VirginiaHB5972026 Regular SessionHouseWALLET

Wildlife Corridor Grant Fund; created, voluntary contributions, report.

Sponsored By: Shelly A. Simonds (Democratic)

Became Law

Summary

Wildlife Corridor Grant Fund established; voluntary contributions; report. Establishes the Wildlife Corridor Grant Fund to provide grants for projects that conserve or enhance wildlife corridors prioritized by the Wildlife Corridor Action Plan and associated wildlife crossing infrastructure projects. The Director of the Department of Wildlife Resources shall administer the Fund in collaboration with the Department of Conservation and Recreation, the Department of Forestry, and the Department of Transportation. The Director of the Department of Wildlife Resources shall submit a report to the General Assembly by November 1 of each odd-numbered year concerning the amount of public and private funding received by the Fund, the awarding of grants from the Fund, and the progress of funded projects, including data on the use of project infrastructure by wildlife. The bill also provides mechanisms for individuals to make voluntary contributions to the Fund through a Department of Motor Vehicles electronic transaction and an individual income tax return.

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

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

Donate on tax return or DMV

You can donate to the Wildlife Corridor Grant Fund on your Virginia income tax return. When you do DMV business online, DMV must offer a voluntary donation option and say it is voluntary. The state totals and sends these gifts to the Fund for wildlife corridor grants. You only give money if you choose to.

New fund for wildlife corridor projects

The law creates the Wildlife Corridor Grant Fund. Money stays in the Fund each year and earns interest. The Department of Wildlife Resources runs it and requests payments for grants. Grants can go to state agencies, planning groups, local governments, regional transportation authorities, tribes, nonprofits, and schools. Reviewers score projects on Action Plan priorities, cutting wildlife‑vehicle crashes, extending road life, linking protected lands, helping at‑risk species, and bringing in federal money. Grants can pay for crossings, fencing, planning, data and monitoring, design, federal match, maintenance, and needed staff.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Shelly A. Simonds

    Democratic • House

Cosponsors

There are no cosponsors for this bill.

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 160 • No: 61

Senate vote 3/10/2026

Passed Senate

Yes: 25 • No: 15

Senate vote 3/9/2026

Constitutional reading dispensed Block Vote (on 2nd reading)

Yes: 40 • No: 0

Senate vote 3/9/2026

Passed by for the day Block Vote (Voice Vote)

Yes: 0 • No: 0

Senate vote 3/6/2026

Reported from Finance and Appropriations

Yes: 10 • No: 5

House vote 2/17/2026

Read third time and passed House

Yes: 65 • No: 32

House vote 2/11/2026

Reported from Appropriations

Yes: 15 • No: 7

House vote 2/11/2026

Subcommittee recommends reporting

Yes: 5 • No: 2 • Other: 1

Actions Timeline

  1. Acts of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP0636)

    4/13/2026Governor
  2. Approved by Governor-Chapter 636 (effective 7/1/2026)

    4/13/2026Governor
  3. Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (HB597)

    4/1/2026House
  4. Governor's Action Deadline 11:59 p.m., April 13, 2026

    3/31/2026Governor
  5. Enrolled Bill communicated to Governor on March 31, 2026

    3/31/2026House
  6. Signed by Speaker

    3/31/2026House
  7. Bill text as passed House and Senate (HB597ER)

    3/30/2026House
  8. Enrolled

    3/30/2026House
  9. Signed by President

    3/30/2026Senate
  10. Passed Senate (25-Y 15-N 0-A)

    3/10/2026Senate
  11. Read third time

    3/10/2026Senate
  12. Passed by for the day Block Vote (Voice Vote)

    3/9/2026Senate
  13. Constitutional reading dispensed Block Vote (on 2nd reading) (40-Y 0-N 0-A)

    3/9/2026Senate
  14. Rules suspended

    3/9/2026Senate
  15. Reported from Finance and Appropriations (10-Y 5-N)

    3/6/2026Senate
  16. Referred to Committee on Finance and Appropriations

    2/18/2026Senate
  17. Constitutional reading dispensed (on 1st reading)

    2/18/2026Senate
  18. Read third time and passed House (65-Y 32-N 0-A)

    2/17/2026House
  19. Read second time and engrossed

    2/16/2026House
  20. Read first time

    2/13/2026House
  21. Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (HB597)

    2/12/2026House
  22. Subcommittee recommends reporting (5-Y 2-N)

    2/11/2026House
  23. Reported from Appropriations (15-Y 7-N)

    2/11/2026House
  24. Assigned HAPP sub: Commerce Agriculture & Natural Resources

    1/20/2026House
  25. Referred to Committee on Appropriations

    1/13/2026House

Bill Text

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