Bill Text: VA HB640 | 2016 | Regular Session | Prefiled

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Bill Title: Oyster leases; moratorium.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Republican 1-0)

Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2016-02-16 - Left in Agriculture, Chesapeake and Natural Resources [HB640 Detail]

Download: Virginia-2016-HB640-Prefiled.html

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16103149D
HOUSE BILL NO. 640 Offered January 13, 2016 Prefiled January 11, 2016 A BILL to place a moratorium on the issuance of leases of oyster grounds in Broad Bay and Linkhorn Bay. ---------- Patrons-- Miyares; Senator: Wagner ---------- Committee Referral Pending ----------

Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:

1. §1. Beginning July 1, 2016, and ending January 1, 2017, the Commissioner of the Marine Resources Commission shall not assign any riparian or general oyster planting grounds for leasing in Broad Bay or Linkhorn Bay in the City of Virginia Beach for the purpose of planting or propagating oysters.

§2. During this period, the Commissioner shall notify all riparian landowners in Broad Bay and Linkhorn Bay of their statutory right to lease oyster grounds located in waters abutting their land.

§3. During this period, the Commissioner may notify all recreational users of waters and riparian landowners in Broad Bay and Linkhorn Bay of the laws governing the leasing of oyster planting grounds, through a notice published in a newspaper of general circulation in the City of Virginia Beach.