.
Be it enacted by the Legislature of West Virginia:
ARTICLE 2A.
WEST VIRGINIA COMMISSIONER OF HIGHWAYS.
§17-2A-26.
Private installation of cattle guards on certain public roads;
rule-making authority.
(a) Notwithstanding any provision of this code to the contrary, the Division of Highways may permit the installation of cattle guards on certain public roads in accordance with the provisions of this section.
(b) Cattle guards authorized under this section may be installed only on public roads that:
(1) Are classified as local access roads, farm-to-market roads, or dead-end public roads;
(2) Are not part of the interstate highway system, a United States route, or a primary or secondary state highway;
(3) Are located in areas of active agricultural or livestock operations;
and (4) Meet any additional eligibility criteria established by the Division of Highways by legislative rule.
(c) Any cattle guard installed pursuant to this section shall:
(1) Be designed, constructed, and installed in strict accordance with specifications established by the Division of Highways, including, but not limited to, the providing of required signage;
(2) Be installed entirely at the expense of the applicant;
(3) Be maintained, repaired, replaced, and removed at the expense of the applicant, or of the applicant’s heirs, devisees, and assigns, for the life of the installation;
and Enr SB 712 (4) Not unreasonably interfere with snow removal, roadway maintenance, or emergency vehicle access, as determined by the Division of Highways.
(d) Prior to installation, an applicant shall:
(1) Submit an application in a form prescribed by the Division of Highways;
(2) Demonstrate a bona fide agricultural or livestock-related need for the cattle guard;
(3) Execute an indemnification agreement holding harmless the State of West Virginia and the Division of Highways from any claims, damages, or liabilities arising from the installation, maintenance, or presence of the cattle guard;
and (4) Comply with any bonding or insurance requirements imposed by the Division of Highways.
(e) The Division of Highways retains sole discretion to approve, deny, condition, suspend, or revoke authorization for any cattle guard installed pursuant to this section if it determines that the installation:
(1) Poses a risk to public safety;
(2) Interferes with highway operations, including snow removal or maintenance activities;
or (3) Results in damage to state equipment or infrastructure.
(f) Upon revocation of authorization, the applicant, or the applicant’s heirs, devisees, and assigns, shall promptly remove the cattle guard and restore the roadway to its original condition at no cost to the state.
(g) The Division of Highways shall propose legislative rules in accordance with §29A-3-1 et seq.
of this code to implement and administer the provisions of this section, including, but not limited to, application procedures, design specifications, eligibility standards, maintenance requirements, and enforcement provisions.
Enr SB 712 The Clerk of the Senate and the Clerk of the House of Delegates hereby certify that the foregoing bill is correctly enrolled.
...............................................................
Clerk of the Senate ...............................................................
Clerk of the House of Delegates Originated in the Senate.
In effect 90 days from passage.
...............................................................
President of the Senate ...............................................................
Speaker of the House of Delegates __________ The within is ................................................
Show all 44 changed rows (4 more)
Previous
Latest
this the...........................................
Day of ..........................................................................................................., 2026.
.............................................................
Governor 3
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Action History

  1. Filed for introduction

  2. To Agriculture

  3. Introduced in Senate

  4. To Agriculture

  5. Reported do pass

  6. On 1st reading

  7. Read 1st time

  8. On 2nd reading

  9. Read 2nd time

  10. On 3rd reading

  11. Read 3rd time

  12. Passed Senate (Roll No. 104)

  13. Ordered to House

  14. House received Senate message

  15. Introduced in House

  16. To Energy and Public Works

  17. To House Energy and Public Works

  18. Markup Discussion

  19. With amendment, do pass

  20. On 1st reading, Special Calendar

  21. Read 1st time

  22. On 2nd reading, Special Calendar

  23. Read 2nd time

  24. On 3rd reading, Special Calendar

  25. Amendments pending

  26. Read 3rd time

  27. Amendment reported by the Clerk

  28. Committee amendment adopted (Voice vote)

  29. Read 3rd time

  30. Passed House (Roll No. 368)

  31. Title amendment adopted (Voice vote)

  32. Communicated to Senate

  33. House Message received

  34. Senate concurred in House amendments and passed bill (Roll No. 385)

  35. Communicated to House

  36. Completed legislative action

  37. House received Senate message

  38. To Governor 3/11/2026

  39. Approved by Governor 3/17/2026

  40. Approved by Governor 3/17/2026 - Senate Journal

  41. Approved by Governor 3/17/2026 - House Journal

  42. Chapter 4, Acts, Regular Session, 2026

Sponsors

Sponsorship breakdown

Export CSV (upgrade) →

1 sponsors · 3 co-sponsors · 148 not signed on

Sponsors (1)

  • Morris

Co-sponsors (3)

Not signed on (148)

148 members have not signed on to this bill.

Show all 148 →

"Not signed on" means a member has not sponsored or co-sponsored this bill — it does not imply opposition. Members flagged Voted No have a recorded No vote on this bill.

Whip count is in markup. Polling the chamber and every recorded vote this session. Only the first open is slow. It’s instant for you after this. Calling the roll · Tallying · Engrossing

Votes

Roll Call

Passed 34 Yea · 0 Nay
Party YeaNayPresentNot Voting
Republican 29000
Democrat 4000
Unaffiliated 1000
Total 34000
% of votes cast 100%0%0%0%
How each member voted (34)
Member Party Vote
MR PRESIDENT — Yea
Anitra Hamilton Democrat Yea
Mike Woelfel Democrat Yea
Mike Woelfel Democrat Yea
Rick Garcia Democrat Yea
Ben Queen Republican Yea
Carl Martin Republican Yea
Chris Phillips Republican Yea
Chris Rose Republican Yea
Chris Rose Republican Yea
Dean Jeffries Republican Yea
Eric Tarr Republican Yea
Eric Tarr Republican Yea
Glenn Jeffries Republican Yea
Jack Woodrum Republican Yea
Jack Woodrum Republican Yea
Jay Taylor Republican Yea
Jimmy Willis Republican Yea
Mark R. Maynard Republican Yea
Mike Oliverio Republican Yea
Patricia Rucker Republican Yea
Patricia Rucker Republican Yea
Robbie Morris Republican Yea
Rollan A. Roberts Republican Yea
Rollan A. Roberts Republican Yea
Rupie Phillips Republican Yea
Rupie Phillips Republican Yea
Ryan Weld Republican Yea
Ryan Weld Republican Yea
Tom Takubo Republican Yea
Tom Takubo Republican Yea
Tom Willis Republican Yea
Trenton Barnhart Republican Yea
Trenton Barnhart Republican Yea

Official roll call →

Roll Call

Passed 33 Yea · 0 Nay · 1 Other
Party YeaNayPresentNot Voting
Republican 28001
Democrat 4000
Unaffiliated 1000
Total 33001
% of votes cast 97%0%0%3%
How each member voted (34)
Member Party Vote
MR PRESIDENT — Yea
Anitra Hamilton Democrat Yea
Mike Woelfel Democrat Yea
Mike Woelfel Democrat Yea
Rick Garcia Democrat Yea
Ben Queen Republican Yea
Carl Martin Republican Yea
Chris Phillips Republican Yea
Chris Rose Republican Yea
Chris Rose Republican Yea
Dean Jeffries Republican Yea
Eric Tarr Republican Yea
Eric Tarr Republican Yea
Glenn Jeffries Republican Yea
Jack Woodrum Republican Yea
Jack Woodrum Republican Yea
Jay Taylor Republican Yea
Jimmy Willis Republican Yea
Mark R. Maynard Republican Yea
Mike Oliverio Republican Yea
Patricia Rucker Republican Yea
Patricia Rucker Republican Yea
Robbie Morris Republican Yea
Rollan A. Roberts Republican Yea
Rollan A. Roberts Republican Yea
Rupie Phillips Republican Yea
Rupie Phillips Republican Yea
Ryan Weld Republican Yea
Ryan Weld Republican Yea
Tom Takubo Republican Yea
Tom Takubo Republican Yea
Tom Willis Republican Yea
Trenton Barnhart Republican Yea
Trenton Barnhart Republican Not Voting

Official roll call →

Subjects

transportation agriculture
Cross-referencing the record. Reading this bill against every other bill in the corpus by meaning, not keywords. Only the first open is slow. It’s instant for you after this. Matching · Ranking · Engrossing

Frequently asked questions

What does SB 712 do?
Allowing installation of cattle guards on certain public roads
Who sponsors SB 712?
SB 712 is sponsored by Morris, Darren Thorne (Republican), Vince Deeds (Republican), and Craig A. Hart (Republican).
What is the current status of SB 712?
This bill has been enacted into law. Introduced February 02, 2026. Enacted.
Where can I track SB 712?
Track SB 712 free on One Click Politics — get push/email alerts when it moves.

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