VirginiaHB3902026 Regular SessionHouse

Habitat Policy Oversight Committee; established, membership, powers and duties, report.

Sponsored By: Alex Q. Askew (Democratic)

Became Law

Summary

Marine Resources Commission; Habitat Policy Oversight Committee established; powers and duties. Establishes the Habitat Policy Oversight Committee within the Marine Resources Commission to advise the Commission and the Habitat Management Division of the Commission on policies within their jurisdiction and to support the Commission's coastal resilience efforts. The bill establishes the powers and duties of the Committee, establishes how the members of the Committee are appointed, and provides that the Committee shall have 11 voting members and two ex-officio members. This bill incorporates HB 619.

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

3 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.

Committee advises on habitat permits

The committee reviews Habitat Management Division policies and priorities and gives advice. It recommends mitigation strategies and alternatives when mitigation banking is not feasible, considering flood prevention, resilience, and habitat gains. It reviews major habitat rulemaking before the Commission votes and checks actions against state coastal and resilience plans. It advises on changes to tidal wetlands, subaqueous lands, and dune and beach permitting. It also suggests ways to streamline permits, align grants, improve interagency work, and advance Chesapeake Bay Agreement goals.

New coastal habitat advisory committee

The law creates the Habitat Policy Oversight Committee inside the Virginia Marine Resources Commission. The Commission keeps final authority but must consider and give due weight to the committee’s advice. The Habitat Management Division must report to the Commission on the committee’s work and how its advice shaped policy and programs. The Division must also consult the committee on policy updates that do not need a formal Commission vote. The committee supports the state’s coastal resilience efforts.

Habitat committee seats, terms, and pay

The Secretary of Natural and Historic Resources appoints 11 voting members, with the chair being an Associate Commissioner. Seats include experts and stakeholders from VIMS, Old Dominion’s coastal institute, a local wetlands board, private marine construction or consulting, conservation nonprofits, aquaculture or commercial fisheries, coastal local or regional government, DEQ’s Coastal Zone program, mitigation banking or restoration, and an industry subject to the Commission’s authority. The Division Chief and the Deputy Commissioner serve as nonvoting ex officio members. Initial terms are staggered (seats 1–5 serve two years; seats 6–11 serve four years). After that, all terms are four years. Members are not paid but are reimbursed for actual expenses. Vacancies are filled the same way as original appointments, and members may be reappointed.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Alex Q. Askew

    Democratic • House

Cosponsors

There are no cosponsors for this bill.

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 319 • No: 0

House vote 3/3/2026

Senate substitute agreed to by House

Yes: 98 • No: 0

Senate vote 2/27/2026

Committee substitute agreed to (Voice Vote)

Yes: 0 • No: 0

Senate vote 2/27/2026

Passed Senate with substitute Block Vote

Yes: 37 • No: 0

Senate vote 2/26/2026

Constitutional reading dispensed Block Vote (on 2nd reading)

Yes: 40 • No: 0

Senate vote 2/26/2026

Passed by for the day Block Vote (Voice Vote)

Yes: 0 • No: 0

Senate vote 2/24/2026

Reported from Agriculture, Conservation and Natural Resources with substitute

Yes: 14 • No: 0

House vote 2/10/2026

Read third time and passed House Block Vote

Yes: 98 • No: 0

House vote 2/4/2026

Reported from Agriculture, Chesapeake and Natural Resources with substitute

Yes: 22 • No: 0

House vote 2/2/2026

Subcommittee recommends reporting with substitute

Yes: 10 • No: 0

Actions Timeline

  1. Acts of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP0131)

    4/6/2026Governor
  2. Approved by Governor-Chapter 131 (effective 7/1/2026)

    4/6/2026Governor
  3. Governor's Action Deadline 11:59 p.m., April 13, 2026

    3/14/2026Governor
  4. Enrolled Bill communicated to Governor on March 14, 2026

    3/14/2026House
  5. Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (HB390)

    3/10/2026House
  6. Bill text as passed House and Senate (HB390ER)

    3/10/2026House
  7. Enrolled

    3/10/2026House
  8. Signed by President

    3/10/2026Senate
  9. Signed by Speaker

    3/10/2026House
  10. Senate substitute agreed to by House (98-Y 0-N 0-A)

    3/3/2026House
  11. Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (HB390)

    3/2/2026House
  12. Passed Senate with substitute Block Vote (37-Y 0-N 0-A)

    2/27/2026Senate
  13. Committee substitute agreed to (Voice Vote)

    2/27/2026Senate
  14. Engrossed by Senate - committee substitute

    2/27/2026Senate
  15. Read third time

    2/27/2026Senate
  16. Committee substitute printed 26108483D-S1

    2/27/2026Senate
  17. Passed by for the day Block Vote (Voice Vote)

    2/26/2026Senate
  18. Constitutional reading dispensed Block Vote (on 2nd reading) (40-Y 0-N 0-A)

    2/26/2026Senate
  19. Rules suspended

    2/26/2026Senate
  20. Senate committee offered

    2/24/2026Senate
  21. Reported from Agriculture, Conservation and Natural Resources with substitute (14-Y 0-N)

    2/24/2026Senate
  22. Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (HB390)

    2/12/2026House
  23. Referred to Committee on Agriculture, Conservation and Natural Resources

    2/11/2026Senate
  24. Constitutional reading dispensed (on 1st reading)

    2/11/2026Senate
  25. Read third time and passed House Block Vote (98-Y 0-N 0-A)

    2/10/2026House

Bill Text

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