STATE BILLVA HB 597PASSED

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

Commonwealth of Virginia

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.

Status
Passed
Signed or otherwise enacted
Status date
Apr 13, 2026
213 days ago
Current chamber
House of Delegates
Session
2026 Regular Session
VA HB 597 · PassedApr 13

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Bill details

Last action
Acts of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP0636) · Apr 13, 2026

Sponsors

SSShelly SimondsRepresentative · Democrat · HD-070Primary sponsor
BCBetsy CarrRepresentative · Democrat · HD-078
HFHyland FowlerRepresentative · Republican · HD-059
DGDebra GardnerRepresentative · Democrat · HD-076
JAJessica AndersonRepresentative · Democrat · HD-071
ALAmy LauferRepresentative · Democrat · HD-055
KTKathy TranRepresentative · Democrat · HD-018

Bill history

Newest first.

Apr 13, 2026Acts of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP0636)
Apr 13, 2026Approved by Governor-Chapter 636 (effective 7/1/2026)
Apr 1, 2026Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (HB597)House
Mar 31, 2026Governor's Action Deadline 11:59 p.m., April 13, 2026
Mar 31, 2026Enrolled Bill communicated to Governor on March 31, 2026House
Mar 31, 2026Signed by SpeakerHouse
Mar 30, 2026Signed by PresidentSenate
Mar 30, 2026Bill text as passed House and Senate (HB597ER)House
Show 18 earlier actions
Mar 30, 2026EnrolledHouse
Mar 10, 2026Passed Senate (25-Y 15-N 0-A)Senate
Mar 10, 2026Read third timeSenate
Mar 9, 2026Passed by for the day Block Vote (Voice Vote)Senate
Mar 9, 2026Constitutional reading dispensed Block Vote (on 2nd reading) (40-Y 0-N 0-A)Senate
Mar 9, 2026Rules suspendedSenate
Mar 6, 2026Reported from Finance and Appropriations (10-Y 5-N)Senate
Feb 18, 2026Referred to Committee on Finance and AppropriationsSenate
Feb 18, 2026Constitutional reading dispensed (on 1st reading)Senate
Feb 17, 2026Read third time and passed House (65-Y 32-N 0-A)House
Feb 16, 2026Read second time and engrossedHouse
Feb 13, 2026Read first timeHouse
Feb 12, 2026Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (HB597)House
Feb 11, 2026Reported from Appropriations (15-Y 7-N)House
Feb 11, 2026Subcommittee recommends reporting (5-Y 2-N)House
Jan 20, 2026Assigned HAPP sub: Commerce Agriculture & Natural ResourcesHouse
Jan 13, 2026Referred to Committee on AppropriationsHouse
Jan 13, 2026Prefiled and ordered printed; Offered 01-14-2026 26105131DHouse

Recorded votes

Subcommittee recommends reporting (5-Y 2-N)Feb 11, 2026 · House · 5 yea · 2 nayPassed
Reported from Appropriations (15-Y 7-N)Feb 11, 2026 · House · 15 yea · 7 nayPassed
Read third time and passed House (65-Y 32-N 0-A)Feb 17, 2026 · House · 65 yea · 32 nayPassed
Reported from Finance and Appropriations (10-Y 5-N)Mar 6, 2026 · Senate · 10 yea · 5 nayPassed
Constitutional reading dispensed Block Vote (on 2nd reading) (40-Y 0-N 0-A)Mar 9, 2026 · Senate · 40 yea · 0 nayPassed
Passed Senate (25-Y 15-N 0-A)Mar 10, 2026 · Senate · 25 yea · 15 nayPassed

Read the bill at the source

This page follows the bill as the legislature records it. For the bill's full text and the official record, use the legislature's own site.

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