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HB 543

Forest Sustainability Fund; Office of Working Lands Preservation to manage.

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Bonita Anthony and 4 co-sponsors

Virginia creates dedicated Forest Sustainability Fund under Office of Working Lands Preservation management to fund state forest conservation and land stewardship programs.

Approved by Governor-Chapter 801 (effective 7/1/2026)
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Bill Summary · HB 543

Legislative bill overview

HB 543 establishes a Forest Sustainability Fund in Virginia and designates the Office of Working Lands Preservation to manage it. The bill aims to provide dedicated funding and administrative structure for forest conservation and management initiatives across the state.

Why is this important

Forest management directly affects Virginia's environmental health, carbon sequestration, timber industry economics, and rural land preservation. A dedicated fund with clear management authority can streamline forest conservation efforts, but the bill's funding source and specific allocation priorities will determine its real-world effectiveness.

Potential points of contention

  • Funding mechanism unclear: The bill text references a fund but doesn't specify revenue sources (tax appropriations, fees, bonds, or grants), which affects whether it represents new spending or reallocation
  • Office capacity and scope: The Office of Working Lands Preservation's existing resources and expertise may limit implementation effectiveness, and oversight responsibilities could expand bureaucratic burden
  • Land use priorities: Forest sustainability definitions vary widely—competing interests (timber production, conservation, recreation, development) may clash over how funds are actually deployed

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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