Bill > HB134

This bill amends the Virginia Conservation Easement Act to allow federally recognized tribes, defined as American Indian tribes formally acknowledged by Virginia and recognized by the U.S. Secretary of the Interior, to serve as holders of conservation easements. A conservation easement is a legal agreement that restricts land use to protect its natural or open-space values, or to preserve its cultural, historical, architectural, or archaeological aspects. The bill removes certain restrictions that previously applied to other types of easement holders, specifically those related to the location of a principal office and the duration of the organization's existence, meaning federally recognized tribes will not be bound by these requirements when acting as easement holders. This change is a recommendation from the Commission on Updating Virginia Law to Reflect Federal Recognition of Virginia Tribes.

Agriculture and Natural Resources, Budget and Finance

https://lis.virginia.gov/bill-details/20261/HB134