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Bill would require Parkways Authority to end Turnpike tolls after bonds are paid; committee moves it to Finance
Summary
Counsel told the Senate Transportation Infrastructure Committee that engrossed House Bill 4421 would require tolls to end and toll facilities to be removed within 90 days after full payment (or trust set‑aside) of Parkways Authority bonds; committee voted to send the bill to Finance for a second reference.
The Senate Transportation Infrastructure Committee reviewed engrossed House Bill 4421, which creates a new section directing the West Virginia Parkways Authority to discontinue toll collection on the West Virginia Turnpike and remove toll facilities within 90 days after all Parkway bonds and interest are paid or a sufficient trust amount has been set aside.
Committee counsel explained the bill would transfer projects to the Division of Highways to be maintained toll‑free after final payment to bondholders.
Counsel noted that at the time the bill came from the House a fiscal note had not been attached, that a fiscal note was subsequently posted, and that the bill carries a second reference to the Committee on Finance. The committee approved reporting the bill to the full Senate with a recommendation that it pass and, under the bill's double committee reference, first be referred to the Committee on Finance.
Parkways director Chuck Smith and other witnesses were present for related discussions earlier in the hearing; committee members asked about bond authority, timing and the authority's ability to issue bonds.
Next steps: the bill was reported to the full Senate with a recommendation to pass and referred to Finance for further review; no final enactment occurred during this meeting.
