SB 192 Virginia Senate · 2026 Regular Session

State-owned bottomlands; localities, property interest.

Summary

State-owned bottomlands; localities; property interest. Provides that any city or county that is party to an executed project partnership agreement with the Department of the Army for a flood or storm risk management program, damage reduction project, or similar program specifically authorized by the United States Congress shall be deemed to hold a legal property interest in the use of state-owned waters, bottoms, or subsurface soils sufficient to qualify for any easements necessary for the construction or completion of the project or program.

Bill status in committee 1 of 4 stages cleared

Introduction

Jan 2026

Committee Review

Floor Vote

Governor

Introduced Jan 9, 2026 Last action Feb 12, 2026

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What changed between versions

Introduced → Agriculture, Conservation and Natural Resources Substitute · 5 edits

MODERATE

The bill was amended from a general law governing state-owned bottomlands to a specific substitute bill authorizing the Marine Resources Commission to convey easements and property interests to the City of Norfolk for its Coastal Storm Risk Management Project. This change narrows the bill's scope from a statewide policy to a targeted authorization for a single project, replacing broad statutory amendments with specific project-related provisions.

Scope change

The bill changed from a general amendment to § 28.2-1200.1 of the Code of Virginia governing state-owned bottomlands statewide, to a specific authorization for the Marine Resources Commission to convey property interests to the City of Norfolk for a particular coastal storm risk management project.

SCOPE

The bill was converted from a general amendment to state bottomland conveyance laws into a specific substitute bill focused solely on the Norfolk Coastal Storm Risk Management Project.

DEFINITION

Added a specific definition of 'Phase I' that lists thirteen technical drawings and maps prepared by various consultants, establishing the exact property boundaries for the project.

REQUIREMENT

Added requirements that conveyances be made in consultation with the Chief Resilience Officer and Office of the Attorney General, and must be approved by the Governor.

ELIGIBILITY

Removed the general provisions governing statewide eligibility for bottomland conveyances, including the 25 percent compensation requirement and criteria for lawfully filled lands.

TECHNICAL

Added specific authorization for the Commission to convey permanent easements, temporary construction easements, and fee simple interests via quitclaims to the City of Norfolk.

Floor votes

How they voted

No floor votes recorded yet.

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Feb 10, 2026

Upper · Passed

Reported from Agriculture, Conservation and Natural Resources with substitute and rereferred to Finance and Appropriations (15-Y 0-N)

upper

Feb 10, 2026

Upper · Passed

Senate committee offered

upper

Jan 9, 2026

Committee

Referred to Committee on Agriculture, Conservation and Natural Resources

upper

1 primary · 0 co-sponsors