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Bill

SB 519

Virginia Land Conservation Fund; land conservation goals and needs assessment, report.

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Creigh Deeds

Virginia mandates a statewide land conservation needs assessment and goal-setting to guide future agricultural, forest, and natural lands protection strategies.

Reported from Finance and Appropriations with substitute (15-Y 0-N)
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Bill Summary · SB 519

Legislative bill overview

SB 519 directs Virginia to conduct a comprehensive assessment of the state's land conservation needs and establish specific goals for protecting agricultural, forest, and natural lands. The bill requires the Department of Planning and Budget to produce a detailed report examining current conservation efforts, identifying gaps, and recommending strategies to guide future land conservation investment and policy.

Why is this important

Land conservation directly affects Virginia's agricultural economy, water quality, wildlife habitat, and quality of life in both rural and urban communities. A statewide needs assessment can help policymakers prioritize limited conservation resources and establish measurable targets, potentially influencing how hundreds of millions in state and federal conservation funding are allocated over coming years.

Potential points of contention

  • Funding implications: The bill's recommendations may require significant new state or local expenditures to meet identified conservation goals, raising questions about budget priorities and tax implications
  • Private property concerns: Land conservation assessments sometimes lead to regulations that landowners view as restricting property rights or development potential
  • Implementation timeline and cost: The fiscal impact statement suggests resource requirements for the assessment itself; stakeholders may debate whether the study's benefits justify these upfront costs

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

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