SEARCH SITE

VIRGINIA LAW PORTAL

SEARCHABLE DATABASES

ACROSS SESSIONS

Developed and maintained by the Division of Legislative Automated Systems.

2024 SESSION

  • print version
Senate Committee on Agriculture, Conservation and Natural Resources

Chair: David W. Marsden

Clerk: Michael Jackson,Ashleigh Hynst
Staff: Nathan Smith
Date of Meeting: January 23, 2024
Time and Place: 30 mins. after adj. / Senate Room A (305) - GAB
Update: SB411, SB412 to be placed in Companion Animals Subcomm.

S.B. 11

Patron: Favola

Cruelty to animals; possession and ownership of animals. Provides that any person convicted of felony cruelty to animals may be prohibited by the court from possession or ownership of animals for life and any person convicted of misdemeanor cruelty to animals may be prohibited by the court from possession or ownership of animals for a period of up to five years. Under current law, such prohibition is limited to companion animals and a period equal to the statutory maximum period of incarceration.

A BILL to amend and reenact § 3.2-6570 of the Code of Virginia, relating to cruelty to animals; possession and ownership of animals.

24100480D

S.B. 17

Patron: Stanley

Motor sports facilities; historic landmark designation; enterprise zone. Designates all motor sports facilities, as defined in relevant law, in the Commonwealth as Virginia Historic Landmarks and as enterprise zones.

A BILL to amend the Code of Virginia by adding sections numbered 10.1-2206.3 and 59.1-542.1, relating to motor sports facilities; historic landmark designation; enterprise zone.

24100495D

S.B. 31

Patron: Stanley

Companion Animal Surgical Sterilization Program and Fund established. Establishes the Companion Animal Surgical Sterilization Program and Fund to reimburse participating veterinarians for the surgical sterilizations they perform on eligible cats or dogs. The bill provides that a surcharge of $50 per ton of pet food distributed in the Commonwealth be deposited in the Fund and such pet food be exempted from the existing litter tax. An animal will be eligible for sterilization under the Program if it is a feral or free-roaming cat or is owned by a low-income individual or a releasing agency such as an animal shelter.

A BILL to amend and reenact §§ 3.2-6500 and 58.1-1708 of the Code of Virginia and to amend the Code of Virginia by adding sections numbered 3.2-6504.2, 3.2-6504.3, 3.2-6504.4, and 58.1-1707.1, relating to Companion Animal Surgical Sterilization Program and Fund established.

24102050D

S.B. 93

Patron: Stanley

Local animal cruelty registries. Allows any locality to establish an animal cruelty registry for public access on the website of such locality or its local police department. The bill provides that such registry may include the names and relevant information of persons convicted of certain felony offenses for animal cruelty and that a person on such registry may request removal of his name after 15 years, provided that he has no additional felony convictions of an animal cruelty offense. The bill directs that all costs relating to a locality's animal cruelty registry shall be borne by such locality.

A BILL to amend the Code of Virginia by adding in Article 9 of Chapter 65 of Title 3.2 a section numbered 3.2-6573.1, relating to local animal cruelty registries.

24104230D

S.B. 266

Patron: DeSteph

Animal control officers; additional training. Increases the number of hours of required additional training in animal control and protection from 15 to 24 every three years for all animal control officers and deputy animal control officers employed by a locality.

A BILL to amend and reenact § 3.2-6556 of the Code of Virginia, relating to animal control officers; additional training.

24101302D

S.B. 267

Patron: DeSteph

Local wetlands boards; permit application approval. Changes the standard for approval of a wetlands permit application from three members of a five-member wetlands board or four members of a seven-member wetlands board to a simple majority of those board members present and voting. The bill also changes the standard for approval of a coastal primary sand dune permit application from three members of a five-member wetlands board or four members of a seven-member wetlands board to a simple majority of a quorum of such board. The bill requires certain localities to amend the related ordinances to conform to the provisions of the bill no later than January 1, 2025.

A BILL to amend and reenact §§ 28.2-1302 and 28.2-1403 of the Code of Virginia, relating to local wetlands boards; permit application approval.

24104507D

S.B. 268

Patron: DeSteph

Marine Resources Commission; permits; public notice. Requires the Commissioner of Marine Resources to ensure that for any project under consideration for a Commission issued permit the Commission sends public notice electronically to any business, residence, or civic organization that has requested to be added to the Commission's public notice email list.

A BILL to amend and reenact § 28.2-104 of the Code of Virginia, relating to Marine Resources Commission; permits; public notice.

24102054D

S.B. 289

Patron: Roem

Stormwater management regulations; enterprise data center operations. Directs the State Water Control Board to adopt regulations that require certain stormwater management techniques for land disturbances related to the construction, expansion, or operation of an enterprise data center operation, as defined in the bill, that is located within one mile of any land owned or operated as a unit of the National Park Service or designated as a Virginia State Park or state forest.

A BILL to amend and reenact § 62.1-44.15:28, as it is currently effective and as it shall become effective, of the Code of Virginia, relating to stormwater management regulations; enterprise data center operations.

24101542D

S.B. 411

Patron: Boysko

Animal testing facilities; public notification. Requires any animal testing facility, contract testing facility, or manufacturer that uses an animal test method to annually make publicly available certain information relating to animal testing by displaying a link to access such information on the home page or landing page of any such facility's or manufacturer's website. The bill also provides that when documents generated from internal reviews pertain to violations of federal animal welfare regulations and guidelines and are the subject of a request for information pursuant to the Virginia Freedom of Information Act, an animal testing facility shall not charge more than $25 to produce such documents.

A BILL to amend and reenact § 3.2-6593.2 of the Code of Virginia, relating to animal testing facilities; public notification.

24102885D

S.B. 412

Patron: Boysko

Off-premises animal vaccination and microchip services; releasing agencies. Authorizes releasing agencies, in conjunction with rabies clinics conducted pursuant to state law, to administer certain vaccinations for dogs and cats and insert microchips into animals, provided that all vaccinations and microchips are administered in accordance with a protocol approved by a licensed veterinarian. Any such releasing agencies must (i) provide the owner or custodian of the animal with an individual record of the vaccinations administered or the microchip type, microchip number, and location of the microchip placement; (ii) ensure that a licensed veterinary facility retains a copy of the individual record; and (iii) upon the request of an animal's owner or custodian, an animal control officer, a law-enforcement official, the State Veterinarian or his representative, or an official of the Department of Health, provide the name and contact information of the licensed veterinary facility where a copy of the individual record is retained.

A BILL to amend the Code of Virginia by adding a section numbered 3.2-6523.1, relating to off-premises animal vaccination and microchip services; releasing agencies.

24103053D

S.B. 446

Patron: Stuart

State Air Pollution Control Board, State Water Control Board, and Virginia Waste Management Board consolidated; Board of Environmental Resources established. Consolidates the State Air Pollution Control Board, State Water Control Board, and Virginia Waste Management Board and transfers the duties of such boards into a new Board of Environmental Resources. The bill establishes membership, term, meeting, and recording requirements for the Board and also establishes the position, powers, and duties of the Executive Director of the Board.

