2022 General Assembly Session

View list of bills and resolutions that may be of interest to the VIMS community.

The 2022 General Assembly session has ended. Natural resources related bills and resolutions that may be of interest to VIMS are listed and summarized below. Full bill summaries and bill text are available in the Legislative Information System (LIS), which includes a searchable database. If there are other pertinent bills of interest that we may have missed, let us know and we'll add them to the list. 

Updated 13 May 2022

House Bills (HB) House Joint Resolutions (HJ) Senate Bills (SB) Senate Joint Resolutions (SJ)HOUSE AND SENATE DISTRICT MAPS

Note:  Click the triangle to the left of the title to view summary information of the bill or resolution on this page. Click directly on the title to view full version of the bill or resolution in the Legislation Information System (LIS).


House Bills (HB)
Table contains list of bills currently in the House of Delegates.
HB 5 Flood Relief Fund; established.


Introduced by: James W. Morefield (R - HD 3). Establishes the Flood Relief Fund (the Fund), funded by reducing the allocation of Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI) funds to the Community Flood Preparedness Fund from 45 to 40 percent and allocating the five percent to the Fund. The Flood Relief Fund is administered by the Virginia Department of Emergency Management (VDEM) and used to make payments to private property owners of property is damaged by a flood, landslide, or mudslide for which the President declares a major disaster under the federal Stafford Act. Under the bill, claims are paid at 175 percent of property value in a double distressed locality, 150 percent of property value in a distressed locality, and 100 percent of property value in all other localities. Claims are limited to $1 million for commercial properties and $500,000 for residential properties and are exempt from individual and corporate income tax. If there are no flood disasters, VDEM will award grants for flood prevention efforts to applicants in double distressed localities. The bill provides that if Virginia withdraws from RGGI, $50 million of any unobligated auction proceeds will be reallocated to the Fund from the accounts established for flood preparedness and low-income energy efficiency programs.

12/07/21  House: Referred to Committee on Agriculture, Chesapeake and Natural Resources
01/31/22  House: Assigned ACNR sub: Chesapeake
02/09/22  House: Referred from Agriculture, Chesapeake and Natural Resources by voice vote
02/09/22  House: Referred to Committee on Appropriations
02/09/22  House: Assigned App. sub: Commerce Agriculture & Natural Resources
02/11/22  House: Tabled in Appropriations (18-Y 0-N)

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HB 49 James River; designates an additional 44-mile portion as a component of Va. Scenic Rivers System.


Introduced by: C. Matthew Fariss (R - HD 59). Designates an additional 44-mile portion of the James River running through Nelson, Appomattox, and Cumberland Counties as a component of the Virginia Scenic Rivers System.

12/31/21  House: Referred to Committee on Agriculture, Chesapeake and Natural Resources
01/26/22  House: Reported from Agriculture, Chesapeake and Natural Resources with substitute (20-Y 2-N)
01/28/22  House: Read first time
01/31/22  House: Passed by for the day
02/01/22  House: Passed by for the day
02/02/22  House: Passed by for the day
02/03/22  House: Passed by for the day
02/04/22  House: Read second time
02/04/22  House: Passed by for the day
02/07/22  House: Read second time
02/07/22  House: Engrossed by House - committee substitute with amendments HB49EH1
02/08/22  House: Read third time and passed House (85-Y 13-N)
02/09/22  Senate: Constitutional reading dispensed
02/09/22  Senate: Referred to Committee on Agriculture, Conservation and Natural Resources
03/01/22  Senate: Reported from Agriculture, Conservation and Natural Resources (11-Y 2-N 1-A)
03/03/22  Senate: Constitutional reading dispensed (39-Y 0-N)
03/04/22  Senate: Read third time
03/04/22  Senate: Passed Senate (36-Y 2-N)
03/09/22  House: Enrolled
03/09/22  House: Bill text as passed House and Senate (HB49ER)
03/09/22  House: Signed by Speaker
03/10/22  Senate: Signed by President
03/22/22  House: Enrolled Bill communicated to Governor on March 22, 2022
03/22/22  Governor: Governor's Action Deadline 11:59 p.m., April 11, 2022
04/07/22  Governor: Approved by Governor-Chapter 175 (effective 7/1/22)

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HB 73 Electric utilities; definitions, aggregate capacity requirements for renewable energy facilities.


Introduced by: R. Lee Ware (R - HD 65). Amends certain provisions related to the Air Pollution Control Board's regulation of carbon dioxide emissions. The bill removes certain requirements for energy efficiency pilot programs to be considered in the public interest. The bill removes aggregate capacity requirements for renewable energy generating facilities, including facilities utilizing energy derived from sunlight, onshore wind, and offshore wind. The bill further removes requirements for the State Corporation Commission's methodology in determining the reasonableness and prudence of costs related to a request for cost recovery for an offshore wind facility by a Phase II Utility.

The bill removes the requirement that the State Corporation Commission must wait until a certain report is received by the General Assembly prior to issuing a certificate of public convenience and necessity for any investor-owned utility to own, operate, or construct any electric generating unit that emits carbon as a by-product of combusting fuel to generate electricity.

01/04/22  House: Referred to Committee on Commerce and Energy
02/01/22  House: Assigned sub: Subcommittee #2
02/03/22  House: Subcommittee recommends reporting with amendments (6-Y 4-N)
02/08/22  House: Reported from Commerce and Energy with amendment(s) (12-Y 10-N)
02/10/22  House: Read first time
02/11/22  House: Read second time
02/11/22  House: Engrossed by House as amended HB73E
02/14/22  House: Read third time and passed House (53-Y 47-N)
02/16/22  Senate: Constitutional reading dispensed
02/16/22  Senate: Referred to Committee on Commerce and Labor
02/18/22  Senate: Assigned C&L sub: Energy
02/28/22  Senate: Passed by indefinitely in Commerce and Labor (9-Y 5-N)

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HB 118 Electric utilities; regulation, development of renewable energy facilities.


Introduced by: Nicholas J. Freitas (R - HD 30). Repeals provisions (i) requiring the State Air Pollution Control Board to adopt regulations to reduce carbon dioxide emissions from any electricity generating unit in the Commonwealth and authorizing the Board to establish an auction program for energy allowances; (ii) prohibiting the State Corporation Commission from approving any new utility-owned generation facilities that emit carbon dioxide as a by-product of energy generation, in certain circumstances; (iii) declaring that statutory allowances for energy derived from sunlight, onshore wind, offshore wind, and storage facilities are in the public interest; and (iv) relating to the development of solar and wind generation and energy storage capacity, development of offshore wind capacity, and generation of electricity from renewable and zero carbon sources. The bill provides that planning and development activities for new nuclear generation facilities are in the public interest.

01/07/22  House: Referred to Committee on Commerce and Energy
02/03/22  House: Subcommittee recommends reporting (6-Y 4-N)
02/10/22  House: Reported from Commerce and Energy (10-Y 9-N)
02/13/22  House: Read first time
02/14/22  House: Read second time and engrossed
02/15/22  House: Read third time and passed House (52-Y 48-N)
02/16/22  Senate: Constitutional reading dispensed
02/16/22  Senate: Referred to Committee on Commerce and Labor
02/18/22  Senate: Assigned C&L sub: Energy
02/28/22  Senate: Passed by indefinitely in Commerce and Labor (12-Y 3-N)

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HB 184 Virginia Stormwater Management Programs; regional industrial facility authorities.


Introduced by: Daniel W. Marshall, III (R - HD 14). Authorizes a locality that administers a Virginia Stormwater Management Program or a Virginia Erosion and Stormwater Management Program to review, approve, and administer the permits of a regional industrial facility authority of which it is a member.

01/10/22  House: Referred to Committee on Agriculture, Chesapeake and Natural Resources
01/21/22  House: Assigned ACNR sub: Chesapeake
01/24/22  House: Subcommittee recommends reporting with substitute (10-Y 0-N)
01/26/22  House: Reported from Agriculture, Chesapeake and Natural Resources with substitute (21-Y 0-N)
01/28/22  House: Read first time
01/31/22  House: Read second time
01/31/22  House: Engrossed by House - committee substitute HB184H1
02/01/22  House: Read third time and passed House BLOCK VOTE (99-Y 0-N)
02/02/22  Senate: Constitutional reading dispensed
02/02/22  Senate: Referred to Committee on Agriculture, Conservation and Natural Resources
02/22/22  Senate: Reported from Agriculture, Conservation and Natural Resources (15-Y 0-N)
02/24/22  Senate: Constitutional reading dispensed (40-Y 0-N)
02/25/22  Senate: Read third time
02/25/22  Senate: Passed Senate (39-Y 0-N)
02/25/22  Senate: Reconsideration of Senate passage agreed to by Senate (39-Y 0-N)
02/25/22  Senate: Passed Senate (39-Y 0-N)
03/01/22  House: Enrolled
03/01/22  House: Bill text as passed House and Senate (HB184ER)
03/01/22  House: Signed by Speaker
03/02/22  Senate: Signed by President
03/11/22  House: Enrolled Bill communicated to Governor on March 11, 2022
03/11/22  Governor: Governor's Action Deadline 11:59 p.m., April 11, 2022
04/07/22  Governor: Approved by Governor-Chapter 160 (effective 7/1/22)

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HB 189 Right to aquaculture.


Companion legislation to SB 509. Introduced by: Michael J. Webert (R - HD 18). Provides that the right to use and occupy the ground for the terms of a lease in Chesapeake Bay waters includes the right to propagate shellfish by whatever legal means necessary.

01/10/22  House: Referred to Committee on Agriculture, Chesapeake and Natural Resources
01/21/22  House: Assigned ACNR sub: Chesapeake
01/24/22  House: Subcommittee recommends reporting (10-Y 0-N)
01/26/22  House: Reported from Agriculture, Chesapeake and Natural Resources (22-Y 0-N)
01/28/22  House: Read first time
01/31/22  House: Read second time and engrossed
02/01/22  House: Read third time and passed House BLOCK VOTE (99-Y 0-N)
02/02/22  Senate: Constitutional reading dispensed
02/02/22  Senate: Referred to Committee on Agriculture, Conservation and Natural Resources
02/22/22  Senate: Reported from Agriculture, Conservation and Natural Resources (15-Y 0-N)
02/24/22  Senate: Constitutional reading dispensed (40-Y 0-N)
02/25/22  Senate: Read third time
02/25/22  Senate: Passed Senate (39-Y 0-N)
02/25/22  Senate: Reconsideration of Senate passage agreed to by Senate (39-Y 0-N)
02/25/22  Senate: Passed Senate (39-Y 0-N)
03/01/22  House: Enrolled
03/01/22  House: Bill text as passed House and Senate (HB189ER)
03/01/22  House: Signed by Speaker
03/02/22  Senate: Signed by President
03/11/22  House: Enrolled Bill communicated to Governor on March 11, 2022
03/11/22  Governor: Governor's Action Deadline 11:59 p.m., April 11, 2022
04/01/22  Governor: Approved by Governor-Chapter 35 (effective 7/1/22)

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HB 206 Small renewable energy projects; impact on natural resources.


Introduced by: Michael J. Webert (R - HD 18). Requires, as a condition for a permit by rule for a small energy project, that the applicant conduct an analysis of the beneficial and adverse impacts of the proposed project on natural resources. The bill requires that if the Department of Environmental Quality determines that there will be a significant adverse impact on wildlife, historic resources, prime agricultural soils, or forest lands, the applicant must also submit a mitigation plan with a 90-day public comment period. The bill specifies that a disturbance of more than 10 acres of prime agricultural soils, as defined in the bill, or 50 acres of contiguous forest lands, as defined in relevant law, is deemed to be a significant adverse impact on natural resources. Finally, the bill directs the Department to convene an advisory panel to assist in developing regulations to further develop criteria for determining significant adverse impact on natural resources and guidelines for plans to mitigate such adverse impacts.

01/10/22  House: Referred to Committee on Agriculture, Chesapeake and Natural Resources
02/04/22  House: Assigned ACNR sub: Natural Resources
02/09/22  House: Subcommittee recommends reporting with substitute (6-Y 0-N)
02/09/22  House: Reported from Agriculture, Chesapeake and Natural Resources with substitute (19-Y 2-N)
02/11/22  House: Read first time
02/14/22  House: Read second time
02/14/22  House: Committee on ACNR substitute rejected 22106363D-H1
02/14/22  House: Substitute by Delegate Ware agreed to 22106540D-H2
02/14/22  House: Engrossed by House - floor substitute HB206H2
02/15/22  House: Read third time and passed House (67-Y 32-N)
02/16/22  Senate: Constitutional reading dispensed
02/16/22  Senate: Referred to Committee on Agriculture, Conservation and Natural Resources
03/01/22  Senate: Reported from Agriculture, Conservation and Natural Resources with substitite (13-Y 0-N 2-A)
03/03/22  Senate: Constitutional reading dispensed (39-Y 0-N)
03/04/22  Senate: Read third time
03/04/22  Senate: Reading of substitute waived
03/04/22  Senate: Engrossed by Senate - committee substitute HB206S1
03/04/22  Senate: Passed Senate with substitute (39-Y 0-N)
03/08/22  House: Passed by for the day
03/09/22  House: Senate substitute agreed to by House 22107284D-S1 (91-Y 7-N)
03/11/22  House: Enrolled
03/11/22  House: Bill text as passed House and Senate (HB206ER)
03/11/22  House: Signed by Speaker
03/11/22  Senate: Signed by President
03/22/22  House: Enrolled Bill communicated to Governor on March 22, 2022
03/22/22  Governor: Governor's Action Deadline 11:59 p.m., April 11, 2022
04/11/22  Governor: Approved by Governor-Chapter 688 (effective - see bill)

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HB 250 Mining and processing of certain minerals and elements; work group to study.


Introduced by: Shelly A. Simonds (D - HD 94). Directs the Secretaries of Natural and Historic Resources, Health and Human Resources, and Commerce and Trade to convene a work group study the mining and processing of copper, zinc, and lead in the Commonwealth and to report its findings to the General Assembly by December 1, 2023. The bill also places a moratorium until July 1, 2024, on the issuance of new permits to operate a mine for gold, copper, zinc, or lead of an area larger than 10 acres.

01/11/22  House: Referred to Committee on Rules
02/02/22  House: Assigned Rules sub: Studies
02/07/22  House: Subcommittee recommends laying on the table (4-Y 2-N)
02/15/22  House: Left in Rules

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HB 276 Wetland and stream mitigation banks; use of credits from secondary service area.


Introduced by: Carrie E. Coyner (R - HD 62). Allows any applicant for a Virginia Water Protection Permit to purchase or use credits from the secondary service area of a mitigation service provider.

