VirginiaHB9522026 Regular SessionHouse

Chesapeake Bay Watershed Nutrient Credit Exchange Program; certain industrial stormwater permittees.

Sponsored By: Alfonso H. Lopez (Democratic)

Became Law

Summary

Department of Environmental Quality; Chesapeake Bay Watershed Nutrient Credit Exchange Program; certain industrial stormwater permits; nutrient credits. Provides that for the purposes of the industrial stormwater general permit nutrient reduction compliance for calendar years 2025 and 2026, the term “nutrient credit” shall include nutrient credits generated by point sources in accordance with the Chesapeake Bay Watershed Nutrient Credit Exchange Program, subject to certain conditions. The bill requires the Department of Environmental Quality to (i) prioritize timely and appropriate enforcement actions in the case of any industrial stormwater permittee that fails to comply for calendar years 2025 and 2026 by achieving sufficient onsite nutrient reductions or acquiring sufficient point or nonpoint source nutrient credits and (ii) convene a work group to evaluate and recommend conditions and requirements to most effectively address industrial stormwater general permit nutrient reduction compliance in future calendar years and submit a report summarizing such evaluation and recommendations to the Chairs of the House Committee on Agriculture, Chesapeake and Natural Resources and the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Conservation and Natural Resources no later than November 1, 2026.

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

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

More credit options for industrial stormwater sites

For 2025 and 2026, industrial stormwater permit holders can use point‑source nitrogen or phosphorus credits to meet nutrient rules. Credits must be generated and used in the same calendar year. Buy 2025 credits by September 1, 2026. Buy 2026 credits by June 1, 2027. Credits must come from your same locality or tributary; sites in the Eastern Coastal Basin may also buy from the Potomac or Rappahannock. Credits must be from point sources covered by the state general permit. Report proof of purchase to the Department of Environmental Quality within 30 days after each deadline.

State study group on stormwater compliance

The Department of Environmental Quality convenes a work group to review industrial stormwater nutrient compliance for future years. The group evaluates conditions and requirements and makes recommendations. A report is due to the Chairs of the House Committee on Agriculture, Chesapeake and Natural Resources and the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Conservation and Natural Resources by November 1, 2026.

Stronger enforcement for noncompliant stormwater sites

For calendar years 2025 and 2026, the Department of Environmental Quality prioritizes enforcement against any industrial stormwater permit holder that is not in compliance. This applies if you do not make enough onsite nutrient cuts or do not buy enough point‑ or nonpoint‑source credits. The agency must act quickly and appropriately to address violations.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Alfonso H. Lopez

    Democratic • House

Cosponsors

There are no cosponsors for this bill.

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 355 • No: 6

Senate vote 4/22/2026

Senate concurred in Governor's recommendation

Yes: 33 • No: 6

House vote 4/22/2026

House concurred in Governor's recommendation Block Vote

Yes: 99 • No: 0

Senate vote 3/9/2026

Passed Senate Block Vote

Yes: 40 • No: 0

Senate vote 3/5/2026

Constitutional reading dispensed Block Vote (on 2nd reading)

Yes: 39 • No: 0

Senate vote 3/5/2026

Passed by for the day Block Vote (Voice Vote)

Yes: 0 • No: 0

Senate vote 3/3/2026

Reported from Agriculture, Conservation and Natural Resources

Yes: 15 • No: 0

House vote 2/17/2026

Read third time and passed House Block Vote

Yes: 97 • No: 0

House vote 2/11/2026

Reported from Agriculture, Chesapeake and Natural Resources with substitute

Yes: 22 • No: 0

House vote 2/9/2026

Subcommittee recommends reporting with substitute

Yes: 10 • No: 0

Actions Timeline

  1. Senate concurred in Governor's recommendation (33-Y 6-N 0-A)

    4/22/2026Senate
  2. House concurred in Governor's recommendation Block Vote (99-Y 0-N 0-A)

    4/22/2026House
  3. Acts of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP1080)

    4/22/2026Governor
  4. Reenrolled bill text (HB952ER2)

    4/22/2026House
  5. Reenrolled

    4/22/2026House
  6. Approved by Governor-Chapter 1080 (effective 7/1/2026)

    4/22/2026Governor
  7. Signed by President

    4/22/2026Senate
  8. Signed by Speaker

    4/22/2026House
  9. Governor's recommendation adopted

    4/22/2026Governor
  10. Governor's recommendation received by House

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

    3/25/2026Governor
  12. Enrolled Bill communicated to Governor on March 25, 2026

    3/25/2026House
  13. Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (HB952)

    3/16/2026House
  14. Bill text as passed House and Senate (HB952ER)

    3/14/2026House
  15. Enrolled

    3/14/2026House
  16. Signed by President

    3/14/2026Senate
  17. Signed by Speaker

    3/14/2026House
  18. Passed Senate Block Vote (40-Y 0-N 0-A)

    3/9/2026Senate
  19. Read third time

    3/9/2026Senate
  20. Passed by for the day Block Vote (Voice Vote)

    3/6/2026Senate
  21. Passed by for the day Block Vote (Voice Vote)

    3/5/2026Senate
  22. Constitutional reading dispensed Block Vote (on 2nd reading) (39-Y 0-N 0-A)

    3/5/2026Senate
  23. Rules suspended

    3/5/2026Senate
  24. Reported from Agriculture, Conservation and Natural Resources (15-Y 0-N)

    3/3/2026Senate
  25. Referred to Committee on Agriculture, Conservation and Natural Resources

    2/18/2026Senate

Bill Text

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