reglab/statecodes huggingface dataset:
2023 West Virginia Code › Chapter 17. Roads and Highways › Article 4. State Road System › §17-4-54. Location of Trash and Garbage Collection Containers by Counties and Municipalities

(a) The commissioner of the department of highways is authorized to issue permits to counties and municipalities for the location of containers on rights-of-way of state maintained roads and highways for the collection of trash and garbage: Provided, That by the issuance of these permits, counties and municipalities will not be in direct competition with private common carriers. Private common carriers are carriers that are regulated by the Public Service Commission. Such containers may be located on road and highway rights-of-way only when authorized in writing by the commissioner or his agent in accordance with rules promulgated by the commissioner in accordance with chapter twenty-nine-a of this code. Such rules shall take into consideration the safety of travelers on the roads and highways of this state and the elimination of unsightly conditions and health hazards. Such containers may not be located on controlled-access or interstate highways.
(b) The written authority given by the commissioner is no guarantee that the state is the owner of the land upon which a container is to be located and if any question exists concerning ownership of such land, the issuance of such written authority may not be granted until the county or municipality certifies that written permission to locate the container has been obtained from any person claiming an interest in the land if such person's whereabouts can be determined.
(c) Whenever any county or municipality fails to comply with the rules promulgated by the commissioner or of any order of the commissioner for the removal or relocation of a container, the permit for such container shall be revoked and, if not removed by the county or municipality, the commissioner may remove such container and charge the expense of removal to the county or municipality failing to comply with the rules or order of the commissioner.
2023 West Virginia Code › Chapter 17. Roads and Highways › Article 4. State Road System › §17-4-55. Rest Area, Welcome Center, Road, and Vehicle Commercial Sponsorship Program

(a) The Division of Highways shall undertake a study of the feasibility of implementing a program to facilitate commercial sponsorship of rest areas, welcome centers, roads, and vehicles owned or leased by the Division of Highways to help offset the costs of the operation and maintenance of rest areas, welcome centers, roads, and vehicles.
(b) The Division of Highways shall implement a program to facilitate commercial sponsorship of rest areas, welcome centers, roads, and vehicles owned or leased by the Division of Highways (1) if it is feasible and practicable, in accordance with the study required by subsection (a) of this section, and (2) upon approval of the proposed sponsorship program by the Federal Highway Administration.
(c) Upon implementation of the program, the Division of Highways may enter into sponsorship agreements with private entities in accordance with this section. A sponsorship agreement may allow a private entity to place signs and placards identifying itself as a sponsor of the rest area, welcome center, road or vehicle that is visible to the traveling public in exchange for consideration at fair market value. A sponsorship agreement may include any other provisions the Division of Highways deems necessary. Sponsorship agreements shall comply with all applicable state and federal rules and regulations.
(d) All net revenue received by the Division of Highways from the sponsorship agreements shall be deposited in the State Road Fund.
(e) The Commissioner of the Division of Highways may propose rules for legislative
approval or emergency rules pursuant to §29A-3-1 et seq. of this code to establish and implement the program as may be necessary to carry out the purposes of this section.
(f) On or before December 1, 2018, the Commissioner of the Division of Highways shall
submit a report to the Joint Committee on Government and Finance detailing the status and progress of the feasibility study directed in subsection (a) of this section. If the sponsorship program is implemented, the commissioner shall also report to the Joint Committee on Government and Finance on the status of the sponsorship program.
2023 West Virginia Code › Chapter 17. Roads and Highways › Article 4A. Complete Streets Act › §17-4A-1. Complete Streets

(a) Vehicular, public transportation, bicycle and pedestrian modes are integral to the transportation system of this state. The Division of Highways may view all transportation improvements as opportunities to improve safety, access and mobility for all travelers.
(b) All transportation projects receiving federal or state funds should strive to improve safety, access and mobility for users of all ages and abilities, defined to include pedestrians, bicyclists, public transportation vehicles and their passengers, motorists, movers of commercial goods, persons with disabilities, older adults and children.
(c) Accommodation of all users should be considered in the planning, design, construction, reconstruction, rehabilitation, maintenance and operations of any state, county or local transportation facilities receiving funds from the Division of Highways. The Division of Highways is encouraged to create a safe, comprehensive, integrated and connected network to accommodate all users in a manner that is suitable to the rural, suburban or urban context.
(d) The Division of Highways is encouraged to use the latest and best design standards as they apply to bicycle, pedestrian, transit and highway facilities, which may include, but are not limited to, the latest editions of:
(1) A Policy on Geometric Design of Highways and Streets, from the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials;
(2) Designing Walkable Urban Thoroughfares: A Context Sensitive Approach: An ITE Recommended Practice, from the Institute of Transportation Engineers;
(3) Guide for the Development of Bicycle Facilities, from the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials;
(4) Guide for the Planning, Design and Operation of Pedestrian Facilities, from the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials;
(5) Public Rights-of-Way Accessibility Guidelines, from the U. S. Access Board; and
(6) Other relevant federal, state or local guidance as appropriate.
(e) The Division of Highways may provide assistance to and coordinate with regional and local agencies in developing and implementing complementary complete streets policies. In the development of projects within municipal boundaries, the Division of Highways and municipality may share expertise in multimodal transportation planning.
(f) The Division of Highways is encouraged to modify its procedures, documents, training systems and performance measures in a timely manner to ensure the needs of all users of the transportation system are included in all phases of the projects. The Division of Highways is encouraged to create an implementation plan, including a schedule and a regional and local government and public outreach plan, in consultation with the advisory board as outlined in section three of this article.
2023 West Virginia Code › Chapter 17. Roads and Highways › Article 4A. Complete Streets Act › §17-4A-2. Exceptions

