2016 General Assembly Session

The 2016 General Assembly session has ended. All bills can be found online at the Legislative Information System, which includes a searchable database. Those bills which may be of interest to those at VIMS are briefly listed below and linked to the Legislative Information System. Please [[eahein, let us know]] if there are any that we may have missed.

HB 17: Industrial waste and sewage sludge; disclosure of storage or land application on property
11/16/15 House: Refereed to Committee on Agriculture, Chesapeake and Natural Resources
1/13/16 House: Assigned to sub: Subcommittee Chesapeake
1/28/16 House: Subcommittee recommends laying on the table by voice vote
2/16/16 House: :eft in Agriculture, Chesapeake and Natural Resources

HB 150: Menhaden fishery; VMRC to adopt regulations to implement Insterstate Fishery Management Plan
12/22/15 House: Refereed to Committee on Agriculture, Chesapeake and Natural Resources
1/13/16 House: Assigned to sub: Subcommittee Chesapeake
1/28/16 House: Subcommittee recommends laying on the table by voice vote
2/16/16 House: Left in Agriculture, Chesapeake and Natural Resources

HB 151: Purse nets; prohibits fishing for menhaden in certain waters
12/22/15 House: Refereed to Committee on Agriculture, Chesapeake and Natural Resources
1/13/16 House: Assigned to sub: Subcommittee Chesapeake
1/28/16 House: Subcommittee recommends laying on the table by voice vote
2/16/16 House: Left in Agriculture, Chesapeake and Natural Resources

HB 204: Marine Resources Commission; increases membership
12/28/15 House: Refereed to Committee on Agriculture, Chesapeake and Natural Resources
1/13/16 House: Assigned to sub: Subcommittee Chesapeake
1/21/16 House: Subcommittee recommends laying on the table by voice vote
2/16/16 House: Left in Agriculture, Chesapeake and Natural Resources

HB 208: Tributary plans; repeals provisions that prescribe content of plans as part of tributary strategies
12/28/15 House: Referred to Committee on Agriculture, Chesepeake and Natural Resources
1/20/16 House: Reported from Committee (22-Y 0-N)
1/26/16 House: passed block vote (98-Y 0-N)
1/27/16 Senate: Refered to Committee on Agriculture, Conservation and Natural Resources
2/18/16 Senate: Reported from Agriculture, Conservation and Natural Resources (15-Y 0-N)

HB 285: Oyster grounds; dredging projects in waters of Lynnhaven River
1/2/16 House: Referred to Committee on Agriculture, Chesapeake and Natural Resources
1/13/16 House: Assigned to sub: Subcommittee Chesapeake
2/4/16 House: Subcommittee recommends laying on the table by voice vote
2/16/16 House: Left in Agriculture, Chesapeake and Natural Resources

HB 318: Nutrient management plans; phosphorous standards, regulations
1/5/16 House: Referred to Committee on Agriculture, Chesapeake and Natural Resources
1/27/16 House: Stricken from docket by Agriculture, Chesapeake and Natural Resources by voice vote

HB 327: Beach restoration; expedited permit
1/5/15 House: Refereed to Committee on Agriculture, Chesapeake and Natural Resources
1/13/16 House: Assigned to sub: Subcommittee Chesapeake
1/21/16 House: Subcommitte recommends reporting (6-Y 0-N)
1/27/16 House: Reported from Agriculture, Chesapeake and Natural Resources (22-Y 0-N)
2/1/16 House: vote passed (97-Y 0-N)
2/2/16 Senate: Referred to Committee on Agriculture, Conservation and Natural Resources
2/18/16 Senate: Reported from Agriculture, Conservation and Natural Resources (15-Y 0-N)

HB 351: Virginia Alternative Energy and Coastal Protection Act; created
1/5/16 House: Referred to Committee on Commerce and Labor
1/21/16 House: Assigned to sub: Special Subcommittee on Energy
2/9/16 House: Subcommittee recommends laying on the table by voice vote
2/16/16 House: Left in Commerce and Labor