A BILL to amend and reenact §§ 2.2-3705.7, 2.2-4006, 2.2-4007.07, 2.2-4013, 2.2-4014, 2.2-4015, 2.2-4021, 3.2-3602, 3.2-3937, 3.2-5633, 8.01-225, 10.1-404, 10.1-605, 10.1-651, 10.1-659, 10.1-1182, 10.1-1184.1, 10.1-1184.2, 10.1-1185, 10.1-1186, 10.1-1186.2, 10.1-1186.2:1, 10.1-1186.3, 10.1-1186.4, 10.1-1187.1, 10.1-1187.6, 10.1-1197.3, 10.1-1197.9, 10.1-1230, 10.1-1232, 10.1-1234, 10.1-1236, 10.1-1300, 10.1-1400, 10.1-1402.2, 10.1-1408.5, 10.1-1450, 10.1-1454.1, 10.1-1504, 10.1-2117, 10.1-2123, 10.1-2129, 10.1-2131, 10.1-2500, 15.2-924, 15.2-2111, 21-122.1, 28.2-638, 28.2-1100, 28.2-1205, 28.2-1302, 28.2-1403, 29.1-203, 29.1-213, 29.1-214, 32.1-163, 32.1-164, 32.1-176.7, 32.1-233, 36-99.6, 44-146.30, 45.2-1701.1, 45.2-1711, 46.2-1176, 46.2-1179.1, 46.2-1304.1, 54.1-505, 54.1-2300, 54.1-2301, 55.1-2417, 56-585.1, 56-586.1, 58.1-2289, 58.1-3660, 58.1-3664, 62.1-44.3, as it is currently effective and as it shall become effective, 62.1-44.14, 62.1-44.15, as it is currently effective and as it shall become effective, 62.1-44.15:6, 62.1-44.15:7, 62.1-44.15:24, as it is currently effective, 62.1-44.36, 62.1-44.115, 62.1-44.116, 62.1-67, 62.1-69, 62.1-69.25, 62.1-69.36, 62.1-69.45, 62.1-73, 62.1-85, 62.1-104, 62.1-105, 62.1-106, 62.1-107, 62.1-111, 62.1-218, 62.1-224, 62.1-234, 62.1-241.1, 62.1-241.12, 62.1-242, 62.1-243, 62.1-255, and 62.1-273 of the Code of Virginia; to amend the Code of Virginia by adding a section numbered 10.1-1183.1; and to repeal §§ 10.1-1184, 10.1-1301 through 10.1-1305, 10.1-1401, and 62.1-44.7 of the Code of Virginia, relating to State Air Pollution Control Board, State Water Control Board, and Virginia Waste Management Board consolidated; Board of Environmental Resources established.

24104901D

S.B. 455

Patron: Marsden

Wildlife Corridor Grant Fund established; 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. A grant program is established for the Department of Conservation and Recreation, the Department of Forestry, the Department of Transportation, and the Department of Wildlife Resources to collaborate on disbursing moneys from the Fund, and such Departments are directed to submit a report to the General Assembly by November 1 of each odd-numbered year concerning funding of the Fund, the awarding of grants from the Fund, and the progress of projects funded by the Fund, including data on the use of project infrastructure by wildlife.

A BILL to amend the Code of Virginia by adding in Article 8 of Chapter 5 of Title 29.1 a section numbered 29.1-580, relating to Wildlife Corridor Grant Fund established; report.

24102046D

S.B. 457

Patron: Marsden

Driving Decarbonization Program and Fund created. Creates the Driving Decarbonization Program and Fund to assist private developers with non-utility costs associated with the installation of electric vehicle charging stations. The bill provides that a private developer is eligible to receive grants of 70 percent of such non-utility costs for electric vehicle charging stations installed in a historically economically disadvantaged community or a rural community, as those terms are defined in the bill, and 50 percent of such non-utility costs for electric vehicle charging stations installed in any other area of the Commonwealth. The bill caps the total amount of grants awarded in any fiscal year at $20 million.

A BILL to amend the Code of Virginia by adding in Chapter 17 of Title 45.2 an article numbered 10, consisting of sections numbered 45.2-1735, 45.2-1736, and 45.2-1737, relating to Driving Decarbonization Program and Fund created.

24102101D

S.B. 465

Patron: Marsden

Virginia Land Conservation Foundation. Allows land trusts that have been accredited by the Land Trust Accreditation Commission or a similar set of standards and practices adopted by the Virginia Land Conservation Board of Trustees (the Board) to hold an interest in land other than a fee simple interest as a result of a grant or transfer from the Virginia Land Conservation Foundation (the Foundation) without a co-holder. Current law requires that certain interests in land as a result of a grant or transfer from the Foundation be held jointly by a holder and a public body. The bill also allows, whenever a holder acquires fee simple interest in land as a result of a grant or transfer from the Foundation, the Board to accept a reversionary interest in such land as an alternative to a public body holding an open space easement in such land.

A BILL to amend and reenact § 10.1-1020 of the Code of Virginia, relating to Virginia Land Conservation Foundation.

