The Virginia Conservation Network tracked over 300 pieces of legislation and took a position on 118 bills this session. To see the status of all of VCN’s tracked legislation and the policy outcomes, see our updated Bill Tracker.

VCN supported 9 bills dealing with land & wildlife conservation policy this session. With support from our Partners, all of our supported bills are on their way to becoming law! See the legislation and talking points for these bills in our Land & Wildlife Conservation Bill Tracker below.

The Cinderella story of the 2023 General Assembly session is about the fight to curb invasive species and promote native plants throughout the Commonwealth. After similar bills faced a quick defeat in the 2022 session, new-and-improved bills came back stronger than ever and unanimously passed both chambers. These bills seek to raise awareness of problematic invasive plant species and prioritize the use of native plants:

• HB1998 directs the Secretaries of Natural and Historic Resources, Agriculture and Forestry, and Administration to develop and coordinate the implementation of a state invasive species management plan which prioritizes the use of native plants on state-owned properties. 
• HB2096 directs the Department of Conservation and Recreation to update the current invasive plant species list by 2024 and every four years thereafter. The bill also requires landscape professionals to notify their customers if their landscape plans include any invasive species.

Thank you to our Partners at the Virginia Native Plant Society for your ardent determination and advocacy!

Significant reductions in keystone species have harmed the health of the Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries, but targeted investments and policies pertaining to population restoration and science-driven fisheries management ensures the sustainability of our marine, estuarine and aquatic ecosystems from both an ecological and economic perspective. This session, the General Assembly passed legislation to protect aquatic wildlife which included:

• HB1438 & SB997 create a tax credit for oyster shell recycling, which will support oyster habitat creation
• HB1664 & SB897 establish the Governor’s Blue Catfish Industries Development Fund
• SB1388 assesses Virginia’s current menhaden fishery stock and its economic purpose

Thank you to VCN Partners at the Chesapeake Bay Foundation, and Friends of the Rappahannock for your leadership on these bills.

For its 40th anniversary, House Joint Resolution 512 commends the Wildlife Center of Virginia! One of the world’s leading teaching and research hospitals for wildlife conservation medicine, and a VCN Partner, the Wildlife Center of Virginia provides high-quality health care services, including emergency procedures, to Virginia’s native wildlife.

Most of the Commonwealth’s strongest land conservation advocacy happens through the budget. Virginia has strong land conservation programs already in place, but these programs need full funding to ensure the long-term health of our landscapes and ecosystems.

Virginia is currently in the middle of a two-year budget. The legislature typically passes amendments to the two-year budget. However, this year the legislature adjourned without making major updates to the budget leaving $3 billion in new revenue unspent.

See our budget positions and their status in the budget process through the linked Budget Analysis on our Bill Tracker.

See policy reviews for our other issues areas from the 2023 General Assembly session below: