Bill
Bill > SB420
summary
Introduced
01/13/2026
01/13/2026
In Committee
01/13/2026
01/13/2026
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
Introduced Session
2026 Regular Regular Session
Bill Summary
Extreme Weather Taxpayer Protection Program and Fund established. Establishes the Extreme Weather Taxpayer Protection Program and Fund, administered by the Department of Conservation and Recreation, for the purpose of holding parties responsible for covered greenhouse gas emissions between the covered period of January 1, 1995, and December 31, 2025, for the parties' share of the Commonwealth's costs due to climate change. The bill defines responsible parties as fossil fuel extractors or crude oil refiners causing emissions of one billion metric tons or more of covered greenhouse gases during the covered period. Under the bill, responsible parties are strictly liable for cost recovery payments to the Commonwealth. The bill requires the State Treasurer to conduct an assessment of the costs to the Commonwealth and its residents of the emissions of covered greenhouse gases during the covered period. The bill establishes the Extreme Weather Relief Fund into which the cost recovery payments from responsible entities are deposited and used to pay for extreme weather relief projects, as defined in the bill.
AI Summary
This bill establishes the Extreme Weather Taxpayer Protection Program and Fund, administered by the Department of Conservation and Recreation, to hold certain fossil fuel companies accountable for their share of the Commonwealth's costs related to climate change. Specifically, it targets "responsible parties," defined as fossil fuel extractors or crude oil refiners that emitted one billion metric tons or more of "covered greenhouse gas emissions" (like carbon dioxide and methane) between January 1, 1995, and December 31, 2025. These parties are held "strictly liable," meaning they are responsible for payment regardless of fault, for cost recovery payments to the Commonwealth. The State Treasurer will assess the total costs to the Commonwealth and its residents from these emissions, and these payments will be deposited into the Extreme Weather Relief Fund, which will then be used to fund "extreme weather relief projects" designed to address the impacts of climate change-fueled severe weather events, with at least 50% of the funds dedicated to projects in environmental justice communities.
Committee Categories
Agriculture and Natural Resources
Sponsors (4)
Last Action
Failed to report (defeated) in Agriculture, Conservation and Natural Resources (6-Y 8-N) (on 02/03/2026)
Official Document
bill text
bill summary
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bill summary
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bill summary
| Document Type | Source Location |
|---|---|
| State Bill Page | https://lis.virginia.gov/bill-details/20261/SB420 |
| Fiscal Note/Analysis - Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (SB420) | https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1100121.PDF |
| BillText | https://lis.virginia.gov/bill-details/20261/SB420/text/SB420 |
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