Virginia 2024 Regular Session Status: Enacted

SB 581 — Environmental Quality, Department of; groundwater and surface water withdrawal permits.

Last action — Acts of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP0251)

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  1. ✓
    Introduced
  2. ✓
    In Committee
  3. ✓
    Passed Senate
  4. ✓
    Passed House of Delegates
  5. ✓
    To Executive
  6. 6
    Enacted

This bill has been enacted into law. Introduced January 10, 2024. Enacted.

Signed by Governor Glenn Youngkin (Republican) on March 28, 2024.

Prognosis

Likely to advance 70% · moderate confidence

Where this bill stands today.

Odds of enactment

High

How often bills like it became law.

  • Enacted

    Current position in the legislative process.

  • 1 sponsor

    1 primary, 0 co-sponsors signed on.

  • Cleared a recorded vote

    Passed 8 recorded votes so far.

Prognosis reads this bill's own signals — stage, sponsorship breadth, committee status, recorded votes and cross-state momentum. Odds come from a model trained on which bills have become law.

Summary

Department of Environmental Quality; data; groundwater and surface water withdrawal permits. Authorizes the Department of Environmental Quality to utilize and incorporate comprehensive groundwater, surface water, and aquifer data in its decision-making processes related to the issuance and renewal of groundwater withdrawal permits and surface water withdrawal permits. Such data may include information relating to water levels, flow rates, and water quality.

Bill Text

What changed in the latest version

101 added · 97 removed

Plain-language change summary

The amendments to SB 581 clarify the regulations regarding water withdrawals in Virginia, particularly focusing on the protection of existing water uses. The revisions prioritize existing domestic and beneficial water uses and specify that the Board can use comprehensive water data when making permit decisions. This change is significant as it aims to strengthen the oversight of water resources, ensuring that current water needs are safeguarded while also allowing for necessary future withdrawals under specific conditions.

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SESSION ENROLLED VIRGINIA ACTS OF ASSEMBLY –– CHAPTER E An Act to amend and reenact §§ 62.1-44.15:22, as it is currently effective and as it shall become data;
VIRGINIA ACTS OF ASSEMBLY -- 2024 SESSION CHAPTER 251 An Act to amend and reenact §§ 62.1-44.15:22, as it is currently effective and as it shall become effective, and 62.1-263 of the Code of Virginia, relating to Department of Environmental Quality;
groundwater and surface water withdrawal permits.ng to Department of Environmental QuaRity;
data;
O [S 581] L Approved L Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:
groundwater and surface water withdrawal permits.
E 1.
[S 581] Approved March 28, 2024 Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:
That §§ 62.1-44.15:22, as it is currently effective and as it shall become effective, and 62D1-263 of the§ 62.1-44.15:22.
1.
That §§ 62.1-44.15:22, as it is currently effective and as it shall become effective, and 62.1-263 of the Code of Virginia are amended and reenacted as follows:
§ 62.1-44.15:22.
Conditions contained in a Virginia Water Protection Permit may include but are not limited to the volume of water which may be withdrawn as a part of the permitted activity and conditions necessary to protect beneficial uses.
Conditions contained in a Virginia Water Protection Permit may include but are not limited to the protect beneficial uses.
Domestic and other existing beneficial uses shall be considered the highest priority uses.
Domestic and other existing beneficial uses shall be considered the highestto priority uses.
Such data may include information relating to wBter levels, flow rates, and water quality.
Such data may include information relating to water levels, flow rates, and water quality.
8 any water withdrawal in existence on July 1, 1989;
B.
however, a permit shall be required if a newE§ 401 certification is required to increase a withdrawal.
Notwithstanding any other provision, no Virginia Water Protection Permit shall be required for any water withdrawal in existence on July 1, 1989;
however, a permit shall be required if a new § 401 certification is required to increase a withdrawal.
The Board may issue an Emergency Virginia Water Protection Permit for a new or increased withdrawal when it finds that because of drought there is an insufficient public drinking water supply authorize the proposed activity only after conservation measures mandated by local or state authoritieso have failed to protect public health and safety and notification of the agencies designated in § 62.1-44.15:20 C and only for the amount of water necessary to protect public health and safety.
The Board may issue an Emergency Virginia Water Protection Permit for a new or increased withdrawal when it finds that because of drought there is an insufficient public drinking water supply that may result in a substantial threat to human health or public safety.
Such a permit may be issued to authorize the proposed activity only after conservation measures mandated by local or state authorities have failed to protect public health and safety and notification of the agencies designated in § 62.1-44.15:20 C and only for the amount of water necessary to protect public health and safety.
The application for the Virginia Water Protection Permit shall be subject to issued under this section shall be valid until the Board approves or denies the subsequent request for a Virginia Water Protection Permit or for a period of one year, whichever occurs sooner.
The application for the Virginia Water Protection Permit shall be subject to public comment for a period established by the Board.
Any Emergency Virginia Water Protection Permit issued under this section shall be valid until the Board approves or denies the subsequent request for a Virginia Water Protection Permit or for a period of one year, whichever occurs sooner.
Conditions contained in a Virginia Water Protection Permit may include the volume of water that may be withdrawn as a part of the permitted activity and conditions necessary to protect beneficial Board is authorized to utilize and incorporate comprehensive groundwater, surface water, and aquifer data in its permit decision.
Conditions contained in a Virginia Water Protection Permit may include the volume of water that may be withdrawn as a part of the permitted activity and conditions necessary to protect beneficial uses.
Domestic and other existing beneficial uses shall be considered the highest priority uses.
The Board is authorized to utilize and incorporate comprehensive groundwater, surface water, and aquifer data in its permit decision.
Once approved by the Board, such water auditing plan and leak detection and repair plan shall be incorporated by Water Protection Permit for a surface water withdrawal without an approved water auditing plan and ana approved leak detection and repair plan.
Once approved by the Board, such water auditing plan and leak detection and repair plan shall be incorporated by reference as a condition in the Virginia Water Protection Permit.
of 2 B.
The Board shall not issue a Virginia Water Protection Permit for a surface water withdrawal without an approved water auditing plan and an approved leak detection and repair plan.
B.
however, a permit shall be required if a new § 401 certification is required to increase a withdrawal.
however, a permit shall be required if a new of 2 § 401 certification is required to increase a withdrawal.
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Action History

  1. Acts of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP0251)

  2. Approved by Governor-Chapter 251 (effective 7/1/24)

  3. Governor's Action Deadline 11:59 p.m., April 8, 2024

  4. Enrolled Bill Communicated to Governor on March 11, 2024

  5. Signed by President

  6. Signed by Speaker

  7. Impact statement from DPB (SB581ER)

  8. Bill text as passed Senate and House (SB581ER)

  9. Enrolled

  10. VOTE: Block Vote Passage (97-Y 0-N)

  11. Passed House BLOCK VOTE (97-Y 0-N)

  12. Read third time

  13. Read second time

  14. Reported from Agriculture, Chesapeake and Natural Resources (22-Y 0-N)

  15. Subcommittee recommends reporting (10-Y 0-N)

  16. Impact statement from DPB (SB581S1)

  17. Assigned ACNR sub: Chesapeake

  18. Referred to Committee on Agriculture, Chesapeake and Natural Resources

  19. Read first time

  20. Placed on Calendar

  21. Passed Senate (40-Y 0-N)

  22. Constitutional reading dispensed (39-Y 0-N)

  23. Engrossed by Senate - committee substitute SB581S1

  24. Committee substitute agreed to 24107628D-S1

  25. Reading of substitute waived

  26. Read second time

  27. Constitutional reading dispensed (40-Y 0-N)

  28. Committee substitute printed 24107628D-S1

  29. Reported from Finance and Appropriations with substitute (15-Y 0-N)

  30. Impact statement from DPB (SB581)

  31. Rereferred to Finance and Appropriations

  32. Reported from Agriculture, Conservation and Natural Resources (15-Y 0-N)

  33. Referred to Committee on Agriculture, Conservation and Natural Resources

  34. Prefiled and ordered printed; offered 01/10/24 24101596D

Sponsors

Sponsorship breakdown

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1 sponsors · 0 co-sponsors · 147 not signed on

Sponsors (1)

Co-sponsors (0)

None.

Not signed on (147)

147 members have not signed on to this bill.

Show all 147 →

"Not signed on" means a member has not sponsored or co-sponsored this bill — it does not imply opposition. Members flagged Voted No have a recorded No vote on this bill.

