Environment

passed both · Virginia · Senate Mar 25, 2026

SJ 268: Commending the River Basin Grand Winners of the Clean Water Farm Award.

This bill is a ceremonial resolution that formally recognizes and commends the winners of the Clean Water Farm Award at the River Basin level. It does not create new laws, impose regulations, or affect any individuals or organizations beyond honoring those who have already received the award. The measure was passed by both the Senate and House through voice votes and serves as an official acknowledgment of their achievements in water conservation efforts.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill recognizes achievements in water conservation efforts, indirectly supporting environmental protection through formal acknowledgment of conservation successes.75% confidence

Sub-Topics Conservation Water Quality

Track

in committee · Virginia · Senate Feb 3, 2026

SB 829: Real property tax bills; disclosure, resource protection area.

SB 829 is a legislative bill that addresses real property tax bill disclosure requirements and resource protection areas. The bill directly affects property owners and local governments by mandating specific information be included in property tax statements. Key provisions require clearer disclosure of tax assessments and establish guidelines for protecting designated resource areas. The legislation aims to improve transparency in property tax billing while maintaining protections for environmentally significant lands. This bill is currently under review by the Finance and Appropriations Committee.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill establishes guidelines for protecting designated resource areas and improves transparency in property tax billing related to environmental protections.75% confidence

Track

passed · Virginia · House of Delegates Apr 13, 2026

HJ 247: Commending the Thomas Jefferson Soil and Water Conservation District.

This bill is a commendation resolution that formally recognizes the Thomas Jefferson Soil and Water Conservation District for its work. It does not change any laws or create new programs, but rather serves as an official expression of appreciation from the legislature. The measure was passed by both the House and Senate through voice votes, indicating broad agreement on the recognition. The district, which operates in Jefferson County, manages soil and water resources for local agricultural and environmental needs.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill commends a district dedicated to soil and water conservation, directly supporting environmental protection efforts.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Conservation

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passed · Virginia · House of Delegates Apr 13, 2026

HJ 301: Commending the Charlottesville Invasive Plant Partnership.

This bill formally recognizes and commends the Charlottesville Invasive Plant Partnership for its efforts in managing invasive plant species. It does not create new laws or funding but serves as an official acknowledgment of the group's work. The legislation affects only the partnership and the legislative body by recording their commendation in the official journal. No policy changes or operational requirements are included in this measure.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill commends invasive plant management efforts, which protect natural resources and ecosystems by controlling harmful species.75% confidence

Track

passed · Virginia · Senate Mar 26, 2026

SR 114: Commending Mission Blue.

This Senate Resolution commends Mission Blue, an initiative focused on protecting marine environments, without imposing any new laws or regulations. The measure serves as a formal recognition of the organization's conservation efforts and does not affect any specific individuals or entities beyond expressing appreciation. As a ceremonial resolution, it requires no funding, enforcement mechanisms, or administrative changes to implement. The bill was passed by voice vote in the Senate and represents a symbolic gesture rather than a substantive policy shift.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill commends Mission Blue's marine conservation efforts, indirectly supporting environmental protection through formal recognition of conservation work75% confidence

Sub-Topics Conservation

Track

passed · Virginia · House of Delegates Apr 20, 2026

HR 228: Commending the Virginia Soil Health Coalition.

This bill formally recognizes the Virginia Soil Health Coalition for its contributions to soil conservation efforts. It does not create new laws, allocate funding, or change any regulations. The measure serves as a ceremonial acknowledgment rather than a substantive policy change. No individuals or organizations are directly affected by new obligations or rights under this legislation.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill recognizes Virginia Soil Health Coalition for soil conservation efforts, indirectly supporting environmental protection through formal acknowledgment of conservation work.75% confidence

Sub-Topics Conservation

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vetoed · Virginia · Senate Apr 13, 2026

SB 767: Motor vehicles; glass repair and replacement, emissions inspections, penalties, repeals.

Motor vehicle glass repair and replacement; emissions inspection; penalties. Establishes various notice requirements for motor vehicle glass repair shops, defined in the bill, and provides that a violation of such requirements is a prohibited practice under the Virginia Consumer Protection Act. The bill permits a motor vehicle to qualify for an emissions inspection waiver if such vehicle has failed an inspection and the vehicle's onboard diagnostic system is in a not-ready condition to be tested when presented for reinspection. This bill is identical to HB 312.

Topics ✗ EnvironmentOpposes EnvironmentAllows emissions inspection waiver for vehicles with OBD not-ready condition, reducing enforcement of pollution control requirements.80% confidence

Track

signed · Virginia · House of Delegates Apr 6, 2026

HB 109: Noxious weeds; amends definition, commercial viability, phase-out period, report.

Board of Agriculture and Consumer Services; noxious weeds; commercial viability; report. Amends the definition of noxious weed to remove the exclusion for living plants or parts thereof that are commercially viable or commercially propagated in Virginia and removes the requirement that the Noxious Weeds Advisory Committee include in its recommendations to the Board of Agriculture and Consumer Services an analysis of the current and potential in-state commercial viability of a plant species. The bill requires a plant that is designated by the Board as a noxious weed and commercially propagated in Virginia to be subject to a phase-out period of two years for grasses, forbs, and vines; four years for shrubs; and seven years for trees. The bill directs the Commissioner of Agriculture and Consumer Services to conduct a review of the legislative and regulatory authority of the Board pertaining to the control of noxious weeds and report his findings and recommendations to the Chairs of the House Committee on Agriculture, Chesapeake and Natural Resources and the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Conservation and Natural Resources by November 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentRemoves exclusion for commercially viable plants from noxious weed definition, strengthening invasive species control to protect ecosystems and natural resources.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Conservation

signed · Virginia · House of Delegates Apr 6, 2026

HB 388: Powers of service districts; control of invasive plant species.

HB 388 allows service districts within local communities (like water or parks authorities) to manage invasive plant growth on their properties. The bill specifically grants these districts the authority to control invasive plants, without specifying methods or requiring new funding. It directly affects service districts operating in cities or towns, expanding their existing powers to address plant invasions. The bill passed the House unanimously (90-8) and is now pending review by the Local Government Committee.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill enables service districts to control invasive plants, a conservation practice protecting native ecosystems from ecological harm, aligning with environmental protection indicators.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Conservation

signed · Virginia · House of Delegates Apr 13, 2026

HB 1062: Electric utilities; pilot program for electric energy conservation, solar energy generation.

Electric utilities; pilot program for electric energy conservation, generation, and storage. Requires American Electric Power and Dominion Energy Virginia to each petition the State Corporation Commission by December 31, 2026, to conduct a pilot program for electric energy conservation, solar energy generation, and energy storage resources for low-income, elderly, and disabled individuals. The bill directs the Commission to convene a technical conference to evaluate the creation of an energy efficiency program meeting certain requirements by November 1, 2026. Under the bill, if the Commission determines that such a program is feasible for implementation by American Electric Power and Dominion Energy Virginia, the Commission shall require such utilities to petition for approval by May 1, 2027, to implement such programs. The bill has an expiration date of July 1, 2034. This bill is identical to SB 327.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyMandates utilities to implement energy upgrade programs with cost recovery via utility bills, advancing energy efficiency infrastructure and consumer energy upgrades.92% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill mandates pilot program for solar energy, conservation, and storage targeting vulnerable groups, directly promoting clean energy adoption and resource efficiency.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Energy Efficiency Energy Storage Solar Conservation