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HB63 • 2026

Southwest Reg. Recreation Authority; certification of Southwest Regional Recreation Area rangers.

An Act to amend and reenact § 15.2-6021 of the Code of Virginia, relating to Southwest Regional Recreation Authority; certification of Southwest Regional Recreation Area rangers.

Enacted

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

Sponsor
Morefield
Last action
2026-04-08
Official status
Acts of Assembly Chapter
Effective date
Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

The bill text does not provide specific details about the training or certification process, leaving some aspects open to interpretation.

Certification of Southwest Regional Recreation Area Rangers

This act changes Virginia law to allow Southwest Regional Recreation Authority rangers to be certified through training at approved criminal justice academies.

What This Bill Does

  • Changes the rules for certifying Southwest Regional Recreation Area rangers.
  • Requires that these rangers complete training at an approved criminal justice academy.
  • Allows rangers to enforce rules and issue penalties on Authority properties.

Who It Names or Affects

  • Southwest Regional Recreation Area rangers
  • The Southwest Regional Recreation Authority board

Terms To Know

certification
A process that confirms a ranger has completed required training.
criminal justice academy
An institution where law enforcement officers receive training.

Limits and Unknowns

  • The act does not specify the exact details of the training or certification process.
  • It is unclear how many rangers will be affected by this change.

Bill History

  1. 2026-04-08 Governor

    Approved by Governor-Chapter 360 (effective 7/1/2026)

  2. 2026-04-08 Governor

    Acts of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP0360)

  3. 2026-03-10 House

    Enrolled Bill communicated to Governor on March 10, 2026

  4. 2026-03-10 Governor

    Governor's Action Deadline 11:59 p.m., April 13, 2026

  5. 2026-03-02 House

    Signed by Speaker

  6. 2026-03-02 Senate

    Signed by President

  7. 2026-03-02 House

    Enrolled

  8. 2026-03-02 House

    Bill text as passed House and Senate (HB63ER)

  9. 2026-02-25 Senate

    Read third time

  10. 2026-02-25 Senate

    Passed Senate Block Vote (40-Y 0-N 0-A)

  11. 2026-02-24 Senate

    Rules suspended

  12. 2026-02-24 Senate

    Passed by for the day

  13. 2026-02-24 Senate

    Constitutional reading dispensed Block Vote (on 2nd reading) (39-Y 0-N 0-A)

  14. 2026-02-24 Senate

    Passed by for the day Block Vote (Voice Vote)

  15. 2026-02-23 Local Government

    Reported from Local Government (15-Y 0-N)

  16. 2026-01-30 Senate

    Constitutional reading dispensed (on 1st reading)

  17. 2026-01-30 Local Government

    Referred to Committee on Local Government

  18. 2026-01-29 House

    Read third time and passed House Block Vote (99-Y 0-N 0-A)

  19. 2026-01-28 House

    Read second time and engrossed

  20. 2026-01-27 House

    Read first time

  21. 2026-01-23 Public Safety

    Reported from Public Safety (22-Y 0-N)

  22. 2026-01-22 Subcommittee #2

    Subcommittee recommends reporting (7-Y 0-N)

  23. 2026-01-16 Subcommittee #2

    Assigned HPS sub: Subcommittee #2

  24. 2025-12-30 House

    Prefiled and ordered printed; Offered 01-14-2026 26102536D

  25. 2025-12-30 Public Safety

    Referred to Committee on Public Safety

Official Summary Text

Southwest Regional Recreation Authority; certification of Southwest Regional Recreation Area rangers.
Provides that Southwest Regional Recreation Area rangers appointed by the board of the Southwest Regional Recreation Authority may be certified through the successful completion of training at an approved criminal justice academy as necessary and proper to protect and enforce the safe use and enjoyment of the Authority's properties.

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text 
An Act to amend and reenact §
15.2-6021
of the Code of Virginia, relating to Southwest Regional Recreation Authority; certification of Southwest Regional Recreation Area rangers.
Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:
1. That §
15.2-6021
of the Code of Virginia is amended and reenacted as follows:
§
15.2-6021
. Southwest Regional Recreation Area rangers.
The board may appoint qualified persons as Southwest Regional Recreation Area rangers. The ranger may enforce the rules adopted by the Board and issue civil penalties for violations thereof and further be eligible for appointment as a special conservator of the peace in accordance with §
19.2-13
or certified through the successful completion of training at an approved criminal justice academy created pursuant to Article 5 (§
15.2-1747
et seq.) of Chapter 17
as necessary and proper to protect and enforce the safe use and enjoyment of the properties under the use and control of the Southwest Regional Recreation Area Authority. The ranger may preserve law and order on any premises that is part of the Southwest Regional Recreation Area, any immediately adjacent property of landowners who are making land available for public use under agreement with the Authority, and on streets, highways, or other public lands utilized by the trails, parking areas, or related recreational facilities and other immediately adjacent public lands. The assignment of rangers to the duties authorized by this section shall not supersede the authority of any law-enforcement officers. The salary of all rangers shall be paid by the board. The board shall furnish each ranger with an official uniform to be worn while on duty and shall furnish and require each ranger while on duty to wear a shield with an appropriate inscription and to carry credentials certifying the person's identity and authority as a ranger.