(a) Accommodation of all users of a transportation facility need not be considered in the planning, designing, construction, reconstruction, rehabilitation, maintenance or operations of any state, county or local transportation facilities receiving funds from the Division of Highways if the commissioner determines that:
(1) Use of a transportation facility by pedestrians, bicyclists or other users is prohibited by law;
(2) The cost of new accommodation would be disproportionate to the need or probable use;
(3) There is a demonstrated absence of future need as determined by factors such as current and future land use, current and projected user volumes, population density and crash data;
(4) The time-sensitive or expedited nature of the project would be adversely affected; or
(5) The project has already moved beyond the initial planning stage at the time this article goes into effect.
(b) The commissioner is encouraged to consult local and regional plans and leaders, as appropriate, in assessing exceptions.
(c) Documentation of any granted exceptions may be made publicly available and shared with the advisory board as established in section three of this article.
2023 West Virginia Code › Chapter 17. Roads and Highways › Article 5. State Convict Road Force › §17-5-1. State Convict Road Force; How Used

All male persons convicted of felony and, sentenced to imprisonment or confinement in the penitentiary by any court, or who may hereafter be sentenced for a felony, whether actually sentenced to labor or not, or so many thereof as may be required by the state road commissioner, shall, as incident to such sentence or confinement, constitute the state convict road force and as such may be employed under the supervision of the state road commissioner in building, surfacing and maintaining roads under the supervision of the state road commissioner, including all roads in the state road system, and in and about any quarries, gravel pits, sandbanks, crushers, brick kilns, or other plants and places operated by the state road commission for the manufacture and acquisition of materials for use in the construction, maintenance and repair of such roads.
2023 West Virginia Code › Chapter 17. Roads and Highways › Article 5. State Convict Road Force › §17-5-2. How Convict Workers Selected; Monthly Report of Suitable Inmates

The warden of the penitentiary shall prepare for the road commissioner a monthly report which shall show the names of not less than five hundred inmates who are suitable for road work. From the said prepared list of inmates the road commissioner shall select the number needed for road work.
The warden shall deliver and the road commissioner shall receive at the penitentiary, convicts selected by the warden to work on the road.
2023 West Virginia Code › Chapter 17. Roads and Highways › Article 5. State Convict Road Force › §17-5-3. Superior Guard and Assistants; Hours of Work of Guards and Prisoners; Pay of Prisoners

The state convict road force shall be guarded when working on the roads and in making road materials, and when being transported to and from the penitentiary, by guards detailed by the warden, who shall designate one guard as the superior, and the other or others as assistants. The state guard and assistants shall obey the rules prescribed for prison camps. Any guard or assistant not obeying such rules shall, on the recommendation of the superintendent or engineer in charge of the work, be immediately recalled, and some other person detailed in his stead. The wages of each guard, superior and assistant, shall be fixed by the road commissioner. All guards and prisoners shall be under the direction of the warden, or his authority, and shall work not to exceed sixty hours per week, and each prisoner shall be paid for each work day, not to exceed ten hours, the sum of 10¢ and for time in excess thereof 10¢ per hour for such excess time worked.
2023 West Virginia Code › Chapter 17. Roads and Highways › Article 5. State Convict Road Force › §17-5-4. Housing, Feeding and Transportation of Prisoners

The state board of health Should this be Secretary of the Department of Health and, warden and the state road commissioner shall promptly formulate rules and regulations governing the camps essential to the housing of the prisoners, and the state road commissioner shall provide suitable quarters, not inconsistent with such rules and regulations, for such convict road force, to be constructed, when practicable, with prison labor. He shall supply such force with all necessary food, cooking utensils, beds and bedding, and provide means of transportation for such road force and camp equipment, when necessary, from place to place, or to and from work of such convicts.
2023 West Virginia Code › Chapter 17. Roads and Highways › Article 5. State Convict Road Force › §17-5-5. Escape of Convict From State Road Force

