Virginia bills · 2026 Regular Session
Virginia HB 597
Wildlife Corridor Grant Fund; created, voluntary contributions, report.
- Introduced
- In committee
- Passed House
- Passed Senate
- To Governor
- Became law
Sponsors
- Shelly A. Simonds (Democratic)
Cosponsors (6)
- Kathy K.L. Tran (Democratic)
- Amy J. Laufer (Democratic)
- Jessica L. Anderson
- Debra D. Gardner (Democratic)
- Hyland F. "Buddy" Fowler, Jr. (Republican)
- Betsy B. Carr (Democratic)
Summary
Official abstract published by the Virginia legislature· SUMMARY AS PASSED
Wildlife Corridor Grant Fund established; voluntary contributions; report. Establishes the Wildlife Corridor Grant Fund to provide grants for projects that conserve or enhance wildlife corridors prioritized by the Wildlife Corridor Action Plan and associated wildlife crossing infrastructure projects. The Director of the Department of Wildlife Resources shall administer the Fund in collaboration with the Department of Conservation and Recreation, the Department of Forestry, and the Department of Transportation. The Director of the Department of Wildlife Resources shall submit a report to the General Assembly by November 1 of each odd-numbered year concerning the amount of public and private funding received by the Fund, the awarding of grants from the Fund, and the progress of funded projects, including data on the use of project infrastructure by wildlife. The bill also provides mechanisms for individuals to make voluntary contributions to the Fund through a Department of Motor Vehicles electronic transaction and an individual income tax return.
Text versions
Roll-call votes
State vote data last updated Oct 15, 2026, 8:06 AM.
| Date | Vote | Result | Your legislators |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mar 10, 2026 Senate | Passage R | pass | Set your home in Virginia to see |
| Mar 9, 2026 Senate | Constitutional reading dispensed (on 2nd reading) | pass | Set your home in Virginia to see |
| Mar 6, 2026 Senate | Reported from Finance and Appropriations | pass | Set your home in Virginia to see |
| Feb 17, 2026 House | H VOTE: | pass | Set your home in Virginia to see |
| Feb 11, 2026 House | Subcommittee recommends reporting | pass | Set your home in Virginia to see |
| Feb 11, 2026 House | Reported from Appropriations | pass | Set your home in Virginia to see |
Actions
- Apr 13, 2026
Acts of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP0636) - Apr 13, 2026
Approved by Governor-Chapter 636 (effective 7/1/2026) - Apr 1, 2026 · House
Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (HB597) - Mar 31, 2026
Governor's Action Deadline 11:59 p.m., April 13, 2026 - Mar 31, 2026 · House
Enrolled Bill communicated to Governor on March 31, 2026 - Mar 31, 2026 · House
Signed by Speaker - Mar 30, 2026 · Senate
Signed by President - Mar 30, 2026 · House
Bill text as passed House and Senate (HB597ER) - Mar 30, 2026 · House
Enrolled - Mar 10, 2026 · Senate
Passed Senate (25-Y 15-N 0-A) - Mar 10, 2026 · Senate
Read third time - Mar 9, 2026 · Senate
Passed by for the day Block Vote (Voice Vote) - Mar 9, 2026 · Senate
Constitutional reading dispensed Block Vote (on 2nd reading) (40-Y 0-N 0-A) - Mar 9, 2026 · Senate
Rules suspended - Mar 6, 2026 · Senate
Reported from Finance and Appropriations (10-Y 5-N) - Feb 18, 2026 · Senate
Referred to Committee on Finance and Appropriations - Feb 18, 2026 · Senate
Constitutional reading dispensed (on 1st reading) - Feb 17, 2026 · House
Read third time and passed House (65-Y 32-N 0-A) - Feb 16, 2026 · House
Read second time and engrossed - Feb 13, 2026 · House
Read first time - Feb 12, 2026 · House
Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (HB597) - Feb 11, 2026 · House
Reported from Appropriations (15-Y 7-N) - Feb 11, 2026 · House
Subcommittee recommends reporting (5-Y 2-N) - Jan 20, 2026 · House
Assigned HAPP sub: Commerce Agriculture & Natural Resources - Jan 13, 2026 · House
Referred to Committee on Appropriations - Jan 13, 2026 · House
Prefiled and ordered printed; Offered 01-14-2026 26105131D