summary
Introduced
01/13/2026
01/13/2026
In Committee
02/13/2026
02/13/2026
Crossed Over
02/16/2026
02/16/2026
Passed
Dead
Introduced Session
Potential new amendment
2026 Regular Regular Session
Bill Summary
Comprehensive plan; environmental justice strategy. Requires cities with populations greater than 20,000 and counties with populations greater than 100,000 to consider, at the next and all subsequent reviews of the comprehensive plan, adopting an environmental justice strategy. The bill provides that the locality's strategy shall be to (i) identify environmental justice and fenceline communities within the jurisdiction of the local planning commission; (ii) identify objectives and policies to (a) reduce health risks, (b) promote civic engagement, and (c) prioritize improvements and programs that address the needs of environmental justice and fenceline communities, as those terms are defined in the bill; and (iii) establish baseline environmental and health conditions to characterize any disproportionate public health conditions in the identified fenceline communities.
AI Summary
This bill requires cities with over 20,000 residents and counties with over 100,000 residents to consider adopting an environmental justice strategy during their comprehensive plan reviews. This strategy would involve identifying "environmental justice communities" and "fenceline communities," which are areas with specific demographic characteristics and potential exposure to pollution or hazardous waste, as defined by existing state law. The strategy must also identify pollution sources, outline objectives and policies to reduce health risks by addressing pollution, climate change impacts, and improving access to public facilities and healthy living conditions, promote civic engagement from these communities in decision-making, and prioritize improvements and programs like broadband access, job training, healthy food access, and better public transit.
Committee Categories
Government Affairs
Sponsors (2)
Last Action
House Conferees: Simonds, Clark, Kent (on 02/24/2026)
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/SB425 |
| BillText | https://lis.virginia.gov/bill-details/20261/SB425/text/SB425H1 |
| BillText | https://lis.virginia.gov/bill-details/20261/SB425/text/SB425HC1 |
| BillText | https://lis.virginia.gov/bill-details/20261/SB425/text/SB425E |
| Local Government Amendment | https://lis.virginia.gov/bill-details/20261/SB425/text/SB425AS1 |
| BillText | https://lis.virginia.gov/bill-details/20261/SB425/text/SB425 |
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