Any penitentiary convict who shall escape from the state road force, or in going to or returning therefrom, shall be guilty of a felony and, on conviction in the county where the escape was made, shall be sentenced by the court for a term of not less than one nor more than two years in addition to the unserved time of his original sentence; and he shall be returned to the West Virginia penitentiary; and it is made the duty of all arresting officers in the state to apprehend such escaped prisoner and return him to the West Virginia penitentiary where he will be available for court arraignment in the county where the escape was made; and the costs shall be paid by the state road commissioner, and the road commissioner may offer and pay suitable rewards for his apprehension, and any guard may pursue and arrest him in any county.
2023 West Virginia Code › Chapter 17. Roads and Highways › Article 5. State Convict Road Force › §17-5-6. Return of Convicts to Penitentiary Because of Infirmity, Bad Conduct, etc.; Trusties

The state road commissioner or warden shall in all cases where convicts or prisoners are under his control and supervision have authority to return any convict or prisoner to the penitentiary who because of mental or physical infirmity is unable to work, or whose presence in the camp, due to insubordination, bad conduct or disposition may impair the discipline of the road force.
Under the supervision of the warden, or rules promulgated for the government and discipline of the state convict road force approved by him such force, or so many thereof as appear eligible and trustworthy, shall be made trusties; but reasonable corrective measures may be taken against trusties who violate their privileges as such.
2023 West Virginia Code › Chapter 17. Roads and Highways › Article 5. State Convict Road Force › §17-5-7. Medical Inspection of Convict Camps

It shall be the duty of the state road commissioner to designate some competent physician or physicians to make inspection of all camps where a convict road force is employed. It shall be the duty of such physician to make thorough investigations of the sanitary conditions of such camps each sixty days and report every inspection to the Governor, together with such recommendations as he may deem necessary; and he shall furnish copies thereof to the warden of the penitentiary, the state road commissioner, the West Virginia board of health, and the local board of health of the county in which such camp is located. A reasonable compensation to the physician rendering such services shall be paid by the commissioner.
2023 West Virginia Code › Chapter 17. Roads and Highways › Article 5. State Convict Road Force › §17-5-8. Convicts in Same Classification to Be Placed in Same Camp

It shall be the duty of the state road commissioner, with the assistance of the warden, to organize the penitentiary convicts in the state road force, as far as practicable, into groups or classes according to the similarity of their respective dispositions, temperaments, criminal inclinations, regard for orderly observance of the rules and general habits respecting stability or safety, and, as far as practicable, to place those so classified in separate camps, and particularly to employ or use in one camp, or class of camps, those youths and first offenders whose correction, improvement and reclamation may reasonably be anticipated and whose habits are not dangerous to their fellow convicts, and for the purpose of effecting such classifications prisoners may be removed from one camp to another. All classes of prisoners on the state convict road force shall be employed and used under such safeguards and in accordance with such rules and regulations as may be provided by the road commissioner, the warden and the Governor.
2023 West Virginia Code › Chapter 17. Roads and Highways › Article 5. State Convict Road Force › §17-5-9. Commissioner to Pay Expenses of Convicts and Cost of Equipment and Materials

The expenses incident to the transportation of convicts and prisoners, their food, clothing, medical attention and maintenance while in the state convict road force shall be paid by the state road commissioner, and all equipment, materials, tools, teams and machinery necessary in the prosecution of the work shall be provided out of any funds at his disposal available for the building, surfacing, paving and completing of the roads upon which such convicts and prisoners labor. And when a convict is discharged at camp the commissioner shall pay him any sum due him and may pay in whole or in part his expenses home.
In any case of a prisoner taken from the penitentiary to a road convict camp the state road commissioner shall pay for the per diem cost of feeding, clothing and caring for such prisoners.
2023 West Virginia Code › Chapter 17. Roads and Highways › Article 5. State Convict Road Force › §17-5-10. Discharge of Convicts at Expiration of Term; Application of Section Relating to Deduction From Sentence for Good Conduct

The warden of the penitentiary shall have power to discharge any prisoner working on the state road force wherever he may be in the state when the term of such prisoner has expired, and section twenty-seven, article five, chapter twenty-eight shall apply to all convicts from the penitentiary on said state road force.
2023 West Virginia Code › Chapter 17. Roads and Highways › Article 5. State Convict Road Force › §17-5-11. Commissioner May Act Through Agents and May Set Up Department of Prison Labor

