HB597
Wildlife Corridor Grant Fund; created, voluntary contributions, report.
Status:
Passed
Latest Action:
March 10, 2026
Senate: Passed Senate (25-Y 15-N 0-A)
Chief Patron:
Shelly Simonds (D)
Session:
2026 Regular Session
Summary
As Introduced. Wildlife Corridor Grant Fund established; voluntary contributions; report.
Establishes the Wildlife Corridor Grant Fund to provide grants for projects that conserve or enhance wildlife corridors prioritized by the Wildlife Corridor Action Plan and associated wildlife crossing infrastructure projects. The Director of the Department of Wildlife Resources shall administer the Fund in collaboration with the Department of Conservation and ... (More) Recreation, the Department of Forestry, and the Department of Transportation. The Director of the Department of Wildlife Resources shall submit a report to the General Assembly by November 1 of each odd-numbered year concerning the amount of public and private funding received by the Fund, the awarding of grants from the Fund, and the progress of funded projects, including data on the use of project infrastructure by wildlife. The bill also provides mechanisms for individuals to make voluntary contributions to the Fund through a Department of Motor Vehicles electronic transaction and an individual income tax return. (Less)-
Bill History
- 01/13/2026 - House: Prefiled and ordered printed; Offered 01-14-2026 26105131D
- 01/13/2026 - House: Referred to Committee on Appropriations
- 01/20/2026 - House: Assigned HAPP sub: Commerce Agriculture & Natural Resources
- 02/10/2026 - House: Placed on Appropriations Agenda
- 02/11/2026 - House: Subcommittee recommends reporting (5-Y 2-N)
- 02/11/2026 - House: Reported from Appropriations (15-Y 7-N)
- 02/12/2026 - House: Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (HB597)
- 02/13/2026 - House: Read first time
- 02/16/2026 - House: Read second time and engrossed
- 02/17/2026 - House: Read third time and passed House (65-Y 32-N 0-A) Close Floor Vote
- 02/18/2026 - Senate: Constitutional reading dispensed (on 1st reading)
- 02/18/2026 - Senate: Referred to Committee on Finance and Appropriations
- 03/06/2026 - Senate: Reported from Finance and Appropriations (10-Y 5-N)
- 03/09/2026 - Senate: Rules suspended
- 03/09/2026 - Senate: Constitutional reading dispensed Block Vote (on 2nd reading) (40-Y 0-N 0-A)
- 03/09/2026 - Senate: Passed by for the day Block Vote (Voice Vote)
- 03/10/2026 - Senate: Read third time
- 03/10/2026 - Senate: Passed Senate (25-Y 15-N 0-A) Close Floor Vote
