Virginia HB 847: Extreme Weather Taxpayer Protection Program and Fund; established.

Bill Text

2026 SESSION

INTRODUCED

26101053D

HOUSE BILL NO. 847

Offered January 14, 2026

Prefiled January 13, 2026

A BILL to amend and reenact § 10.1-107 of the Code of Virginia and to amend the Code of Virginia by adding in Title 10.1 a chapter numbered 10.4, consisting of sections numbered 10.1-1028 through 10.1-1034, relating to Extreme Weather Taxpayer Protection Act established.

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Patrons—Cousins, Anthony, Callsen, Clark, Cole, N.T., Guzman, Henson, Hope, Krizek, Martinez, Rasoul, Schmidt and Shin

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Referred to Committee on Labor and Commerce

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Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:

1. That § 10.1-107 of the Code of Virginia is amended and reenacted and that the Code of Virginia is amended by adding in Title 10.1 a chapter numbered 10.4, consisting of sections numbered 10.1-1028 through 10.1-1034, as follows:

§ 10.1-107. General powers and duties of the Board.

A. The Board shall advise the Governor and the Director on activities of the Department. Upon the request of the Governor, or the Director, the Board shall institute investigations and make recommendations.

The Board shall formulate recommendations to the Director concerning:

1. Requests for grants or loans pertaining to outdoor recreation.

2. Designation of recreational sites eligible for recreational access road funds.

3. Designations proposed for scenic rivers, scenic highways, and Virginia byways.

4. Acquisition of real property by fee simple or other interests in property for the Department including, but not limited to, state parks, state recreational areas, state trails, greenways, natural areas and natural area preserves, and other lands of biological, environmental, historical, recreational, or scientific interest.

5. Acquisition of bequests, devises, and gifts of real and personal property, and the interest and income derived therefrom.

6. Stage one and stage two plans, master plans, and amendments to master plans as provided in § 10.1-200.1.

B. The Board shall have the authority to promulgate regulations necessary for the execution of the Public Beach Conservation and Development Act, Article 2 (§ 10.1-705 et seq.) of Chapter 7 of this title.

C. The Board shall assist the Department in the duties and responsibilities described in Subtitle I (§ 10.1-100 et seq.) of Title 10.1.

D. The Board is authorized to conduct fund-raising fundraising activities as deemed appropriate and will deposit such revenue into the State Parks Projects Fund pursuant to subsection C of § 10.1-202.

E. The Board shall advise the Governor and the Director concerning the protection or management of the Virginia Scenic Rivers System as defined in § 10.1-400. Upon the request of the Governor, or the Director, the Board shall institute investigations and make recommendations. The Board shall have general powers and duties to (i) advise the Director on the appointment of Scenic River Advisory Committees or other local or regional committees pursuant to § 10.1-401; (ii) formulate recommendations concerning designations for proposed scenic rivers or extensions of existing scenic rivers; (iii) consider and comment to the Director on any federal, state, or local governmental plans to approve, license, fund, or construct facilities that would alter any of the assets that qualified the river for scenic designation; (iv) assist the Director in reviewing and making recommendations regarding all planning for the use and development of water and related land resources including the construction of impoundments, diversions, roadways, crossings, channels, locks, canals, or other uses that change the character of a stream or waterway or destroy its scenic assets, so that full consideration and evaluation of the river as a scenic resource will be given before alternative plans for use and development are approved; (v) assist the Director in preserving and protecting the natural beauty of the scenic rivers, assuring the use and enjoyment of scenic rivers for fish and wildlife, scenic, recreational, geologic, historic, cultural, or other assets, and encouraging the continuance of existing agricultural, horticultural, forestal and open space land and water uses; (vi) advise the Director and the affected local jurisdiction on the impacts of proposed uses of each scenic river and its related land resources; and (vii) assist local governments in solving problems associated with the Virginia Scenic Rivers System, in consultation with the Director.

F. The Board shall adopt regulations necessary to implement the provisions of the Extreme Weather Taxpayer Protection Act (§ 10.1-1028 et seq.).

CHAPTER 10.4.

EXTREME WEATHER TAXPAYER PROTECTION ACT.

§ 10.1-1028. Definitions.

As used in this chapter, unless the context requires a different meaning:

"Board" means the Board of Conservation and Recreation.

"Coal" means bituminous coal, anthracite coal, and lignite.

"Controlled group" means two or more entities treated as a single employer under (i) 26