Bill > HB543

This bill amends existing Virginia law to assign the management of the Forest Sustainability Fund to the Office of Working Lands Preservation, which is part of the Department of Forestry. The Forest Sustainability Fund is a special fund in the state treasury that receives appropriations and other funds to support forest conservation and related projects. The Office of Working Lands Preservation is already responsible for various duties related to preserving farmland and forestland, including developing programs, providing assistance to farmers and local governments, and administering the Virginia Farm Link Program. By adding the management of the Forest Sustainability Fund to its responsibilities, the Office will now oversee the allocation of these funds to localities that have adopted ordinances for use value assessment and taxation for forest land, with the goal of supporting public education, outdoor recreation, or forest conservation projects.

Agriculture and Natural Resources

https://lis.virginia.gov/bill-details/20261/HB543