{"formats":[{"name":"JSON","format":"json","url":"\/downloads\/2026\/code-json\/10.1-2503.json"},{"name":"Plain Text","format":"text","url":"\/downloads\/2026\/code-text\/10.1-2503.txt"},{"name":"XML","format":"xml","url":"\/downloads\/2026\/code-xml\/10.1-2503.xml"},{"name":"HTML","format":"html","url":"\/downloads\/2026\/code-html\/10.1-2503.html"}],"law_id":345939,"edition_id":2,"section_id":345939,"structure_id":49681,"section_number":"10.1-2503","catch_line":"Virginia Offshore Energy Emergency Response Fund established","history":"2014, c. 293.","full_text":"A\n\nThere is hereby created in the state treasury a special nonreverting fund to be known as the Virginia Offshore Energy Emergency Response Fund, hereafter referred to as “the Fund,” which shall be administered by the Director of the Department of Environmental Quality. The Fund shall be established on the books of the Comptroller. All amounts designated for deposit to the Fund from revenues and royalties paid to the Commonwealth as a result of offshore natural gas and oil drilling or exploration shall be paid into the state treasury and credited to the Fund. Interest earned on moneys in the Fund shall remain in the Fund and be credited to it. Any moneys remaining in the Fund, including interest thereon, at the end of each fiscal year shall not revert to the general fund but shall remain in the Fund. Expenditures and disbursements from the Fund shall be made by the State Treasurer on warrants issued by the Comptroller upon written request of the Director of the Department of Environmental Quality. Moneys in the Fund shall be used solely for the purposes stated in subsection B.\n\nB\n\nThe Director of the Department of Environmental Quality shall use moneys in the Fund solely for the purposes of emergency preparation, emergency response, emergency environmental protection, or mitigation associated with a release of liquid hydrocarbons or associated fluids directly related to offshore energy exploration, development, production, or transmission.\n\nC\n\nThe Director of the Department of Environmental Quality shall have the authority to access the Fund for up to $500,000 per occurrence as long as the disbursement does not exceed the balance for the agency account. If the Director of the Department of Environmental Quality requests a disbursement in excess of $500,000 or an amount exceeding the remaining agency balance, the disbursement shall require the written approval of the Governor. The Department of Environmental Quality shall develop guidelines that, after approval by the Governor, determine how the Fund can be used for the purposes described herein.\n\nD\n\nDisbursements from the Fund may be made for the purposes outlined in subsection B, including personnel, administrative, and equipment costs and expenses directly incurred by the Department of Environmental Quality or by any other agency or political subdivision, acting at the direction of the Department of Environmental Quality, in and for preventing or alleviating damage, loss, hardship, or suffering caused by a release of liquid hydrocarbons or associated fluids directly related to offshore energy exploration, development, production, or transmission.\n\nE\n\nThe Department of Environmental Quality shall promptly seek reimbursement from any person causing or contributing to such a release of liquid hydrocarbons or associated fluids for all sums disbursed from the Fund for protection, relief, or recovery from loss or damage caused by such person. In the event a request for reimbursement is not paid within 60 days of receipt of a written demand, the claim shall be referred to the Attorney General for collection. The agency shall be allowed to recover all legal and court costs and other expenses incident to such actions for collection.\n\n","order_by":null,"text":{"0":{"id":1289899,"text":"There is hereby created in the state treasury a special nonreverting fund to be known as the Virginia Offshore Energy Emergency Response Fund, hereafter referred to as “the Fund,” which shall be administered by the Director of the Department of Environmental Quality. The Fund shall be established on the books of the Comptroller. All amounts designated for deposit to the Fund from revenues and royalties paid to the Commonwealth as a result of offshore natural gas and oil drilling or exploration shall be paid into the state treasury and credited to the Fund. Interest earned on moneys in the Fund shall remain in the Fund and be credited to it. Any moneys remaining in the Fund, including interest thereon, at the end of each fiscal year shall not revert to the general fund but shall remain in the Fund. Expenditures and disbursements from the Fund shall be made by the State Treasurer on warrants issued by the Comptroller upon written request of the Director of the Department of Environmental Quality. Moneys in the Fund shall be used solely for the purposes stated in subsection B.","type":"section","prefixes":["A"],"prefix":"A","entire_prefix":"A","prefix_anchor":"A","level":1,"next_prefix":"B"},"1":{"id":1289900,"text":"The Director of the Department of Environmental Quality shall use moneys in the Fund solely for the purposes of emergency preparation, emergency response, emergency environmental protection, or