Whip count is in markup. Polling the chamber and every recorded vote this session. Only the first open is slow. It’s instant for you after this. Calling the roll · Tallying · Engrossing

Votes

VOTE: Block Vote Passage (97-Y 0-N)

Passed 96 Yea · 0 Nay · 3 Other
Party YeaNayPresentNot Voting
Unaffiliated 96003
Total 96003
% of votes cast 97%0%0%3%
How each member voted (99)
Member Party Vote
Adele Y. McClure — Yea
Alex Q. Askew — Yea
Alfonso H. Lopez — Yea
Amy J. Laufer — Yea
Anne Ferrell Tata — Yea
Arnold, Jonathan, E. P. — Not Voting
Atoosa R. Reaser — Yea
Batten, Amanda E. — Yea
Betsy B. Carr — Yea
Bill Wiley — Yea
Bonita G. Anthony — Yea
Briana D. Sewell — Yea
Bulova, David L. — Yea
C.E. Cliff Hayes, Jr. — Yea
Charniele L. Herring — Yea
Chris S. Runion — Yea
Convirs-Fowler, Kelly K. — Yea
Cordoza, A.C. — Yea
Coyner, Carrie E. — Yea
Dan I. Helmer — Yea
David A. Reid — Yea
Debra D. Gardner — Yea
Delores L. McQuinn — Yea
Delores Oates — Yea
Earley, Mark L., Jr. — Yea
Elizabeth B. Bennett-Parker — Yea
Ellen H. McLaughlin — Yea
Ennis, N. Baxter — Yea
Eric Phillips — Yea
Eric R. Zehr — Yea
Fowler, Hyland F."Buddy," Jr. — Yea
Freitas, Nicholas J. — Yea
Gilbert, C. Todd — Yea
Green, W. Chad — Yea
H. Otto Wachsmann, Jr. — Yea
Higgins, Geary — Not Voting
Holly M. Seibold — Yea
Irene Shin — Yea
Israel D. O'Quinn — Yea
Jackie H. Glass — Yea
James A. "Jay" Leftwich — Yea
James W. Morefield — Yea
Jason S. Ballard — Yea
Jeion A. Ward — Yea
Joseph P. McNamara — Yea
Joshua E. Thomas — Yea
Joshua G. Cole — Yea
Kannan Srinivasan — Yea
Karen Keys-Gamarra — Yea
Karrie K. Delaney — Yea
Kathy K.L. Tran — Yea
Katrina Callsen — Yea
Kent, Hillary Pugh — Yea
Knight, Barry D. — Yea
Laura Jane Cohen — Yea
LeVere Bolling, Destiny — Yea
Lovejoy, Ian T. — Yea
Luke E. Torian — Yea
M. Keith Hodges — Yea
Maldonado, Michelle Lopes — Yea
Marcia S. "Cia" Price — Yea
Marcus B. Simon — Yea
Marshall, Daniel W., III — Yea
Marty Martinez — Yea
Michael B. Feggans — Yea
Michael J. Jones — Yea
Michael J. Webert — Yea
Mike A. Cherry — Yea
Milde, Paul V. — Not Voting
Mundon King, Candi — Yea
Nadarius E. Clark — Yea
Obenshain, Chris — Yea
Orrock, Robert D., Sr. — Yea
Owen, David — Yea
Patrick A. Hope — Yea
Paul E. Krizek — Yea
Phil M. Hernandez — Yea
Phillip A. Scott — Yea
R. Lee Ware — Yea
Rae Cousins — Yea
Richard C. "Rip" Sullivan, Jr. — Yea
Robert S. Bloxom, Jr. — Yea
Rodney T. Willett — Yea
Rozia A. Henson, Jr. — Yea
Sam Rasoul — Yea
Scott A. Wyatt — Yea
Shelly A. Simonds — Yea
Sickles, Mark D. — Yea
Taylor, Kim A. — Yea
Terry G. Kilgore — Yea
Terry L. Austin — Yea
Thomas A. Garrett, Jr. — Yea
Thomas C. Wright, Jr. — Yea
Timothy P. Griffin — Yea
Tony O. Wilt — Yea
Vivian E. Watts — Yea
Wendell S. Walker — Yea
Will Davis — Yea
Wren M. Williams — Yea

Official roll call →

Reported from Agriculture, Chesapeake and Natural Resources (22-Y 0-N)

Passed 22 Yea · 0 Nay
Party YeaNayPresentNot Voting
Unaffiliated 22000
Total 22000
% of votes cast 100%0%0%0%
How each member voted (22)
Member Party Vote
Alfonso H. Lopez — Yea
Amy J. Laufer — Yea
Bulova, David L. — Yea
Charniele L. Herring — Yea
Chris S. Runion — Yea
Dan I. Helmer — Yea
Fowler, Hyland F."Buddy," Jr. — Yea
Jackie H. Glass — Yea
Kathy K.L. Tran — Yea
Kent, Hillary Pugh — Yea
Marshall, Daniel W., III — Yea
Michael J. Webert — Yea
Nadarius E. Clark — Yea
Orrock, Robert D., Sr. — Yea
Paul E. Krizek — Yea
Phil M. Hernandez — Yea
R. Lee Ware — Yea
Robert S. Bloxom, Jr. — Yea
Rodney T. Willett — Yea
Shelly A. Simonds — Yea
Thomas C. Wright, Jr. — Yea
Tony O. Wilt — Yea

