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SB 996

Creating Jennings Randolph Lake State Park and Teter Creek Lake State Park

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Jay Taylor and 1 co-sponsor

Creates Jennings Randolph Lake and Teter Creek Lake as official West Virginia state parks to conserve resources and expand outdoor recreation and tourism.

To Finance
#naturalresources
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Bill Summary · SB 996

Summary of SB 996 (Session 2026) – West Virginia

Purpose and Intent

  • The bill proposes the creation and establishment of two new state parks in West Virginia: Jennings Randolph Lake State Park and Teter Creek Lake State Park.
  • The overarching aim is to designate these areas as official state parks to conserve natural resources, provide recreational opportunities, and support tourism and outdoor recreation within the state.

Key Provisions and Changes

  • Establishment of Parks: Creates Jennings Randolph Lake State Park and Teter Creek Lake State Park as official units of the West Virginia State Park system.
  • Management and Governance (implied): While specific management structures are not detailed in the summary, establishing state parks typically involves designating the lands as state property, authorizing the State Parks system to manage facilities, oversee maintenance, programming, and enforcement of park rules.
  • Funding and Fiscal Considerations: The bill’s action history indicates consideration by the Finance Committee, suggesting potential budgetary implications. This may include funding for land acquisition costs (if applicable), development of facilities (trails, boat ramps, picnic areas, restrooms), ongoing operations, staffing, and maintenance. The exact appropriation amounts would likely be determined during the legislative budgeting process.
  • Compliance and Oversight: Establishing new state parks typically requires adherence to state environmental and land-use regulations, coordination with relevant agencies (e.g., Natural Resources, Parks and Recreation), and potential studies or master plans for each park.

Affected Parties and Impacts

  • Public/Visitors: Residents and visitors would gain access to two new state parks for recreation, camping, hiking, fishing, boating, and other outdoor activities, potentially boosting tourism and local economies.
  • Local Governments and Communities: Nearby communities may benefit from increased tourism activity, with possible indirect effects such as job creation, local business patronage, and heightened visibility.
  • State Agencies: Departments involved in natural resources and parks and recreation would assume responsibilities for park management, development, and long-term maintenance. This may affect staffing, resource allocation, and coordination with environmental programs.
  • Environment and Conservation: The designation aims to conserve natural resources around Jennings Randolph Lake and Teter Creek Lake, potentially enhancing habitat preservation, watershed protection, and public access to outdoor spaces.

Procedural and Timeline Aspects

  • Introduction and Committees:
    • Filed for introduction on 2026-02-19.
    • Referred to Natural Resources, then Finance, indicating consideration of both policy and fiscal implications.
  • Committee Activity:
    • 2026-02-19: Initial committee referrals.
    • 2026-02-25: A committee substitute was reported, with initial consideration by the Finance Committee.
  • Next Steps (Typical):
    • If advanced by Finance, the bill would proceed to full Senate consideration and potentially to a House counterpart or cross-file, depending on the legislative process.
    • Any appropriations or fiscal effects would be finalized through the budgetary process and subject to amendments and votes in both chambers.

Notes

  • The summary reflects the information available from the action history and bill title. Specific details such as exact land parcels, lot sizes, facilities planned, governance structures, and dollar figures would be clarified in the full text of the bill and any accompanying fiscal notes or master plans.

If you’d like, I can tailor this summary to emphasize particular aspects (e.g., economic impact, environmental protections, or management structure) once the bill’s full text and fiscal note are available.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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