mitigation associated with a release of liquid hydrocarbons or associated fluids directly related to offshore energy exploration, development, production, or transmission.","type":"section","prefixes":["B"],"prefix":"B","entire_prefix":"B","prefix_anchor":"B","level":1,"prior_prefix":"A","next_prefix":"C"},"2":{"id":1289901,"text":"The Director of the Department of Environmental Quality shall have the authority to access the Fund for up to $500,000 per occurrence as long as the disbursement does not exceed the balance for the agency account. If the Director of the Department of Environmental Quality requests a disbursement in excess of $500,000 or an amount exceeding the remaining agency balance, the disbursement shall require the written approval of the Governor. The Department of Environmental Quality shall develop guidelines that, after approval by the Governor, determine how the Fund can be used for the purposes described herein.","type":"section","prefixes":["C"],"prefix":"C","entire_prefix":"C","prefix_anchor":"C","level":1,"prior_prefix":"B","next_prefix":"D"},"3":{"id":1289902,"text":"Disbursements from the Fund may be made for the purposes outlined in subsection B, including personnel, administrative, and equipment costs and expenses directly incurred by the Department of Environmental Quality or by any other agency or political subdivision, acting at the direction of the Department of Environmental Quality, in and for preventing or alleviating damage, loss, hardship, or suffering caused by a release of liquid hydrocarbons or associated fluids directly related to offshore energy exploration, development, production, or transmission.","type":"section","prefixes":["D"],"prefix":"D","entire_prefix":"D","prefix_anchor":"D","level":1,"prior_prefix":"C","next_prefix":"E"},"4":{"id":1289903,"text":"The Department of Environmental Quality shall promptly seek reimbursement from any person causing or contributing to such a release of liquid hydrocarbons or associated fluids for all sums disbursed from the Fund for protection, relief, or recovery from loss or damage caused by such person. In the event a request for reimbursement is not paid within 60 days of receipt of a written demand, the claim shall be referred to the Attorney General for collection. The agency shall be allowed to recover all legal and court costs and other expenses incident to such actions for collection.","type":"section","prefixes":["E"],"prefix":"E","entire_prefix":"E","prefix_anchor":"E","level":1,"prior_prefix":"D"}},"ancestry":[{"id":49681,"edition_id":2,"name":"Virginia Environmental Emergency Response Fund","identifier":"25","label":"chapter","depth":3,"order_by":3,"parent_id":49674,"metadata":{"child_laws":4,"child_structures":0},"date_created":"2026-08-02 02:13:18","date_modified":"2026-08-02 12:29:02","permalink":{"id":1374087,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":49681,"identifier":"25","token":"10.1\/III\/25","url":"\/10.1\/III\/25\/","edition_id":2,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":49674,"edition_id":2,"name":"Activities Administered by the Department of Historic Resources","identifier":"III","label":"subtitle","depth":2,"order_by":3,"parent_id":49584,"metadata":{"child_laws":46,"child_structures":8},"date_created":"2026-08-02 02:13:13","date_modified":"2026-08-02 12:29:01","permalink":{"id":1373909,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":49674,"identifier":"III","token":"10.1\/III","url":"\/10.1\/III\/","edition_id":2,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":49584,"edition_id":2,"name":"Conservation","identifier":"10.1","label":"title","depth":1,"order_by":38,"parent_id":null,"metadata":{"child_laws":886,"child_structures":125},"date_created":"2026-08-02 02:11:52","date_modified":"2026-08-02 12:28:44","permalink":{"id":1370315,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":49584,"identifier":"10.1","token":"10.1","url":"\/10.1\/","edition_id":2,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}}],"structure_contents":[{"id":345936,"structure_id":49681,"section_number":"10.1-2500","catch_line":"Virginia Environmental Emergency Response Fund established","url":"\/10.1-2500\/","token":"10.1\/III\/25\/10.1-2500","metadata":false},{"id":345937,"structure_id":49681,"section_number":"10.1-2501","catch_line":"Administration of the Fund","url":"\/10.1-2501\/","token":"10.1\/III\/25\/10.1-2501","metadata":false},{"id":345938,"structure_id":49681,"section_number":"10.1-2502","catch_line":"Disbursements from the Fund; transfer of funds to the Small Business Environmental Compliance Assistance Fund","url":"\/10.1-2502\/","token":"10.1\/III\/25\/10.1-2502","metadata":false},{"id":345939,"structure_id":49681,"section_number":"10.1-2503","catch_line":"Virginia Offshore Energy Emergency Response Fund established","url":"\/10.1-2503\/","token":"10.1\/III\/25\/10.1-2503","metadata":false}],"previous_section":{"id":345938,"structure_id":49681,"section_number":"10.1-2502","catch_line":"Disbursements from the Fund; transfer of funds to the Small Business Environmental Compliance Assistance Fund","url":"\/10.1-2502\/","token":"10.1\/III\/25\/10.1-2502","metadata":false},"metadata":false,"official_url":"https:\/\/law.lis.virginia.gov\/vacode\/10.1-2503\/","history_text":"

