HB292 • 2026

Agricultural and forestal districts advisory committee; membership.

An Act to amend and reenact § 15.2-4304 of the Code of Virginia, relating to agricultural and forestal districts advisory committee; membership.

Agriculture Taxes

Enacted

This bill passed the Legislature and reached final enactment based on the latest official action.

Sponsor: Anderson
Last action: 2026-04-06
Official status: Acts of Assembly Chapter
Effective date: Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

The official source does not provide details on the specific roles or responsibilities of the advisory committee beyond allowing a property assessment office representative to join.

Agricultural and Forestal Districts Advisory Committee; Membership

This act allows a representative from the property assessment office to serve on the Agricultural and Forestal Districts Advisory Committee.

What This Bill Does

Changes the membership rules for the Agricultural and Forestal Districts Advisory Committee by allowing a representative from the property assessment office to join.

Who It Names or Affects

Local governments that have an Agricultural and Forestal Districts Advisory Committee.
The commissioner of revenue or local government's chief property assessment officer who can now send a representative to the committee.

Terms To Know

Agricultural and forestal districts: Areas set aside for farming and growing trees, protected by local laws.
Advisory committee: A group of people who give advice to the government on specific topics.

Limits and Unknowns

The bill does not specify how much money will be given for the committee's work.
It is unclear if all local governments will follow this new rule or choose a different way to form their advisory committees.

Bill History

2026-04-06 Governor
Approved by Governor-Chapter 101 (effective 7/1/2026)
2026-04-06 Governor
Approved by Governor-Chapter 101 (effective 7/1/2026)
2026-04-06 Governor
Acts of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP0101)
2026-03-25 House
Enrolled Bill communicated to Governor on March 25, 2026
2026-03-25 Governor
Governor's Action Deadline 11:59 p.m., April 13, 2026
2026-03-14 House
Signed by Speaker
2026-03-14 Senate
Signed by President
2026-03-14 House
Enrolled
2026-03-14 House
Bill text as passed House and Senate (HB292ER)
2026-03-14 House
Enrolled
2026-03-14 House
Enrolled
2026-03-09 Senate
Read third time
2026-03-09 Senate
Passed Senate Block Vote (40-Y 0-N 0-A)
2026-03-06 Senate
Passed by for the day Block Vote (Voice Vote)
2026-03-06 Senate
Passed by for the day
2026-03-05 Senate
Rules suspended
2026-03-05 Senate
Rules suspended
2026-03-05 Senate
Passed by for the day
2026-03-05 Senate
Constitutional reading dispensed Block Vote (on 2nd reading) (39-Y 0-N 0-A)
2026-03-05 Senate
Passed by for the day Block Vote (Voice Vote)
2026-03-03 Agriculture, Conservation and Natural Resources
Reported from Agriculture, Conservation and Natural Resources (15-Y 0-N)
2026-02-04 Senate
Constitutional reading dispensed (on 1st reading)
2026-02-04 Agriculture, Conservation and Natural Resources
Referred to Committee on Agriculture, Conservation and Natural Resources
2026-02-03 House
Read third time and passed House Block Vote (98-Y 0-N 0-A)
2026-02-02 House
Read second time and engrossed
2026-01-30 House
Read first time
2026-01-28 Agriculture, Chesapeake and Natural Resources
Reported from Agriculture, Chesapeake and Natural Resources (22-Y 0-N)
2026-01-21 Agriculture
Subcommittee recommends reporting (10-Y 0-N)
2026-01-19 Agriculture
Assigned HACNR sub: Agriculture
2026-01-09 House
Prefiled and ordered printed; Offered 01-14-2026 26102417D
2026-01-09 Agriculture, Chesapeake and Natural Resources
Referred to Committee on Agriculture, Chesapeake and Natural Resources

Official Summary Text

Agricultural and forestal districts advisory committee; membership.
Allows the commissioner of revenue or the local government's chief property assessment officer to have a representative from his office serve on his behalf on the agricultural and forestal districts advisory committee.

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text

An Act to amend and reenact §
15.2-4304
of the Code of Virginia, relating to agricultural and forestal districts advisory committee; membership.
Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:
1. That §
15.2-4304
of the Code of Virginia is amended and reenacted as follows:
§
15.2-4304
. Agricultural and forestal districts advisory committee.
A. Upon receipt of the first agricultural and forestal districts application, the local governing body shall establish an advisory committee which shall consist of four landowners who are engaged in agricultural or forestal production, four other landowners of the locality, the commissioner of revenue or the local government's chief property assessment officer
or a representative from his office
, and a member of the local governing body. The members of the committee shall be appointed by and serve at the pleasure of the local governing body. The advisory committee shall elect a chairman and a vice-chairman and elect or appoint a secretary who need not be a member of the committee. The advisory committee shall serve without pay but the locality may reimburse each member for actual and necessary expenses incurred in the performance of his duties. Any expenditures of the committee shall be within the amounts appropriated for such purpose by the local governing body. The committee shall advise the local planning commission and the local governing body and assist in creating, reviewing, modifying, continuing or terminating districts within the locality. In particular, the committee shall render expert advice as to the nature of farming and forestry and agricultural and forestal resources within the district and their relation to the entire locality.
B. The local governing body may designate the planning commission to act for and in lieu of an agricultural and forestal districts advisory committee if the membership of the planning commission includes at least four landowners who are engaged in agricultural or forestal production.