Where anything herein is required or permitted to be done by the state road commissioner, the same may be done in person or by superintendents, agents, or employees of the state road commissioner, upon his authority duly given, and he may set up a department of prison labor having charge of the agencies and persons under his authority as herein provided for, and account for the operations of the state convict road force therein; but in any event such accounts and operations shall be separately stated.
2023 West Virginia Code › Chapter 17. Roads and Highways › Article 5. State Convict Road Force › §17-5-12. Work Which May Be Performed by Convicts Other Than on State Road Force

Convicts of either sex not employed in the state convict road force as provided by article five, chapter seventeen, may be employed by the warden under the directions of the state commissioner of public institutions in work for the state penitentiary or any farm now or hereafter under control of the state and in work for any public, nonprofit enterprise or program sponsored by the state or any of its governmental subdivisions, but such convicts actually confined within the penitentiary and not available for outside work shall as far as possible, be used in the making of articles required by the state departments and institutions. The warden may charge the various state departments and institutions for such convict-made supplies the actual costs of the materials used in the manufacture of the articles furnished them and, in addition thereto, an amount sufficient to defray the maintenance cost of the prisoners employed in such manufacture and to keep in repair with suitable replacements the machinery, tools and appliances used in the manufacture of such articles, to the extent of the fair market price thereof, the amount of which shall be stated by the state commissioner of public institutions. Any articles and supplies so manufactured and not required by the state departments and institutions may be sold by the warden to municipalities and counties and the agencies thereof, or to federal agencies, upon the same terms and conditions, but in no event shall such articles be sold to private persons, firms or corporations, or be sold or consumed otherwise than by public departments and institutions of government.
This article shall not impair any contracts now existing between the state commissioner of public institutions and any person, firm or corporation for the use of convict labor for manufacturing within the walls of the penitentiary, nor prevent the hiring of convicts either within or without the walls as otherwise provided by this article.
2023 West Virginia Code › Chapter 17. Roads and Highways › Article 6. Licenses › §17-6-3. Certificate of Convenience for Public Transportation Vehicles -- When Required; Vehicles Engaged in Interstate Commerce

No motor vehicle shall be operated over any public road, highway, street or alley in this state, for public transportation of passengers or property, or both, for compensation until the owner or operator of such vehicle shall first have made application to and secured from the state road commissioner a permit or certificate of convenience to operate such vehicle. Such classification shall include public livery vehicles, cars for hire or for rent, taxicabs, bus lines, truck lines, and any other public transportation of passengers or property for compensation, without regard to whether such operation is between fixed termini or over regular routes or otherwise.
The state road commissioner may also grant certificates of convenience and necessity and permits for the transportation of persons or property, or both, for compensation in interstate commerce and regulate such interstate commerce under the authority of and in accordance with the provisions of any statute that has been or hereafter may be enacted by the Congress of the United States, vesting in or delegating to the state road commissioner of West Virginia the authority, as an agency of the United States government, so to grant such certificates and permits, and so to regulate such commerce. If the Legislature shall by statute transfer from the state road commissioner to any other commission, board or officer, the authority to grant certificates of convenience and permits and to regulate intrastate transportation of persons or property, or both, for compensation, then the authority herein granted shall vest in such other commission, board or officer. The state road commissioner, or such other commission, board or officer, as the case may be, is hereby authorized to notify the proper department of the federal government of his or its assent to conform to the requirements, conditions and obligations of said statute of the Congress in regard to interstate commerce by motor vehicles.
2023 West Virginia Code › Chapter 17. Roads and Highways › Article 10. County Courts; Municipalities; General Authority and Duties as to Roads, etc. › §17-10-1. Power Over Bridges, Approaches and Public Landings; Relinquishment of Authority Over County-District Roads; Commissioner May Purchase or Rent Road Equipment and Material From County Court

The county court shall have the superintendence and administration of the construction, reconstruction, repair and maintenance of bridges and approaches to bridges situated within municipalities and at the time of the adoption of this chapter remaining under the control and jurisdiction of the county court. The county court shall also have like authority over public landings. The term "roads and bridges" in this article shall be construed to mean the bridges and approaches to bridges which under this section remain within the jurisdiction of the county court, unless the context clearly requires a different meaning.
Pursuant to section two, article four, this chapter, the county court shall upon July 1, nineteen hundred thirty-three, relinquish to the state road commission its authority over county-district roads, and shall thereafter neither construct, reconstruct nor maintain any road or bridge except as is specifically authorized by this article.
The state road commissioner may purchase or rent from any county court any or all road equipment and materials in their possession and shall give preference in the purchase of such machinery from the county courts that may be needed by the commission and not needed for the maintenance and repair of the roads, bridges and landings remaining under their control.
2023 West Virginia Code › Chapter 17. Roads and Highways › Article 10. County Courts; Municipalities; General Authority and Duties as to Roads, etc. › §17-10-2. Extent of Power Over Roads, Bridges and Public Landings

