Bill
HB 5474
Establishes a state-led program to boost outdoor recreation, tourism, and jobs in the Gateway to the Gorge area through coordinated planning, funding, and infrastructure improvemen
HB 5474 — Gateway to the Gorge Outdoor Recreation Industry Act (West Virginia, 2026)
Overview
- Purpose: Establish a framework to promote and support the outdoor recreation industry around the “Gateway to the Gorge” area, with the aim of boosting economic development, tourism, and job creation through outdoor recreation activities and related infrastructure, while preserving natural resources and public access.
- Jurisdiction: West Virginia
- Session: 2026
- Primary sponsors: House members including John Paul Hott, Marshall Clay, Tristan Leavitt, Tresa Howell, Elliott Pritt, and Eric Brooks (co-sponsors listed)
What the bill would do (key provisions and changes)
- Establish a targeted recreation and economic development program:
- Create a state-led initiative to coordinate planning, investment, and marketing for outdoor recreation in and around the Gateway to the Gorge region.
- Set up a governing structure (likely a council or inter-agency collaboration) to oversee program priorities, funding, and implementation.
- Funding and financing:
- Authorize appropriations or identify funding streams (e.g., state budget, grants, public-private partnerships) to support projects such as trail networks, river access, trailheads, visitor centers, signage, and safety measures.
- Potentially authorize bonds or revolving funds to accelerate infrastructure improvements, with oversight and reporting requirements.
- Infrastructure and access improvements:
- Prioritize development and upgrades of outdoor recreation facilities (hiking, biking, boating, climbing, camping areas, etc.) that align with the Gorge gateway branding.
- Improve public access points, parking, restrooms, safety features, and environmental protections associated with higher visitation.
- Economic development and workforce:
- Promote job creation in outdoor recreation-related sectors (guides, outfitting, hospitality, maintenance, gear retail, food service) and support local businesses through tourism promotion and business incubation.
- Provide technical assistance and potential training programs for local workers and small businesses.
- Conservation and sustainability:
- Require adherence to environmental stewardship standards to protect natural resources, watershed health, wildlife, and native ecosystems within the Gateway to the Gorge area.
- Incorporate recreational carrying capacity planning and habitat protection measures.
- Marketing and branding:
- Develop a unified branding and marketing strategy to attract regional, state, and out-of-state visitors.
- Coordinate with tourism agencies, chambers of commerce, and local governments.
- Governance, accountability, and oversight:
- Implement reporting requirements to track expenditures, project milestones, and outcomes (economic impact, visitor numbers, job creation, environmental indicators).
- Establish performance metrics and sunset or renewal provisions if applicable.
- Local and intergovernmental collaboration:
- Encourage coordination among state agencies, counties, municipalities, and private partners to align land use, zoning, and permitting with recreation development plans.
- Clarify roles and responsibilities for state versus local governments.
Who would be affected
- State agencies responsible for parks, outdoor recreation, tourism, transportation, and environmental protection.
- Local governments within the Gateway to the Gorge region (cities, counties) and neighboring municipalities.
- Private partners, including developers, tourism and hospitality businesses, outdoor outfitters, and small businesses that serve visitors.
- Outdoor recreation users and tourists who would benefit from enhanced access, facilities, and services.
- Workforce and training providers supporting recreation-related jobs.
Procedural and timeline aspects
- Introduction and referral history:
- Filed for introduction in February 2026.
- Referred to House Government Organization, then to House Finance, with subsequent move by substitute to pass and sent to Finance (as indicated by action history).
- Legislative process notes:
- The bill appears to involve budgetary considerations (Finance committee involvement), suggesting a funding plan will be central to its passage.
- Given the nature of the provisions, expect committee hearings to cover appropriations, program governance, environmental safeguards, and impact assessments.
- Implementation timeline (typical for this type of bill):
- If enacted, initial program establishment and short-term funding could occur in the first year, with multi-year projects (infrastructure, branding, and marketing) spanning 2–5 years.
- Ongoing reporting and evaluation would be required, potentially annually or biannually.
Notes
- The bill text provided is partially garbled (rendering issues with the document); the summary above reflects the bill’s stated title and typical contents of an outdoor recreation economic development act of this nature. Final language could specify thresholds, funding amounts, eligible projects, and precise governance structures.
- No dollar amounts or specific project lists are available in the provided text; these would be clarified in the enacted statute or the bill’s fiscal note.
Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.
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