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Bill

HB 904

Va. Disaster Assistance Fund; post-disaster recovery, floodplain mitigation and resilience projects.

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Alfonso Lopez

Virginia bill creates dedicated Disaster Assistance Fund for post-disaster recovery and floodplain mitigation, though subcommittee voted to table it and fiscal impact remains under review.

Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (HB904)
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Bill Summary · HB 904

Legislative bill overview

HB 904 establishes a Virginia Disaster Assistance Fund to support post-disaster recovery, floodplain mitigation, and resilience projects. The bill directs state resources toward helping communities rebuild after natural disasters and implement preventive measures to reduce future flood damage. It appears designed to create a dedicated funding mechanism for disaster-related infrastructure and mitigation efforts.

Why is this important

Virginia faces increasing flood risks from severe weather, hurricanes, and sea-level rise, particularly in coastal and low-lying regions. Having a dedicated disaster assistance fund could streamline recovery efforts, reduce response times after events, and enable proactive investment in flood mitigation infrastructure before disasters occur. This addresses both immediate recovery needs and long-term community resilience.

Potential points of contention

  • Funding source and amount: The fiscal impact statement suggests questions about where money comes from and whether appropriations are adequate for Virginia's disaster needs
  • Project prioritization criteria: Disputes may arise over which communities receive funds and what standards determine "resilience" or "mitigation" projects
  • Balance between reactive and proactive spending: Tension between using funds for post-disaster recovery versus preventive mitigation, which may compete for limited resources

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

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