SB 996 — Creating Jennings Randolph Lake State Park and Teter Creek Lake State Park

CS for SB 996 WEST VIRGINIA LEGISLATURE REGULAR SESSION IntroducedCommittee FISCALSubstitute for Senate Bill 996 NOTE By Senators TaylorTaylor, and Smith (Mr.

President)President), [Introducedand Thorne [Reported February 19,25, 2026;2026 from the Committee on Natural Resources] CS for SB 996 A BILL to amend and reenact §20-1-19 of the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended;

referredand to amend the Committeecode onby Naturaladding Resources;two new sections, designated §20-5-25 and §20-5-26, relating to creating the Jennings Randolph Lake State Park;

andcreating then to the CommitteeTeter onCreek Finance]Lake IntrState SBPark; 996 2026R4244 A BILL to amend and reenact §20-1-19 of the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended;

and to amend the code by adding a new section, designated §20-5-25, relating to creating the Jennings Randolph Lake State Park;

(30) (31) TomlinsonTeter Run;Creek Lake State Park;

(31)(30) (32) Tu-Endie-WeiTomlinson (PointRun; Pleasant Battle Monument);

(32)(31) (33) TwinTu-Endie-Wei Falls(Point Resort;Pleasant Battle Monument);

(33)(32) (34) TygartTwin Lake;Falls Resort;

(34)(33) (35) ValleyTygart Falls;Lake;

(35)(34) (36) Watoga;Valley Falls;

and(35) (36) (37) WattersWatoga; Smith Memorial.

and (36) (38) Watters Smith Memorial.

(8) Panther Forest/WMA, consisting of approximately twenty-six26 acres containing park facilities;

(c) Neither the director nor any officer, employeeemployee, or agent of the Division of Natural 1 CS for SB 996 Resources may close, change the name or the designated use of a state park or state forest Intr SB 996 2026R4244 without statutory authorization.

The Legislature further finds that designation of Jennings Randolph Lake as an official state park will enhance tourism, outdoor recreation, conservation, and economic development in the Potomac Highlands region and strengthen the State’sstate’s ability to coordinate investment and long-term stewardship of the area.

— There is hereby created Jennings Randolph Lake State Park, located in Mineral County, West Virginia, to consist of those lands, waters, and recreational facilities associated with Jennings Randolph Lake that are owned by the Statestate or made available to the Statestate for park purposes.

Intr2 CS for SB 996 2026R4244 (f) Development authority;

NOTE:§20-5-26.

TheTeter purposeCreek of this bill is to create the Jennings Randolph Lake State Park.

Strike-throughs(a) indicateLegislative languagefindings – The Legislature finds and declares that wouldTeter beCreek strickenWildlife fromManagement Area is a headingsignificant orrecreational, theeconomic, presentand lawenvironmental resource located in Barbour County, West Virginia, attracting visitors from across the state and underscoringsurrounding indicatesregion newfor languageboating, thatfishing, wouldcamping, behiking, added.and other outdoor activities.

The Legislature further finds that designation of Teter Creek Wildlife Management Area as an official state park will enhance tourism, outdoor recreation, conservation, and economic development in the region and strengthen the state’s ability to coordinate investment and long-term stewardship of the area.

(b) Creation of state park.

— There is hereby created the Teter Creek Lake State Park, located in Barbour County, West Virginia, to consist of those lands, waters, and recreational facilities associated with Teter Creek Wildlife Management Area that are owned by the state or made available to the state for park purposes.

(c) Administration.

— The Division of Natural Resources shall include Teter Creek Lake State Park within the West Virginia State Park system and shall administer, manage, maintain, and improve the park pursuant to the authority granted under this chapter.

(d) Cooperative agreements authorized.

— The Division of Natural Resources may enter into cooperative agreements, memoranda of understanding, leases, or other arrangements with the local governmental entities, and other public or private partners as necessary to provide for the continued operation, maintenance, improvement, and public recreational use of Teter Creek Lake State Park.

(f) Development authority;

rulemaking.

— The Division of Natural Resources may 3 CS for SB 996 propose rules, develop recreational facilities, improve public access, expand camping or lodging opportunities, and allocate park resources as necessary to enhance outdoor recreation and promote tourism and economic growth in the surrounding region.

(g) This section shall take effect July 1, 2026.