HB 52 Virginia House of Delegates · 2026 Regular Session

Marine Resources Commission; beneficial use of dredged material.

Summary
Marine Resources Commission; beneficial use of dredged material. Provides that, beginning December 1, 2027, it is the policy of the Commonwealth to promote the beneficial use of dredged material, as defined in the bill, and that the Marine Resources Commission shall require the beneficial use of dredged material for all permits involving dredged material unless such approaches are not suitable based on criteria developed by the Commission. The bill also adds the sites of projects that are consistent with the beneficial use of dredged material to the sites that are given priority consideration for the disposal of that portion of dredged material determined to be suitable for such use by the Secretary of Natural and Historic Resources. The bill directs the Commission to establish a work group to assist in the development of any regulations or guidance to implement the provisions of the bill. As introduced, this bill was a recommendation of the Joint Subcommittee on Recurrent Flooding.
Bill status signed all 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Dec 2025
Committee Review
Mar 2026
House of Delegates Passage
Mar 2026
Senate Passage
Mar 2026
Signed into Law
Apr 2026
Introduced Dec 29, 2025 Signed Apr 13, 2026
Maddy AI version diff · 2 comparisons

What changed between versions

Engrossed Enrolled · 3 edits · Apr 13, 2026
MINOR
The bill was finalized for signing into law with minor formatting adjustments to the header and a specific policy clause. The most significant substantive change is the addition of a new requirement for the Marine Resources Commission to establish a work group to help create regulations and guidance for implementing the new beneficial use policies.
Scope change
The scope of the bill remains focused on promoting the beneficial use of dredged material in Virginia's Chesapeake Bay and tributaries; no new geographic areas or entities were added.
REQUIREMENT

Added a new subsection (C) requiring the Marine Resources Commission to create a work group to assist in developing regulations and guidance for the new beneficial use policies.

TECHNICAL

Corrected a typo in Section A regarding the effective date, changing 'It Beginning' to 'Beginning'.

Updated the document header from 'ENGROSSED' to 'ENROLLED' and added standard legislative formatting markers for final approval.

Floor votes · Senate Mar 9, 2026 · House of Delegates Feb 3, 2026

How they voted

390
Passed
Total votes 39
Mar 9, 2026
D Democratic20
20 Yea
100% Yea
R Republican19
19 Yea
100% Yea
Vote distribution
All Yea All Nay Mixed No data
Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
31
Key actions
13
Committee
9
Amendments
2
Apr 13, 2026
Signed into law
Approved by Governor-Chapter 908 (effective 7/1/2026)
executive
Mar 31, 2026
Lower · Passed
Signed by Speaker
lower
Mar 30, 2026
Upper · Passed
Signed by President
upper
Mar 30, 2026
Lower · Passed
Bill text as passed House and Senate (HB52ER)
lower
Mar 10, 2026
Upper · Passed
Passed Senate (40-Y 0-N 0-A)
upper
Mar 9, 2026
Upper · Passed
Passed by for the day Block Vote (Voice Vote)
upper
Mar 6, 2026
Upper · Passed
Reported from Finance and Appropriations (14-Y 0-N)
upper
Feb 24, 2026
Upper · Passed
Reported from Agriculture, Conservation and Natural Resources and rereferred to Finance and Appropriations (13-Y 0-N)
upper
Feb 24, 2026
Committee
Assigned HACNR sub: Water Usage
upper
Feb 4, 2026
Committee
Referred to Committee on Agriculture, Conservation and Natural Resources
upper
Feb 3, 2026
Lower · Passed
Read third time and passed House (98-Y 0-N 0-A)
lower
Feb 2, 2026
Introduced
Engrossed by House as amended
lower
Feb 2, 2026
Lower · Passed
committee amendments agreed to
lower
Jan 28, 2026
Lower · Passed
Reported from Agriculture, Chesapeake and Natural Resources with amendment(s) (22-Y 0-N)
lower
Jan 26, 2026
Lower · Passed
Subcommittee recommends reporting with amendment(s) (10-Y 0-N)
lower
Jan 26, 2026
Lower · Passed
House subcommittee offered
lower
Jan 19, 2026
Committee
Assigned HACNR sub: Chesapeake
lower
Dec 29, 2025
Committee
Referred to Committee on Agriculture, Chesapeake and Natural Resources
lower
1 primary · 0 co-sponsors

Sponsors

Role
Legislator
Party
State
District
P
Photo of Rob Bloxom
Rob Bloxom
RRepublican
VA
100