Of the 219 bills that Virginia Conservation Network took a position on this session, 18 bills addressed the fundamental policies governing our decisions around environmental policy for the Commonwealth. Our Partners advocated for policies that:

• Restore voting rights
• Encourage environmental justice strategies in comprehensive planning
• Require state & local governments to consult with federally recognized tribes
• Protect workers from heat-related illness

See the wins and missed opportunities for equitable and inclusive governing policy below. You can see the outcomes of all of VCN’s policy positions on our Bill Tracker.

POLICY WINS & LOSSES FOR GOOD GOVERNANCE

Virginia was one of the only states in the nation that permanently strips the rights of anyone convicted of a felony, only allowing restoration by the governor on an individual basis, a practice rooted in Jim Crow-era policy. Restoring the right to vote allows disenfranchised Virginians to have a voice and a vote for representatives  who will protect their communities and advocate for priorities that matter to them.

Legislators passed constitutional amendments to automatically restore voting rights to disenfranchised Virginians (HJ2 / SJ2).

See all the passed and defeated bills regarding environmental justice and protecting Virginians’ rights on our Bill of the Day post.

Comprehensive planning allows localities to identify their vision, goals, and strategies for future growth and development. Encouraging localities to incorporate environmental justice strategies throughout the planning process allows them to think more deeply about community health for sustainable, resilient communities.

Legislators passed three bills to improve environmental justice in local comprehensive planning:

• Requires Virginia localities to consider incorporating an environmental justice strategy in their comprehensive planning process (HB256 / SB425)
• Allows Virginia localities to incorporate social health data and research in their comprehensive planning process (HB257)
• Requires state agencies to evaluate the total pollution burden a community faces before approving new industrial permits (HB1266)

State and local governments allow citizens, businesses, and other groups to weigh in on environmental permits & reviews that could impact their communities’ health. Tribes are often not consulted during the permitting & review process, at the expense of their Tribal rights and the health of their communities. Requiring tribal engagement and consultation provides the opportunity for meaningful conversations before key decisions are made, strengthening protections across our shared natural resources. 

Unfortunately, legislators missed the opportunity to adopt requirements for state and local governments to consult with federally recognized tribes, particularly on critical environmental permitting and land conservation easements.

Hundreds of Virginia workers visit the emergency room or miss at least one day of work each year due to heat-related illness. Extreme heat events are becoming more common each year with climate change, placing workers in hotter environments and at greater risk of heat-related illness, injury, and death. Current protections are not enough to fully protect Virginia workers.

Legislators passed two bills to adopt workplace heat regulations and enable employees to seek compensation against employers who violate the regulations (HB1092 / SB288).

Bills that passed the General Assembly now head to the Governor’s desk for her to sign, amend, or veto by April 14th. Legislators will make a final vote on amended bills during Veto Session on April 22nd to determine which bills will officially become law starting on July 1st, 2026. 

Be the first to know about new environmental legislation: register for our virtual General Assembly Recap on Friday, April 24th, from 10:30 AM – 12:00 PM. You’ll hear the inside scoop from environmental policy experts about the conservation community’s biggest victories, the missed opportunities, and any surprise outcomes from the 2026 General Assembly session.

See the outcomes of other environmental policies from the 2026 General Assembly session below: