Why 4/5: Public comment and town halls are scheduled for 2026, offering a direct opportunity for the audience to influence environmental permitting policy.
The Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) will update its guidance memo on environmental justice in the permitting process, requiring new operational considerations for assessing cumulative environmental impacts. This change aims to strengthen protections for communities affected by pollution by improving community engagement strategies during the permitting process.
Comment window · ~Jul 31
Update
Passed by for the day
Third reading
Read third time
Update
Agriculture, Conservation and Natural Resources Substitute agreed to
Substitute adopted
Engrossed by Senate - committee substitute
Passed a chamber
Passed Senate with substitute (22-Y 18-N 0-A)
Substitute adopted
Senate substitute agreed to by House (65-Y 34-N 0-A)
Enrolled
Enrolled
Passed a chamber
Bill text as passed House and Senate (HB1266ER)
Passed a chamber
Signed by President
This bill has passed its votes and is headed to the Governor's desk. You still have a say — the Governor's office reads messages before deciding whether to sign.
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Summarized from the official bill text (“Environmental Justice in Permitting Process Guidance Memo; DEQ to publish an updated version.”) · Read the actual bill →
Passed a chamber
Signed by Speaker
Enrolled
Enrolled Bill communicated to Governor on March 31, 2026
Sent to the Governor
Governor's Action Deadline 11:59 p.m., April 13, 2026
Update
Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (HB1266)
Signed into law
Approved by Governor-Chapter 461 (effective 7/1/2026)
Update
Acts of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP0461)