Virginia House Bill HB2656

Virginia 2025 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/14/25
• Refer: 1/14/25

Caption

Federal park operations; temporary funding.

Impact

The bill amends the Code of Virginia by adding a new section that outlines how and under what conditions state funding can be allocated to maintain NPS properties when federal funding is inadequate. This could include utilizing funds from the State Park Conservation Resources Fund or other sources of voluntary donations. However, the bill stipulates that funds originating from the general fund cannot be used for NPS operations for more than 21 days without subsequent approval from the General Assembly, indicating a check on the executive power in matters of state expenditure.

Summary

House Bill 2656 is a legislative proposal aimed at establishing a mechanism for the temporary funding of operations for national parks in Virginia. It specifically addresses scenarios where there is a reduction or failure of federal funding, which could lead to the closure of national parks managed by the National Park Service (NPS). Under this bill, the Governor of Virginia would be authorized to fund these operations on a temporary basis, ensuring continued access for the public to these natural resources during funding disruptions from the federal government.

Contention

While the bill's intent is to ensure the maintenance and accessibility of Virginia's national parks, there may be notable points of contention regarding the use of state funds for federal park operations. Critics might argue that diverting state resources could undermine investments in local state parks or other essential state services. Additionally, the stipulation of a 21-day funding limit without legislative approval also raises questions about the balance of power and the processes involved in emergency funding decisions.