Legislation - SB0523

Title: Department of Natural Resources - Water Resources - Identification of Vernal Pools (Jack Cover Vernal Pools Act of 2026)
Sponsored by: Senator M. Washington
Status: In the Senate - Passed Enrolled
Analysis: Fiscal and Policy Note (Revised)

Synopsis

Requiring the Department of Natural Resources in coordination with the Department of the Environment to identify certain vernal pools in the State; requiring the Department of Natural Resources to create and maintain a certain list of vernal pools in the State in a certain manner; and requiring the Department of the Environment to designate staff to receive training in vernal pool identification and to notify the Department of Natural Resources of a location that may qualify for inclusion on the list of vernal pools.

Committees

Original:: Education, Energy, and the Environment Click to view Recorded Media

Opposite:: Environment and Transportation Click to view Recorded Media

Committee Testimony

Witness List

Details

Cross-filed with: HB0701

Bill File Type: Regular

Effective Date(s): October 1, 2026

History

Legislation History
Chamber Senate Calendar Date 2/04/2026 Legislative Date 2/04/2026 Action First Reading Education, Energy, and the Environment Proceedings
Chamber Calendar Date Legislative Date Action Text - First - Department of the Environment - Water Resources - Protection of Vernal Pools (Vernal Pool Wetlands Protection Act of 2026) Proceedings
Chamber Senate Calendar Date 2/05/2026 Legislative Date 2/05/2026 Action Hearing 2/24 at 1:00 p.m. Proceedings
Chamber Calendar Date Legislative Date Action Vote - Senate - Committee - Education, Energy, and the Environment Proceedings Click to view Recorded Media
Chamber Senate Calendar Date 3/20/2026 Legislative Date 3/20/2026 Action Favorable with Amendments Report by Education, Energy, and the Environment Proceedings
Chamber Senate Calendar Date 3/20/2026 Legislative Date 3/04/2026 Action Favorable with Amendments {103120/1 Adopted Proceedings 43 Click to view Recorded Media
Chamber Senate Calendar Date 3/20/2026 Legislative Date 3/04/2026 Action Second Reading Passed with Amendments Proceedings 43 Click to view Recorded Media
Chamber Calendar Date Legislative Date Action Text - Third - Department of Natural Resources - Water Resources - Identification of Vernal Pools Proceedings
Chamber Senate Calendar Date 3/23/2026 Legislative Date 3/06/2026 Action Third Reading Passed (44-0) Proceedings 45 Click to view Recorded Media
Chamber House Calendar Date 3/23/2026 Legislative Date 3/11/2026 Action Referred Environment and Transportation Proceedings 48 Click to view Recorded Media
Chamber House Calendar Date 3/25/2026 Legislative Date 3/25/2026 Action Hearing 4/02 at 1:00 p.m. Proceedings
Chamber Calendar Date Legislative Date Action Vote - House - Committee - Environment and Transportation Proceedings Click to view Recorded Media
Chamber House Calendar Date 4/08/2026 Legislative Date 4/08/2026 Action Favorable with Amendments Report by Environment and Transportation Proceedings
Chamber House Calendar Date 4/09/2026 Legislative Date 3/23/2026 Action Favorable with Amendments {213420/1 Adopted Proceedings 60 Click to view Recorded Media
Chamber House Calendar Date 4/09/2026 Legislative Date 3/23/2026 Action Motion Special Order until Later This Session (Delegate Adams) Adopted Proceedings 60 Click to view Recorded Media
Chamber House Calendar Date 4/09/2026 Legislative Date 3/23/2026 Action Floor Amendment {843526/1 (Delegate Adams) Rejected (38-89) Proceedings 60 Click to view Recorded Media
Chamber House Calendar Date 4/09/2026 Legislative Date 3/23/2026 Action Second Reading Passed with Amendments Proceedings 60 Click to view Recorded Media
Chamber House Calendar Date 4/10/2026 Legislative Date 3/26/2026 Action Third Reading Passed (97-36) Proceedings 63 Click to view Recorded Media
Chamber Senate Calendar Date 4/10/2026 Legislative Date 3/24/2026 Action Senate Concurs House Amendments Proceedings 63 Click to view Recorded Media
Chamber Senate Calendar Date 4/10/2026 Legislative Date 3/24/2026 Action Third Reading Passed (41-0) Proceedings 63 Click to view Recorded Media
Chamber Senate Calendar Date 4/10/2026 Legislative Date 3/24/2026 Action Passed Enrolled Proceedings
Chamber Calendar Date Legislative Date Action Text - Enrolled - Department of Natural Resources - Water Resources - Identification of Vernal Pools (Jack Cover Vernal Pools Act of 2026) Proceedings

Chamber	Calendar Date	Legislative Date	Action	Proceedings
Senate	2/04/2026	2/04/2026	First Reading Education, Energy, and the Environment
			Text - First - Department of the Environment - Water Resources - Protection of Vernal Pools (Vernal Pool Wetlands Protection Act of 2026)
Senate	2/05/2026	2/05/2026	Hearing 2/24 at 1:00 p.m.
			Vote - Senate - Committee - Education, Energy, and the Environment	Click to view Recorded Media
Senate	3/20/2026	3/20/2026	Favorable with Amendments Report by Education, Energy, and the Environment
Senate	3/20/2026	3/04/2026	Favorable with Amendments {103120/1 Adopted	43 Click to view Recorded Media
Senate	3/20/2026	3/04/2026	Second Reading Passed with Amendments	43 Click to view Recorded Media
			Text - Third - Department of Natural Resources - Water Resources - Identification of Vernal Pools
Senate	3/23/2026	3/06/2026	Third Reading Passed (44-0)	45 Click to view Recorded Media
House	3/23/2026	3/11/2026	Referred Environment and Transportation	48 Click to view Recorded Media
House	3/25/2026	3/25/2026	Hearing 4/02 at 1:00 p.m.
			Vote - House - Committee - Environment and Transportation	Click to view Recorded Media
House	4/08/2026	4/08/2026	Favorable with Amendments Report by Environment and Transportation
House	4/09/2026	3/23/2026	Favorable with Amendments {213420/1 Adopted	60 Click to view Recorded Media
House	4/09/2026	3/23/2026	Motion Special Order until Later This Session (Delegate Adams) Adopted	60 Click to view Recorded Media
House	4/09/2026	3/23/2026	Floor Amendment {843526/1 (Delegate Adams) Rejected (38-89)	60 Click to view Recorded Media
House	4/09/2026	3/23/2026	Second Reading Passed with Amendments	60 Click to view Recorded Media
House	4/10/2026	3/26/2026	Third Reading Passed (97-36)	63 Click to view Recorded Media
Senate	4/10/2026	3/24/2026	Senate Concurs House Amendments	63 Click to view Recorded Media
Senate	4/10/2026	3/24/2026	Third Reading Passed (41-0)	63 Click to view Recorded Media
Senate	4/10/2026	3/24/2026	Passed Enrolled
			Text - Enrolled - Department of Natural Resources - Water Resources - Identification of Vernal Pools (Jack Cover Vernal Pools Act of 2026)

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