Official roll call →

Subcommittee recommends reporting (10-Y 0-N)

Passed 10 Yea · 0 Nay · 1 Other
Party YeaNayPresentNot Voting
Unaffiliated 10001
Total 10001
% of votes cast 91%0%0%9%
How each member voted (11)
Member Party Vote
Alfonso H. Lopez — Not Voting
Amy J. Laufer — Yea
Bulova, David L. — Yea
Charniele L. Herring — Yea
Michael J. Webert — Yea
Nadarius E. Clark — Yea
Paul E. Krizek — Yea
Phil M. Hernandez — Yea
R. Lee Ware — Yea
Robert S. Bloxom, Jr. — Yea
Tony O. Wilt — Yea

Official roll call →

Constitutional reading dispensed (39-Y 0-N)

Passed 39 Yea · 0 Nay · 1 Other
Party YeaNayPresentNot Voting
Unaffiliated 39001
Total 39001
% of votes cast 98%0%0%3%
How each member voted (40)
Member Party Vote
Aaron R. Rouse — Yea
Angelia Williams Graves — Yea
Barbara A. Favola — Yea
Bill DeSteph — Yea
Bryce E. Reeves — Yea
Carroll Foy, Jennifer D. — Yea
Christie New Craig — Yea
Christopher T. Head — Yea
Danica A. Roem — Yea
David R. Suetterlein — Yea
David W. Marsden — Yea
Ebbin, Adam P. — Yea
Emily M. Jordan — Yea
Glen H. Sturtevant, Jr. — Yea
Hashmi, Ghazala F. — Yea
J.D. "Danny" Diggs — Yea
Jennifer B. Boysko — Yea
Jeremy S. McPike — Yea
L. Louise Lucas — Yea
Lamont Bagby — Yea
Lashrecse D. Aird — Yea
Mamie E. Locke — Yea
Mark D. Obenshain — Yea
Mark J. Peake — Yea
McGuire, John J., III — Yea
R. Creigh Deeds — Yea
Richard H. Stuart — Yea
Russet Perry — Yea
Ryan T. McDougle — Not Voting
Saddam Azlan Salim — Yea
Schuyler T. VanValkenburg — Yea
Scott A. Surovell — Yea
Stella G. Pekarsky — Yea
Subramanyam, Suhas — Yea
T. Travis Hackworth — Yea
Tammy Brankley Mulchi — Yea
Tara A. Durant — Yea
Timmy French — Yea
Todd E. Pillion — Yea
William M. Stanley, Jr. — Yea

Official roll call →

Passed Senate (40-Y 0-N)

Passed 40 Yea · 0 Nay
Party YeaNayPresentNot Voting
Unaffiliated 40000
Total 40000
% of votes cast 100%0%0%0%
How each member voted (40)
Member Party Vote
Aaron R. Rouse — Yea
Angelia Williams Graves — Yea
Barbara A. Favola — Yea
Bill DeSteph — Yea
Bryce E. Reeves — Yea
Carroll Foy, Jennifer D. — Yea
Christie New Craig — Yea
Christopher T. Head — Yea
Danica A. Roem — Yea
David R. Suetterlein — Yea
David W. Marsden — Yea
Ebbin, Adam P. — Yea
Emily M. Jordan — Yea
Glen H. Sturtevant, Jr. — Yea
Hashmi, Ghazala F. — Yea
J.D. "Danny" Diggs — Yea
Jennifer B. Boysko — Yea
Jeremy S. McPike — Yea
L. Louise Lucas — Yea
Lamont Bagby — Yea
Lashrecse D. Aird — Yea
Mamie E. Locke — Yea
Mark D. Obenshain — Yea
Mark J. Peake — Yea
McGuire, John J., III — Yea
R. Creigh Deeds — Yea
Richard H. Stuart — Yea
Russet Perry — Yea
Ryan T. McDougle — Yea
Saddam Azlan Salim — Yea
Schuyler T. VanValkenburg — Yea
Scott A. Surovell — Yea
Stella G. Pekarsky — Yea
Subramanyam, Suhas — Yea
T. Travis Hackworth — Yea
Tammy Brankley Mulchi — Yea
Tara A. Durant — Yea
Timmy French — Yea
Todd E. Pillion — Yea
William M. Stanley, Jr. — Yea

