Updated Bill Tracker Throughout the General Assembly session, VCN maintains an updated conservation bill tracker online. The bill tracker is updated every Friday after VCN's Board of Directors votes on positions recommended by VCN's Legislative Committee. Week Eight Legislative Update Top Action: Restore Funding for Critical Land Conservation Programs The budget conferees have been appointed. These 13 individuals will work over the next week to hammer out the differences in the House and Senate budgets. Contact the budget [...]

On Sunday, February 18, the Senate and House budgets were released. While some improvements were made compared to the state budget proposed in December, far-reaching cuts to critical conservation programs still remain. VCN's Legislative Committee has pulled together the following comments in response to the Virginia House and Senate 2018 – 2020 biennial budget. Clean Water & Fisheries In order to meet the pollution reduction goals laid out by the Chesapeake Bay cleanup plan, we must continue to invest in [...]

Updated Bill Tracker Throughout the General Assembly session, VCN maintains an updated conservation bill tracker online. The bill tracker is updated every Friday after VCN's Board of Directors votes on positions recommended by VCN's Legislative Committee. Week Seven Legislative Update Top Action: Funding for Critical Land Conservation Programs On Sunday, February 18, the Senate and House budgets were released. Cuts to critical land conservation programs were worse than expected. Legislators are pointing to money that state and private [...]

Updated Bill Tracker Throughout the General Assembly session, VCN maintains an updated conservation bill tracker online. The bill tracker is updated every Friday after VCN's Board of Directors votes on positions recommended by VCN's Legislative Committee. Week Six Legislative Update Crossover took place this past Tuesday, February 13th. This means that all House bills that are still alive have crossed over to the Senate side, and all Senate bills that are still alive have crossed over to the [...]

Updated Bill Tracker Throughout the General Assembly session, VCN maintains an updated conservation bill tracker online. The bill tracker is updated every Friday after VCN's Board of Directors votes on positions recommended by VCN's Legislative Committee. Top Three #1: Budget Amendments — The money subcommittees are tasked with making decisions about which budget amendments to support. Their recommendations will be announced on Sunday, February 18th. This means that now is the time to contact members on these subcommittee [...]

Updated Bill Tracker Throughout the General Assembly session, VCN maintains an updated conservation bill tracker online. This bill tracker is updated every Friday after VCN's Board of Directors votes on positions recommended by VCN's Legislative Committee. Top Three #1: Oppose Efforts to Undermine Responsible Government — A package of legislation was introduced this year that would undermine and circumvent Virginia's Administrative Process. One of the most concerning pieces — HJ111 — passed committee on Friday and will be voted on the [...]