HB 438: Sediment reduction credits; use by Municipal Separate Storm Sewer Systems (MS4) permittees
1/7/16 House: Referred to Committee on Agriculture, Chesapeake and Natural Resources
1/13/16 House: Assigned to sub: Subcommittee Chesapeake
1/21/16 House: Subcommittee recommends reporting with amendments (6-Y 0-N)
1/27/16 House: Reported from Agriculture, Chesapeake and Natural Resources with substitute (20-Y 0-N)
2/1/16 House: passed block vote (98-Y 0-N)
2/2/16 Senate: Referred to Committee on Agriculture, Conservation and Natural Resources
2/18/16 Senate: Reported from Agriculture, Conservation and Natural Resources (15-Y 0-N)

HB 440: Impaired waters clean-up plan; progress report, annual submission
1/7/16 House: Referred to Committee on Agriculture, Chesapeake and Natural Resources
1/20/16 House: Reported from Agriculture, Chesapeake and Natural Resources (22-Y 0-N)
1/26/16 House: passed block vote (98-Y 0-N)
1/27/16 Senate: Referred to Committee on Agriculture, Conservation and Natural Resources
2/18/16 Senate: Reported from Agriculture, Conservation and Natural Resources (15-y 0-N)

HB 447: Industrial wastes and biosolids; regulation of land application
1/7/16 House: Refereed to Committee on Agriculture, Chesapeake and Natural Resources
1/13/16 House: Assigned to sub: Subcommittee Chesapeake
1/28/16 House: Subcommittee recommends laying in the table by voice vote
2/16/16 House: Left in Agriculture, Chesapeake and Natural Resources

HB 526: Living shorelines; tax exemption from local property taxes
1/9/16 House: Referred to Committee on Finance
2/2/16 House: Assigned to sub: Subcommittee #2
2/3/16 House: Subcommittee recommends reporting (6-Y 0-N)
2/8/16 House: Reported from Finance (22-Y 0-N)
2/11/16 House: Block vote passed (97-Y 0-N)
2/12/16 Senate: Referred to Committee on Finance

HB 640: Oyster leases; moratorium
1/11/16 House: Referred to Committee on Agriculture, Chesapeake and Natural Resources
1/14/16 House: Assigned to sub: Subcommittee Chesapeake
1/28/16 House: Subcommittee recommends striking from docket by voice vote
2/16/16 House: Left in Agriculture, Chesapeake and Natural Resources

HB 739: Virginia Flooding Adaptation Office; estabilished
1/12/16 House: Referred to Committee on General Laws
1/18/16 House: Assigned to sub: Subcommittee #4
2/4/16 House: Subcommittee recommends reporting (7-Y 0-N)
24/16 House: Subcommittee recommends reporting to Committee on Appropriations
2/9/16 House: Reported from General Laws (22-Y 0-N)
2/9/16 House: Referred to Committee on Appropriations
2/10/16 House: Assigned App. sub: Public Safety
2/11/16 House: Subcommittee recommends laying on the table by voice vote
2/18/16 House: Left in Appropriations

HB 787: Construction activities; acquisition of nutrient credits
1/12/16 House: Referred to Committee on Agriculture, Chesapeake and Natural Resources
1/25/16 House: Assigned to sub: Chesapeake
2/4/16 House: Subcommittee recommends reporting with amendments (7-Y 0-N)
2/16/16 House: Left in Agriculture, Chesapeake and Natural Resources

HB 813: Offshore waters and submerged lands; Commonwealth jurisdiction of three geographical miles
1/12/16 House: Referred to Committee on Agriculture, Chesapeake and Natural Resources
1/27/16 House: Reported from Agriculture, Chesapeake and Natural Resources (22-Y 0-N)
2/1/16 House: passed block vote (98-Y 0-N)
2/2/16 Senate: Referred to Committee on Agriculture, Conservation and Natural Resources

