Governor Spanberger Signs Pro-Environment Bills Into Law

Virginia Governor Abigail Spanberger on Wednesday ceremoniously signed into law a number of measures that will improve the environment by cutting wastewater pollution, shoring up wetlands, and promoting climate resilience and environmental justice.

Governor Spanberger signed the bills at Widewater State Park in Stafford, flanked by lawmakers who helped carry them during the 2026 legislative session and partners who had advocated for them.

Those include:

PFAS

Several bills are aimed at helping reduce the prevalence of PFAS, or “forever chemicals,” in fertilizer, waterways, and elsewhere, with the ultimate goal of cutting their presence in the Bay watershed.

• One bill, carried by Senator Richard Stuart (R-King George) in the Senate and Delegate Alfonso Lopez (D-Arlington) in the House, will require sewage sludge used in fertilizer to be tested for PFAS and for the use of such materials to be prohibited if they test positive for certain thresholds of PFAS.

• Another bill from Delegate Nadarius Clark (D-Chesapeake) and Senator Jeremy McPike (D-Prince William) requires wastewater treatment plants to monitor PFAS and report it to DEQ if it is detected.

Wetlands

• One bill from Delegate Phil Hernandez (D-Norfolk) seeks to maintain wetland areas during the permitting process and another from Delegate Lopez updates a state resilience policy to identify potential wetland migration corridors.

• Another bill from Delegate Alex Askew (D-Virginia Beach) establishes a Habitat Policy Oversight Committee within the Virginia Marine Resources Commission, which will be important for supporting the Commonwealth’s coastal resilience efforts and protecting and enhancing essential marine ecosystems.

Environmental Justice

• A bill from Delegate Kathy Tran (D-Fairfax) directs the Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) to move forward for public comment a proposal that would assess cumulative impacts on environmental justice communities for certain permits.

Resilience

• A bill from Delegate Michael Feggans (D-Virginia Beach) directs the Department of Conservation and Recreation to give added weight to projects in low-income areas and those that incorporate nature-based solutions when distributing loans or grants from the Resilient Virginia Revolving Fund.

Chesapeake Bay Foundation Virginia Policy Manager Jay Ford issued the following statement:

“Virginians will see less pollution, more climate resilience, and ultimately a healthier Chesapeake Bay thanks to these bills.

“Lawmakers in the Commonwealth have taken significant steps to cut down on the prevalence of PFAS in the Bay watershed, shore up wetlands that help promote Bay health, and position Virginia to be a leader on promoting climate-smart solutions during the development of new projects and permitting.

“Thanks to Governor Spanberger and the legislators for supporting these initiatives and making Bay restoration a top priority during this year’s session.

“It is now time for legislators to come together on a budget plan that provides sufficient funding for wastewater treatment, menhaden research, and pollution reduction, among other items that will continue to help make Virginia a great place in which to live, work, and play.”