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Virginia · 2026 Regular Session · Bill

HB 597: Wildlife Corridor Grant Fund; created, voluntary contributions, report.

Enacted Official data

  1. Introduced
  2. In committee
  3. Passed one chamber
  4. Passed both chambers
  5. Enacted

Last official action: ·Record last updated:

Plain-language summary

HB 597 is a bill introduced in the Virginia House on January 13, 2026. According to its official title, it concerns: Wildlife Corridor Grant Fund; created, voluntary contributions, report. Primary sponsor: Shelly Simonds (Democratic). It lists 6 additional sponsors. Most recent recorded action (April 13, 2026): Acts of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP0636).

Generated automatically from the official title, sponsor list, and status record only. It does not characterize the bill’s purpose or effects. How summaries are written

Official summary

Abstract published by the legislature (via Open States). Text as published by the legislature; reproduced verbatim.

Wildlife Corridor Grant Fund established; voluntary contributions; report. Establishes the Wildlife Corridor Grant Fund to provide grants for projects that conserve or enhance wildlife corridors prioritized by the Wildlife Corridor Action Plan and associated wildlife crossing infrastructure projects. The Director of the Department of Wildlife Resources shall administer the Fund in collaboration with the Department of Conservation and Recreation, the Department of Forestry, and the Department of Transportation. The Director of the Department of Wildlife Resources shall submit a report to the General Assembly by November 1 of each odd-numbered year concerning the amount of public and private funding received by the Fund, the awarding of grants from the Fund, and the progress of funded projects, including data on the use of project infrastructure by wildlife. The bill also provides mechanisms for individuals to make voluntary contributions to the Fund through a Department of Motor Vehicles electronic transaction and an individual income tax return.

Sponsors

Sponsors by party (alphabetical): Democratic 5 · Republican 1

NameRolePartyChamberDistrict
Shelly SimondsPrimary sponsorDemocraticHouse70
Jessica L. AndersonCo-sponsorNot applicable (committee)——
Betsy CarrCo-sponsorDemocraticHouse78
Buddy FowlerCo-sponsorRepublicanHouse59
Debra GardnerCo-sponsorDemocraticHouse76
Amy LauferCo-sponsorDemocraticHouse55
Kathy TranCo-sponsorDemocraticHouse18

“Support” is shown only as formal sponsorship recorded by the legislature. Roll-call votes are available on the official bill page.

Recent official actions

  1. Acts of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP0636)
  2. Approved by Governor-Chapter 636 (effective 7/1/2026)
  3. Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (HB597)
  4. Governor's Action Deadline 11:59 p.m., April 13, 2026
  5. Enrolled Bill communicated to Governor on March 31, 2026
  6. Signed by Speaker
  7. Signed by President
  8. Bill text as passed House and Senate (HB597ER)
  9. Enrolled
  10. Passed Senate (25-Y 15-N 0-A)
  11. Read third time
  12. Passed by for the day Block Vote (Voice Vote)

Showing 12 most recent of 26 actions. Full history

Sources

  1. Open States / Plural (data from the official legislature website)
  2. Official legislature source