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VA HB1266

VA HB1266
Environmental Justice in Permitting Process Guidance Memo; DEQ to publish an updated version.

summary

Introduced
01/14/2026
In Committee
03/03/2026
Crossed Over
03/11/2026
Passed
04/08/2026
Dead
Signed/Enacted/Adopted
04/08/2026

Introduced Session

Potential new amendment
2026 Regular Regular Session

Bill Summary

Department of Environmental Quality; Environmental Justice in the Permitting Process Guidance Memo; cumulative impacts. Directs the Department of Environmental Quality to publish an updated version of the Environmental Justice in the Permitting Process Guidance Memo for public comment. The bill requires the updated memo to consider how to assess the cumulative impacts of the types of permits covered in the guidance memo and outreach strategies to engage communities impacted by any such permit. The bill requires the public comment period process to include two public town halls held no later than July 31, 2026, and requires the Department to respond to the public comments by October 31, 2026. The Department is required to issue the final guidance memo by December 31, 2026.

AI Summary

This bill directs the Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) to update its "Environmental Justice in the Permitting Process Guidance Memo," which provides guidelines for considering environmental justice in the process of issuing permits for various projects. The updated memo must include methods for assessing "cumulative impacts," meaning the combined effects of multiple permits on a community, and outline strategies for engaging with communities that might be affected by these permits. To ensure public input, the DEQ must hold two public town hall meetings by July 31, 2026, respond to public comments by October 31, 2026, and finalize the updated guidance memo by December 31, 2026.

Committee Categories

Agriculture and Natural Resources, Budget and Finance

Sponsors (2)

Last Action

Acts of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP0461) (on 04/08/2026)

bill text

bill summary

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bill summary

Document Type Source Location
State Bill Page https://lis.virginia.gov/bill-details/20261/HB1266
BillText https://lis.virginia.gov/bill-details/20261/HB1266/text/CHAP0461
Fiscal Note/Analysis - Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (HB1266) https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1215029.PDF
BillText https://lis.virginia.gov/bill-details/20261/HB1266/text/HB1266ER
Fiscal Note/Analysis - Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (HB1266) https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1199657.PDF
BillText https://lis.virginia.gov/bill-details/20261/HB1266/text/HB1266S1
BillText https://lis.virginia.gov/bill-details/20261/HB1266/text/HB1266SC1
Fiscal Note/Analysis - Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (HB1266) https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1177557.PDF
BillText https://lis.virginia.gov/bill-details/20261/HB1266/text/HB1266EH1
BillText https://lis.virginia.gov/bill-details/20261/HB1266/text/HB1266E
Delegate Tran Amendments https://lis.virginia.gov/bill-details/20261/HB1266/text/HB1266AH1
BillText https://lis.virginia.gov/bill-details/20261/HB1266/text/HB1266HC2
BillText https://lis.virginia.gov/bill-details/20261/HB1266/text/HB1266H1
Fiscal Note/Analysis - Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (HB1266) https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1140212.PDF
BillText https://lis.virginia.gov/bill-details/20261/HB1266/text/HB1266HC1
BillText https://lis.virginia.gov/bill-details/20261/HB1266/text/HB1266
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