24103964D

S.B. 557

Patron: Hackworth

Renewable energy portfolio standard; eligibility of hydrogen and nuclear resources. Provides that, for the purposes of the renewable energy portfolio standard, eligible sources include (i) hydrogen resources that are produced from zero-carbon generating facilities located in the Commonwealth and (ii) zero-carbon nuclear generating facilities located in the Commonwealth that were placed into service after July 1, 2024.

A BILL to amend and reenact §§ 56-576 and 56-585.5 of the Code of Virginia, relating to renewable energy portfolio standard; eligibility of hydrogen and nuclear resources.

24102277D

S.B. 562

Patron: Hackworth

Pilot program for captured coal mine methane; renewable energy portfolio standard. Directs the State Corporation Commission to establish a pilot program for American Electric Power (Phase I Utility) and Dominion Energy (Phase II Utility) to submit proposals to deploy electricity generation from captured coal mine methane. Under the bill, reasonable and prudent costs incurred under the captured coal mine methane project shall be recovered through utility base rates. Additionally, the bill provides that electricity generated using captured coal mine methane with a non-combustion electric generator under the captured coal mine methane project shall be considered an eligible resource for purposes of the renewable energy portfolio standard program.

A BILL to amend the Code of Virginia by adding a section numbered 56-585.1:14, relating to pilot program for captured coal mine methane; renewable energy portfolio standard.

24104626D

S.B. 581

Patron: Stuart

Department of Environmental Quality; data; groundwater and surface water withdrawal permits. Authorizes the Department of Environmental Quality to utilize and incorporate comprehensive groundwater, surface water, and aquifer data in its decision-making processes related to the issuance and renewal of groundwater withdrawal permits and surface water withdrawal permits. Such data may include information relating to water levels, flow rates, and water quality.

A BILL to amend and reenact §§ 62.1-248 and 62.1-263 of the Code of Virginia, relating to Department of Environmental Quality; data; groundwater and surface water withdrawal permits.

24101596D

S.B. 616

Patron: Pillion

Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services; Department of Forestry; Office of Farmland Preservation transferred. Transfers from the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services to the Department of Forestry the Office of Farmland Preservation and its powers and duties and reporting requirements, the Virginia Farm Link Program, the Century Farm Program, and the Virginia Farmland Preservation Fund. The bill renames the Office as the Office of Working Lands Preservation. The bill makes technical amendments to effectuate the transfer.

A BILL to amend and reenact §§ 2.2-1509.4, 3.2-102, as it is currently effective and as it shall become effective, 10.1-1105.1, 46.2-749.102, and 58.1-512 of the Code of Virginia; to amend the Code of Virginia by adding in Chapter 11 of Title 10.1 an article numbered 2.1, consisting of sections numbered 10.1-1119.2 through 10.1-1119.7; and to repeal Chapter 2 (§§ 3.2-200 through 3.2-205) of Title 3.2 of the Code of Virginia, relating to Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services; Department of Forestry; Office of Farmland Preservation transferred.

24104857D

S.B. 663

Patron: Hackworth

Board of Veterinary Medicine; powers and duties; veterinary satellite offices. Requires the Board of Veterinary Medicine to regulate, inspect, and register all satellite offices where veterinary medicine is practiced. The bill directs the Board to adopt emergency regulations within 280 days to implement the provisions of the bill.

A BILL to amend and reenact § 54.1-3804 of the Code of Virginia, relating to Board of Veterinary Medicine; powers and duties; veterinary satellite offices.

24104369D

S.B. 665

Patron: DeSteph

Southwest Regional Recreation Authority; soil erosion control and stormwater management plans; land-disturbing activities. Adds the Southwest Regional Recreation Authority to the list of entities that may submit standards and specifications for its conduct of land-disturbing activities to the Department of Environmental Quality for approval by the Department as an alternative to submitting soil erosion control and stormwater management plans.

A BILL to amend and reenact § 62.1-44.15:31, as it shall become effective, of the Code of Virginia, relating to Southwest Regional Recreation Authority; soil erosion control and stormwater management plans; land-disturbing activities.

24104767D