HB 903: Recurrent Flooding Resiliency, Commonwealth Center for; at various educational institutions
1/12/16 House: Referred to Committee on Agriculture, Chesapeake and Natural Resources
1/25/16 House: Assigned to sub: Chesapeake
2/4/16 House: Subcommittee recommends reporting with amendments (7-Y 0-N)
2/10/16 House: Reported from Agriculture, Chesapeake and Natural Resources with substitute (22-Y 0-N)
2/15/16 House: passed block vote (98-Y 0-N)
2/16/16 Senate: Referred to Committee on Agriculture, Conservation and Natural Resources

HB 976: Environmental boards; special penalties for violations
1/12/16 House: Referred to Committee on Agriculture, Chesapeake and Natural Resources
1/25/16 House: Assigned to sub: Chesapeake
2/4/16 House: Subcommittee reommends laying on the table by voice vote
2/16/16 House: Left in Agriculture, Chesapeake and Natural Resources

HB 977: State waters; unlawful discharge of deleterious substance into waters
1/12/16 House: Referred to Committee on Agriculture, Chesapeake and Natural Resources
1/25/16 House: Assigned to sub: Chesapeake
2/4/16 House: Subcommittee recommends reporting with amendments (4-Y 1-N)
2/10/16 House: Reported from Agriculture, Cheapeake and Natural Resources with amendment (14-Y 8-N)
2/15/16 House: Engrossment refused by House (37-Y 56-N)

HB 1048: Chief Resiliency Officer; Secretary of Public Safety and Homeland Security to designate
1/13/16 House: Referred to Committee on Agriculture, Chesapeake and Natural Resources
1/25/16 House: Assigned to sub: Chesapeake
2/4/16 House: Subcommittee recommends laying on the table by voice vote
2/16/16 House: Left in Agriculture, Chesapeake and Natural Resources

HB 1065: Conservation of ground water
1/13/16 House: Referred to Committee on Agriculture, Chesapeake and Natural Resources
1/25/16 House: Assigned to sub: Chesapeake
2/4/16 House: Subcommittee recommends continuing to 2017 by voice vote
2/10/16 House: Continued to 2017 in Agriculture, Chesapeake and Natural Resources by voice vote

HB 1085: Stormwater Local Assistance Fund; established
1/13/16 House: Referred to Committee on Agriculture, Chesapeake and Natural Resources
1/25/16 House: Assigned to sub: Chesapeake
2/4/16 House: Subcommittee recommends laying on the table by voice vote
2/16/16 House: Left in Agriculture, Chesapeake and Natural Resources

HB 1162: Conservation of ground water
1/14/16 House: Referred to Committee on Agriculture, Chesapeake and Natural Resources
1/25/16 House: Assigned to sub: Chesapeake
1/28/16 House: Subcommittee recommends striking from docket by voice vote
2/16/16 House: Left in Agriculture, Chesapeake and Natural Resources

HB 1212: Chesapeake Bay Watershed Implementation Plan; excludes Chesapeake Bay coastal watershed from Basins
1/18/16 House: Referred to Committee on Agriculture, Chesapeake and Natural Resources
1/27/16 House: Stricken from docket by Agriculture, Chesapeake and Natural Resources by voice vote

HB 1235: Impaired waters clean-up plan; progress report; annual submission
1/19/16 House: Referred to Committee on Agriculture, Chesapeake and Natural Resources
1/27/16 House: Stricken from docket by Agriculture, Chesapeake and Natural Resources by voice vote

HB 1250: Virginia Erosion and Stormwater Management Act; consolidation of programs, opt-out for locations
1/19/16 House: Referred to Committee on Agriculture, Chesapeake and Natural Resources
2/10/16 House: Reported from Agriculture, Chesapeake and Natural Resources with amendments (22-Y 0-N)
2/15/16 House: passed block vote (98-Y 0-N)
2/16/16 Senate: Referred to Committee on Agriculture, Conservation and Natural Resources

