Bill Text: VA HB557 | 2024 | Regular Session | Prefiled

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Bill Title: Northern Virginia Transportation Authority; preservation of public parklands, recreation areas, etc.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)

Status: (Introduced) 2024-02-13 - Left in Transportation [HB557 Detail]

Download: Virginia-2024-HB557-Prefiled.html

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24101097D
HOUSE BILL NO. 557 Offered January 10, 2024 Prefiled January 9, 2024 A BILL to amend the Code of Virginia by adding in Chapter 25 of Title 33.2 a section numbered 33.2-2513, relating to Northern Virginia Transportation Authority; preservation of public parklands, recreation areas, and wildlife or waterfowl refuges. ---------- Patron-- Hope ---------- Committee Referral Pending ----------

Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:

1. That the Code of Virginia is amended by adding in Chapter 25 of Title 33.2 a section numbered 33.2-2513 as follows:

§33.2-2513. Preservation of public parklands, recreation areas, and wildlife or waterfowl refuges.

The Authority shall prioritize the preservation of the natural beauty and the natural resources of the countryside and public park and recreation lands within the localities embraced by the Authority. The Authority shall not approve any program or project that requires the use of any publicly owned land from a (i) public park; (ii) recreation area; or (iii) wildlife or waterfowl refuge of national, statewide, or local significance as determined by the local governing body of any locality having jurisdiction over such wildlife or waterfowl refuge unless (a) there is no feasible and prudent alternative to the use of such land and (b) such program or project includes all possible planning to minimize harm to such park, recreation area, or wildlife or waterfowl refuge resulting from such use.