B 26-0319 Legislature · 26th Council Period (2025-2026)

Long Bridge Project Emergency Amendment Act of 2025

This emergency bill modifies the Urban Forest Preservation Act to allow removal of Heritage Trees adjacent to the Long Bridge Project (managed by Virginia Passenger Rail Authority) under specific conditions. The Mayor must issue permits if no design alternative avoids the tree, in-place protection is impossible, relocation costs exceed $1 million or causes public burden, and the project pays $1,200 per inch of tree circumference. It directly affects the Long Bridge Project developers and Heritage Tree owners by creating a streamlined removal process for trees on or near the project site. The bill is temporary, taking effect immediately but lasting only 90 days as an emergency measure.

Issues: ✗ Environment ✓ Transportation

Sub-Topics: Bridges Rail Forestry

Bill status signed all 4 stages cleared

Introduction

Jul 2025

Committee Review

Council Passage

Jul 2025

Signed into Law

Aug 2025

Introduced Jul 11, 2025 Signed Aug 1, 2025

Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

Introduction → Enrollment · 3 edits

MINOR

This bill was converted from a draft introduction version to its final enrolled form, with substantive additions to the eligibility criteria for Heritage Tree removal permits. The enrolled version adds two new conditions that must be met: relocation must cause an undue burden to the public, and the applicant must agree to pay a fee of $1,200 per inch of the tree's circumference. These changes make it more difficult to obtain permits for removing heritage trees near the Long Bridge Project.

Scope change

The bill's scope was expanded by adding additional requirements that must be satisfied before a Heritage Tree removal permit can be issued, making the permitting process more restrictive.

ELIGIBILITY

Added requirement that relocation must cause an undue burden to the public as a condition for permit issuance.

FISCAL

Added a fee requirement of $1,200 per inch of the Heritage Tree's circumference that applicants must agree to pay.

TECHNICAL

Converted from draft introduction format to final enrolled legislative format with proper signatures and certification.

Floor votes · Council Jul 14, 2025

How they voted

11–0

Passed · 1 other

Total votes 12

Jul 14, 2025

D Democratic10

9 Yea 1

90% Yea

I Independent2

2 Yea

100% Yea

Vote distribution

All Yea All Nay Mixed No data

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Jul 14, 2025

Council · Passed

Council Vote: pass (11-0-1)

council

Jul 11, 2025

Introduced

B26-0319 Introduced by Councilmember Allen at Office of the Secretary

legislature

1 primary · 0 co-sponsors