CHAPTER 581
An Act to amend the Code of Virginia by adding a section numbered 15.2-2223.6 , relating to comprehensive plan; environmental justice strategy.
[H 256]
Approved April 13, 2026
Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:
1. That the Code of Virginia is amended by adding a section numbered 15.2-2223.6 as follows:
§ 15.2-2223.6 . Comprehensive plan shall consider adopting an environmental justice strategy.
A. For purposes of this section:
"Environmental justice community" means the same as that term is defined in § 2.2-234 , as determined by the most currently available demographic information compiled for census tracts or census blocks within the local planning commission's jurisdiction, provided that any discrete geographic area smaller than a census tract or census block within the local planning commission's jurisdiction may be designated as an environmental justice community in accordance with the definition set forth in § 2.2-234 .
"Fenceline community" means the same as that term is defined in § 2.2-234 .
B. Beginning July 1, 2026, each city with a population greater than 20,000 and each county with a population greater than 100,000 shall, during the next scheduled and all subsequent reviews of its comprehensive plan, as required in § 15.2-2230 , consider adopting an environmental justice strategy that meets the requirements of this section.