So far as applicable, the county court shall have with respect to the roads, bridges and public landings that remain within their jurisdiction similar powers to those granted to the state road commissioner by section four, article four of this chapter.
2023 West Virginia Code › Chapter 17. Roads and Highways › Article 10. County Courts; Municipalities; General Authority and Duties as to Roads, etc. › §17-10-3. Exercise of Power of Eminent Domain

In the exercise of the power of eminent domain with regard to the roads and bridges under their jurisdiction the county court shall be governed in the same manner and to the same extent as is the state road commissioner by section five, article four of this chapter.
2023 West Virginia Code › Chapter 17. Roads and Highways › Article 10. County Courts; Municipalities; General Authority and Duties as to Roads, etc. › §17-10-4. Records

The county court shall keep a record book, to be known as the "road record" in which they shall record all orders, papers, and documents pertaining to road matters and required by this chapter to be recorded. This book shall only be used for the purposes specified. There shall also be filed with the clerk of the county court all changes in title to rights-of-way, maps, plats, surveys and all discontinuances of roads and bridges under the jurisdiction of the county court.
The county court shall also provide the clerk with a record book to be known as the "financial road record." It shall be in the form prescribed by the state road commissioner. The county court shall enter in it a record of county road bonds, county road funds and the road bonds and funds of the several districts. The record shall show the road upon which each item was spent, whether for construction or reconstruction and the kind thereof, or for maintenance, and the character of the road maintained, and shall show whether the construction and maintenance was upon bridges or upon the roadbed proper.
2023 West Virginia Code › Chapter 17. Roads and Highways › Article 10. County Courts; Municipalities; General Authority and Duties as to Roads, etc. › §17-10-7. Elimination of Grade Crossings

County courts and municipalities shall have the same authority and shall follow the same procedure, so far as applicable, in the elimination of grade crossings, on roads, bridges, or public landings within their jurisdiction, as is provided in sections nine to seventeen, inclusive, article four of this chapter.
2023 West Virginia Code › Chapter 17. Roads and Highways › Article 10. County Courts; Municipalities; General Authority and Duties as to Roads, etc. › §17-10-8. Contracts -- Advertisement for Letting

In case the county court desires to contract for the construction, reconstruction or maintenance of a road or bridge or for the purchase of supplies and equipment, it shall advertise for the letting of the contract by publishing such advertisement as a Class II legal advertisement in compliance with the provisions of article three, chapter fifty-nine of this code, and the publication area for such publication shall be the county. Such publication shall be so made within fourteen consecutive days next preceding the date of the letting of the contract.
2023 West Virginia Code › Chapter 17. Roads and Highways › Article 10. County Courts; Municipalities; General Authority and Duties as to Roads, etc. › §17-10-9. Same -- Opening Bids; Award or Rejection of Bids; Contractor's Bond; Publication of Information as to Bids; Reserving Portion of Payment for Work; Penalties for Unlawful Conduct as to Bids

All bids for work to be done by contract on roads and bridges under the control of the county court shall be received at the courthouse of the county at the time specified in the advertisement, and shall be opened only in open court, and the amount and items comprising each bid shall be publicly announced, and the contract, if let, shall be awarded to the lowest bidder for the type of construction selected. The contractor shall give bond with security to be approved by the court in an amount equal to fifty percent of the contract price, conditioned for the faithful performance of the contract.
After such bids have been opened the county court shall publish immediately the names of all persons bidding on such contract, together with the itemized amount of their respective bids, designating the person to whom such contract was awarded, if awarded, together with the amount of his bid. Such information shall be published as a Class II legal advertisement in compliance with the provisions of article three, chapter fifty- nine of this code, and the publication area for such publication shall be the county.
The court may reject any and all bids, and may thereafter have the work done in any other manner that it may deem advisable. If there be two bids of the same amount for any section of road, or for any other improvement thereon, the court shall have the power to accept either of such bids.
The court may reserve from payment not more than twenty percent of the amount accruing on the contract until the work has been completed and approved.
Any person who shall open any of the bids at any other time or place than herein provided, or shall make known the name of the bidder, or the amount of his bid, otherwise than as herein provided, shall be guilty of a misdemeanor, and, upon conviction thereof, shall be fined not less than $50 nor more than $200, and be imprisoned in the county jail not less than one nor more than six months. Any member of the county court who shall violate any of the provisions of this section shall be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor, and, upon conviction, shall in addition to the penalties provided above forfeit his office.
2023 West Virginia Code › Chapter 17. Roads and Highways › Article 10. County Courts; Municipalities; General Authority and Duties as to Roads, etc. › §17-10-11. Same -- Certificate of Purity of Materials; False Statements or Representations; Cancellation of Contract