Official roll call →

Constitutional reading dispensed (40-Y 0-N)

Passed 40 Yea · 0 Nay
Party YeaNayPresentNot Voting
Unaffiliated 40000
Total 40000
% of votes cast 100%0%0%0%
How each member voted (40)
Member Party Vote
Aaron R. Rouse — Yea
Angelia Williams Graves — Yea
Barbara A. Favola — Yea
Bill DeSteph — Yea
Bryce E. Reeves — Yea
Carroll Foy, Jennifer D. — Yea
Christie New Craig — Yea
Christopher T. Head — Yea
Danica A. Roem — Yea
David R. Suetterlein — Yea
David W. Marsden — Yea
Ebbin, Adam P. — Yea
Emily M. Jordan — Yea
Glen H. Sturtevant, Jr. — Yea
Hashmi, Ghazala F. — Yea
J.D. "Danny" Diggs — Yea
Jennifer B. Boysko — Yea
Jeremy S. McPike — Yea
L. Louise Lucas — Yea
Lamont Bagby — Yea
Lashrecse D. Aird — Yea
Mamie E. Locke — Yea
Mark D. Obenshain — Yea
Mark J. Peake — Yea
McGuire, John J., III — Yea
R. Creigh Deeds — Yea
Richard H. Stuart — Yea
Russet Perry — Yea
Ryan T. McDougle — Yea
Saddam Azlan Salim — Yea
Schuyler T. VanValkenburg — Yea
Scott A. Surovell — Yea
Stella G. Pekarsky — Yea
Subramanyam, Suhas — Yea
T. Travis Hackworth — Yea
Tammy Brankley Mulchi — Yea
Tara A. Durant — Yea
Timmy French — Yea
Todd E. Pillion — Yea
William M. Stanley, Jr. — Yea

Official roll call →

Reported from Finance and Appropriations with substitute (15-Y 0-N)

Passed 15 Yea · 0 Nay
Party YeaNayPresentNot Voting
Unaffiliated 15000
Total 15000
% of votes cast 100%0%0%0%
How each member voted (15)
Member Party Vote
Barbara A. Favola — Yea
Bryce E. Reeves — Yea
David W. Marsden — Yea
Ebbin, Adam P. — Yea
Hashmi, Ghazala F. — Yea
Jennifer B. Boysko — Yea
Jeremy S. McPike — Yea
L. Louise Lucas — Yea
Mamie E. Locke — Yea
Mark D. Obenshain — Yea
R. Creigh Deeds — Yea
Richard H. Stuart — Yea
Ryan T. McDougle — Yea
Scott A. Surovell — Yea
Todd E. Pillion — Yea

Official roll call →

Reported from Agriculture, Conservation and Natural Resources (15-Y 0-N)

Passed 15 Yea · 0 Nay
Party YeaNayPresentNot Voting
Unaffiliated 15000
Total 15000
% of votes cast 100%0%0%0%
How each member voted (15)
Member Party Vote
Angelia Williams Graves — Yea
Barbara A. Favola — Yea
David R. Suetterlein — Yea
David W. Marsden — Yea
Hashmi, Ghazala F. — Yea
Mark D. Obenshain — Yea
Richard H. Stuart — Yea
Russet Perry — Yea
Saddam Azlan Salim — Yea
Stella G. Pekarsky — Yea
Subramanyam, Suhas — Yea
T. Travis Hackworth — Yea
Tammy Brankley Mulchi — Yea
Timmy French — Yea
William M. Stanley, Jr. — Yea

Official roll call →

Subjects

environment labor
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Frequently asked questions

What does SB 581 do?
Department of Environmental Quality; data; groundwater and surface water withdrawal permits. Authorizes the Department of Environmental Quality to utilize and incorporate comprehensive groundwater, surface water, and aquifer data in its decision-making processes related to the issuance and renewal of groundwater withdrawal permits and surface water withdrawal permits. Such data may include information relating to water levels, flow rates, and water quality.
Who sponsors SB 581?
SB 581 is sponsored by Richard H. Stuart.
What is the current status of SB 581?
This bill has been enacted into law. Introduced January 10, 2024. Enacted.
Where can I track SB 581?
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