HB 1340: Stormwater management programs; DEQ to operate
1/21/16 House: Referred to Committee on Agriculture, Chesapeake and Natural Resources
2/1/16 House: Assigned to sub: Chesapeake
2/4/16 House: Subcommittee recommends reporting (7-Y 0-N)
2/4/16 House: Subcommittee recommends referring to Committe on Appropriations
2/10/16 House: Reported from Agriculture, Chesapeake and Natural Resources (22-Y 0-N)
2/10/16 House: Refered to Committee on Appropriations
2/10/16 House: Assigned App. sub: Commerce, Agriculture, Natural Resources and Technology
2/10/16 House: Subcommittee recommends laying on the table by voice vote
2/18/16 House: Left in Appropriations

HB 1344: Bonds; certain capital projects
1/21/16 House: Referred to Committee on Appropriations
1/26/16 House: Assigned to sub: General Government and Capital Outlay
2/10/16 House: Subcommittee recommends reporting with amendments (5-Y 0-N)
2/10/16 House: Reported from Appropriations with substitute (21-Y 0-N)
2/16/16 House: passed block vote (99-Y 0-N)
2/17/16 Senate: Referred to Committee on Finance

HB 1385: Land preservation tax credit; application for credits prior to any donation
1/22/16 House: Referred to Committee on Finance
2/4/16 House: Assigned to sub: Subcommittee #3
2/5/16 House: Subcommittee recommends laying on the table by voice vote
2/17/16 House: Left in Finance

HJ 31: Chesapeake Bay Awareness Week; designating second week in June 2016, and each year thereafter
12/14/15 House: Referred to Committee on Rules
1/21/16 House: Reported from Rules (15-Y 0-N)
1/26/16 House: passed block vote (98-Y 0-N)
1/27/16 Senate: Referred to Committee on Rules
2/19/16 Senate: Reported from Rules by voice vote

HJ 56: Biosolids and industrial wastes; short-term and long-term effects, report
12/30/15 House: Referred to Committee on Rules
2/2/16 House: Assigned to sub: Studies
2/16/16 House: Left in Rules

HJ 84: Recurring flooding; Joint Subcommittee to formulate recommendations
1/7/16 House: Referred to Committee on Rules
1/26/16 House: Assigned to sub: Studies
1/28/16 House: Subcommittee recommends reporting (4-Y 0-N)
2/9/16 House: Reported from Rules (15-Y 0-N)
2/11/16 House: passed block vote (98-Y 0-N)
2/12/16 Senate: Referred to Committee on Rules
2/19/16 Senate: Reported from Rules with amendments by voice vote

HJ 94: Oyster shell reclamation; VCU's Rice Rivers Center to study
1/10/16 House: Referred to Committee on Rules
1/26/16 House: Assigned to sub: Studies
2/16/16 House: Left in Rules

HJ 120: Biosolids and industrial residuals in Virginia; JLARC to study
1/12/16 House: Referred to Committee on Rules
1/26/16 House: Assigned to sub: Studies
2/4/16 House: Subcommittee recommends reporting with amendments (6-Y 0-N)
2/9/16 House: Reported from Rules with substitute (15-Y 0-N)
2/11/16 House: passed block vote (98-Y 0-N)
2/12/16 Senate: Referred to Committee on Rules
2/19/16 Senate: Reported from Rules by voice vote

SB 98: Management of menhaden
12/22/15 Senate: Referred to Committee on Agriculture, Conservation and Natural Resources
1/28/16 Senate: Passed by indefinitely in Agriculture, Conservation and Natural Resources (12-Y 3-N)

SB 114: Plastic bags; tax imposed in Chesapeake Bay Watershed
12/28/15 Senate: Referred to Committee on Finance
1/20/16 Senate: Passed by indefinitely in Finance (10-Y 5-N)

SB 118: Ground water conservation incentive program; State Water Control Board to establish a voluntary incentive program
12/28/15 Senate: Referred to Committee on Agriculture, Conservation and Natural Resources
1/28/16 Senate: Stricken at request of patron in Agriculture, Consevation and Natural Resources (13-Y 0-N)

