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SB469 • 2026
Requiring dredging of flood prone waterways
This bill passed both chambers and reached final enrollment, even if later executive action is not shown here.
Using official source text because the generated explanation was unavailable or could not be confirmed against the official bill text.
Requiring dredging of flood prone waterways
To Natural Resources
Introduced in Senate
To Natural Resources then Finance
Filed for introduction
Requiring dredging of flood prone waterways
SB 469 Text skip navigation SENATE PRESIDENT SENATORS COMMITTEES VIDEO/AUDIO DISTRICT MAPS SENATE CLERK SENATE RULES HOUSE SPEAKER DELEGATES COMMITTEES VIDEO/AUDIO DISTRICT MAPS HOUSE CLERK HOUSE RULES HOUSE STAFF JOINT INTERIM COMMITTEES LEGISLATIVE ADMINISTRATOR LEGISLATIVE SERVICES DIVISION PUBLIC INFORMATION LEGISLATIVE AUTOMATED SYSTEMS DIVISION LEGISLATIVE AUDITOR'S OFFICE PERFORMANCE EVALUATION & RESEARCH DIVISION POST AUDIT DIVISION BUDGET DIVISION REGULATORY AND FISCAL AFFAIRS DIVISION CLAIMS COMMISSION CRIME VICTIMS RULE-MAKING REVIEW SPECIAL INVESTIGATIONS JUDICIAL COMP. COMMISSION JOINT RULES STAFF INFO BILL STATUS BILL STATUS BILL TRACKING STATE LAW WEST VIRGINIA CODE ACTS OF THE LEGISLATURE CODE OF 1931 WV CONSTITUTION US CONSTITUTION REPORTS AGENCY REPORTS AGENCY GRANT AWARDS PERFORMANCE EVALUATIONS POST AUDITS EDUCATIONAL CITIZEN’S GUIDE INTERNSHIP PROGRAM PAGE PROGRAM PUBLICATIONS PHOTO GALLERY CAPITOL HISTORY HOW A BILL BECOMES LAW CONTACT SENATE ROSTER HOUSE ROSTER PUBLIC INFO. NEWS RELEASES HELPFUL LINKS Introduced Version Senate Bill 469 History | Email Key: Green = existing Code. Red = new code to be enacted FISCAL NOTE WEST VIRGINIA LEGISLATURE 2026 REGULAR SESSION Introduced Senate Bill 469 By Senator Chapman [Introduced January 16, 2026; referred to the Committee on Natural Resources; and then to the Committee on Finance] A BILL to amend the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, by adding two new articles, designated §17-2F-1, §22-26A-1, and §22-26A-2, relating to dredging and clearing waterways that are prone to flooding. Be it enacted by the Legislature of West Virginia: chapter 17. roads and highways. article 26A. dredging of waterways. §17-2F-1. Dredging of waterways. (a) In conjunction with and at the direction of the Department of Environmental Protection, the Department of Highways shall dredge and otherwise clear waterways within the state that are designated by the Department of Environmental Protection as prone to flooding and in need of dredging. (b) The Department of Highways shall haul away and deposit the dredged material to appropriate sites as determined by the Department of Environmental Protection. chapter 22. Environmental resources. article 26A. assessment and dredGing of flood-prone waterways. §22-26A-1. Assessment of flood-prone waterways. (a) The Department of Environmental Protection shall establish a system for examining and determining the waterways in the state that are prone to flooding due to silt, sediment and other detritus that reduce channel capacity and cause these waterways to flood in residential and business areas, pose a risk for infrastructure damage, or cause the waterways to be otherwise blocked from their optimum condition and flow. (1) Creeks, sections of rivers, and streams that are prone to flooding that are near homes and businesses shall be included, whether these waterways are considered navigable or not. (2) Areas of physical congestion in waterways that cause flooding to residential and commercial areas downstream and upstream shall be included even if not near these residential or commercial properties. (b) Upon identifying the waterways that are blocked or choked by silt and other hindrances, a plan shall be implemented for the removal of the impediments in these waterways, including dredging and hauling away silt and other deposits, as well as all items that create blockages that increase the risk of flooding if left in place. (c) The department shall work with Department of Highways to clear and maintain these flood-prone waterways by dredging and other means of removing blockages and §22-26A-2. Clearing of flood-prone waterways. (a) The department shall work with the Department of Highways to dredge and clear waterways that have been assessed to require clearing and oversee all aspects of the clearing in order to protect wildlife, indigenous plant life, and prevent pollution from loosened sediment. (b) The department shall obtain and designate storage or uses for the removed sediment and other obstructions of the cleared waterways so that Department of Highways can haul the removed material to the appropriate locations . NOTE: The purpose of this bill is to provide dredging and clearing for waterways that are prone to flooding. Strike-throughs indicate language that would be stricken from a heading or the present law and underscoring indicates new language that would be added. Bill Status | Bill Tracking | Legacy WV Code | Bulletin Board | District Maps | Senate Roster | House Roster | Live | Blog | Jobs | Links | Home This Web site is maintained by the West Virginia Legislature's Office of Reference & Information. | Terms of Use | Webmaster | © 2026 West Virginia Legislature ** Print On Demand Name: Email: Phone: