Virginia General Assembly and Federal Advocacy
Making the Case
Government policies and decisions have a major impact on Virginia’s historic places. Preservation Virginia works with its partners and network of preservationists to build public support for identifying priority preservation issues and developing action strategies to ensure that Virginia’s historic places remain strong and economically sustainable for present and future generations. You can support this work by becoming an Advocacy Partner. Partners receive recognition at Preservation Virginia events, such as our annual Legislative Reception. Learn more about ways you can help and make a donation here.
The Historic Preservation Fund is in Danger
Since 1977, the Historic Preservation Fund has empowered State and Tribal Historic Preservation Offices to carry out their work as mandated by the National Historic Preservation Act. Administered by the National Park Service, the program is one of very few federal government vehicles to promote historic preservation. Yet the proposed budget for FY2026 effectively guts this program, meaning there will be little or no federal support for historic preservation if Congress doesn’t act.
Importantly, the Historic Preservation Fund is not funded through tax dollars. Instead, revenue from offshore gas and drilling leases comprise the $150 million currently authorized for the program. This amount has not increased in 40 years, and previously approved funding for FY2025 has not yet been released to Virginia state and tribal offices.
A critically important function supported by the Historic Preservation Fund is the administration of the Historic Tax Credit program, which incentivizes property owners to rehabilitate historic buildings, preserving sites that make communities unique and promoting economic development. As a result, this incredibly successful program has facilitated $199 billion in private investment in America’s main streets, rural landscapes, and cities.
The Historic Preservation Fund represents 17% of the Virginia Department of Historic Resources’ budget, so many jobs and state programs would be impacted if this funding is removed. DHR depends on federal funding to help carry out programs like historic tax credits, meaning a reduction in support could jeopardize this work. Virginia is also home to seven federally-recognized Native American Tribes in the process of establishing Tribal Historic Preservation Offices. Their efforts to do so, and therefore preserve unique cultural resources, will be severely compromised if the Historic Preservation Fund is gutted.
The Historic Preservation Fund also supports successful grant programs such as Save America’s Treasures, the Civil Rights Grant Program, and Semiquincentennial Celebration Grants. These grants directly support the preservation of sites built by Americans that should be shared with the broader public.
We urge Congress to include the Historic Preservation Fund in the budget for FY2026, and to help release funding already approved for FY2025. The need for this funding is more important than ever, as we are in the 250th anniversary of the American Revolution and the founding of the United States. These commemorative years are not the time to slow or cut efforts to preserve American history and share it with the public.
Here’s how you can help. Contact your elected officials through the links and/or phone numbers below, and emphasize how important the Historic Preservation Fund is to history in Virginia:
Senate
The Honorable Tim Kaine: (202) 224-4024
The Honorable Mark Warner: (202) 224-2023
House of Representatives
The Honorable Rob Wittman – District 01: (202) 225-4261
The Honorable Jen Kiggans – District 02: (202) 225-4215
The Honorable Bobby Scott – District 03: (202) 225-8351
The Honorable Jennifer McClellan – District 04: (202) 225-6365
The Honorable John McGuire – District 05: (202) 225-4711
The Honorable Ben Cline – District 06: (202) 225-5431
The Honorable Eugene Vindman – District 07: (202) 225-2815
The Honorable Don Beyer – District 08: (202) 225-4376
The Honorable Morgan Griffith – District 09: (202) 225-3861
The Honorable Suhas Subramanyam – District 10: (202) 225-5136
The Honorable Gerry Connolly – District 11: (202) 225-1492
Please let your elected officials know that the Historic Preservation Fund is not funded through tax dollars but is critical to the Virginia Department of Historic Resources, Tribal Historic Preservation Offices, National Park Service grant programs, and the reviewing of historic tax credit projects.
In Congress
In March, Preservation Virginia joined Virginia’s State Historic Preservation Officer, Julie Langan and colleagues from across Virginia to visit with Congressional Offices to encourage support of the Historic Preservation Fund and the Historic Tax Credit Growth and Opportunity Act. With colleagues from the National Trust Community Investment Corporation and Preservation Action, we will continue to advocate for these programs that have a real impact in our communities.
The Advisory Council on Historic Preservation (ACHP) recently released a report on the application and interpretation of the federal historic preservation standards. Sara Bronin, chair of the ACHP, hosted a webinar to share the results and her belief that the report is the start of a conversation about the standards.
At the Virginia General Assembly
Each year, we monitor the legislative activities of the General Assembly to keep you informed about legislation that impacts historic preservation. During the session, we will follow the progress of the budget and separate pieces of legislation through committees. If you’d like to stay informed, sign up for our weekly Legislative Updates. Every Monday during the Legislative Session, we’ll provide updates, and when needed, Action Alerts will notify you about needed communications to your legislators.
The 2025 General Assembly session began on Wednesday, January 8th, and runs for 45 days. It is scheduled to end on February 22nd. Our advocacy team has been wading through a raft of bills and budget amendments. We are monitoring the most relevant ones and we’ll highlight legislative priorities in depth as the session moves forward.
Crossover occurred Tuesday, February 4th, with legislation swapping between the House of Delegates and Senate for consideration. The proposed budgets from both houses were announced on Sunday, February 2nd, with several preservation-minded amendments included, and several left out. Below are a few highlights from the week:
Establishing Oak Hill as a New State Park
The Department of Conservation and Recreation has a unique opportunity to obtain Oak Hill in Loudoun County. The estate is comprised of 1,240 acres and the historic home of James Monroe. Funding for Oak Hill’s acquisition has been secured by DCR from various sources and was also included in the House budget. However, some Senators have voiced concerns about ongoing costs for maintaining the property, though DCR has a plan. Learn more about this initiative and how you can get involved through Piedmont Environmental Council’s website.
Save Jamestown Campaign Left Out of State Budget
We were disappointed that our efforts to mitigate flooding at the James Fort archaeological site did not appear in the proposed budgets of either the House or Senate. We’re continuing to explore opportunities for state funding.
A recent engineering study indicated that significant steps need to be taken to save Jamestown from recurrent flooding within the next 10 years. Otherwise, archaeological resources will be lost and visitor access will be impacted. As we search for options to secure funding for this project, we’ll be sure to loop you in as to how you can help.
Here is a list of the main bills and budget items Preservation Virginia is currently following.
Data Centers
Data centers; siting near parks, schools, and residential areas
HB1984
Status: Failed in Committee
Introduced by: Ian T. Lovejoy (Chief Patron)
Requires that any local government land use application required for the siting of a data center, as defined in the bill, be approved only for areas that are one-quarter mile or more from federal, state, or local parks, schools, and property zoned or used for residential use.
Data centers; industrial zoning
HB2026
Status: Failed in Committee
Introduced by: Joshua E. Thomas (Chief Patron)
Requires a locality to review and amend its zoning ordinance to designate data centers as industrial uses for zoning purposes and requires commitments from data centers making zoning requests to sufficiently mitigate negative impacts on any nearby residential areas.
SB899
Status: Failed in Committee
Introduced by: Richard H. Stuart (Chief Patron)
Authorizes a locality to include in its zoning ordinance provisions for (i) requiring proposed data center developments to submit water use estimates and (ii) considering water use when making rezoning and special use permit decisions related to data center development.
Siting of data centers; property classified for industrial use
SB1045
Status: Failed in Committee
Introduced by: Danica A. Roem (Chief Patron)
Requires that any local government land use application for the siting of a data center shall only be approved if such application is for a data center located on property classified by local ordinance for industrial use.
SB1046
Status: Failed in Committee
Introduced by: Danica A. Roem (Chief Patron)
Provides that any local government land use application required for the siting of a data center shall be approved only in accordance with certain notice and noise abatement requirements.
Electric utilities; electric distribution infrastructure serving data centers
SB1243
Status: Incorporated into SB960
Introduced by: Richard H. Stuart (Chief Patron)
Prohibits the costs associated with the construction or extension of any electric distribution infrastructure that primarily serves the load of a data center from being recovered from any other customer.
Electric utilities; data center cost allocation
SB960
Status: Now in House Committee
Introduced by: Russett Perry (Chief Patron)
Prohibits the costs associated with the construction or extension of any electric distribution infrastructure that primarily serves the load of a data center from being recovered from any other customer.
Siting of data centers; site assessment; high energy use facility
SB1449
Status: Now in House Committee
Introduced by: Adam P. Ebbin (Chief Patron)
Allows a locality to require that a site assessment examine the effect of the proposed facility on (i) ground and surface water resources, (ii) agricultural resources, (iii) parks, (iv) registered historic sites, or (v) forestland on the HEUF site or immediately contiguous land.
Tribal Sovereignty
Virginia Recognized Tribes, and Federally Recognized Tribes; definitions, sovereignty
SB949
Status: Now in House Committee
Introduced by: Ryan T. McDougle (Chief Patron)
Establishes definitions for “American Indian,” “federally recognized tribe,” and “Virginia recognized tribe” and amends various sections throughout the Code for the purpose of uniformity in terminology.
Virginia Recognized Tribes, and Federally Recognized Tribes; definitions, sovereignty
HB2134
Status: Now in Senate Committee
Introduced by: Paul E. Krizek (Chief Patron)
Establishes definitions for “American Indian,” “federally recognized tribe,” and “Virginia recognized tribe” and amends various sections throughout the Code for the purpose of uniformity in terminology.
Zoning and Accessory Dwelling Units
Zoning; development and use of accessory dwelling units
HB1832
Status: Failed in Committee
Introduced by: Shelly A. Simonds (Chief Patron)
Requires a locality to include in its zoning ordinances for single-family residential zoning districts accessory dwelling units, or ADUs, as defined in the bill, as a permitted accessory use.
Counties, cities, and towns; comprehensive plan; accessory dwelling units
HB2533
Status: Now in Senate Committee
Introduced by: Briana D. Sewell (Chief Patron)
Clarifies that the comprehensive plan prepared by a local planning commission and adopted by a local governing body may include the use of accessory dwelling units, defined in the bill, as part of any residential development and use designated within such plan. The bill contains technical amendments. This bill incorporates HB 1832.
Counties, cities, and towns; comprehensive plan may include tiny homes or accessory dwelling units
SB932
Status: Now in House Committee
Introduced by: Saddam Azlan Salim (Chief Patron)
Local comprehensive plan; tiny homes; accessory dwelling units. Clarifies that the comprehensive plan prepared by a local planning commission and adopted by a local governing body may include the use of tiny homes and accessory dwelling units, defined in the bill, as part of any residential development and use designated within such plan. The bill contains technical amendments. This bill incorporates SB 1256.
Transportation
Study: Department of Transportation; bridge from Surry County to James City County; report
SJ263
Status: Now in House Committee
Introduced by: Lashrecse D. Aird (Chief Patron)
Requests the Department of Transportation to study the need and options for constructing a bridge from Hog Island in Surry County to James City County and to submit a report of its findings no later than the first day of the 2026 Regular Session of the General Assembly.
Commissions
Lynching Sites Memorialization, Virginia Commission on; established, report, sunset
HB1823
Status: Failed in Committee
Introduced by: David A. Reid (Chief Patron)
Establishes the Virginia Commission on Lynching Sites Memorialization as an advisory commission in the executive branch of state government. The purpose of the 15-member Commission is to acknowledge the history of racial violence in Virginia through the placement of historical markers at the sites of lynchings.
Landmarks
Protection of memorials for war veterans
HB1884
Status: Failed in Committee
Introduced by: Wren M. Williams (Chief Patron)
Provides that it is unlawful for localities or individuals to disturb or interfere with certain monuments, markers, and memorials for war veterans or to prevent citizens from taking proper measures and exercising proper means for the protection, preservation, and care of the monuments, markers, or memorials. The bill also deletes current provisions that allow localities to remove, relocate, contextualize, or cover such monuments or memorials.
Historic landmarks; designating or nominating, notice requirements
HB2709
Status: Failed in Committee
Introduced by: JJ Singh (Chief Patron)
Removes the requirements for the Department of Historic Resources to provide written notice to an owner or his agent of property abutting or immediately across the street or road of property proposed to be designated or nominated as a historic landmark. The bill directs the Department to schedule a public hearing at the seat of government of the locality in which the property proposed to be designated or nominated as a historic landmark is located at a time and place that will allow for the attendance of the affected general public.
Solar Siting
Solar and energy facilities; local regulation
SB697
Status: Failed in Committee
Introduced by: Schuyler T. VanValkenburg (Chief Patron)
Prohibits a locality from including in an ordinance (i) limits on the total amount, density, or size of any ground-mounted solar facility or energy storage facility.
Solar photovoltaic equipment environmental protections and safety equipment
HB2024
Status: Now in Senate Committee
Introduced by: Holly M. Seibold (Chief Patron)
Provides that no state agency, locality, or political subdivision in the Commonwealth in any request for proposal, procurement agreement, contract, ordinance, policy, permit, or accompanying document shall prohibit or otherwise exclude from use any materials contained in or products associated with solar photovoltaic equipment and facilities that meet the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Recommendations of Specifications, Standards, and Ecolabels for Federal Purchasing.
Solar facilities: local regulation, special exemptions
HB2438
Status: Now in Senate Committee
Introduced by: Candi Mundon King (Chief Patron)
Provides that a ground-mounted solar energy generation facility to be located on property zoned agricultural, commercial, industrial, or institutional shall be permitted pursuant to various criteria to be included in a local ordinance, such as specifications for setbacks, fencing, solar panel height, visual impacts, and grading, and a decommissioning plan for solar energy equipment and facilities, unless otherwise permitted by right.
Senate Budget Amendments
Support for the Douglass Cemetery in Alexandria
Item 371 #9s
Chief Patron: Ebbin
$500,000 the second year from the general fund is provided to the City of Alexandria for activities undertaken to restore Douglass Cemetery.
African American Cemetery and Graves Fund
Item 371 #13s
Chief Patron: Locke
This amendment provides $2,000,000 additional support of the African American Cemetery and Graves Fund. The program supports the maintenance and care of cemeteries established prior to 1948 specifically for the internment of African Americans.
House Budget Amendments
Positions for Oak Hill State Park
Item 360 #2h
This amendment provides $1.3 million for five positions for operations at the proposed Oak Hill State Park. A companion initiative would authorize the acceptance of the Oak Hill property by the Department of Conservation and Recreation to operate as a state park.
Support for the Douglass Cemetery in Alexandria
Item 371 #1h
Out of the amounts in this item, $500,000 the second year from the general fund is provided to the City of Alexandria to support the restoration of Douglass Cemetery.
Continue Support for BIPOC Fund
Item 371 #12h
Chief Patron: McQuinn
This amendment provides $2.0 million from the general fund in fiscal year 2026 to continue support for the Virginia Black, Indigenous, and People of Color Historic Preservation Fund.
Operating Support for the Department of Historic Resources
Item 372 #1h
Chief Patron: Krizek
This amendment provides $750,000 to increase support for the Department of Historic Resources’ operational costs, basic overhead, and programmatic needs.