01/11/22  House: Referred to Committee on Agriculture, Chesapeake and Natural Resources
01/21/22  House: Assigned ACNR sub: Chesapeake
01/31/22  House: Subcommittee recommends laying on the table (10-Y 0-N)
02/15/22  House: Left in Agriculture, Chesapeake and Natural Resources

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HB 311 Native plant species; state agencies to prioritize use on state properties.


VIMS is mentioned in this bill. Introduced by: Paul E. Krizek (D - HD 44). Directs the Secretaries of Natural and Historic Resources, Agriculture and Forestry, and Administration to coordinate the development of strategic actions for state agencies to take to prioritize the use of native plant species on state properties.

01/11/22  House: Referred to Committee on Agriculture, Chesapeake and Natural Resources
01/24/22  House: Assigned ACNR sub: Agriculture
01/26/22  House: Subcommittee recommends laying on the table (6-Y 4-N)
02/15/22  House: Left in Agriculture, Chesapeake and Natural Resources

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HB 364 Regional planning; climate resilience.


Introduced by: Rodney T. Willett (D - HD 73). Requires regional planning commissions to include climate resilience as part of their strategic plans.

01/11/22  House: Referred to Committee on Counties, Cities and Towns
01/18/22  House: Assigned CC & T sub: Subcommittee #2
02/10/22  House: Subcommittee recommends laying on the table (5-Y 4-N)
02/15/22  House: Left in Counties, Cities and Towns

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HB 395 Carbon offset credits; Marine Habitat and Waterways Improvement Fund.


Introduced by: Rodney T. Willett (D - HD 73). Directs any revenue resulting from the sale of offset credits from submerged aquatic vegetation restoration to the Marine Habitat and Waterways Improvement Fund.

01/11/22  House: Referred to Committee on Agriculture, Chesapeake and Natural Resources
01/26/22  House: Stricken from docket by Agriculture, Chesapeake and Natural Resources (22-Y 0-N)

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HB 448 Department of Environmental Quality; review of local authority regarding certain land disturbances.


Introduced by: Elizabeth B. Bennett-Parker (D - HD 45). Directs the Department of Environmental Quality (the Department) to convene a work group to review and make recommendations concerning existing law regarding limits on local authority to review certain land-disturbing activities for stormwater impacts. The Department is required by the bill submit a report of the work group's findings and recommendations to the Governor and the Chairmen of the House Committee on Agriculture, Chesapeake and Natural Resources and the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Conservation and Natural Resources no later than November 15, 2022.

01/11/22  House: Referred to Committee on Counties, Cities and Towns
01/18/22  House: Assigned CC & T sub: Subcommittee #2
02/03/22  House: Subcommittee recommends reporting with substitute (5-Y 4-N)
02/04/22  House: Tabled in Counties, Cities and Towns (11-Y 10-N)

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HB 479 Wetland and stream mitigation credits; dam removal credits.


Introduced by: David L. Bulova (D - HD 37).  Provides the Department of Environmental Quality the authority to allow applicants for permits with stream mitigation requirements to satisfy all or part of the requirements through dam removal credits generated in the same or adjacent stream or watershed basin. A dam removal credit is defined in the bill as a credit generated through the removal of a significant obstruction, which is also defined in the bill. The bill includes certain requirements with which the applicant must comply in order to use dam removal credits from an adjacent river watershed.

01/11/22  House: Referred to Committee on Agriculture, Chesapeake and Natural Resources
01/21/22  House: Assigned ACNR sub: Chesapeake
01/31/22  House: Subcommittee recommends laying on the table (10-Y 0-N)
02/15/22  House: Left in Agriculture, Chesapeake and Natural Resources

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HB 516 Flood resiliency and protection.


VIMS is mentioned in this bill. Companion legislation to SB 506 and SB 551. Introduced by: David L. Bulova (D - HD 37). Implements recommendations from the first Virginia Coastal Resilience Master Plan. The bill provides guidelines for the development of a Virginia Flood Protection Master Plan for the Commonwealth and requires that the Coastal Resilience Master Plan be updated by December 31, 2022, and every five years thereafter. The bill establishes the Virginia Coastal Resilience Technical Advisory Committee to assist with the updates and requires the development of a community outreach and engagement plan to ensure meaningful involvement by affected and vulnerable community residents. The bill also requires that the Chief Resilience Officer report every two years, beginning July 1, 2023, on the status of flood resilience in the Commonwealth.

01/11/22  House: Referred to Committee on Agriculture, Chesapeake and Natural Resources
02/04/22  House: Assigned ACNR sub: Chesapeake
02/07/22  House: Subcommittee recommends reporting with amendments (9-Y 1-N)
02/07/22  House: Subcommittee recommends referring to Committee on Appropriations
02/09/22  House: Reported from Agriculture, Chesapeake and Natural Resources with amendment(s) (21-Y 0-N)
02/09/22  House: Referred to Committee on Appropriations
02/09/22  House: Assigned App. sub: Commerce Agriculture & Natural Resources
02/11/22  House: Reported from Appropriations (18-Y 0-N)
02/13/22  House: Read first time
02/14/22  House: Read second time
02/14/22  House: Engrossed by House as amended HB516E
02/15/22  House: Read third time and passed House BLOCK VOTE (100-Y 0-N)
02/16/22  Senate: Constitutional reading dispensed
02/16/22  Senate: Referred to Committee on Agriculture, Conservation and Natural Resources
02/22/22  Senate: Reported from Agriculture, Conservation and Natural Resources (9-Y 6-N)
02/24/22  Senate: Constitutional reading dispensed (40-Y 0-N)
02/25/22  Senate: Read third time
02/25/22  Senate: Passed Senate (27-Y 12-N)
03/01/22  House: Enrolled
03/01/22  House: Bill text as passed House and Senate (HB516ER)
03/01/22  House: Signed by Speaker
03/02/22  Senate: Signed by President
03/11/22  House: Enrolled Bill communicated to Governor on March 11, 2022
03/11/22  Governor: Governor's Action Deadline 11:59 p.m., April 11, 2022
04/11/22  Governor: Approved by Governor-Chapter 494 (effective 7/1/22)

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HB 517 Chief Resilience Officer.


Introduced by: David L. Bulova (D - HD 37). Clarifies the designation and role of the Chief Resilience Officer from under the responsibility of the Secretary of Public Safety and Homeland Security to the Secretary of Natural and Historic Resources and adds provisions related to the role of the Chief Resilience Officer in creating and overseeing the implementation of a Virginia Flood Protection Master Plan and a Virginia Coastal Resilience Master Plan. Under current law, the Secretary of Natural and Historic Resources is designated the Chief Resilience Officer. This is a Chesapeake Bay Commission initiative.

01/11/22  House: Referred to Committee on Public Safety
01/25/22  House: Assigned PS sub: Subcommittee #1
01/27/22  House: Subcommittee recommends reporting (10-Y 0-N)
01/27/22  House: Subcommittee recommends referring to Committee on Appropriations
01/28/22  House: Reported from Public Safety (22-Y 0-N)
01/28/22  House: Referred to Committee on Appropriations
01/29/22  House: Assigned App. sub: Commerce Agriculture & Natural Resources
02/09/22  House: Subcommittee recommends reporting (8-Y 0-N)
02/09/22  House: Reported from Appropriations (22-Y 0-N)
02/11/22  House: Read first time
02/14/22  House: Read second time and engrossed
02/15/22  House: Read third time and passed House BLOCK VOTE (100-Y 0-N)
02/16/22  Senate: Constitutional reading dispensed
02/16/22  Senate: Referred to Committee on General Laws and Technology
03/02/22  Senate: Reported from General Laws and Technology (15-Y 0-N)
03/02/22  Senate: Rereferred to Finance and Appropriations
03/03/22  Senate: Reported from Finance and Appropriations with amendment (15-Y 0-N)
03/07/22  Senate: Constitutional reading dispensed (38-Y 0-N)
03/08/22  Senate: Read third time
03/08/22  Senate: Committee amendment rejected
03/08/22  Senate: Passed Senate (39-Y 0-N)
03/10/22  House: Enrolled
03/10/22  House: Bill text as passed House and Senate (HB517ER)
03/10/22  House: Signed by Speaker
03/11/22  Senate: Signed by President
03/22/22  House: Enrolled Bill communicated to Governor on March 22, 2022
03/22/22  Governor: Governor's Action Deadline 11:59 p.m., April 11, 2022
04/11/22  House: Governor's recommendation received by House
04/27/22  House: Placed on Calendar
04/27/22  House: House concurred in Governor's recommendation #1 (100-Y 0-N)
04/27/22  House: Motion to pass by Governor's recommendation #2 agreed to
04/27/22  Senate: Senate concurred in Governor's recommendation #1 (40-Y 0-N)
04/27/22  Governor: Governor's recommendation adopted in-part
04/27/22  House: Reenrolled
04/27/22  House: Reenrolled bill text (HB517ER2)
04/27/22  Senate: Signed by President as reenrolled
04/27/22  House: Signed by Speaker as reenrolled
04/27/22  House: Communicated to Governor on April 27, 2022
04/27/22  Governor: Governor's Action Deadline 11:59 p.m., May 27, 2022

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HB 520 Comprehensive plan; climate resilience.


Introduced by: David L. Bulova (D - HD 37). Requires a locality's comprehensive plan to consider strategies to address climate resilience in order to anticipate, prepare for, respond to, and adapt to changing conditions and hazardous events.

01/11/22  House: Referred to Committee on Counties, Cities and Towns
01/24/22  House: Assigned CC & T sub: Subcommittee #2
02/10/22  House: Subcommittee recommends laying on the table (5-Y 4-N)
02/15/22  House: Left in Counties, Cities and Towns

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HB 562 Conservation and natural resources; sections not set out; technical revisions.


Introduced by: Don L. Scott (D - HD 80). Sets out in the Code of Virginia with amendments for clarity sections in Title 28.2 (Fisheries and Habitat of the Tidal Waters), Title 29.1 (Wildlife, Inland Fisheries and Boating), and Title 62.1 (Waters of the State, Ports and Harbors) that are currently carried by reference only. The bill also makes technical revisions to the description of the Historic Falls of the James State Scenic River. This bill is a recommendation of the Virginia Code Commission.

01/11/22  House: Referred to Committee on Agriculture, Chesapeake and Natural Resources
01/26/22  House: Reported from Agriculture, Chesapeake and Natural Resources (22-Y 0-N)
01/28/22  House: Read first time
01/31/22  House: Read second time and engrossed
02/01/22  House: Read third time and passed House BLOCK VOTE (99-Y 0-N)
02/02/22  Senate: Constitutional reading dispensed
02/02/22  Senate: Referred to Committee on Agriculture, Conservation and Natural Resources
02/22/22  Senate: Reported from Agriculture, Conservation and Natural Resources (15-Y 0-N)
02/24/22  Senate: Constitutional reading dispensed (40-Y 0-N)
02/25/22  Senate: Read third time
02/25/22  Senate: Passed Senate (39-Y 0-N)
02/25/22  Senate: Reconsideration of Senate passage agreed to by Senate (39-Y 0-N)
02/25/22  Senate: Passed Senate (39-Y 0-N)
03/01/22  House: Enrolled
03/01/22  House: Bill text as passed House and Senate (HB562ER)
03/01/22  House: Signed by Speaker
03/02/22  Senate: Signed by President
03/11/22  House: Enrolled Bill communicated to Governor on March 11, 2022
03/11/22  Governor: Governor's Action Deadline 11:59 p.m., April 11, 2022
04/08/22  Governor: Approved by Governor-Chapter 235 (effective 7/1/22)

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HB 577 Department of Environmental Quality; inventory of stormwater systems in the Commonwealth.


Introduced by: Kelly K. Convirs-Fowler (D - HD 21). Directs the Department of Environmental Quality, in cooperation with the Department of Conservation and Recreation and local and regional governments, to (i) inventory and compile a master list of stormwater systems in the Commonwealth and (ii) review and document the impact of flooding on such systems. The bill requires the Department of Environmental Quality to report the master list and the result of its review to the Secretary of Agriculture and Natural Resources and the Chairmen of the House Committee on Agriculture, Chesapeake and Natural Resources and the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Conservation and Natural Resources by December 1, 2022.

01/11/22  House: Referred to Committee on Agriculture, Chesapeake and Natural Resources
02/04/22  House: Assigned ACNR sub: Chesapeake
02/09/22  House: Stricken from docket by Agriculture, Chesapeake and Natural Resources (21-Y 0-N)

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HB 602 Department of Flood Control; Commonwealth Flood Plan.


Introduced by: C.E. Cliff Hayes, Jr. (D - HD 77). Creates the Commonwealth Flood Board as a policy board in the executive branch. The bill provides that the Board's duties shall include, among others, overseeing the development, implementation, and updating of the Commonwealth Flood Plan. The bill also creates the Department of Flood Control under the authority of the Secretary of Natural and Historic Resources to provide technical expertise in all aspects related to flood control, management, mitigation, abatement, and recovery. The Commonwealth Flooding Scientific and Technical Advisory Committee is also established in the bill as an advisory committee of the Commonwealth Flood Board to assist the Commonwealth in developing and implementing the Commonwealth Flood Plan.

01/11/22  House: Referred to Committee on Agriculture, Chesapeake and Natural Resources
02/04/22  House: Assigned ACNR sub: Chesapeake
02/07/22  House: Subcommittee recommends laying on the table (5-Y 4-N)
02/15/22  House: Left in Agriculture, Chesapeake and Natural Resources

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HB 715 Consultation with federally recognized Tribal Nations; permits and reviews with potential impacts.


Companion legislation to SB 482. Introduced by: Paul E. Krizek (D - HD 44). Requires the Department of Conservation and Recreation, the Department of Environmental Quality, the Department of Historic Resources, and the Virginia Marine Resources Commission to establish policies and procedures for consulting with federally recognized Tribal Nations in the Commonwealth when evaluating certain permits and reviews with potential impacts on environmental, cultural, or historic resources or that would have tribal implications, as defined in the bill. The bill directs the Secretary of the Commonwealth to designate an Ombudsman for Tribal Consultation to facilitate communication and consultation with Tribal Nations. The bill codifies Executive Order 82 (2021).

01/11/22  House: Referred to Committee on Agriculture, Chesapeake and Natural Resources
02/04/22  House: Assigned ACNR sub: Chesapeake
02/07/22  House: Subcommittee recommends continuing to 2023 with substitute (0-Y 0-N)
02/09/22  House: Continued to 2023 with substitute in Agriculture, Chesapeake and Natural Resources by voice vote

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HB 739 Shoreline improvements, existing; repair and maintenance.


