All Roll Calls
Yes: 319 • No: 0
Sponsored By: Alex Q. Askew (Democratic)
Became Law
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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3 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.
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.
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.
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.
Alex Q. Askew
Democratic • House
There are no cosponsors for this bill.
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
Acts of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP0131)
Approved by Governor-Chapter 131 (effective 7/1/2026)
Governor's Action Deadline 11:59 p.m., April 13, 2026
Enrolled Bill communicated to Governor on March 14, 2026
Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (HB390)
Bill text as passed House and Senate (HB390ER)
Enrolled
Signed by President
Signed by Speaker
Senate substitute agreed to by House (98-Y 0-N 0-A)
Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (HB390)
Passed Senate with substitute Block Vote (37-Y 0-N 0-A)
Committee substitute agreed to (Voice Vote)
Engrossed by Senate - committee substitute
Read third time
Committee substitute printed 26108483D-S1
Passed by for the day Block Vote (Voice Vote)
Constitutional reading dispensed Block Vote (on 2nd reading) (40-Y 0-N 0-A)
Rules suspended
Senate committee offered
Reported from Agriculture, Conservation and Natural Resources with substitute (14-Y 0-N)
Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (HB390)
Referred to Committee on Agriculture, Conservation and Natural Resources
Constitutional reading dispensed (on 1st reading)
Read third time and passed House Block Vote (98-Y 0-N 0-A)
Chaptered
4/6/2026
Enrolled
3/10/2026
Substitute
2/27/2026
Substitute
2/24/2026
Substitute
2/4/2026
Substitute
2/2/2026
Introduced
1/12/2026
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