The county court may request a certificate of purity of the chemical constituents and the percentage of impurities contained in any materials or supplies offered to it for purchase. Any person, firm or corporation willfully making or furnishing a false certificate shall be guilty of perjury.
Any contract made by reason of any false statement or representation may be cancelled by order of the court.
2023 West Virginia Code › Chapter 17. Roads and Highways › Article 10. County Courts; Municipalities; General Authority and Duties as to Roads, etc. › §17-10-12. Same -- When Work Not Done by Contract; Appointment and Compensation of Superintendent to Supervise Work

In the event the county court shall decide to have work done other than by contract, the court shall make and record their decision in the road record and thereupon they may appoint a competent superintendent who shall have the supervision of the work. The court shall fix his compensation.
2023 West Virginia Code › Chapter 17. Roads and Highways › Article 10. County Courts; Municipalities; General Authority and Duties as to Roads, etc. › §17-10-13. Only Standardized, Tested and Approved Materials to Be Used

The county court or person contracting with it shall only use in the construction, reconstruction, improvement, repair or maintenance of roads and bridges under its jurisdiction, materials that have been standardized, tested and approved by the state road commissioner.
2023 West Virginia Code › Chapter 17. Roads and Highways › Article 10. County Courts; Municipalities; General Authority and Duties as to Roads, etc. › §17-10-15. May Establish Stone Quarries, Stone Crushing Plants, etc.

For the purpose of obtaining materials to be used in the construction and maintenance of roads or bridges under the jurisdiction of the county court, the court is authorized to establish and maintain stone quarries, stone crushing plants, and erect such buildings in connection therewith as shall be actually necessary in the prosecution of its work.
2023 West Virginia Code › Chapter 17. Roads and Highways › Article 10. County Courts; Municipalities; General Authority and Duties as to Roads, etc. › §17-10-16. Claims of Contractors and Others

All claims of any contractor or others, which may, under the provisions of this chapter, be due to such contractor or other persons for labor done or materials furnished in and about the construction, reconstruction or improvement of a road or bridge under the jurisdiction of the county court, shall be presented to the county court at the proper session thereof, and if found correct, shall, upon the order or warrant of such court, signed by the president and clerk thereof, be paid by the sheriff. No claim shall be paid by the county court until a thorough investigation of its validity has been made.
2023 West Virginia Code › Chapter 17. Roads and Highways › Article 10. County Courts; Municipalities; General Authority and Duties as to Roads, etc. › §17-10-17. Action for Damages Occasioned by Defective Road, Bridge, Street, etc.

Any person who sustains an injury to his person or property by reason of any road or bridge under the control of the county court or any road, bridge, street, alley or sidewalk in any incorporated city, town or village being out of repair due to the negligence of the county court, incorporated city, town or village may recover all damages sustained by him by reason of such injury in an action against the county court, city, town or village in which such road, bridge, street, alley or sidewalk may be, except that such city, town or village shall not be subject to such action unless it is required by charter, general law or ordinance to keep the road, bridge, street, alley or sidewalk therein, at the place where such injury is sustained, in repair. If it is not so required, the action and remedy shall be against the county court. When judgment is obtained against the county court, such court shall at the time of the laying of the next annual levy, levy upon the taxable property of the district in which such injury is sustained a sufficient sum to pay such judgment with interest and costs, and the costs of collecting the same, and when it is obtained against the city, town or village the proper municipal authorities thereof shall lay such levies at the time of levying the next annual levy on the property subject to taxation in such city, town or village. In case of a failure by either so to do, or to pay the judgment as required by law, the circuit court of the county for which such county court acts or in which such city, town or village or the major portion of the territory thereof is located shall compel the laying of such levy, or the payment of such judgment, or both, by mandamus.
2023 West Virginia Code › Chapter 17. Roads and Highways › Article 10. County Courts; Municipalities; General Authority and Duties as to Roads, etc. › §17-10-18. Action for Damages Occasioned by Defective Turnpike, Road or Bridge, Belonging to Any Company, etc.

