VirginiaNorfolk could receive state underwater land rights for coastal protection
Norfolk could receive rights to underwater land for its coastal storm protection project and any state interest in a named canal, if state officials approve the transfers.
What it does
Norfolk could receive permanent easements, temporary construction rights, or other property interests in underwater land needed for Phase I of its coastal storm protection project, subject to state approval.
The Commission could transfer to Norfolk any state interest in Newton Canal, also called Mahone’s Canal or Brambleton Canal, if officials approve the transfer.
Argument forThese rights could let Norfolk use state underwater land for parts of its coastal storm protection project, if officials approve the transfers.
Argument againstTransferring these property rights could reduce the state’s choices for managing the underwater land and canal.
More detail
The Commission would be allowed to convey several kinds of property rights to Norfolk for Phase I of its coastal storm risk project. The rights cover underwater land needed for Phase I, as generally shown in the listed project drawings. The locations and terms must be acceptable to the Commission, and Norfolk must pay $1. The transfer requires consultation with the Commonwealth’s Chief Resilience Officer and Attorney General, approval by the Governor, and a form approved by the Attorney General.
The Commission would be allowed to quitclaim to Norfolk any interest the Commonwealth may have in the named canal property. The property is Newton Canal, also called Mahone’s Canal or Brambleton Canal, within Norfolk parcel GPIN 1437339770. The terms must be acceptable to the Commission, and Norfolk must pay $1. The transfer requires consultation with the Commonwealth’s Chief Resilience Officer and Attorney General, approval by the Governor, and a form approved by the Attorney General.
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Where it stands
- Introduced
- Passed House
- Passed Senate
- To Governor
- Became Law
Looking ahead
No hearings or votes scheduled.
History
- 2026
- Jul 21Continued from last sessionLatest
- Mar 4Continued to next session in Finance and Appropriations (15-Y 0-N)
- Feb 24Reported from Agriculture, Conservation and Natural Resources and rereferred to Finance and Appropriations (14-Y 0-N)Minor
- Feb 18Referred to Committee on Agriculture, Conservation and Natural ResourcesMinor
- Feb 18Constitutional reading dispensed (on 1st reading)
- Feb 18Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (HB487)
- Feb 17Read third time and passed House (97-Y 0-N 0-A)Passed House
- Feb 16Engrossed by House - committee substituteMajor
- Feb 16committee substitute agreed toMajor
- Feb 16Read second timeMinor
- Feb 13Read first timeMinor
- Feb 11Committee substitute printed 26107593D-H1Major
- Feb 11Reported from Agriculture, Chesapeake and Natural Resources with substitute (22-Y 0-N)Minor
- Feb 9Subcommittee recommends reporting with substitute (9-Y 1-N)Major
- Feb 9House subcommittee offered
- Jan 23Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (HB487)
- Jan 19Assigned HACNR sub: ChesapeakeMinor
- Jan 12Referred to Committee on Agriculture, Chesapeake and Natural ResourcesMinor
- Jan 12Prefiled and ordered printed; Offered 01-14-2026 26102635DIntroduced
Environment & Energy