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SR114 • 2026

Commending Mission Blue.

Commending Mission Blue.

Enacted

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

Sponsor
Marsden
Last action
2026-03-26
Official status
Passed
Effective date
Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

The bill does not specify any direct impact on people living near or working with the Chesapeake Bay.

Praise for Mission Blue

This bill praises Mission Blue, a group that works to protect oceans by designating important areas as Hope Spots.

What This Bill Does

  • Says that Mission Blue is doing good work in protecting the ocean and its ecosystems.
  • Recognizes the Chesapeake Bay as an area of special importance for marine life and ecology.
  • Encourages Mission Blue to continue their efforts in raising awareness and supporting conservation projects.

Who It Names or Affects

  • Mission Blue, a non-profit organization focused on ocean protection.

Terms To Know

Hope Spot
An area of the ocean that is important for marine life and needs special care to protect it.

Limits and Unknowns

  • This bill does not provide any funding or specific actions, just a statement of support.
  • It only affects Virginia's Senate as it was passed by them.

Bill History

  1. 2026-03-26 Senate

    Bill text as passed Senate (SR114ER)

  2. 2026-03-11 Senate

    Agreed to by Senate Block Vote (Voice Vote)

  3. 2026-03-09 Senate

    Presented 26106062D

  4. 2026-03-09 Senate

    Laid on Clerk's Desk

Official Summary Text

Commending Mission Blue.

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text 
Commending Mission Blue.
Agreed to by the Senate, March 11, 2026
WHEREAS, Mission Blue, an organization dedicated to inspiring action to explore and protect the ocean, officially designated the Chesapeake Bay a Hope Spot in 2025, identifying the largest estuary in the United States as an area of exceptional ecological, cultural, and historical value that is critical to the health of the ocean; and
WHEREAS, led by the vision of renowned marine scientist Dr. Sylvia Earle, Mission Blue uses its Hope Spot designations to encourage scientific research and community engagement that will aid in the restoration and protection of significant marine areas; and
WHEREAS, in designating the Chesapeake Bay a Hope Spot, Mission Blue recognizes the challenges, such as sea level rise, pollution, habitat loss, invasive species, and declining water quality, that threaten the ecosystem, as well as the meaningful efforts that have been made over the past decades to support wetland recovery, oyster reef restoration, reductions in nutrient runoff, and other preservation endeavors; and
WHEREAS, by naming the Chesapeake Bay a Hope Spot, Mission Blue has brought greater awareness to the issues affecting the ecosystem while rallying resources and assistance to support various stakeholders and Tribal Nations committed to protecting this invaluable body of water from further harm; and
WHEREAS, today, the Mission Blue alliance brings together more than 200 ocean conservation groups and related organizations, from large multinational companies to independent scientific teams representing Western and Indigenous knowledge systems, to build its growing global network of Hope Spots like the Chesapeake Bay; and
WHEREAS, with a deep commitment to safeguarding the health of the ocean for the benefit of present and future generations, Mission Blue has made a profound and lasting impact on countless communities and lives; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED by the Senate of Virginia, That Mission Blue hereby be commended for designating the Chesapeake Bay as a Hope Spot in 2025; and, be it
RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the Senate prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to Mission Blue as an expression of the Senate of Virginia's admiration for the organization's contributions to the preservation of the Chesapeake Bay and marine life in the Commonwealth.