Introduced by: Paul E. Krizek (by request; D - HD 44). Provides that no regulation shall require the replacement of an existing shoreline improvement with a living shoreline if the application is to restore or maintain the existing improvement and that no permitting decision shall require the replacement of an existing shoreline improvement if the living shoreline would substantially detract from established use and enjoyment of the property. The bill also provides that, for purposes of a wetlands permit, a project shall be deemed not suitable for a living shoreline if the proposed work is to maintain or repair an existing shoreline improvement.

01/11/22  House: Referred to Committee on Agriculture, Chesapeake and Natural Resources
01/21/22  House: Assigned ACNR sub: Chesapeake
01/24/22  House: Subcommittee recommends laying on the table (10-Y 0-N)
02/15/22  House: Left in Agriculture, Chesapeake and Natural Resources

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HB 769 Department of Health; onsite sewage system pump-out oversight; certain localities.


VIMS is mentioned in this bill. Introduced by: M. Keith Hodges (R - HD 98). Requires the Department of Health, effective July 1, 2023, to manage and enforce onsite sewage system pump-out compliance for Accomack, Essex, Gloucester, King and Queen, King William, Lancaster, Mathews, Middlesex, Northampton, Northumberland, Richmond, and Westmoreland Counties and the incorporated towns within those counties. The bill requires licensed operators conducting onsite sewage system pump-outs that are managed by the Department in these localities to provide a report on the results of the site visit using a web-based reporting system developed by the Department.

01/11/22  House: Referred to Committee on Health, Welfare and Institutions
01/21/22  House: Assigned HWI sub: Subcommittee #2
02/03/22  House: Subcommittee recommends reporting with substitute (8-Y 0-N)
02/03/22  House: Subcommittee recommends referring to Committee on Appropriations
02/08/22  House: Reported from Health, Welfare and Institutions with substitute (22-Y 0-N)
02/08/22  House: Referred to Committee on Appropriations
02/08/22  House: Assigned App. sub: Health & Human Resources
02/08/22  House: Subcommittee recommends reporting (8-Y 0-N)
02/09/22  House: Reported from Appropriations (22-Y 0-N)
02/11/22  House: Read first time
02/14/22  House: Read second time
02/14/22  House: Engrossed by House - committee substitute HB769H1
02/15/22  House: Read third time and passed House BLOCK VOTE (100-Y 0-N)
02/16/22  Senate: Constitutional reading dispensed
02/16/22  Senate: Referred to Committee on Education and Health
02/21/22  Senate: Assigned Education sub: Health
02/24/22  Senate: Reported from Education and Health with amendment (15-Y 0-N)
02/24/22  Senate: Rereferred to Finance and Appropriations
03/01/22  Senate: Reported from Finance and Appropriations (16-Y 0-N)
03/02/22  Senate: Constitutional reading dispensed (40-Y 0-N)
03/03/22  Senate: Read third time
03/03/22  Senate: Reading of amendment waived
03/03/22  Senate: Engrossed by Senate as amended
03/03/22  Senate: Passed Senate with amendment (39-Y 0-N)
03/07/22  House: Senate amendment agreed to by House (97-Y 0-N)
03/10/22  House: Enrolled
03/10/22  House: Bill text as passed House and Senate (HB769ER)
03/10/22  House: Signed by Speaker
03/10/22  Senate: Signed by President
03/22/22  House: Enrolled Bill communicated to Governor on March 22, 2022
03/22/22  Governor: Governor's Action Deadline 11:59 p.m., April 11, 2022
04/11/22  Governor: Approved by Governor-Chapter 486 (effective 7/1/22)

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HB 771 Department of Environmental Quality; publication of local Chesapeake Bay Preservation Area.


Introduced by: M. Keith Hodges (R - HD 98). Requires localities in Tidewater Virginia to submit, and the Department of Environmental Quality to publish on its website, criteria and elements adopted by the locality concerning Chesapeake Bay Preservation Areas.

01/11/22  House: Referred to Committee on Agriculture, Chesapeake and Natural Resources
01/21/22  House: Assigned ACNR sub: Chesapeake
01/24/22  House: Subcommittee recommends reporting with substitute (7-Y 3-N)
02/02/22  House: Reported from Agriculture, Chesapeake and Natural Resources with substitute (18-Y 4-N)
02/04/22  House: Read first time
02/07/22  House: Read second time
02/07/22  House: Engrossed by House - committee substitute HB771H1
02/08/22  House: Read third time and passed House (86-Y 13-N)
02/09/22  Senate: Constitutional reading dispensed
02/09/22  Senate: Referred to Committee on Agriculture, Conservation and Natural Resources
02/22/22  Senate: Reported from Agriculture, Conservation and Natural Resources (12-Y 0-N 1-A)
02/24/22  Senate: Constitutional reading dispensed (40-Y 0-N)
02/25/22  Senate: Read third time
02/25/22  Senate: Passed Senate (38-Y 0-N 1-A)
03/01/22  House: Enrolled
03/01/22  House: Bill text as passed House and Senate (HB771ER)
03/01/22  House: Signed by Speaker
03/02/22  Senate: Signed by President
03/11/22  House: Enrolled Bill communicated to Governor on March 11, 2022
03/11/22  Governor: Governor's Action Deadline 11:59 p.m., April 11, 2022
04/08/22  Governor: Approved by Governor-Chapter 207 (effective 7/1/22)

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HB 774 Life cycle of renewable energy facilities; report.


Companion legislation to SB 499. Introduced by: M. Keith Hodges (R - HD 98). Directs the Department of Energy, in consultation with the Department of Environmental Quality, to analyze the life cycle of renewable energy facilities and to report its findings to the Governor and the Chairs of the House Committee on Agriculture, Chesapeake and Natural Resources and the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Conservation and Natural Resources no later than December 1, 2022.

01/11/22  House: Referred to Committee on Commerce and Energy
01/20/22  House: Assigned sub: Subcommittee #1
01/25/22  House: Subcommittee recommends reporting with substitute (8-Y 0-N)
01/27/22  House: Reported from Commerce and Energy with substitute (22-Y 0-N)
01/31/22  House: Read first time
02/01/22  House: Read second time
02/01/22  House: Engrossed by House - committee substitute HB774H1
02/02/22  House: Read third time and passed House BLOCK VOTE (98-Y 0-N)
02/03/22  Senate: Constitutional reading dispensed
02/03/22  Senate: Referred to Committee on Commerce and Labor
02/18/22  Senate: Assigned C&L sub: Energy
02/21/22  Senate: Reported from Commerce and Labor (15-Y 0-N)
02/23/22  Senate: Constitutional reading dispensed (40-Y 0-N)
02/24/22  Senate: Read third time
02/24/22  Senate: Passed Senate (40-Y 0-N)
02/28/22  House: Enrolled
02/28/22  House: Bill text as passed House and Senate (HB774ER)
02/28/22  House: Signed by Speaker
02/28/22  Senate: Signed by President
03/11/22  House: Enrolled Bill communicated to Governor on March 11, 2022
03/11/22  Governor: Governor's Action Deadline 11:59 p.m., April 11, 2022
04/01/22  Governor: Approved by Governor-Chapter 70 (effective 7/1/22)

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HB 792 Nutrient credit trading; adjacent hydrologic unit code.


Introduced by: Dave A. LaRock (R - HD 33).  Removes authority for a Virginia Stormwater Management Program or Virginia Erosion and Stormwater Management Program to allow compliance with stormwater nonpoint nutrient runoff water quality criteria through the applicant's acquisition of nutrient credits in the same tributary in an adjacent hydrologic unit code (HUC) or fourth order subbasin, unless certain existing criteria for purchasing credits outside of the HUC or fourth order subbasin are met, when the credits are in a locality with a population fewer than 20,000 people and geographic area under 200 square miles.

01/11/22  House: Referred to Committee on Agriculture, Chesapeake and Natural Resources
01/21/22  House: Assigned ACNR sub: Chesapeake
01/24/22  House: Subcommittee recommends laying on the table (10-Y 0-N)
02/15/22  House: Left in Agriculture, Chesapeake and Natural Resources

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HB 845 Resilient Virginia Revolving Loan Fund; created.


Introduced by: Robert S. Bloxom, Jr. (R - HD 100). Creates the Resilient Virginia Revolving Loan Fund, for which sums are appropriated by the General Assembly, and that is administered and managed by the Virginia Resources Authority, with oversight given to the Soil and Water Conservation Board. The bill provides guidelines for deposits, expenditures, and investments and requires an annual audit of the Authority. The Authority can collect money for the Fund. The bill provides that the Fund be used for loans or to refinance projects for local governments or to give grants to them; that the Fund may be used for loans or grants for individuals; guidelines for the priority of such loans and grants. In addition, the bill provides that the Authority may pledge loans to secure bonds and sell loans.

01/12/22  House: Referred to Committee on Agriculture, Chesapeake and Natural Resources
01/26/22  House: Stricken from docket by Agriculture, Chesapeake and Natural Resources (22-Y 0-N)

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HB 847 Coastal Virginia Resiliency Authority; established.


Companion legislation to SB 756. Introduced by: Robert S. Bloxom, Jr. (R - HD 100). Establishes the Coastal Virginia Resiliency Authority (the Authority) as a body politic and corporate, a political subdivision of the Commonwealth. The bill provides that the Authority shall be governed by a 17 member Board of Directors as follows: (i) the Secretary of Natural and Historic Resources or his designee; (ii) the Secretary of Transportation or his designee; (iii) the Chair of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Conservation and Natural Resources or his designee; (iv) the Chair of the House Committee on Agriculture, Chesapeake and Natural Resources or his designee; (v) a member of the Senate appointed by the Senate Committee on Rules; (vi) three members of the House of Delegates appointed by the Speaker of the House; (vii) an Officer, defined in the bill, from the each of the Hampton Roads, Crater, Richmond Region, Middle Peninsula, Northern Neck, and Accomack-Northampton Planning District Commissions selected by the Governor; and (viii) three nonlegislative members who reside in the Hampton Roads, Crater, Richmond Region, Middle Peninsula, Northern Neck, or Accomack-Northampton Planning District Commissions appointed by the Joint Rules Committee. Certain portions of the bill have a delayed effective date of January 1, 2023.

01/12/22  House: Referred to Committee on General Laws
01/25/22  House: Referred from General Laws by voice vote
01/25/22  House: Referred to Committee on Agriculture, Chesapeake and Natural Resources
02/04/22  House: Assigned ACNR sub: Chesapeake
02/07/22  House: Subcommittee recommends reporting with substitute (10-Y 0-N)
02/09/22  House: Reported from Agriculture, Chesapeake and Natural Resources with substitute (19-Y 2-N)
02/11/22  House: Read first time
02/14/22  House: Read second time
02/14/22  House: Engrossed by House - committee substitute HB847H1
02/15/22  House: Read third time and passed House (58-Y 42-N)
02/16/22  Senate: Constitutional reading dispensed
02/16/22  Senate: Referred to Committee on Agriculture, Conservation and Natural Resources
03/01/22  Senate: Reported from Agriculture, Conservation and Natural Resources with substitite (14-Y 1-N)
03/01/22  Senate: Rereferred to Finance and Appropriations
03/03/22  Senate: Continued to 2023 in Finance and Appropriations (12-Y 2-N 1-A)

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HB 892 Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative; preexisting contracts.


Companion legislation to SB 398. Introduced by: Terry G. Kilgore (R - HD 1). Establishes a reserve account for the purchase of Regional Green House Gas Initiative (RGGI) allowances by an entity that has a preexisting contractual arrangement related to a power purchase entered into on or before May 16, 2017, and continuing in effect on July 1, 2020, through December 31, 2025. Such entity is authorized under the bill to purchase RGGI credits at a discounted rate, subject to conditions set forth in the bill, if, because of the preexisting contractual arrangement, the entity is unable to pass through or recover its RGGI costs.

01/12/22  House: Referred to Committee on Commerce and Energy
02/03/22  House: Reported from Commerce and Energy (12-Y 10-N)
02/07/22  House: Read first time
02/08/22  House: Read second time and engrossed
02/09/22  House: Read third time and passed House (51-Y 48-N)
02/10/22  Senate: Constitutional reading dispensed
02/10/22  Senate: Referred to Committee on Commerce and Labor
02/21/22  Senate: Rereferred from Commerce and Labor (14-Y 0-N)
02/21/22  Senate: Rereferred to Agriculture, Conservation and Natural Resources
02/22/22  Senate: Reported from Agriculture, Conservation and Natural Resources with amendment (9-Y 6-N)
02/22/22  Senate: Rereferred to Finance and Appropriations
03/01/22  Senate: Passed by indefinitely in Finance and Appropriations (9-Y 6-N)

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HB 903 Virginia Green Infrastructure Bank; created.


Introduced by: Alfonso H. Lopez (D - HD 49). Creates the Virginia Green Infrastructure Bank, an authority to promote and catalyze investment in qualified projects that reduce greenhouse gas emissions, assist climate-impacted communities, and promote environmental justice. The Bank would be governed by a board of directors who would have the authority to hire a president and create a nonstock corporation to carry out the powers and duties of the Bank.

01/12/22  House: Referred to Committee on Commerce and Energy
01/24/22  House: Assigned sub: Subcommittee #1
02/08/22  House: Subcommittee failed to recommend reporting (3-Y 5-N)
02/08/22  House: Subcommittee recommends referring to Committee on Appropriations
02/15/22  House: Left in Commerce and Energy

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HB 948 Purchase or use of mitigation bank credits; notification to local government.


Introduced by: M. Keith Hodges (R - HD 98). Requires a permittee that purchases or uses mitigation bank credits to notify, in writing, the chief executive officer and commissioner of the revenue of the locality in which the permitted site is located the location of the site. Such notice shall be provided at least 100 days in advance of commencement of the project.

01/12/22  House: Referred to Committee on Agriculture, Chesapeake and Natural Resources
01/21/22  House: Assigned ACNR sub: Chesapeake
01/26/22  House: Stricken from docket by Agriculture, Chesapeake and Natural Resources (22-Y 0-N)

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HB 959 Dissemination of information regarding unpermitted discharges; de minimis impact.


Introduced by: Kathy K.L. Tran (D - HD 42). Modifies the current requirement that the Department of Environmental Quality disseminate information about certain unpermitted discharges to require dissemination of all unpermitted discharges unless the discharge is determined to have a de minimis impact on the beneficial uses of state waters. The Department is directed to develop guidance for determining when an impact is de minimis by October 1, 2022.

01/12/22  House: Referred to Committee on Agriculture, Chesapeake and Natural Resources
01/21/22  House: Assigned ACNR sub: Chesapeake
01/24/22  House: Subcommittee recommends laying on the table (6-Y 4-N)
02/15/22  House: Left in Agriculture, Chesapeake and Natural Resources

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HB 969 Comprehensive plan; environmental justice strategy.


