CHARLESTON, W.Va. – Gov. Jim Justice vetoed a bill Monday allowing neighboring counties to develop a recreational trail system for off-road vehicles.
Senate Bill 28 would have allowed two or more counties to create regional recreation authorities and a governing board to oversee the creation and maintenance of trails for all-terrain vehicles.
The original bill passed the Senate in a 32-2 vote and the House of Delegates in a 90-10 vote. Following alterations made between chambers, the Senate passed the final version 26-8, and the lawmakers in the House of Delegates passed the legislation in a 91-9 vote. Only two such authorities would have been allowed before July 2022.
Sen. Robert Karnes, R-Upshur, the bill’s sponsor, said he was disappointed in the veto, saying it would have allowed counties to develop systems similar to the Hatfield-McCoy Trail in southern West Virginia.
“To eliminate the ability for other counties to pursue trail development opportunities under the fallacy that there are only so many off-road vehicle enthusiasts to go around is ill conceived,” he said in a statement. “West Virginia could be the destination of choice for off-road enthusiasts from the United States and around the world.”
Karnes said Justice based his decision on “fear of competition” for existing trail systems, including Off Road Adventures at The Greenbrier. Justice’s family owns and operates the luxury resort.
“This veto is just another example of the Governor’s myopic vision when it comes to economic development,” Karnes said.
Justice did not release a statement on his reason for vetoing the bill.