SB 219: Purse net fishing prohibited
1/5/16 Senate: Referred to Committee on Agriculture, Conservation and Natural Resources
1/28/16 Senate: Passed by indefinitely in Agriculture, Conservation and Natural Resources (15-Y 0-N)

SB 254: Oyster grounds; assignment or transfer by VMRC of grounds in Lynnhaven River
1/6/16 Senate: Referred to Committee on Agriculture, Conservation and Natural Resources
1/28/16 Senate: Stricken at request of patron in Agriculture, Conservation and Natural Resources (13-Y 0-N)

SB 282: Virginia Shoreline Resiliency Fund; established
1/7/16 Senate: Referred to Committee on Agriculture, Conservation and Natural Resources
1/28/16 Senate: Reported from Agriculture, Conservation and Natural Resources with substitute (15-Y 0-N)
1/28/16 Senate: Rereferred to Finance
2/9/16 Senate: Reported from Finance (15-Y 0-N)
2/11/16 Senate: Passed Senate (40-Y 0-N)
2/15/16 House: Referred to Committee on Agriculture, Chesapeake and Natural Resources
2/15/16 House: Assigned ACNR sub: Chesapeake
2/18/16 House: Subcommittee recommends reporting (8-Y 0-N)

SB 283: Crab pots; recreational gear license, turtle escluder device
1/7/16 Senate: Referred to Committee on Agriculture, Conservation and Natural Resources
1/28/16 Senate: Reported from Agriculture, Conservation and Natural Resources (15-Y 0-N)
2/3/16 Senate: passed Senate (40-Y 0-N)
2/5/16 House: Referred to Committee on Agriculture, Chesapeake and Natural Resources
2/8/16 House: Assigned ACNR sub: Chesapeake
2/11/16 House: Subcommittee recommends reporting with amendments (6-Y 0-N)
2/17/16 House: Reported from Agriculture, Chesapeake and Natural Resources with amendments (21-Y 0-N)
2/19/16 House: passed block vote (98-Y 0-N)
2/22/16 Senate: House amendments agreed to by Senate (40-Y 0-N)

SB 284: Oysters; taking for recreational use
1/7/16 Senate: Referred to Committee on Agriculture, Conservation and Natural Resources
1/21/16 Senate: Reported from Agriculture, Conservation and Natural Resources
1/27/16 Senate: passed Senate (40-Y 0-N)
2/3/16 House: Referred to Committee on Agriculture, Chesapeake and Natural Resources
2/10/16 House: Reported from Agriculture, Chesapeake and Natural Resources (22-Y 0-N)
2/12/16 House: Passed block vote (98-Y 0-N)
2/15/16 Bill text as passed Senate and House

SB 292: Sediment reduction credits
1/7/16 Senate: Referred to Committee on Agriculture, Conservation and Natural Resources
1/28/16 Senate: Reported from Agriculture, Conservation and Natural Resources with substitute (15-Y 0-N)
2/3/16 Senate: passed Senate (40-Y 0-N)
2/5/16 House: Referred to Committee on Agriculture, Chesapeake and Natural Resources
2/10/16 House: Reported from Agriculture, Chesapeake and Natural Resources (22-Y 0-N)
2/12/16 House: Passed block vote (98-Y 0-N)
2/15/16 Bill text as passed Senate and House

SB 298: Oysters; increasing rents for certain planting grounds
1/8/16 Senate: Referred to Committee on Agriculture, Conservation and Natural Resources
1/28/16 Senate: Stricken at request of patron in Agriculture, Conservation and Natural Resources (13-Y 0-N)