Any person who may be injured by reason of a turnpike, road or bridge belonging to any company or person, or to any county in its corporate capacity, being out of repair, may recover all damages sustained by him by reason of such injury, in the manner prescribed in the preceding section, against such company, person or county, or against the lessee for the time being of any such road or bridge. Any judgment against a city, town, village or county under this section may be enforced by the circuit court by writ of mandamus.
2023 West Virginia Code › Chapter 17. Roads and Highways › Article 10. County Courts; Municipalities; General Authority and Duties as to Roads, etc. › §17-10-21. Existing Bonded Indebtedness to Remain Debt of Property Originally Pledged as Security; Levies for Payment; Transfer of Funds

The bonded indebtedness incurred by the county and by its magisterial districts for road purposes shall remain the debt of the property originally pledged as security for the payment of the obligation. The county court shall impose upon the property in the county for county obligations, and in the magisterial district for district obligations, levies in the manner provided in sections seven and thirteen, article eight, chapter eleven, as amended, for the payment of the current requirements of principal and interest of the bonded indebtedness on and after July 1, 1933. All county courts, and other bodies acting in lieu thereof, are authorized to transfer to the general county fund any unexpended balances remaining in the county road and bridge funds or in district road funds, other than interest and sinking funds required for bonded indebtedness incurred for road purposes, and to transfer to the general county fund any unexpended balances of funds raised to pay the interest on and create sinking funds for any such bonded indebtedness where said bonded indebtedness has been fully paid off and discharged or where there remains no other bonded debt within such taxing district to which such unexpended balances might be applied, as well as any balance remaining in any special road fund created by law, and all moneys which may hereafter be paid into such funds through the collection of delinquent taxes or otherwise.
When there is in the state sinking fund commission to the combined credit of all district road bonds in any county issued prior to November 8, 1932, a sufficient amount to pay principal and interest on all such outstanding road bonds, the state sinking fund commission is authorized to apply from said balance a sufficient amount to pay all outstanding road bonds of said districts, together with the interest thereon to maturity, and to remit any balances remaining thereafter to the sheriff and treasurer of said county to be credited to the General Fund of the county.
2023 West Virginia Code › Chapter 17. Roads and Highways › Article 10. County Courts; Municipalities; General Authority and Duties as to Roads, etc. › §17-10-22. Counties and Political Subdivisions Voting Bonds for Paving State Road

Any county, district, group of districts or municipal corporation may, in the manner provided by law, vote bonds, or provide funds by special levy, according to the procedure provided by section fifteen, article eight, chapter eleven as amended, for the improvement and paving of any state road lying within their respective boundaries, but such funds shall be expended under the charge and by the state road commissioner. The state road commissioner shall maintain roads so paved or constructed.
2023 West Virginia Code › Chapter 17. Roads and Highways › Article 10. County Courts; Municipalities; General Authority and Duties as to Roads, etc. › §17-10-23. Levy Tax on Property Outside Municipalities

The county court of each county may levy a tax on all property situated outside of municipalities as follows: On class one property, as defined by law, not to exceed twelve and one- half cents on the $100' valuation, and on class two property, as defined by law, not to exceed 25¢ on the $100' valuation. The levy tax shall be collected by the sheriff and the proceeds thereof shall be paid into the State Treasury and credited to the road fund for the benefit of and to be expended for the maintenance, repair, construction and reconstruction of the roads of the county, outside of municipalities, in which the tax was raised.
2023 West Virginia Code › Chapter 17. Roads and Highways › Article 10. County Courts; Municipalities; General Authority and Duties as to Roads, etc. › §17-10-24. Delinquent Lists of Taxes; Collection of Delinquent Taxes

Delinquent lists of taxes uncollected under the provisions of this article shall be returned and disposed of as school and other district and county levies are returned and disposed of according to law. Such delinquent taxes shall be collected at the same time, and by the same officer, and in the same manner as state and county taxes are collected, pursuant to chapter eleven, of this code.
2023 West Virginia Code › Chapter 17. Roads and Highways › Article 10. County Courts; Municipalities; General Authority and Duties as to Roads, etc. › §17-10-25. Penalties

A person violating any of the provisions of this article shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction shall be fined not less than $10 nor more than $100, or be imprisoned not less than five nor more than thirty days, or both.
2023 West Virginia Code › Chapter 17. Roads and Highways › Article 15. County Convict Road Force › §17-15-4. Work by Prisoners; Relief of Sheriffs and Others From Liability for Injuries, etc.

