VA HB1266

Bill

VA HB1266

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

Introduced
01/14/2026

In Committee
03/03/2026

Crossed Over
03/11/2026

Passed

Dead

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 a public town hall 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 guidance memo on environmental justice in the permitting process, which is a set of guidelines for how the DEQ considers environmental justice when issuing permits for projects that might affect the environment. The updated memo must include ways to evaluate the "cumulative impacts," meaning the combined effect of multiple permits or projects on a community, and how to better involve communities that are affected by these permits. The DEQ must hold public hearings, including at least two town hall meetings by July 31, 2026, to gather public feedback, respond to these 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)

Kathy Tran (D)*, Rae Cousins (D),

Last Action

Senate substitute agreed to by House (65-Y 34-N 0-A) (on 03/11/2026)

Official Document

https://lis.virginia.gov/bill-details/20261/HB1266

Version:

Document Type	Source Location
State Bill Page	https://lis.virginia.gov/bill-details/20261/HB1266
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

Bill > HB1266

summary

Introduced Session

Bill Summary

AI Summary

Committee Categories

Sponsors (2)

Last Action

Official Document

bill text

bill summary

bill summary

bill summary