VirginiaHB5432026 Regular SessionHouseWALLET

Forest Sustainability Fund; Office of Working Lands Preservation to manage.

Sponsored By: Karen R. "Kacey" Carnegie (Democratic)

Became Law

Summary

Office of Working Lands Preservation; powers and duties; Forest Sustainability Fund. Adds management of the Forest Sustainability Fund to the powers and duties of the Office of Working Lands Preservation within the Department of Forestry. This bill is identical to SB 522.

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

5 provisions identified: 4 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.

More help and links for farmers

The Office now gives farmers technical and professional help to save working lands. It also runs the Virginia Farm Link Program. The program connects people who want to farm with land and opportunities.

Forest-use localities get annual funding

Localities that tax forest land at use value can apply each year by November 15. They must submit their ordinance and last year’s forgone revenue. Funds are split by each locality’s forgone revenue. No locality gets over 4% or under 0.5% of the fund, and never more than it forgave. Money can only pay for public education, outdoor recreation projects, or forest conservation.

New state funds for land preservation

The law creates two special state funds for farmland and forestland. Interest stays in each fund and does not revert. Money is used only for preservation purposes. The State Forester must request payments, and the Office runs the Forest Sustainability Fund under the Forester.

State help for local land preservation

The Office writes model rules and certification steps for local easement programs. It helps local governments with use-value taxes, transfer of development rights, and related tools. It also runs public education on why preserving farms and forests matters. The Office identifies ways to fund local easement purchases.

Grants for easements with local match

The Office gives grants to local purchase-of-development-rights programs. For every $1 the state grants, the local program must match $1. Policies include incentives for counties and cities that use use-value taxation.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Karen R. "Kacey" Carnegie

    Democratic • House

Cosponsors

There are no cosponsors for this bill.

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 221 • No: 0

Senate vote 2/27/2026

Passed Senate 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

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

Yes: 22 • No: 0

House vote 1/28/2026

Subcommittee recommends reporting

Yes: 10 • No: 0

Actions Timeline

  1. Acts of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP0801)

    4/13/2026Governor
  2. Approved by Governor-Chapter 801 (effective 7/1/2026)

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

    3/10/2026Governor
  4. Enrolled Bill communicated to Governor on March 10, 2026

    3/10/2026House
  5. Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (HB543)

    3/5/2026House
  6. Bill text as passed House and Senate (HB543ER)

    3/4/2026House
  7. Enrolled

    3/4/2026House
  8. Signed by President

    3/4/2026Senate
  9. Signed by Speaker

    3/4/2026House
  10. Passed Senate Block Vote (37-Y 0-N 0-A)

    2/27/2026Senate
  11. Read third time

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

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

    2/26/2026Senate
  14. Rules suspended

    2/26/2026Senate
  15. Reported from Agriculture, Conservation and Natural Resources (14-Y 0-N)

    2/24/2026Senate
  16. Referred to Committee on Agriculture, Conservation and Natural Resources

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

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

    2/10/2026House
  19. Read second time and engrossed

    2/9/2026House
  20. Read first time

    2/6/2026House
  21. Reported from Agriculture, Chesapeake and Natural Resources (22-Y 0-N)

    2/4/2026House
  22. Subcommittee recommends reporting (10-Y 0-N)

    1/28/2026House
  23. Assigned HACNR sub: Agriculture

    1/27/2026House
  24. Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (HB543)

    1/23/2026House
  25. Referred to Committee on Agriculture, Chesapeake and Natural Resources

    1/13/2026House

Bill Text

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