Introduced by: Shelly A. Simonds (D - HD 94).  Requires cities with populations greater than 20,000 and counties with populations greater than 100,000 to consider, at the next and all subsequent reviews of the comprehensive plan, adopting an environmental justice strategy. The bill provides that the locality's strategy shall be to identify environmental justice and fenceline communities within the jurisdiction of the local planning commission and identify objectives and policies to reduce health risks, to promote civic engagement, and to prioritize improvements and programs that address the needs of the environmental justice and fenceline communities.

01/12/22  House: Referred to Committee on Counties, Cities and Towns
01/31/22  House: Assigned CC & T sub: Subcommittee #2
02/04/22  House: Stricken from docket by Counties, Cities and Towns (22-Y 0-N)

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HB 1029 Wildlife Corridor Grant Fund; established; report.


Companion legislation to SB 707. Introduced by: Kathy K.L. Tran (D - HD 42). Establishes the Wildlife Corridor Grant Fund to provide grants for projects that reduce vehicle crashes involving wildlife and improve habitat connectivity for terrestrial and aquatic wildlife. High priority projects as set forth in the Wildlife Corridor Action Plan will be funded. The Director of the Department of Wildlife Resources is directed to submit a report to the Governor and the General Assembly by November 1 of each year concerning funding of the Fund and award of grants from the Fund.

01/12/22  House: Referred to Committee on Agriculture, Chesapeake and Natural Resources
01/31/22  House: Assigned ACNR sub: Natural Resources
02/09/22  House: Subcommittee recommends laying on the table (3-Y 3-N)
02/15/22  House: Left in Agriculture, Chesapeake and Natural Resources

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HB 1171 Commonwealth Clean Energy Financing Authority and Fund; established.


Introduced by: Kaye Kory (D - HD 38). Establishes the Commonwealth Clean Energy Financing Authority and the Commonwealth Clean Energy Financing Authority Fund to increase private investment in clean energy and resiliency projects in the Commonwealth. The bill requires the Authority to ensure that the projects and programs financed complement the goals of the Virginia Energy Plan and programs implemented by the Department of Energy, Department of Housing and Community Development, Department of Conservation and Recreation, and other relevant public and private entities. The bill requires that at least 40 percent of the resources deployed through the Authority are directed to historically economically disadvantaged communities. The bill provides that the Authority will have a total membership of 11 members that consist of nine nonlegislative citizen members and the Director of the Department of Energy and the Director of the Department of Housing and Community Development or their designees as ex officio members. The bill includes general powers and duties of the Authority, including submission of an annual report. The bill also includes various requirements for notes and bonds issued by the Authority.

01/14/22  House: Referred to Committee on Commerce and Energy
01/28/22  House: Assigned sub: Subcommittee #1
02/08/22  House: Subcommittee recommends reporting (7-Y 1-N)
02/08/22  House: Subcommittee recommends referring to Committee on Appropriations
02/10/22  House: Reported from Commerce and Energy (22-Y 0-N)
02/10/22  House: Referred to Committee on Appropriations
02/15/22  House: Left in Appropriations

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HB 1224 Stormwater management; proprietary best management practices.


Introduced by: David L. Bulova (D - HD 37). Directs the State Water Control Board to update its regulations providing for the use of a proprietary best management practice (BMP) if another state, regional, or national certification program has verified or certified its nutrient or sediment removal effectiveness. Currently, the BMP may only be used if another state, regional, or national certification program has verified and certified its nutrient or sediment removal effectiveness. The bill also provides that any BMP that provides appropriate documentation, as required by the bill, to the Department of Environmental Quality shall be listed on the Virginia Stormwater BMP Clearinghouse website as quickly as reasonably possible and approved for use in stormwater management plans.

01/11/22  House: Referred to Committee on Commerce and Energy
01/20/22  House: Assigned sub: Subcommittee #1
01/25/22  House: Subcommittee recommends reporting with substitute (8-Y 0-N)
01/27/22  House: Reported from Commerce and Energy with substitute (22-Y 0-N)
01/31/22  House: Read first time
02/01/22  House: Read second time
02/01/22  House: Engrossed by House - committee substitute HB774H1
02/02/22  House: Read third time and passed House BLOCK VOTE (98-Y 0-N)
02/03/22  Senate: Constitutional reading dispensed
02/03/22  Senate: Referred to Committee on Commerce and Labor
02/18/22  Senate: Assigned C&L sub: Energy
02/21/22  Senate: Reported from Commerce and Labor (15-Y 0-N)
02/23/22  Senate: Constitutional reading dispensed (40-Y 0-N)
02/24/22  Senate: Read third time
02/24/22  Senate: Passed Senate (40-Y 0-N)
02/28/22  House: Enrolled
02/28/22  House: Bill text as passed House and Senate (HB774ER)
02/28/22  House: Signed by Speaker
02/28/22  Senate: Signed by President
03/11/22  House: Enrolled Bill communicated to Governor on March 11, 2022
03/11/22  Governor: Governor's Action Deadline 11:59 p.m., April 11, 2022
04/01/22  Governor: Approved by Governor-Chapter 70 (effective 7/1/22)

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HB 1228 Water quality; baseline conditions.


Introduced by: Rodney T. Willett (D - HD 73). Requires the Department of Environmental Quality to document baseline conditions of any waters of the Commonwealth that may be affected by any discharge authorized by the State Water Control Board.

01/19/22  House: Referred to Committee on Agriculture, Chesapeake and Natural Resources
01/28/22  House: Assigned ACNR sub: Chesapeake
01/31/22  House: Subcommittee recommends laying on the table (7-Y 3-N)
02/15/22  House: Left in Agriculture, Chesapeake and Natural Resources

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HB 1261 State environmental boards.


Introduced by: Robert S. Bloxom, Jr. (R - HD 100). Provides for appointment of members to the State Air Pollution Control Board, the Virginia Waste Management Board, and the State Water Control Board by the Governor, the Senate Committee on Rules, and the Speaker of the House of Delegates. Currently, all members of such boards are appointed by the Governor. The bill provides that the authority of such boards does not include the authority to issue any environmental permit, or abridge or deny any environmental permit issued by the Department of Environmental Quality.

01/20/22  House: Referred to Committee on Agriculture, Chesapeake and Natural Resources
01/31/22  House: Assigned ACNR sub: Natural Resources
02/02/22  House: Subcommittee recommends reporting with amendments (4-Y 2-N)
02/09/22  House: Reported from Agriculture, Chesapeake and Natural Resources with amendment(s) (11-Y 10-N)
02/11/22  House: Read first time
02/14/22  House: Read second time
02/14/22  House: Engrossed by House as amended HB1261E
02/15/22  House: Read third time and passed House (52-Y 48-N)
02/16/22  Senate: Constitutional reading dispensed
02/16/22  Senate: Referred to Committee on Agriculture, Conservation and Natural Resources
02/22/22  Senate: Reported from Agriculture, Conservation and Natural Resources with substitite (13-Y 2-N)
02/24/22  Senate: Constitutional reading dispensed (40-Y 0-N)
02/25/22  Senate: Motion to recommit to committee agreed to
02/25/22  Senate: Recommitted to Agriculture, Conservation and Natural Resources
03/01/22  Senate: Reported from Agriculture, Conservation and Natural Resources with substitite (13-Y 2-N)
03/03/22  Senate: Read third time
03/03/22  Senate: Committee substitute rejected 22106841D-S1
03/03/22  Senate: Reading of substitute waived
03/03/22  Senate: Committee substitute agreed to 22107283D-S2
03/03/22  Senate: Engrossed by Senate - committee substitute HB1261S2
03/03/22  Senate: Passed Senate with substitute (29-Y 10-N)
03/07/22  House: Senate substitute rejected by House 22107283D-S2 (0-Y 96-N)
03/08/22  Senate: Senate insisted on substitute (39-Y 0-N)
03/08/22  Senate: Senate requested conference committee
03/09/22  House: House acceded to request
03/09/22  House: Conferees appointed by House
03/09/22  House: Delegates: Bloxom, Webert, Keam
03/10/22  Senate: Conferees appointed by Senate
03/10/22  Senate: Senators: Lewis, Mason, Suetterlein
03/12/22  House: Continued to 2022 Sp. Sess. pursuant to HJR 455

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HB 1297 Comprehensive water supply planning process.


Introduced by: Michael J. Webert (R - HD 18). Directs the State Water Control Board to consider existing interjurisdictional arrangements in designating comprehensive water supply regional planning areas and to provide a mechanism for a locality to request a change of its designated regional planning area to an adjoining planning area.

01/20/22  House: Referred to Committee on Agriculture, Chesapeake and Natural Resources
01/28/22  House: Assigned ACNR sub: Chesapeake
01/31/22  House: Subcommittee recommends reporting with amendments (10-Y 0-N)
02/02/22  House: Reported from Agriculture, Chesapeake and Natural Resources with amendment(s) (22-Y 0-N)
02/04/22  House: Read first time
02/07/22  House: Read second time
02/07/22  House: Engrossed by House as amended HB1297E
02/08/22  House: Read third time and passed House BLOCK VOTE (98-Y 0-N)
02/08/22  House: Reconsideration of passage agreed to by House
02/08/22  House: Passed House BLOCK VOTE (99-Y 0-N)
02/09/22  Senate: Constitutional reading dispensed
02/09/22  Senate: Referred to Committee on Agriculture, Conservation and Natural Resources
03/01/22  Senate: Reported from Agriculture, Conservation and Natural Resources (15-Y 0-N)
03/03/22  Senate: Constitutional reading dispensed (39-Y 0-N)
03/04/22  Senate: Read third time
03/04/22  Senate: Passed Senate (39-Y 0-N)
03/09/22  House: Enrolled
03/09/22  House: Bill text as passed House and Senate (HB1297ER)
03/09/22  House: Signed by Speaker
03/10/22  Senate: Signed by President
03/22/22  House: Enrolled Bill communicated to Governor on March 22, 2022
03/22/22  Governor: Governor's Action Deadline 11:59 p.m., April 11, 2022
04/11/22  Governor: Approved by Governor-Chapter 331 (effective 7/1/22)

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HB 1301 Clean Energy and Community Flood Preparedness Act; repeals Act.


Introduced by: Terry G. Kilgore (R - HD 1). Repeal of the Clean Energy and Community Flood Preparedness Act.

01/21/22  House: Referred to Committee on Agriculture, Chesapeake and Natural Resources
02/04/22  House: Assigned ACNR sub: Chesapeake
02/07/22  House: Subcommittee recommends reporting (6-Y 4-N)
02/07/22  House: Subcommittee recommends referring to Committee on Appropriations
02/09/22  House: Reported from Agriculture, Chesapeake and Natural Resources (11-Y 10-N)
02/09/22  House: Referred to Committee on Appropriations
02/09/22  House: Assigned App. sub: Commerce Agriculture & Natural Resources
02/11/22  House: Reported from Appropriations (10-Y 8-N)
02/13/22  House: Read first time
02/14/22  House: Read second time and engrossed
02/15/22  House: Read third time and passed House (52-Y 48-N)
02/16/22  Senate: Constitutional reading dispensed
02/16/22  Senate: Referred to Committee on Agriculture, Conservation and Natural Resources
02/22/22  Senate: Passed by indefinitely in Agriculture, Conservation and Natural Resources (8-Y 7-N)

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HB 1322 Living shorelines.


Introduced by: M. Keith Hodges (R - HD 98). Amends the definition of living shorelines to include low crested armoring, defined in the bill. The bill also requires the Marine Resources Commission to publish annually on its website a summary of the percentages of different living shoreline approaches contained in permitted projects.

01/21/22  House: Referred to Committee on Agriculture, Chesapeake and Natural Resources
02/04/22  House: Assigned ACNR sub: Chesapeake
02/07/22  House: Subcommittee recommends reporting with substitute (10-Y 0-N)
02/09/22  House: Reported from Agriculture, Chesapeake and Natural Resources with substitute (21-Y 0-N)
02/11/22  House: Read first time
02/14/22  House: Read second time
02/14/22  House: Engrossed by House - committee substitute HB1322H1
02/15/22  House: Read third time and passed House BLOCK VOTE (100-Y 0-N)
02/16/22  Senate: Constitutional reading dispensed
02/16/22  Senate: Referred to Committee on Agriculture, Conservation and Natural Resources
03/01/22  Senate: Reported from Agriculture, Conservation and Natural Resources (15-Y 0-N)
03/03/22  Senate: Constitutional reading dispensed (39-Y 0-N)
03/04/22  Senate: Read third time
03/04/22  Senate: Passed Senate (39-Y 0-N)
03/09/22  House: Enrolled
03/09/22  House: Bill text as passed House and Senate (HB1322ER)
03/09/22  House: Signed by Speaker
03/10/22  Senate: Signed by President
03/22/22  House: Enrolled Bill communicated to Governor on March 22, 2022
03/22/22  Governor: Governor's Action Deadline 11:59 p.m., April 11, 2022
04/11/22  Governor: Approved by Governor-Chapter 333 (effective 7/1/22)

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HB 1355 Moratorium on fossil fuel projects.


Introduced by: Kaye Kory (D - HD 38). Establishes a moratorium, effective January 1, 2023, on any approval by any state agency or political subdivision required for (i) electric generating facilities that generate fossil fuel energy through the combustion or use of a fossil fuel resource; (ii) import or export terminals for a fossil fuel resource; (iii) modification of an import or export terminal for a fossil fuel resource; (iv) gathering lines or pipelines for the transport of any fossil fuel resource that requires the use of public land or eminent domain on private property; (v) modification of such gathering lines or pipelines; (vi) refineries of a fossil fuel resource; (vii) any facilities that change the physical state of a fossil fuel resource for the purpose of transporting such fuel; and (viii) exploration for any type of fossil fuel, unless preempted by federal law. The bill requires the establishment of transitional assistance for workers in the fossil fuel industry and affected communities.

01/21/22  House: Referred to Committee on Commerce and Energy
01/31/22  House: Assigned sub: Subcommittee #1
02/01/22  House: Subcommittee recommends laying on the table (5-Y 2-N)
02/15/22  House: Left in Commerce and Energy

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House Joint Resolutions (HJ)
Table contains list of joint resolutions currently in the House of Delegates.
HJ 16 Study; continuing the Joint Subcommittee on Coastal Flooding; report.


VIMS is mentioned in this bill. Introduced by: M. Keith Hodges (R - HD 98). Continues the Joint Subcommittee on Coastal Flooding for two additional years, through the 2023 interim.