SB 307: Beach restoration; expedited permit
1/8/16 Senate: Referred to Committee on Agriculture, Conservation and Natural Resources
1/21/16 Senate: Reported from Agriculture, Conservation and Natural Resources (15-Y 0-N)
1/27/16 Senate: passed Senate (40-Y 0-N)
2/3/16 House: Referred to Committee on Agriculture, Chesapeake and Natural Resources
2/10/16 House: Reported from Agriculture, Cheapeake and Natural Resources (22-Y 0-N)
2/12/16 House: Passed vote (97-Y 0-N 1-A)
2/15/16 Bill text as passed Senate and House

SB 314: Acquisition of nutrient offset credits
1/8/16 Senate: Referred to Committee on Agriculture, Conservation and Natural Resources
2/4/16 Senate: Reported from Agriculture, Conservation and Natural Resources with substitute (15-Y 0-N)
2/10/16 Senate: passed Senate (40-Y 0-N)
2/12/16 House: Referred to Committee on Agriculture, Chesapeake and Natural Resources
2/17/16 House: Reported from Agriculture, Chesapeake and Natural Resources with amendment (20-Y 0-N)
2/19/16 House: passed vote (97-Y 0-N 1-A)
2/22/16 Senate: House amendment agreed to by Senate (40-Y 0-N)

SB 397: Oyster grounds; navigation rights in Lynnhaven River
1/11/16 Senate: Referred to Committee on Agriculture, Conservation and Natural Resources
1/28/16 Senate: Passed by indefinitely in Agriculture, Conservation and Natural Resources (12-Y 3-N)

SB 529: Menhaden; increases total allowable landings
1/13/16 Senate: Referred to Committee on Agriculture, Conservation and Natural Resources
1/21/16 Senate: Reported from Agriculture, Conservation and Natural Resources (15-Y 0-N)
1/27/16 Senate: passed Senate (40-Y 0-N)
2/3/16 House: Referred to Committee on Agriculture, Cheapeake and Natural Rources
2/17/16 House: Reported from Agriculture, Chesapeake and Natural Resources (21-Y 0-N)
2/19/16 House: passed block vote (98-Y 0-N)
2/22/16 Bill text as passed Senate and House

SB 558: Dredging; TMDL credits, request for assignment of credits equivalent to street sweeping
1/13/16 Senate: Referred to Committee on Agriculture, Conservation and Natural Resources
2/4/16 Senate: Continued to 2017 in Agriculture, Conservation and Natural Resources (15-Y 0-N)

SB 571: Commonwealth Resilience Fund; established
1/13/16 Senate: Referred to Committee on Agriculture, Conservation and Natural Resources
2/4/16 Senate: Failed to report in Agriculture, Conservation and Natural Resources (7-Y 8-N)

SB 598: Erosion and sediment control; compliance with stormwater management program
1/13/16 Senate: Referred to Committee on Agriculture, Conservation and Natural Resources
2/4/16 Senate: Reported from Agriculture, Conservation and Natural Resources with substitute (15-Y 0-N)
2/10/16 Senate: passed Senate (40-Y 0-N)
2/12/16 House: Referred to Committee on Agriculture, Chesapeake and Natural Resources
2/17/16 House: Reported from Agriculture, Chesapeake and Natural Resources (21-Y 0-N)
2/19/16 House: passed block vote (98-Y 0-N)
2/22/16 Bill text as passed Senate and House

SB 731: Capital outlay funding; issuance of bonds by VPBA & VCBA for certain projects & programs
1/22/16 Senate: Referred to Committee on Finance
2/16/16 Senate: Reported from Finance with substitute (14-Y 0-N)
2/16/16 Senate: passed vote (34-Y 3-N)
2/18/16 House: Referred to Committee on Appropriations
2/22/16 House: Reported from Appropriations with substitute (22-Y 0-N)

SJ 58: Recurrent flooding; joint subcommittee to continue study
1/8/16 Senate: Referred to Committee on Rules
2/5/16 Senate: Reported from Rules with amendments by voice vote
2/10/16 Senate: agreed to by Senate by voice vote
2/12/16 House: Referred to Committee on Rules
2/22/16 House: Assigned Rules sub: Studies