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SB 501

Expanding digital mapping of unimproved public roads

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Mark Maynard

SB 501 expands digital mapping for West Virginia's secondary and backroads to improve emergency response, economic access, and infrastructure planning in rural areas.

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Bill Summary · SB 501

Legislative bill overview

SB 501 proposes to expand digital mapping coverage for secondary and backroads throughout West Virginia. The bill was recently introduced and referred to the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee for consideration. Currently in early legislative stages with no detailed provisions publicly available.

Why is this important

Comprehensive digital mapping of rural roads improves emergency response times, supports economic development by improving accessibility, and helps with infrastructure maintenance planning. West Virginia's mountainous terrain and extensive rural road network make accurate mapping particularly valuable for public safety and navigation services.

Potential points of contention

  • Funding mechanism unclear – No details available on how mapping expansion will be funded or which state budget areas will absorb costs
  • Data ownership and privacy – Questions about who controls the resulting mapping data and whether private property information raises privacy concerns
  • Implementation timeline and scope – Uncertainty about which roads qualify as "secondary and backroads" and realistic completion timelines
  • Coordination with existing systems – Potential overlap or coordination needed with federal mapping programs and private mapping services already operating in the state

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

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