01/10/22  House: Referred to Committee on Rules
01/28/22  House: Assigned Rules sub: Studies
01/31/22  House: Subcommittee recommends reporting (6-Y 0-N)
02/03/22  House: Reported from Rules (18-Y 0-N)
02/08/22  House: Taken up
02/08/22  House: Engrossed by House
02/08/22  House: Agreed to by House BLOCK VOTE (99-Y 0-N)
02/09/22  Senate: Reading waived
02/09/22  Senate: Referred to Committee on Rules
02/25/22  Senate: Reported from Rules with substitute by voice vote
02/28/22  Senate: Reading waived (40-Y 0-N)
03/01/22  Senate: Read third time
03/01/22  Senate: Reading of substitute waived
03/01/22  Senate: Engrossed by Senate - committee substitute HJ16S1
03/01/22  Senate: Agreed to by Senate with substitute by voice vote
03/03/22  House: Senate substitute rejected by House 22107113D-S1 (0-Y 100-N)
03/07/22  Senate: Senate insisted on substitute
03/07/22  Senate: Senate requested conference committee
03/08/22  House: House acceded to request
03/09/22  Senate: Conferees appointed by Senate
03/09/22  Senate: Senators: Lewis, Ebbin, Stuart
03/10/22  House: Conferees appointed by House
03/10/22  House: Delegates: Hodges, Bloxom, Keam
03/12/22  Conference: Amended by conference committee
03/12/22  House: Conference report agreed to by House (94-Y 0-N)
03/12/22  Senate: Conference report agreed to by Senate (voice vote)
03/12/22  House: Bill text as passed House and Senate (HJ16ER)

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HJ 55 Study; Albemarle-Pamlico Watershed; report.


VIMS is mentioned in this bill. Introduced by: Kelly K. Convirs-Fowler (D - HD 21).  Requests the Department of Environmental Quality to study the Albemarle-Pamlico Watershed in Virginia, including land use, stormwater, groundwater, storm information, and flora and fauna there.

01/11/22  House: Referred to Committee on Rules
02/02/22  House: Assigned Rules sub: Studies
02/07/22  House: Subcommittee recommends laying on the table (4-Y 2-N)
02/15/22  House: Left in Rules

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HJ 77 Constitutional amendment; environmental justice (first reference).


Introduced by: Alfonso H. Lopez (D - HD 49). Establishes that it is the policy of the Commonwealth to follow the principles of environmental justice in the development, implementation, and enforcement of environmental laws, regulations, and policies and to ensure that no population, especially minority, low-income, or historically economically disadvantaged communities, faces higher levels or greater impacts of pollution and climate change than other populations.

01/12/22  House: Referred to Committee on Privileges and Elections
02/15/22  House: Left in Privileges and Elections

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HJ 128 Supporting the Jones Act.


Companion legislation to SJ 47. Introduced by: C.E. Cliff Hayes, Jr. (D - HD 77). Expresses the sense of the General Assembly in supporting the Jones Act.

01/18/22  House: Referred to Committee on Rules
02/08/22  House: Reported from Rules (15-Y 3-N)
02/11/22  House: Taken up
02/11/22  House: Engrossed by House
02/11/22  House: Agreed to by House (63-Y 32-N)
02/14/22  Senate: Reading waived
02/14/22  Senate: Referred to Committee on Rules
02/25/22  Senate: Reported from Rules by voice vote
02/28/22  Senate: Reading waived (40-Y 0-N)
03/01/22  Senate: Read third time
03/01/22  Senate: Agreed to by Senate by voice vote
03/01/22  House: Bill text as passed House and Senate (HJ128ER)

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Senate Bills (SB)
Table contains list of bills currently in the State Senate.
SB 4 Emergency Services and Disaster Law; limitation on duration of executive orders.


Introduced by: David R. Suetterlein (R - SD 19). Limits the duration of any executive order issued by the Governor pursuant to his powers under the Emergency Services and Disaster Law to no more than 45 days from the date of issuance. The bill provides that if the General Assembly does not take any action on the rule, regulation, or order within the 45 days during which the rule, regulation, or order is effective, the Governor shall thereafter be prohibited from issuing the same or a similar rule, regulation, or order relating to the same emergency. Under current law, once issued, such executive orders are effective until June 30 following the next regular session of the General Assembly.

11/22/21  Senate: Referred to Committee on General Laws and Technology
02/09/22  Senate: Reported from General Laws and Technology with substitute (9-Y 5-N)
02/09/22  Senate: Incorporates SB166 (Peake)
02/09/22  Senate: Incorporates SB731 (Lewis)
02/09/22  Senate: Rereferred to Finance and Appropriations
02/10/22  Senate: Reported from Finance and Appropriations (10-Y 5-N)
02/11/22  Senate: Constitutional reading dispensed (40-Y 0-N)
02/14/22  Senate: Read second time
02/14/22  Senate: Reading of substitute waived
02/14/22  Senate: Engrossed by Senate - committee substitute SB4S1
02/15/22  Senate: Read third time and passed Senate (29-Y 11-N)
02/21/22  House: Placed on Calendar
02/21/22  House: Read first time
02/21/22  House: Referred to Committee on Rules
03/03/22  House: Reported from Rules with substitute (18-Y 0-N)
03/07/22  House: Read second time
03/08/22  House: Passed by for the day
03/09/22  House: Read third time
03/09/22  House: Committee on Rules substitute rejected 22107417D-H1
03/09/22  House: Passed House (91-Y 8-N)
03/11/22  Senate: Enrolled
03/11/22  Senate: Bill text as passed Senate and House (SB4ER)
03/11/22  Senate: Signed by President
03/11/22  House: Signed by Speaker
03/22/22  Senate: Enrolled Bill Communicated to Governor on March 22, 2022
03/22/22  Governor: Governor's Action Deadline 11:59 p.m., April 11, 2022
04/11/22  Senate: Governor's recommendation received by Senate
04/27/22  Senate: Passed by for the day
04/27/22  Senate: Communicated to Governor on April 27, 2022
04/27/22  Governor: Governor's Action Deadline 11:59 p.m., May 27, 2022

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SB 31 Virginia Land Conservation Foundation and Fund; appropriation for Fund in budget bill, etc.


VIMS is mentioned in this bill. Introduced by: David W. Marsden (D - SD 37). Directs the Governor to include a $40 million recommended appropriation to the Virginia Land Conservation Fund in the budget bill or amendments thereto each year. Currently, the Governor is directed to include an amount based on a formula set forth in the Code. The bill makes various changes to the allocation and use of funds for grants from the Virginia Land Conservation Fund, including allowing grants to be made to state-recognized and federally recognized Virginia Indian Tribes, and requires that at least one nonlegislative citizen member of the Virginia Land Conservation Foundation Board of Trustees be a member of a state-recognized or federally recognized Virginia Indian Tribe.

12/23/21  Senate: Referred to Committee on Agriculture, Conservation and Natural Resources
01/18/22  Senate: Reported from Agriculture, Conservation and Natural Resources with substitite (12-Y 2-N)
01/18/22  Senate: Rereferred to Finance and Appropriations
02/10/22  Senate: Reported from Finance and Appropriations with substitute (16-Y 0-N)
02/11/22  Senate: Constitutional reading dispensed (40-Y 0-N)
02/14/22  Senate: Read second time
02/14/22  Senate: Committee substitute rejected 22104657D-S1
02/14/22  Senate: Reading of substitute waived
02/14/22  Senate: Committee substitute agreed to 22106412D-S2
02/14/22  Senate: Engrossed by Senate - committee substitute SB31S2
02/15/22  Senate: Read third time and passed Senate (33-Y 6-N 1-A)
02/22/22  House: Placed on Calendar
02/22/22  House: Read first time
02/22/22  House: Referred to Committee on Agriculture, Chesapeake and Natural Resources
02/22/22  House: Assigned ACNR sub: Natural Resources
02/23/22  House: Subcommittee recommends reporting (6-Y 0-N)
02/23/22  House: Subcommittee recommends referring to Committee on Appropriations
03/02/22  House: Reported from Agriculture, Chesapeake and Natural Resources (19-Y 3-N)
03/02/22  House: Referred to Committee on Appropriations
03/04/22  House: Reported from Appropriations (22-Y 0-N)
03/08/22  House: Read second time
03/09/22  House: Read third time
03/09/22  House: Passed House (98-Y 0-N)
03/11/22  Senate: Enrolled
03/11/22  Senate: Bill text as passed Senate and House (SB31ER)
03/11/22  Senate: Signed by President
03/11/22  House: Signed by Speaker
03/22/22  Senate: Enrolled Bill Communicated to Governor on March 22, 2022
03/22/22  Governor: Governor's Action Deadline 11:59 p.m., April 11, 2022
04/11/22  Senate: Governor's recommendation received by Senate
04/27/22  Senate: Senate concurred in Governor's recommendation (40-Y 0-N)
04/27/22  House: House concurred in Governor's recommendation BLOCK VOTE (100-Y 0-N)
04/27/22  Governor: Governor's recommendation adopted
04/27/22  Senate: Reenrolled
04/27/22  Senate: Reenrolled bill text (SB31ER2)
04/27/22  Senate: Signed by President as reenrolled
04/27/22  House: Signed by Speaker as reenrolled
04/27/22  House: Enacted, Chapter 705 (effective 7/1/22)

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SB 50 De minimis subaqueous disturbances; no permit required.


Introduced by: John A. Cosgrove, Jr. (R - SD 14). Provides that a de minimis subaqueous disturbance of 10 square feet or less for purposes of placing a pile shall not require a permit.

12/30/21  Senate: Referred to Committee on Agriculture, Conservation and Natural Resources
01/25/22  Senate: Reported from Agriculture, Conservation and Natural Resources with substitite (15-Y 0-N)
01/27/22  Senate: Constitutional reading dispensed (39-Y 0-N)
01/28/22  Senate: Passed by for the day
01/31/22  Senate: Read second time
01/31/22  Senate: Reading of substitute waived
01/31/22  Senate: Engrossed by Senate - committee substitute SB50S1
02/01/22  Senate: Read third time and passed Senate (39-Y 0-N)
02/01/22  Senate: Reconsideration of passage agreed to by Senate (40-Y 0-N)
02/01/22  Senate: Passed Senate (40-Y 0-N)
02/21/22  House: Placed on Calendar
02/21/22  House: Read first time
02/21/22  House: Referred to Committee on Agriculture, Chesapeake and Natural Resources
02/25/22  House: Assigned ACNR sub: Chesapeake
02/28/22  House: Subcommittee recommends continuing to 2023 by voice vote
03/02/22  House: Continued to 2023 in Agriculture, Chesapeake and Natural Resources by voice vote

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SB 171 Harmful algal bloom mitigation; Department of Health to develop and implement a plan.


Introduced by: Mark J. Peake (R - SD 22). Directs the Department of Health to develop and implement a harmful algal bloom mitigation plan.

01/10/22  Senate: Referred to Committee on Education and Health
01/20/22  Senate: Reported from Education and Health with substitute (15-Y 0-N)
01/20/22  Senate: Rereferred to Finance and Appropriations
01/26/22  Senate: Continued to 2023 in Finance and Appropriations (15-Y 0-N)

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SB 187 Nutrient credits; DEQ to accelerate release of credits generated by stream restoration project.


Introduced by: Emmett W. Hanger, Jr. (R - SD 24). Allows the Department of Environmental Quality to accelerate the release of nutrient credits generated by a stream restoration project if a qualified applicant, defined in the bill, provides sufficient bond to (i) provide a high degree of confidence that performance standards will be achieved and (ii) cover the cost of correcting a failure to achieve the performance standards.

01/10/22  Senate: Referred to Committee on Agriculture, Conservation and Natural Resources
02/08/22  Senate: Reported from Agriculture, Conservation and Natural Resources with substitite (15-Y 0-N)
02/09/22  Senate: Constitutional reading dispensed (38-Y 0-N)
02/10/22  Senate: Read second time
02/10/22  Senate: Reading of substitute waived
02/10/22  Senate: Engrossed by Senate - committee substitute SB187S1
02/10/22  Senate: Constitutional reading dispensed (40-Y 0-N)
02/10/22  Senate: Passed Senate (40-Y 0-N)
02/22/22  House: Placed on Calendar
02/22/22  House: Read first time
02/22/22  House: Referred to Committee on Agriculture, Chesapeake and Natural Resources
02/25/22  House: Assigned ACNR sub: Chesapeake
02/28/22  House: Subcommittee recommends reporting with amendments (10-Y 0-N)
03/02/22  House: Reported from Agriculture, Chesapeake and Natural Resources with amendment(s) (22-Y 0-N)
03/04/22  House: Read second time
03/07/22  House: Read third time
03/07/22  House: Engrossed by House as amended
03/07/22  House: Passed House with amendments BLOCK VOTE (98-Y 0-N)
03/08/22  Senate: House amendments agreed to by Senate (38-Y 1-N)
03/10/22  Senate: Enrolled
03/10/22  Senate: Bill text as passed Senate and House (SB187ER)
03/10/22  Senate: Signed by President
03/10/22  House: Signed by Speaker
03/22/22  Senate: Enrolled Bill Communicated to Governor on March 22, 2022
03/22/22  Governor: Governor's Action Deadline 11:59 p.m., April 11, 2022
04/11/22  Governor: Approved by Governor-Chapter 526 (effective - see bill)

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SB 188 Nutrient credit stream restoration projects; use of third-party long-term stewards.


Introduced by: Emmett W. Hanger, Jr. (R - SD 24). Authorizes the Department of Environmental Quality to allow the use of third-party long-term stewards to hold and manage the long-term management fund to maintain stream restoration projects.

01/10/22  Senate: Referred to Committee on Agriculture, Conservation and Natural Resources
02/08/22  Senate: Reported from Agriculture, Conservation and Natural Resources (15-Y 0-N)
02/09/22  Senate: Constitutional reading dispensed (38-Y 0-N)
02/10/22  Senate: Read second time and engrossed
02/10/22  Senate: Constitutional reading dispensed (40-Y 0-N)
02/10/22  Senate: Passed Senate (40-Y 0-N)
02/22/22  House: Placed on Calendar
02/22/22  House: Read first time
02/22/22  House: Referred to Committee on Agriculture, Chesapeake and Natural Resources
02/25/22  House: Assigned ACNR sub: Chesapeake
02/28/22  House: Subcommittee recommends reporting (10-Y 0-N)
03/02/22  House: Reported from Agriculture, Chesapeake and Natural Resources (22-Y 0-N)
03/04/22  House: Read second time
03/07/22  House: Read third time
03/07/22  House: Passed House BLOCK VOTE (98-Y 0-N)
03/10/22  Senate: Enrolled
03/10/22  Senate: Bill text as passed Senate and House (SB188ER)
03/10/22  Senate: Signed by President
03/10/22  House: Signed by Speaker
03/22/22  Senate: Enrolled Bill Communicated to Governor on March 22, 2022
03/22/22  Governor: Governor's Action Deadline 11:59 p.m., April 11, 2022
04/11/22  Governor: Approved by Governor-Chapter 422 (effective 7/1/22)

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SB 357 Virginia Port Authority; Waterway Maintenance Grant Program; qualifications of recipient.


