Bill > SB422

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, which are legal agreements that protect land for conservation purposes. Importantly, these tribes are exempt from certain restrictions that apply to other easement holders, such as the requirement to have a principal office in Virginia for at least five years or to be a national organization with a registered office in the Commonwealth for at least five years. This change, recommended by the Commission on Updating Virginia Law to Reflect Federal Recognition of Virginia Tribes, also clarifies that these tribes can be designated as holders of third-party rights of enforcement for conservation easements.

Agriculture and Natural Resources, Budget and Finance

https://lis.virginia.gov/bill-details/20261/SB422