Any person convicted of a criminal offense and sentenced to confinement in a county
or regional jail may, as incident to such sentence of confinement, be required to perform labor within the jail, as a trustee or otherwise, or in and upon the buildings, grounds, institutions, roads, bridges, streams or other public works of the county or the area within which the regional jail is located if he or she meets the following criteria:
(1) Such person is at least eighteen years of age;
(2) Such person is physically and mentally sound and has not been exempted for medical reasons from such work by a licensed physician or other medical professional; and
(3) Such person is considered by the sheriff or the executive director of the West Virginia Regional Jail Authority or designee not to pose a threat to the community if released for work purposes.
(b) The work described in subsection (a) of this section shall be performed under the supervision, care and custody of the executive director of the West Virginia Regional Jail Authority or designee, the sheriff, his or her deputies, correctional officers or other persons charged with inmate supervision to perform maintenance or control litter in this state.
(c) In order to effectuate the provisions of this section, the sheriff or the executive director of the West Virginia Regional Jail and Correctional Facility Authority or designee shall promulgate rules for the safe and useful employment of inmate labor.
(d) Notwithstanding any provision of this code to the contrary, the executive director of the West Virginia Regional Jail Authority or its designee, members and agents, the sheriff, his or her deputies, correctional officers and agents shall be immune from liability of any kind for accidents, injuries or death to such inmate except for accident, injury or death resulting directly from gross negligence or malfeasance.
(e) The sheriff of the county in which the work is to be performed, with the approval of the executive director of the West Virginia Regional Jail Authority or designee, may hire or appoint any personnel necessary for the supervision of inmate labor.
(f) Nothing in this section shall be construed to allow the use of inmate labor for private projects or as contract employees of for-profit businesses.
(g) Any inmate who performs work pursuant to the provisions of this section shall receive, as sole and full compensation therefor, a reduction in his or her term of incarceration by one day for every eight hours of approved work: Provided, That any reduction of sentence earned pursuant to the provisions of this section shall be in addition to any other reduction of sentence the inmate may accumulate.
(h) Any person being held as a detainee or for contempt may voluntarily participate in such labor as provided for in this section under the terms and conditions hereinbefore set forth.
2023 West Virginia Code › Chapter 17. Roads and Highways › Article 15. County Convict Road Force › §17-15-5. Guards for County Prisoners; Monthly Statement as to Prisoners

The sheriff, with the approval of the county court, may employ a sufficient number of persons to guard the prisoners, not in excess of one for each ten prisoners, or a lesser number in one group, and with said approval shall fix the wages of such guards, and shall have the control and authority over them. The wages of such guards shall be reasonable and shall be paid by the county court out of the county treasury.
The keeper of the jail shall file with the clerk of the county court a monthly statement showing the number of prisoners sentenced to work under this article, the number of prisoners who may volunteer and be allowed by the sheriff to work hereunder, and the number of days' work each prisoner has performed, and the allowance to the sheriff for their keep, food, maintenance and supplies, in accordance with the provisions of section twelve, article seven, chapter seven of the Code of West Virginia.
2023 West Virginia Code › Chapter 17. Roads and Highways › Article 15. County Convict Road Force › §17-15-6. Certification by Clerk or Justice of Sentence and Commitment of County Convict; Form of Commitment

If the accused is sentenced to labor as provided by this article, the clerk of the court, or the justice of the peace before whom the person is convicted, shall certify to the jailer the length of sentence and the amount of fine in the manner and form following:
Commitment by ............... for imprisonment for ............... sentence, fine and costs. State of West Virginia, County of .......... ss:
To the sheriff or any constable of said county, and to the jailer of said county:
Whereas, ............... was this day convicted of the crime of ............... and was sentenced to confinement in the county jail for the period of ..... days, or months, from this date, and to pay the state a fine of $ ..... and costs incurred, amounting to the sum of $ ..... itemized on the back hereof, and to labor on the roads and bridges under the control of the county court, or in the preparation of road materials, until said fine and costs are paid, as provided in article fifteen, chapter seventeen of the Code.
You (the said sheriff or constable), are hereby commanded, in the name of the said State, to receive and confine the said ............... in said jail, and to see that the said ............... labors according to law until his sentence, fine and costs have been satisfied, or until he is discharged according to law.
Given under my hand and seal this ..... day of ..... , 19 ...... ......................................... Clerk of court or justice of peace.
2023 West Virginia Code › Chapter 17. Roads and Highways › Article 15. County Convict Road Force › §17-15-7. Road Work by Misdemeanant in Lieu of Bail

A person charged with a misdemeanor, who is unable to furnish a recognizance or bail bond with satisfactory sureties, may, after being committed to jail, elect to labor as provided for by this article. The circuit, criminal or intermediate court of any county, or the judge thereof in vacation, may, in its discretion, enter an order permitting such person to labor as provided for in this article until a time to be fixed in the order.
If at the trial such person is convicted and sentenced to imprisonment in the county jail, or to labor as specified in this article, he shall be credited on his term with the number of days already labored. If fined, he shall be credited on the fine and costs with $1 per day for each day he has labored. If acquitted, he shall be paid out of the general county funds $1 per day for each day he has labored.
2023 West Virginia Code › Chapter 17. Roads and Highways › Article 15. County Convict Road Force › §17-15-8. Credit on Sentence for Road Work by County Prisoner

Every person sentenced to labor as provided for by this article and who has faithfully complied with all the rules and regulations prescribed by the sheriff or administrator of the regional jail facility governing the labor is entitled to five days' deduction for each month's jail sentence that is imposed upon him or her.