2025 SESSION

HOUSE SUBSTITUTE

24106889D

HOUSE BILL NO. 1434

AMENDMENT IN THE NATURE OF A SUBSTITUTE

(Proposed by the House Committee on Agriculture, Chesapeake and Natural Resources

on February 7, 2024)

(Patron Prior to Substitute—Delegate Hodges)

A BILL to direct and authorize the Department of Forestry to grant and convey certain tracts of land within Sandy Point State Forest in King William County to the Mattaponi Indian Tribe.

Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:

1. § 1. That in accordance with and as evidence of General Assembly approval, the Department of Forestry (the Department) is hereby authorized to grant and convey tracts of land within Sandy Point State Forest in King William County south of and including Brooks Creek to the Mattaponi Indian Tribe (the Tribe). Such lands may be used to expand the Tribe's reservation in order to sustain the Tribe's culture and population by expanding hunting grounds, agricultural areas, and housing areas for the Tribe's members.

§ 2. That in accordance with and as evidence of General Assembly approval, the Department is hereby authorized to grant and convey tracts of land within Sandy Point State Forest in King William County north of Brooks Creek as the Department deems suitable. Prior to such conveyance, the Department may enter into discussions with the Tribe, localities, and relevant stakeholders to determine how such tracts of land may be used for the benefit of the public at large.

§ 3. The granting and conveying of the tracts of land may be made upon terms the Department deems proper, with the approval of the Secretary of Administration, and in a form approved by the Attorney General. The Department may seek the assistance of any other state or federal agency or conservation organization to effectuate the provisions of this act as it deems necessary.