Introduced by: Richard H. Stuart (R - SD 28). Authorizes the Virginia Port Authority, in awarding grants through the Waterway Maintenance Grant Program, to award a grant to a political subdivision or governing body for the dredging of a waterway channel with a bottom that is privately owned if such political subdivision or governing body holds a lease of such bottom with a term of 25 years or more.

01/11/22  Senate: Referred to Committee on Agriculture, Conservation and Natural Resources
01/18/22  Senate: Reported from Agriculture, Conservation and Natural Resources (15-Y 0-N)
01/20/22  Senate: Constitutional reading dispensed (40-Y 0-N)
01/20/22  Senate: Constitutional reading dispensed (40-Y 0-N)
01/21/22  Senate: Read second time and engrossed
01/24/22  Senate: Read third time and passed Senate (40-Y 0-N)
02/22/22  House: Placed on Calendar
02/22/22  House: Read first time
02/22/22  House: Referred to Committee on Agriculture, Chesapeake and Natural Resources
02/25/22  House: Assigned ACNR sub: Chesapeake
02/28/22  House: Subcommittee recommends reporting (10-Y 0-N)
03/02/22  House: Reported from Agriculture, Chesapeake and Natural Resources (22-Y 0-N)
03/04/22  House: Read second time
03/07/22  House: Read third time
03/07/22  House: Passed House (97-Y 0-N 1-A)
03/10/22  Senate: Enrolled
03/10/22  Senate: Bill text as passed Senate and House (SB357ER)
03/10/22  Senate: Signed by President
03/10/22  House: Signed by Speaker
03/22/22  Senate: Enrolled Bill Communicated to Governor on March 22, 2022
03/22/22  Governor: Governor's Action Deadline 11:59 p.m., April 11, 2022
04/08/22  Governor: Approved by Governor-Chapter 282 (effective 7/1/22)

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SB 358 Seafood Industry Employment Ombudsman; office created.


Introduced by: Richard H. Stuart (R - SD 28). Directs the Commissioner of Marine Resources to appoint a Seafood Industry Employment Ombudsman (the Ombudsman) and establish an Office of the Seafood Industry Employment Ombudsman (the Office) to assist employees and employers in the seafood industry in understanding their rights and the processes available to them, including rights and processes available according to the laws and regulations governing temporary worker visas.

The bill requires that the Ombudsman is an attorney and provides that the Ombudsman and Office personnel are immune from civil liability in their performance of their duties. The bill also requires the Office to maintain the confidentiality of records and exempts confidential materials and communications from mandatory disclosure under the Virginia Freedom of Information Act. Finally, the bill authorizes the Marine Resources Commission to adopt regulations necessary to carry out the provisions of the bill.

01/11/22  Senate: Referred to Committee on Agriculture, Conservation and Natural Resources
01/25/22  Senate: Reported from Agriculture, Conservation and Natural Resources (15-Y 0-N)
01/25/22  Senate: Rereferred to Finance and Appropriations
02/08/22  Senate: Reported from Finance and Appropriations with substitute (16-Y 0-N)
02/09/22  Senate: Constitutional reading dispensed (38-Y 0-N)
02/10/22  Senate: Read second time
02/10/22  Senate: Reading of substitute waived
02/10/22  Senate: Engrossed by Senate - committee substitute SB358S1
02/10/22  Senate: Constitutional reading dispensed (40-Y 0-N)
02/10/22  Senate: Passed Senate (40-Y 0-N)
02/22/22  House: Placed on Calendar
02/22/22  House: Read first time
02/22/22  House: Referred to Committee on Agriculture, Chesapeake and Natural Resources
02/25/22  House: Assigned ACNR sub: Chesapeake
02/28/22  House: Subcommittee recommends reporting (10-Y 0-N)
02/28/22  House: Subcommittee recommends referring to Committee on Appropriations
03/02/22  House: Reported from Agriculture, Chesapeake and Natural Resources (22-Y 0-N)
03/02/22  House: Referred to Committee on Appropriations
03/04/22  House: Tabled in Appropriations (22-Y 0-N)
03/07/22  House: Reconsidered by Appropriations
03/07/22  House: Reported from Appropriations with substitute (22-Y 0-N)
03/08/22  House: Read second time
03/09/22  House: Read third time
03/09/22  House: Engrossed by House - committee substitute SB358H1
03/09/22  House: Passed House with substitute BLOCK VOTE (100-Y 0-N)
03/10/22  Senate: House substitute agreed to by Senate (40-Y 0-N)
03/10/22  Senate: Title replaced 22107605D-H1
03/21/22  Senate: Enrolled
03/21/22  Senate: Bill text as passed Senate and House (SB358ER)
03/21/22  Senate: Signed by President
03/22/22  House: Signed by Speaker
03/22/22  Senate: Enrolled Bill Communicated to Governor on March 22, 2022
03/22/22  Governor: Governor's Action Deadline 11:59 p.m., April 11, 2022
04/11/22  Governor: Approved by Governor-Chapter 406 (effective 7/1/22)

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SB 398 Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative; preexisting contracts.


Companion legislation to HB 892. Introduced by: Ryan T. McDougle (R - SD 4). Establishes a reserve account for the purchase of Regional Green House Gas Initiative (RGGI) allowances by an entity that has a preexisting contractual arrangement related to a power purchase entered into on or before May 16, 2017, and continuing in effect on July 1, 2020, through December 31, 2025. Such entity is authorized under the bill to purchase RGGI credits at a discounted rate, subject to conditions set forth in the bill, if, because of the preexisting contractual arrangement, the entity is unable to pass through or recover its RGGI costs.

01/11/22  Senate: Referred to Committee on Agriculture, Conservation and Natural Resources
02/01/22  Senate: Reported from Agriculture, Conservation and Natural Resources (8-Y 7-N)
02/01/22  Senate: Rereferred to Finance and Appropriations
02/08/22  Senate: Passed by indefinitely in Finance and Appropriations (11-Y 5-N)

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SB 482 Consultation with federally recognized Tribal Nations; permits and reviews with potential impacts.


Companion legislation to HB 715. Introduced by: Jennifer L. McClellan (D - SD 9). Requires the Department of Conservation and Recreation, the Department of Environmental Quality, the Department of Historic Resources, and the Virginia Marine Resources Commission to establish policies and procedures for consulting with federally recognized Tribal Nations in the Commonwealth when evaluating certain permits and reviews with potential impacts on environmental, cultural, or historic resources or that would have tribal implications, as defined in the bill. The bill directs the Secretary of the Commonwealth to designate an Ombudsman for Tribal Consultation to facilitate communication and consultation with Tribal Nations. The bill codifies Executive Order 82 (2021).

01/11/22  Senate: Referred to Committee on Agriculture, Conservation and Natural Resources
02/01/22  Senate: Reported from Agriculture, Conservation and Natural Resources with substitite (14-Y 1-N)
02/01/22  Senate: Rereferred to Finance and Appropriations
02/08/22  Senate: Reported from Finance and Appropriations (16-Y 0-N)
02/09/22  Senate: Constitutional reading dispensed (38-Y 0-N)
02/10/22  Senate: Read second time
02/10/22  Senate: Reading of substitute waived
02/10/22  Senate: Engrossed by Senate - committee substitute SB482S1
02/11/22  Senate: Read third time and passed Senate (40-Y 0-N)
02/21/22  House: Placed on Calendar
02/21/22  House: Read first time
02/21/22  House: Referred to Committee on Agriculture, Chesapeake and Natural Resources
03/01/22  House: Assigned ACNR sub: Chesapeake
03/02/22  House: Subcommittee failed to recommend reporting (5-Y 5-N)
03/02/22  House: Continued to 2023 in Agriculture, Chesapeake and Natural Resources by voice vote

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SB 499 Life cycle of renewable energy facilities; report.


Companion legislation to HB 774. Introduced by: Lynwood W. Lewis, Jr. (D - SD 6). Directs the Department of Energy, in consultation with the Department of Environmental Quality, to analyze the life cycle of renewable energy facilities and to report its findings to the Governor and the Chairs of the House Committee on Agriculture, Chesapeake and Natural Resources and the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Conservation and Natural Resources no later than December 1, 2022.

01/12/22  Senate: Referred to Committee on Agriculture, Conservation and Natural Resources
02/08/22  Senate: Reported from Agriculture, Conservation and Natural Resources (15-Y 0-N)
02/08/22  Senate: Rereferred to Finance and Appropriations
02/10/22  Senate: Reported from Finance and Appropriations with substitute (15-Y 0-N)
02/11/22  Senate: Constitutional reading dispensed (40-Y 0-N)
02/14/22  Senate: Read second time
02/14/22  Senate: Reading of substitute waived
02/14/22  Senate: Engrossed by Senate - committee substitute SB499S1
02/14/22  Senate: Constitutional reading dispensed (40-Y 0-N)
02/14/22  Senate: Passed Senate (40-Y 0-N)
02/21/22  House: Placed on Calendar
02/21/22  House: Read first time
02/21/22  House: Referred to Committee on Commerce and Energy
02/24/22  House: Reported from Commerce and Energy (22-Y 0-N)
02/28/22  House: Read second time
03/01/22  House: Read third time
03/01/22  House: Passed House BLOCK VOTE (100-Y 0-N)
03/04/22  Senate: Enrolled
03/04/22  Senate: Bill text as passed Senate and House (SB499ER)
03/04/22  Senate: Signed by President
03/04/22  House: Signed by Speaker
03/11/22  Senate: Enrolled Bill Communicated to Governor on March 11, 2022
03/11/22  Governor: Governor's Action Deadline 11:59 p.m., April 11, 2022
04/01/22  Governor: Approved by Governor-Chapter 69 (effective 7/1/22)

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SB 504 Coastal Resilience Master Plan Technical Advisory Committee; established.


VIMS is mentioned in this bill. Introduced by: Lynwood W. Lewis, Jr. (D - SD 6). Establishes the Coastal Resilience Master Plan Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) to provide independent advice and recommendations to the Office of the Governor and relevant executive branch agencies related to coastal resilience and the development and implementation of the Coastal Resilience Master Plan (the Master Plan). The bill provides that the TAC shall support the Chief Resilience Officer and the Special Assistant to the Governor for Coastal Adaptation and Protection in evaluating coastal adaptation and protection project proposals, facilitating project implementation, and developing updates to the Master Plan. Under the bill, the TAC is composed of representatives of state agencies, coastal planning district commissions and other regional commissions, and academic advisors, among others. Members shall serve at the pleasure of the Governor.

01/12/22  Senate: Referred to Committee on Agriculture, Conservation and Natural Resources
01/25/22  Senate: Incorporated by Agriculture, Conservation and Natural Resources (SB551-Marsden) (15-Y 0-N)

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SB 506 Flood resiliency and protection.


Introduced by: Lynwood W. Lewis, Jr. (D - SD 6). Implements recommendations from the first Virginia Coastal Resilience Master Plan. The bill provides guidelines for the development of a flood protection plan for the Commonwealth and requires that the Coastal Resilience Master Plan be updated by November 1, 2022, and every five years thereafter. The bill establishes the Virginia Coastal Resilience Technical Advisory Committee to assist with the updates and requires the development of a community outreach and engagement plan to ensure meaningful involvement by affected community residents. The bill also requires that the Chief Resilience Officer report every two years, beginning July 1, 2023, on the status of flood resilience in the Commonwealth.

01/12/22  Senate: Referred to Committee on Agriculture, Conservation and Natural Resources
01/25/22  Senate: Incorporated by Agriculture, Conservation and Natural Resources (SB551-Marsden) (15-Y 0-N)

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SB 508 Water and Soil Conservation Board; Virginia Community Preparedness Fund.


Introduced by: Lynwood W. Lewis, Jr. (D - SD 6). Shifts administration of the Virginia Community Preparedness Fund from the Department of Conservation and Recreation to the Water and Soil Conservation Board. The bill also expands the membership of the Board from nine to 12 members, with the General Assembly making the three additional appointments from flood-prone communities.

01/12/22  Senate: Referred to Committee on Agriculture, Conservation and Natural Resources
02/01/22  Senate: Reported from Agriculture, Conservation and Natural Resources with substitite (15-Y 0-N)
02/03/22  Senate: Constitutional reading dispensed (40-Y 0-N)
02/04/22  Senate: Read second time
02/04/22  Senate: Reading of substitute waived
02/04/22  Senate: Engrossed by Senate - committee substitute SB508S1
02/07/22  Senate: Read third time and passed Senate (40-Y 0-N)
02/22/22  House: Placed on Calendar
02/22/22  House: Read first time
02/22/22  House: Referred to Committee on Agriculture, Chesapeake and Natural Resources
02/25/22  House: Assigned ACNR sub: Chesapeake
02/28/22  House: Subcommittee recommends reporting (10-Y 0-N)
03/02/22  House: Reported from Agriculture, Chesapeake and Natural Resources (22-Y 0-N)
03/04/22  House: Read second time
03/07/22  House: Read third time
03/07/22  House: Passed House BLOCK VOTE (98-Y 0-N)
03/10/22  Senate: Enrolled
03/10/22  Senate: Bill text as passed Senate and House (SB508ER)
03/10/22  Senate: Signed by President
03/10/22  House: Signed by Speaker
03/22/22  Senate: Enrolled Bill Communicated to Governor on March 22, 2022
03/22/22  Governor: Governor's Action Deadline 11:59 p.m., April 11, 2022
04/11/22  Senate: Governor's recommendation received by Senate
04/27/22  Senate: Senate rejected Governor's recommendation (0-Y 40-N)
04/27/22  Senate: Communicated to Governor on April 27, 2022
04/27/22  Governor: Governor's Action Deadline 11:59 p.m., May 27, 2022

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SB 509 Right to aquaculture.


Companion legislation to HB 189. Introduced by: Richard H. Stuart (R - SD 28). Provides that the right to use and occupy the ground for the terms of a lease in Chesapeake Bay waters includes the right to propagate shellfish by whatever legal means necessary.

01/12/22  Senate: Referred to Committee on Agriculture, Conservation and Natural Resources
01/25/22  Senate: Reported from Agriculture, Conservation and Natural Resources (15-Y 0-N)
01/27/22  Senate: Constitutional reading dispensed (39-Y 0-N)
01/28/22  Senate: Read second time and engrossed
01/31/22  Senate: Read third time and passed Senate (40-Y 0-N)
02/21/22  House: Placed on Calendar
02/21/22  House: Read first time
02/21/22  House: Referred to Committee on Agriculture, Chesapeake and Natural Resources
02/23/22  House: Reported from Agriculture, Chesapeake and Natural Resources (22-Y 0-N)
02/25/22  House: Read second time
02/28/22  House: Read third time
02/28/22  House: Passed House BLOCK VOTE (99-Y 0-N)
03/02/22  Senate: Enrolled
03/02/22  Senate: Bill text as passed Senate and House (SB509ER)
03/02/22  House: Signed by Speaker
03/03/22  Senate: Signed by President
03/11/22  Senate: Enrolled Bill Communicated to Governor on March 11, 2022
03/11/22  Governor: Governor's Action Deadline 11:59 p.m., April 11, 2022
04/01/22  Governor: Approved by Governor-Chapter 36 (effective 7/1/22)

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SB 532 Clean Energy and Community Flood Preparedness Act.


Introduced by: Richard H. Stuart (R - SD 28). Repeals the Clean Energy and Community Flood Preparedness Act and directs the Director of the Department of Environmental Quality to take all steps necessary to suspend the Commonwealth's participation in the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative market-based trading program.

01/12/22  Senate: Referred to Committee on Agriculture, Conservation and Natural Resources
02/08/22  Senate: Passed by indefinitely in Agriculture, Conservation and Natural Resources (8-Y 7-N)

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SB 537 Trees; replacement and conservation during development process, powers of local government.


Introduced by: David W. Marsden (D - SD 37). Expands to all localities provisions that currently only allow certain localities to adopt an ordinance providing for the planting and replacement of trees during the development process. The bill adds more flexibility for implementation and management of tree canopy banks, tree canopy credits, and tree canopy requirements. The bill changes and updates standards, reference documents, and published reference texts. The bill expands options for localities to disburse funds to charitable organizations. The bill adds percentage specifications for ordinances related to cemeteries. The bill removes the prohibition of invalidating local ordinances adopted before July 1, 1990, the allowance of 10-year minimum requirements for pre-1990 ordinances, and the inability to invalidate an ordinance adopted pursuant to the section relating to the replacement of trees during development process in certain localities. The bill provides guidelines for the Stakeholder Advisory Group, established by the bill to provide recommendations on the provisions of the bill, and its meetings; exemptions from the Administrative Process Act, section-specific definitions for public comment; and the Virginia Freedom of Information Act. The main provisions of the bill have a delayed enactment date of January 1, 2023; the remaining provisions are effective in due course.

01/12/22  Senate: Referred to Committee on Agriculture, Conservation and Natural Resources
02/08/22  Senate: Reported from Agriculture, Conservation and Natural Resources with substitite (10-Y 5-N)
02/09/22  Senate: Constitutional reading dispensed (38-Y 0-N)
02/10/22  Senate: Read second time
02/10/22  Senate: Reading of substitute waived
02/10/22  Senate: Engrossed by Senate - committee substitute SB537S1
02/11/22  Senate: Passed by for the day
02/14/22  Senate: Read third time and passed Senate (24-Y 15-N)
02/23/22  House: Placed on Calendar
02/23/22  House: Read first time
02/23/22  House: Referred to Committee on Counties, Cities and Towns
02/24/22  House: Assigned CC & T sub: Subcommittee #2
03/03/22  House: Subcommittee recommends reporting with substitute (7-Y 2-N)
03/04/22  House: Reported from Counties, Cities and Towns with substitute (18-Y 4-N)
03/08/22  House: Read second time
03/09/22  House: Read third time
03/09/22  House: Engrossed by House - committee substitute SB537H1
03/09/22  House: Passed House with substitute (77-Y 18-N)
03/10/22  Senate: House substitute agreed to by Senate (23-Y 17-N)
03/10/22  Senate: Title replaced 22107424D-H1
03/21/22  Senate: Enrolled
03/21/22  Senate: Bill text as passed Senate and House (SB537ER)
03/21/22  Senate: Signed by President
03/22/22  House: Signed by Speaker
03/22/22  Senate: Enrolled Bill Communicated to Governor on March 22, 2022
03/22/22  Governor: Governor's Action Deadline 11:59 p.m., April 11, 2022
04/11/22  Governor: Approved by Governor-Chapter 620 (effective 7/1/22)

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SB 551 Flood resiliency & protection; implements recom. from first Va. Coastal Resilience Master Plan.


VIMS is mentioned in this bill. Companion legislation to HB 516. Introduced by: David W. Marsden (D - SD 37). Implements recommendations from the first Virginia Coastal Resilience Master Plan. The bill provides guidelines for the development of a Virginia Flood Protection Master Plan for the Commonwealth and requires that the Coastal Resilience Master Plan be updated by December 31, 2022, and every five years thereafter. The bill establishes the Virginia Coastal Resilience Technical Advisory Committee to assist with the updates and requires the development of a community outreach and engagement plan to ensure meaningful involvement by affected and vulnerable community residents. The bill also requires that the Chief Resilience Officer report every two years, beginning July 1, 2023, on the status of flood resilience in the Commonwealth.

01/12/22  Senate: Referred to Committee on Agriculture, Conservation and Natural Resources
01/25/22  Senate: Reported from Agriculture, Conservation and Natural Resources with substitite (10-Y 5-N)
01/25/22  Senate: Incorporates SB504 (Lewis)
01/25/22  Senate: Incorporates SB506 (Lewis)
01/25/22  Senate: Rereferred to Finance and Appropriations
02/02/22  Senate: Reported from Finance and Appropriations (13-Y 3-N)
02/03/22  Senate: Constitutional reading dispensed (40-Y 0-N)
02/04/22  Senate: Read second time
02/04/22  Senate: Reading of substitute waived
02/04/22  Senate: Engrossed by Senate - committee substitute SB551S1
02/07/22  Senate: Read third time and passed Senate (24-Y 16-N)
02/21/22  House: Placed on Calendar
02/21/22  House: Read first time
02/21/22  House: Referred to Committee on Agriculture, Chesapeake and Natural Resources
03/02/22  House: Reported from Agriculture, Chesapeake and Natural Resources with amendment(s) (22-Y 0-N)
03/04/22  House: Read second time
03/07/22  House: Read third time
03/07/22  House: Engrossed by House as amended
03/07/22  House: Passed House with amendment BLOCK VOTE (98-Y 0-N)
03/08/22  Senate: House amendment agreed to by Senate (32-Y 7-N)
03/10/22  Senate: Enrolled
03/10/22  Senate: Bill text as passed Senate and House (SB551ER)
03/10/22  Senate: Signed by President
03/10/22  House: Signed by Speaker
03/22/22  Senate: Enrolled Bill Communicated to Governor on March 22, 2022
03/22/22  Governor: Governor's Action Deadline 11:59 p.m., April 11, 2022
04/11/22  Governor: Approved by Governor-Chapter 495 (effective 7/1/22)

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SB 569 Coastal Virginia Resiliency Authority; established.


Introduced by: Jennifer A. Kiggans (R - SD 7). Establishes the Coastal Virginia Resiliency Authority (the Authority) as a body politic and corporate, a political subdivision of the Commonwealth. The bill provides that the Authority shall be governed by a 17 member Board of Directors as follows: (i) the Secretary of Natural and Historic Resources or his designee; (ii) the Secretary of Transportation or his designee; (iii) the Chair of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Conservation and Natural Resources or his designee; (iv) the Chair of the House Committee on Agriculture, Chesapeake and Natural Resources or his designee; (v) two members of the Senate appointed by the Senate Committee on Rules; (vi) two members of the House of Delegates appointed by the Speaker of the House; (vii) an Officer, defined in the bill, from the each of the Hampton Roads, Crater, Richmond Region, Middle Peninsula, Northern Neck, and Accomack-Northampton Planning District Commissions selected by the Governor; and (viii) three nonlegislative members who reside in the Hampton Roads, Crater, Richmond Region, Middle Peninsula, Northern Neck, or Accomack-Northampton Planning District Commissions appointed by the Joint Rules Committee. Certain portions of the bill have a delayed effective date of January 1, 2023.

01/12/22  Senate: Referred to Committee on Agriculture, Conservation and Natural Resources
02/08/22  Senate: Reported from Agriculture, Conservation and Natural Resources with substitite (11-Y 4-N)
02/08/22  Senate: Rereferred to Finance and Appropriations
02/10/22  Senate: Continued to 2023 in Finance and Appropriations (11-Y 5-N)

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SB 629 Season for taking oysters.


Introduced by: Richard H. Stuart (R - SD 28). Extends from March 1 to March 31 the season for taking oysters from public oyster beds, rocks, or shoals.

01/17/22  Senate: Referred to Committee on Agriculture, Conservation and Natural Resources
01/25/22  Senate: Reported from Agriculture, Conservation and Natural Resources (14-Y 0-N 1-A)
01/27/22  Senate: Constitutional reading dispensed (39-Y 0-N)
01/28/22  Senate: Read second time
01/28/22  Senate: Reading of amendment waived
01/28/22  Senate: Engrossed by Senate as amended SB629E
01/31/22  Senate: Read third time and passed Senate (39-Y 0-N)
02/22/22  House: Placed on Calendar
02/22/22  House: Read first time
02/22/22  House: Referred to Committee on Agriculture, Chesapeake and Natural Resources
02/25/22  House: Assigned ACNR sub: Chesapeake
03/02/22  House: Subcommittee recommends reporting (9-Y 0-N)
03/02/22  House: Reported from Agriculture, Chesapeake and Natural Resources (19-Y 3-N)
03/04/22  House: Read second time
03/07/22  House: Read third time
03/07/22  House: Passed House (94-Y 3-N)
03/10/22  Senate: Enrolled
03/10/22  Senate: Bill text as passed Senate and House (SB629ER)
03/10/22  Senate: Signed by President
03/10/22  House: Signed by Speaker
03/22/22  Senate: Enrolled Bill Communicated to Governor on March 22, 2022
03/22/22  Governor: Governor's Action Deadline 11:59 p.m., April 11, 2022
04/07/22  Governor: Approved by Governor-Chapter 135 (effective 7/1/22)

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SB 654 Wetland and stream mitigation banks; location of site.


Introduced by: Jennifer L. McClellan (D - SD 9). Allows a permit applicant to purchase wetland and stream mitigation credits from the locality in which the site is located if no credits are available to purchase in the primary service area or no credits are available at a price below 200 percent of the current price of credits.

01/18/22  Senate: Referred to Committee on Agriculture, Conservation and Natural Resources
02/08/22  Senate: Continued to 2023 in Agriculture, Conservation and Natural Resources (13-Y 0-N)

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SB 657 Air Pollution Control Board and State Water Control Board; transfer of authority.


Introduced by: Richard H. Stuart (R - SD 28). Limits the authority of the Air Pollution Control Board and the State Water Control Board to issuance of regulations and transfers the Boards' existing authority to issue permits and orders to the Department of Environmental Quality.

01/19/22  Senate: Referred to Committee on Agriculture, Conservation and Natural Resources
02/08/22  Senate: Reported from Agriculture, Conservation and Natural Resources with substitite (11-Y 4-N)
02/08/22  Senate: Incorporates SB81 (Stanley)
02/09/22  Senate: Constitutional reading dispensed (38-Y 0-N)
02/10/22  Senate: Read second time
02/10/22  Senate: Reading of substitute waived
02/10/22  Senate: Passed by for the day
02/11/22  Senate: Read second time
02/11/22  Senate: Committee substitute reconsidered (40-Y 0-N)
02/11/22  Senate: Committee substitute rejected 22106267D-S1
02/11/22  Senate: Reading of substitute waived
02/11/22  Senate: Substitute by Senator Mason agreed to 22106534D-S2
02/11/22  Senate: Engrossed by Senate - floor substitute SB657S2
02/14/22  Senate: Read third time and passed Senate (32-Y 8-N)
02/21/22  House: Placed on Calendar
02/21/22  House: Read first time
02/21/22  House: Referred to Committee on Agriculture, Chesapeake and Natural Resources
02/23/22  House: Reported from Agriculture, Chesapeake and Natural Resources (12-Y 10-N)
02/25/22  House: Read second time
02/28/22  House: Read third time
02/28/22  House: Passed House (52-Y 46-N)
02/28/22  House: Reconsideration of House passage agreed to by House
02/28/22  House: Passed House (51-Y 47-N)
03/02/22  Senate: Enrolled
03/02/22  Senate: Bill text as passed Senate and House (SB657ER)
03/02/22  House: Signed by Speaker
03/03/22  Senate: Signed by President
03/11/22  Senate: Enrolled Bill Communicated to Governor on March 11, 2022
03/11/22  Governor: Governor's Action Deadline 11:59 p.m., April 11, 2022
04/11/22  Governor: Approved by Governor-Chapter 356 (effective 7/1/22)

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SB 707 Wildlife Corridor Grant Fund; established.


Companion legislation to 1029. Introduced by: David W. Marsden (D - SD 37). Establishes the Wildlife Corridor Grant Fund to provide grants to localities to develop wildlife corridor plans and implement the provisions of such plans.

01/21/22  Senate: Referred to Committee on Agriculture, Conservation and Natural Resources
02/01/22  Senate: Reported from Agriculture, Conservation and Natural Resources (12-Y 3-N)
02/01/22  Senate: Rereferred to Finance and Appropriations
02/08/22  Senate: Reported from Finance and Appropriations (15-Y 1-N)
02/09/22  Senate: Constitutional reading dispensed (38-Y 0-N)
02/10/22  Senate: Read second time and engrossed
02/11/22  Senate: Read third time and passed Senate (29-Y 10-N)
02/22/22  House: Placed on Calendar
02/22/22  House: Read first time
02/22/22  House: Referred to Committee on Agriculture, Chesapeake and Natural Resources
02/22/22  House: Assigned ACNR sub: Agriculture
02/23/22  House: Subcommittee recommends reporting (8-Y 2-N)
02/23/22  House: Subcommittee recommends referring to Committee on Appropriations
03/02/22  House: Reported from Agriculture, Chesapeake and Natural Resources (20-Y 2-N)
03/02/22  House: Referred to Committee on Appropriations
03/04/22  House: Tabled in Appropriations (12-Y 10-N)
03/07/22  House: Reconsidered by Appropriations
03/07/22  House: Tabled in Appropriations (12-Y 10-N)

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SB 732 Comprehensive plan; climate resilience.


Introduced by: Lynwood W. Lewis, Jr. (D - SD 6). Requires a locality's comprehensive plan to consider strategies to address climate resilience in order to anticipate, prepare for, respond to, and adapt to changing conditions and hazardous events.

01/21/22  Senate: Referred to Committee on Local Government
02/07/22  Senate: Reported from Local Government (11-Y 0-N 1-A)
02/08/22  Senate: Constitutional reading dispensed (40-Y 0-N)
02/09/22  Senate: Passed by for the day
02/10/22  Senate: Read second time and engrossed
02/11/22  Senate: Read third time and passed Senate (40-Y 0-N)
02/21/22  House: Placed on Calendar
02/21/22  House: Read first time
02/21/22  House: Referred to Committee on Agriculture, Chesapeake and Natural Resources
03/02/22  House: Referred from Agriculture, Chesapeake and Natural Resources by voice vote
03/02/22  House: Referred to Committee on Counties, Cities and Towns
03/03/22  House: Subcommittee recommends laying on the table (5-Y 4-N)
03/08/22  House: Left in Counties, Cities and Towns

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SB 756 Resilient Virginia Revolving Loan Fund.


Companion legislation to HB 845. Introduced by: Lynwood W. Lewis, Jr. (D - SD 6). Creates the Resilient Virginia Revolving Loan Fund. The bill provides guidelines for deposits, expenditures, and investments and requires an annual audit of the Virginia Resources Authority. The bill provides that the Fund be used for loans or to refinance projects for local governments or to give grants to them, provides that the Fund may be used for loans or grants for individuals, and establishes guidelines for the priority of such loans and grants.

01/21/22  Senate: Referred to Committee on Agriculture, Conservation and Natural Resources
02/01/22  Senate: Reported from Agriculture, Conservation and Natural Resources with substitite (15-Y 0-N)
02/01/22  Senate: Rereferred to Finance and Appropriations
02/08/22  Senate: Reported from Finance and Appropriations (16-Y 0-N)
02/09/22  Senate: Constitutional reading dispensed (38-Y 0-N)
02/10/22  Senate: Read second time
02/10/22  Senate: Reading of substitute waived
02/10/22  Senate: Engrossed by Senate - committee substitute SB756S1
02/10/22  Senate: Constitutional reading dispensed (40-Y 0-N)
02/10/22  Senate: Passed Senate (40-Y 0-N)
02/21/22  House: Placed on Calendar
02/21/22  House: Read first time
02/21/22  House: Referred to Committee on Agriculture, Chesapeake and Natural Resources
03/01/22  House: Assigned ACNR sub: Chesapeake
03/02/22  House: Subcommittee recommends reporting with amendments (10-Y 0-N)
03/02/22  House: Reported from Agriculture, Chesapeake and Natural Resources with amendment(s) (22-Y 0-N)
03/04/22  House: Read second time
03/07/22  House: Read third time
03/07/22  House: Engrossed by House as amended
03/07/22  House: Passed House with amendment (73-Y 25-N)
03/08/22  Senate: House amendment agreed to by Senate (39-Y 0-N)
03/10/22  Senate: Enrolled
03/10/22  Senate: Bill text as passed Senate and House (SB756ER)
03/10/22  Senate: Signed by President
03/10/22  House: Signed by Speaker
03/22/22  Senate: Enrolled Bill Communicated to Governor on March 22, 2022
03/22/22  Governor: Governor's Action Deadline 11:59 p.m., April 11, 2022
04/11/22  Senate: Governor's recommendation received by Senate
04/27/22  Senate: Senate concurred in Governor's recommendation (40-Y 0-N)
04/27/22  House: House concurred in Governor's recommendation (77-Y 21-N)
04/27/22  House: Reconsideration of Governor's recommendation agreed to
04/27/22  Senate: Reenrolled
04/27/22  House: House concurred in Governor's recommendation (76-Y 23-N)
04/27/22  Governor: Governor's recommendation adopted
04/27/22  Senate: Reenrolled bill text (SB756ER2)
04/27/22  Senate: Signed by President as reenrolled
04/27/22  House: Signed by Speaker as reenrolled
04/27/22  House: Enacted, Chapter 739 (effective 7/1/22)
04/27/22  Governor: Acts of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP0739)

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SB 773 Oyster lease holders; response to wetlands board or Virginia Marine Resource Commission.


Introduced by: John A. Cosgrove, Jr. (R - SD 14). Provides that failure of an oyster lease holder to respond to a wetlands board or Virginia Marine Resource Commission request regarding an application within 30 days of receipt of such request shall be deemed to be consent to the application.

01/24/22  Senate: Referred to Committee on Agriculture, Conservation and Natural Resources
02/08/22  Senate: Continued to 2023 in Agriculture, Conservation and Natural Resources (15-Y 0-N)

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Senate Joint Resolutions (SJ)
Table contains list of joint resolutions currently in the Senate.
SJ 12 Governor; confirming appointments.


Introduced by: R. Creigh Deeds (D - SD 25). Confirms appointments of certain persons made by Governor Ralph Northam and communicated to the General Assembly June 1, 2021.

01/11/22  Senate: Referred to Committee on Privileges and Elections
01/18/22  Senate: Reported from Privileges and Elections (12-Y 0-N 3-A)
01/20/22  Senate: Reading waived (40-Y 0-N)
01/21/22  Senate: Read second time and engrossed
01/24/22  Senate: Read third time and agreed to by Senate (39-Y 0-N)
02/11/22  House: Placed on Calendar
02/11/22  House: Referred to Committee on Rules
02/11/22  House: Reported without recommendation from Rules (18-Y 0-N)
02/11/22  House: Taken up
02/11/22  House: Agreed to by House except lines 180-185 (94-Y 0-N)
02/11/22  House: VOTE: Agree To (94-Y 0-N)
02/11/22  House: Election by House, lines 180-181 (44-Y 51-N)
02/11/22  House: VOTE: Rejected To (44-Y 51-N)
02/11/22  House: Election by House, lines 182-183 (46-Y 51-N)
02/11/22  House: VOTE: Rejected To (46-Y 51-N)
02/11/22  House: Election by House, lines 184-185 (46-Y 51-N)
02/11/22  House: VOTE: Rejected To (46-Y 51-N)
02/11/22  Senate: Bill text as passed Senate and House (SJ12ER)

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SJ 13 Governor; confirming appointments.


Introduced by: R. Creigh Deeds (D - SD 25). Confirms appointments of certain persons made by Governor Ralph Northam and communicated to the General Assembly August 1, 2021.

01/11/22  Senate: Referred to Committee on Privileges and Elections
01/18/22  Senate: Reported from Privileges and Elections (12-Y 0-N 3-A)
01/20/22  Senate: Reading waived (40-Y 0-N)
01/21/22  Senate: Read second time and engrossed
01/24/22  Senate: Read third time and agreed to by Senate (40-Y 0-N)
02/11/22  House: Placed on Calendar
02/11/22  House: Referred to Committee on Rules
02/11/22  House: Reported without recommendation from Rules (18-Y 0-N)
02/11/22  House: Taken up
02/11/22  House: Agreed to by House, except lines 183-184, 467-470, 472-473 (92-Y 0-N)
02/11/22  House: VOTE: Agree To (92-Y 0-N)
02/11/22  House: Election by House, line 183-184 (92-Y 0-N 1-A)
02/11/22  House: VOTE: Agree To (92-Y 0-N 1-A)
02/11/22  House: Election by House, line 467-468 (46-Y 51-N)
02/11/22  House: VOTE: Rejected To (46-Y 51-N)
02/11/22  House: Election by House, line 469-470 (46-Y 51-N)
02/11/22  House: VOTE: Rejected To (46-Y 51-N)
02/11/22  House: Election by House, line 472-473 (46-Y 51-N)
02/11/22  House: VOTE: Rejected To (46-Y 51-N)
02/11/22  House: Reconsideration of House passage agreed to by House
02/11/22  House: Agreed to by House, except lines 102-103,183-184,467-470, and 472-473 (92-Y 0-N)
02/11/22  House: VOTE: Agree To (92-Y 0-N)
02/11/22  House: Election by House, lines 102-103 (94-Y 0-N 1-A)
02/11/22  House: VOTE: Agree To (94-Y 0-N 1-A)
02/11/22  Senate: Bill text as passed Senate and House (SJ13ER)

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SJ 35 Coastal Flooding, Joint Subcommittee studying; continued, appropriation.


VIMS is mentioned in this bill. Introduced by: Lynwood W. Lewis, Jr. (D - SD 6). Continues the Joint Subcommittee on Coastal Flooding for two additional years, through the 2023 interim.

01/12/22  Senate: Referred to Committee on Rules
01/28/22  Senate: Reported from Rules with substitute by voice vote
01/31/22  Senate: Reading waived (39-Y 0-N)
02/01/22  Senate: Read second time
02/01/22  Senate: Reading of substitute waived
02/01/22  Senate: Engrossed by Senate - committee substitute SJ35S1
02/02/22  Senate: Read third time and agreed to by Senate by voice vote
02/22/22  House: Placed on Calendar
02/22/22  House: Referred to Committee on Rules
02/25/22  House: Assigned Rules sub: Studies
02/28/22  House: Subcommittee recommends reporting with substitute (6-Y 0-N)
03/03/22  House: Reported from Rules with substitute (18-Y 0-N)
03/08/22  House: Taken up
03/08/22  House: Engrossed by House - committee substitute SJ35H1
03/08/22  House: Agreed to by House with substitute 22107168D-H1 BLOCK VOTE (98-Y 0-N)
03/09/22  Senate: House substitute rejected by Senate
03/10/22  House: House insisted on substitute
03/10/22  House: House requested conference committee
03/10/22  Senate: Senate acceded to request
03/10/22  Senate: Conferees appointed by Senate
03/10/22  Senate: Senators: Lewis, Ebbin, Stuart
03/10/22  House: Conferees appointed by House
03/10/22  House: Delegates: Hodges, Bloxom, Keam
03/12/22  Conference: Amended by conference committee
03/12/22  House: Conference report agreed to by House (96-Y 0-N)
03/12/22  House: VOTE: Adoption (96-Y 0-N)
03/12/22  Senate: Conference report agreed to by Senate (voice vote)
03/12/22  Senate: Bill text as passed Senate and House (SJ35ER)

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SJ 39 Governor; confirming appointments.


Introduced by: R. Creigh Deeds (D - SD 25). Confirms appointments of certain persons made by Governor Ralph Northam and communicated to the General Assembly December 1, 2021.

01/12/22  Senate: Referred to Committee on Privileges and Elections
01/18/22  Senate: Reported from Privileges and Elections (12-Y 0-N 3-A)
01/20/22  Senate: Reading waived (40-Y 0-N)
01/21/22  Senate: Read second time and engrossed
01/24/22  Senate: Read third time and agreed to by Senate (40-Y 0-N)
02/11/22  House: Placed on Calendar
02/11/22  House: Referred to Committee on Rules
02/11/22  House: Reported without recommendation from Rules (18-Y 0-N)
02/11/22  House: Taken up
02/11/22  House: Agreed to by House, except lines 333-336 (94 Y 0-N)
02/11/22  House: VOTE: Agree To (94-Y 0-N)
02/11/22  House: Election by House, lines 333-334 (45-Y 51-N)
02/11/22  House: VOTE: Rejected To (45-Y 51-N)
02/11/22  House: Election by House, lines 335-336 (46-Y 51-N)
02/11/22  House: VOTE: Rejected To (46-Y 51-N)
02/11/22  Senate: Bill text as passed Senate and House (SJ39ER)

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SJ 40 Governor; confirming appointments.


Introduced by: R. Creigh Deeds (D - SD 25). Confirms appointments of certain persons made by Governor Ralph Northam and communicated to the General Assembly October 1, 2021.

01/12/22  Senate: Referred to Committee on Privileges and Elections
01/18/22  Senate: Reported from Privileges and Elections (12-Y 0-N 3-A)
01/20/22  Senate: Reading waived (40-Y 0-N)
01/21/22  Senate: Read second time and engrossed
01/24/22  Senate: Read third time and agreed to by Senate (40-Y 0-N)
02/11/22  House: Placed on Calendar
02/11/22  House: Referred to Committee on Rules
02/11/22  House: Reported without recommendation from Rules (18-Y 0-N)
02/11/22  House: Taken up
02/11/22  House: Agreed to by House, except lines 528-529, 534-537 (93-Y 0-N)
02/11/22  House: VOTE: Agree To (93-Y 0-N)
02/11/22  House: Election by House, lines 528-529 (46-Y 51-N)
02/11/22  House: VOTE: Rejected To (46-Y 51-N)
02/11/22  House: Election by House, lines 534-535 (46-Y 51-N)
02/11/22  House: VOTE: Rejected To (46-Y 51-N)
02/11/22  House: Election by House, lines 536-537 (45-Y 51-N)
02/11/22  House: VOTE: Rejected To (45-Y 51-N)
02/11/22  Senate: Bill text as passed Senate and House (SJ40ER)

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SJ 47 Supporting the Jones Act.


Companion legislation to HJ 128. Introduced by: Lionell Spruill, Sr. (D - SD 5). Expresses the sense of the General Assembly in supporting the Jones Act.

01/13/22  Senate: Referred to Committee on Rules
01/21/22  Senate: Reported from Rules by voice vote
01/24/22  Senate: Reading waived (40-Y 0-N)
01/25/22  Senate: Passed by for the day
01/26/22  Senate: Read second time and engrossed
01/27/22  Senate: Read third time
01/27/22  Senate: Agreed to by Senate (28-Y 12-N)
02/22/22  House: Placed on Calendar
02/22/22  House: Referred to Committee on Rules
03/03/22  House: Reported from Rules (16-Y 2-N)
03/08/22  House: Taken up
03/08/22  House: Agreed to by House (65-Y 33-N)
03/08/22  Senate: Bill text as passed Senate and House (SJ47ER)

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SJ 57 Confirming Governor's appointments; January 1.


Introduced by: R. Creigh Deeds (D - SD 25). Confirms appointments of certain persons made by Governor Ralph Northam and communicated to the General Assembly January 1, 2022.

01/18/22  Senate: Referred to Committee on Privileges and Elections
01/25/22  Senate: Reported from Privileges and Elections (14-Y 0-N)
01/27/22  Senate: Read first time
01/28/22  Senate: Read second time and engrossed
01/31/22  Senate: Agreed to by Senate (39-Y 0-N)
02/11/22  House: Placed on Calendar
02/11/22  House: Referred to Committee on Rules
02/11/22  House: Reported without recommendation from Rules (18-Y 0-N)
02/11/22  House: Taken up
02/11/22  House: Agreed to by House, except lines 148-149 (92-Y 0-N)
02/11/22  House: VOTE: Agree To (92-Y 0-N)
02/11/22  House: Election by House, lines 148-149 (96-Y 0-N 1-A)
02/11/22  House: VOTE: Agree To (96-Y 0-N 1-A)
02/11/22  Senate: Bill text as passed Senate and House (SJ57ER)

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House and Senate District Maps

Bills require a primary sponsor in the form of a representative or senator representing a particular district. Oftentimes indivual legislators support similar pieces of legislation based on consituent interests. Understanding what district each bill sponsor represents can therefore help in understanding public interests across Virginia.

Click here to access Virginia's current House of Delegates interactive district map.

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