# Virginia HB357: Tidal and nontidal wetlands; DEQ to establish work group to develop strategies to protect, report.

Virginia HB357, Tidal and nontidal wetlands; DEQ to establish work group to develop strategies to protect, report., is a 2025 Regular Session House bill sponsored by Shelly A. Simonds (Democratic); status failed, last action 2024-11-18 (Left in Rules) (as of 2026-10-16).

- Canonical: https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/VA-HB357-2025
- As of: 2026-10-16
- Plain-text twin of the page above; the HTML and this file carry the same facts.

## Facts
- Bill: Virginia HB357
- State: Virginia
- Session: 2025 Regular Session
- Title: Tidal and nontidal wetlands; DEQ to establish work group to develop strategies to protect, report.
- Status: failed
- Chamber: House
- Introduced: 2024-01-06
- Last action: 2024-11-18, Left in Rules
- Sponsor: Shelly A. Simonds (Democratic)
- Cosponsors: 0
- Subjects: Rules
- Touches household money: no
- Roll calls: 2 (0 yes, 0 no in all)
- Economic provisions PRIA read: 0

## Summary

Department of Environmental Quality; protection of existing tidal and nontidal wetlands; wetland restoration and creation; work group; report. Directs the Department of Environmental Quality to establish a work group to develop (i) strategies for protecting the existing tidal and nontidal wetlands of the Commonwealth and (ii) plans for wetland restoration and creation to address losses and adverse impacts from human activities and climate change. The bill specifies that such work group shall include certain relevant stakeholders and will focus on (a) evaluating existing approaches to wetland conservation strategies in the Commonwealth and other states, (b) identifying wetlands adaption areas where tidal wetlands can persist in the landscape, and (c) exploring the circumstances in which climate can impact the wetlands' health and survival. The bill requires the work group to report its findings and recommendations to the Chairs of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Conservation and Natural Resources and House Committee on Agriculture, Chesapeake and Natural Resources by December 1, 2024.

## Bill overview

No economic impacts identified for this bill.

## Sponsors and cosponsors

- Sponsor: Shelly A. Simonds (Democratic), House

## Roll call votes

| Date | Chamber | Motion | Result | Yes | No | Other |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 2024-02-01 | House | Continued to 2025 in Rules (Voice Vote) | pass | 0 | 0 |   |
| 2024-01-29 | House | Subcommittee recommends continuing to 2025 (Voice Vote) | pass | 0 | 0 |   |

## Actions (7)

- 2024-11-18: Left in Rules (House)
- 2024-02-01: Continued to 2025 in Rules (Voice Vote) (House)
- 2024-01-29: Subcommittee recommends continuing to 2025 (Voice Vote) (House)
- 2024-01-25: Assigned Rules sub: Studies Subcommittee (House)
- 2024-01-16: Impact statement from DPB (HB357) (House)
- 2024-01-06: Referred to Committee on Rules (House)
- 2024-01-06: Prefiled and ordered printed; offered 01/10/24 24102766D (House)

## Bill text

- Introduced, 2024-01-12: [HTML](https://lis.virginia.gov/bill-details/20251/HB357)

## Related bills

- HR671: Commending JR's Auto Care. (adopted)
- SB941: Robbery; use of air or gas operated weapon, etc., penalty. (failed)
- HB1746: Public safety officer; definition. (failed)
- HB1600: Budget Bill. (failed)
- SB1449: Data centers; site assessment for high energy use facility. (failed)
- HB1609: Essential health benefits benchmark plan; Commission to consider coverage for infertility treatment. (to governor)

## Sources
- [Introduced (HTML)](https://lis.virginia.gov/bill-details/20251/HB357)

## Related
- [HR671: Commending JR's Auto Care.](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/VA-HR671-2025)
- [SB941: Robbery; use of air or gas operated weapon, etc., penalty.](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/VA-SB941-2025)
- [HB1746: Public safety officer; definition.](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/VA-HB1746-2025)
- [HB1600: Budget Bill.](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/VA-HB1600-2025)
- [SB1449: Data centers; site assessment for high energy use facility.](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/VA-SB1449-2025)
- [HB1609: Essential health benefits benchmark plan; Commission to consider coverage for i…](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/VA-HB1609-2025)
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Source: PRIA, https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/VA-HB357-2025 (as of 2026-10-16).