Precipitation design standards; non-stationary precipitation, climate-adjusted rainfall.
Summary
Precipitation design standards; non-stationary precipitation; climate-adjusted rainfall. Requires the State Water Control Board to serve as the lead agency responsible for establishing and maintaining precipitation design standards to be used by all state agencies, localities, and other political subdivisions and in transportation projects. The bill requires such precipitation design standards to include the most recent precipitation frequency estimates published in the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration national precipitation frequency atlas to account for observed and projected increases in precipitation intensity, frequency, and duration. The bill directs the Department of Environmental Quality, Department of Transportation, and any other state agency to update any relevant manuals and design standards consistent with the provisions of the bill by July 1, 2027. The bill also allows the State Water Control Board and the Department of Transportation to adopt interim guidance or regulations implementing the provisions of the bill consistent with the Administrative Process Act, ensuring that updated precipitation design standards take effect no later than July 1, 2027. This bill is a recommendation of the Joint Subcommittee on Recurrent Flooding.
Bill status
in committee
1 of 4 stages cleared
Introduction
Jan 2026
Committee Review
Floor Vote
Governor
Introduced Jan 19, 2026
Last action Feb 11, 2026
Floor votes
How they voted
No floor votes recorded yet.
Full legislative history
Actions timeline
Total actions
6
Key actions
1
Committee
3
Feb 9, 2026
Lower · Passed
Subcommittee recommends continuing to (Voice Vote)
lower
Jan 30, 2026
Committee
Assigned HACNR sub: Chesapeake
lower
Jan 19, 2026
Committee
Referred to Committee on Agriculture, Chesapeake and Natural Resources
lower
Jan 19, 2026
Introduced
Presented and ordered printed 26105107D
lower
1 primary · 0 co-sponsors
Sponsors
Role
Legislator
Party
State
District
P
Kelly Fowler
DDemocratic
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