Virginia Legislators Advance Climate Resilience Efforts in the Commonwealth during the 2024 General Assembly, But More Work Remains

(RICHMOND, VIRGINIA – March 6, 2024) - State lawmakers are soon concluding their legislative actions during the 2024 General Assembly, advancing some key climate resilience efforts and leaving others on the table. 

Notably, legislators passed HB 1458 with bipartisan support, a bill that aims to strengthen Virginia’s approach to resilience governance and align statewide climate adaptation efforts. If signed into law and granted funding, this bill will enable a standalone Chief Resilience Officer to coordinate resilience efforts across state agencies and support regional and local community resilience initiatives. Legislators also passed HB 673 with bipartisan support, ensuring the Resilient Virginia Revolving Fund gives additional weight to low-income and nature-based applications for flood resilience and hazard mitigation projects.  

Resilience bills that did not move forward include HB 863, a bill that would require sellers to disclose a property’s past flood history and known flood risk to homebuyers. In addition, HB 357 did not advance, which would have created a work group to advise on wetlands protection and restoration strategies in the face of a changing climate. 

“Increasing flooding from sea level rise, extreme rain and other climate impacts threaten lives and livelihoods across the Commonwealth. Continued legislative progress is critical to ensuring Virginia remains a national leader in resilience and climate adaptation.  

“Environmental Defense Fund was one of the 39 stakeholders who participated in the 2023 Resilience Coordination Working Group that offered recommendations that serve as the basis for HB 1458. A standalone Chief Resilience Officer will demonstrate Virginia’s continued leadership and commitment to effectively addressing the climate impacts our communities face. 

“We commend lawmakers for passing such proactive legislation and urge Governor Youngkin to sign these key bills. Moving forward, we also urge budget negotiators to include funds in their final budget that effectively operationalize the promise of HB 1458.” 

Background:  

• HB 1458 was introduced by Freshman Del. Phil Hernandez from Norfolk and enables actions by a standalone Chief Resilience Officer, in addition to codifying important transparency commitments for Virginia’s resilience funding programs, the Community Flood Preparedness Fund and the Resilient Virginia Revolving Fund.  
• HB 673 was introduced by Freshman Del. Michael Feggans from Virginia Beach to ensure the Resilient Virginia Revolving Fund prioritizes applications from low-income localities and nature-based projects. 
• HB 863 was introduced by Del. Phil Hernandez to require disclosure of past flooding history and known flood risk for homebuyers and sellers. Virginia has minimal flood disclosure requirements, despite the high costs of flooding, which puts homebuyers and renters at risk.  
• HB 357 was introduced by Del. Shelly Simonds from Newport News, which would have created a work group to advise on wetlands protection and restoration strategies for the Commonwealth in the face of sea level rise and other climate impacts. 

-Emily Steinhilber, Director, Climate Resilient Coasts and Watersheds, Virginia, Environmental Defense Fund