Returning control of roads in West Virginia to the Counties Amendment
Summary
House Joint Resolution 27 proposes a constitutional amendment to shift control, maintenance, and upkeep of most roads in West Virginia from the state to county governments. Under the proposed Amendment 19, counties would have exclusive responsibility for roads that are not part of the National Highway System or designated as West Virginia State Highways. The resolution also states that the Legislature may, through the appropriations process, authorize funding sources to help counties maintain their road systems.
The resolution would also repeal a series of prior constitutional amendments related to state road and highway funding and development, including the Good Roads, Better Roads, Safe Roads, and Roads to Prosperity amendments. If approved by the Legislature, the proposal would be placed before voters at the 2027 general election. The bill is framed as a constitutional reorganization of road governance rather than a statutory change, and it would alter the allocation of authority between state and county governments if ratified.
Impact
If adopted by voters, the amendment would substantially change the West Virginia Constitution by removing several existing road-related amendments and creating a new constitutional rule placing most road control at the county level. It would reduce the state’s direct role in maintaining local roads while preserving state control over the National Highway System and state highways. Counties would become the primary governmental entities responsible for local road maintenance, and the Legislature would be expected to identify funding mechanisms to support that responsibility.
Sentiment
The available record shows the resolution was introduced by a group of delegates and referred to Finance and then Judiciary, but there are no committee transcripts or recorded votes provided. Based on the bill text, the measure appears to reflect a policy preference for local control and decentralization of road management. Because no debate or vote history is included, there is no documented opposition or support beyond the sponsors’ apparent intent.
Contention
The main point of contention likely concerns whether counties have the capacity and funding to take over road maintenance from the state. Supporters would likely favor local control, while opponents may worry about uneven county resources, administrative burden, and whether the Legislature would provide sufficient funding. Another likely issue is the repeal of multiple existing constitutional road amendments, which could be seen as eliminating established state-level infrastructure authority and financing structures.
To amend the West Virginia Constitution to change the term of office of the members of the West Virginia Board of Education from nine years to five years.