This law was first created in 2014. The record of its establishment is cataloged in chapter 293<\/a> of that year\u2019s edition of \u201cActs of Assembly,\u201d the annual state publication listing all changes made to the Code of Virginia in that year.<\/p>","references":false,"refers_to":false,"permalink":{"id":1374101,"object_type":"law","relational_id":345939,"identifier":"10.1-2503","token":"10.1\/III\/25\/10.1-2503","url":"\/10.1-2503\/","edition_id":2,"permalink":0,"preferred":1},"url":"\/10.1-2503\/","token":"10.1\/III\/25\/10.1-2503","dublin_core":{"Title":"Virginia Offshore Energy Emergency Response Fund established","Type":"Text","Format":"text\/html","Identifier":"\u00a7 10.1-2503","Relation":"Code of Virginia"},"html":"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

A.<\/span> There is hereby created in the state treasury a special nonreverting fund to be known as the Virginia Offshore Energy Emergency Response Fund, hereafter referred to as “the Fund,” which shall be administered by the Director<\/span> of the Department<\/span> of Environmental Quality. The Fund shall be established on the books of the Comptroller. All amounts designated for deposit to the Fund from revenues and royalties paid to the Commonwealth as a result of offshore natural gas and oil drilling or exploration shall be paid into the state treasury and credited to the Fund. Interest earned on moneys in the Fund shall remain in the Fund and be credited to it. Any moneys remaining in the Fund, including interest thereon, at the end of each fiscal year shall not revert to the general fund but shall remain in the Fund. Expenditures and disbursements from the Fund shall be made by the State Treasurer on warrants issued by the Comptroller upon written request of the Director<\/span> of the Department<\/span> of Environmental Quality. Moneys in the Fund shall be used solely for the purposes stated in subsection B. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

B.<\/span> The Director<\/span> of the Department<\/span> of Environmental Quality shall use moneys in the Fund solely for the purposes of emergency preparation, emergency response, emergency environmental protection, or mitigation associated with a release of liquid hydrocarbons or associated fluids directly related to offshore energy exploration, development, production, or transmission. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

C.<\/span> The Director<\/span> of the Department<\/span> of Environmental Quality shall have the authority to access the Fund for up to $500,000 per occurrence as long as the disbursement does not exceed the balance for the agency account. If the Director<\/span> of the Department<\/span> of Environmental Quality requests a disbursement in excess of $500,000 or an amount exceeding the remaining agency balance, the disbursement shall require the written approval of the Governor. The Department<\/span> of Environmental Quality shall develop guidelines that, after approval by the Governor, determine how the Fund can be used for the purposes described herein. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

D.<\/span> Disbursements from the Fund may be made for the purposes outlined in subsection B, including personnel, administrative, and equipment costs and expenses directly incurred by the Department<\/span> of Environmental Quality or by any other agency or political subdivision, acting at the direction of the Department<\/span> of Environmental Quality, in and for preventing or alleviating damage, loss, hardship, or suffering caused by a release of liquid hydrocarbons or associated fluids directly related to offshore energy exploration, development, production, or transmission. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

E.<\/span> The Department<\/span> of Environmental Quality shall promptly seek reimbursement from any person causing or contributing to such a release of liquid hydrocarbons or associated fluids for all sums disbursed from the Fund for protection, relief, or recovery from loss or damage caused by such person. In the event a request for reimbursement is not paid within 60 days of receipt of a written demand, the claim shall be referred to the Attorney General<\/span> for collection. The agency shall be allowed to recover all legal and court<\/span> costs and other expenses incident to such actions for collection. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>","plain_text":" CODE OF VIRGINIA\n\nVIRGINIA OFFSHORE ENERGY EMERGENCY RESPONSE FUND ESTABLISHED (\u00a7 10.1-2503)\n\nA. There is hereby created in the state treasury a special nonreverting fund to\nbe known as the Virginia Offshore Energy Emergency Response Fund, hereafter\nreferred to as “the Fund,” which shall be administered by the\nDirector of the Department of Environmental Quality. The Fund shall be\nestablished on the books of the Comptroller. All amounts designated for deposit\nto the Fund from revenues and royalties paid to the Commonwealth as a result of\noffshore natural gas and oil drilling or exploration shall be paid into the\nstate treasury and credited to the Fund. Interest earned on moneys in the Fund\nshall remain in the Fund and be credited to it. Any moneys remaining in the\nFund, including interest thereon, at the end of each fiscal year shall not\nrevert to the general fund but shall remain in the Fund. Expenditures and\ndisbursements from the Fund shall be made by the State Treasurer on warrants\nissued by the Comptroller upon written request of the Director of the Department\nof Environmental Quality. Moneys in the Fund shall be used solely for the\npurposes stated in subsection B.\n\nB. The Director of the Department of Environmental Quality shall use moneys in\nthe Fund solely for the purposes of emergency preparation, emergency response,\nemergency environmental protection, or mitigation associated with a release of\nliquid hydrocarbons or associated fluids directly related to offshore energy\nexploration, development, production, or transmission.\n\nC. The Director of the Department of Environmental Quality shall have the\nauthority to access the Fund for up to $500,000 per occurrence as long as the\ndisbursement does not exceed the balance for the agency account. If the Director\nof the Department of Environmental Quality requests a disbursement in excess of\n$500,000 or an amount exceeding the remaining agency balance, the disbursement\nshall require the written approval of the Governor. The Department of\nEnvironmental Quality shall develop guidelines that, after approval by the\nGovernor, determine how the Fund can be used for the purposes described herein.\n\nD. Disbursements from the Fund may be made for the purposes outlined in\nsubsection B, including personnel, administrative, and equipment costs and\nexpenses directly incurred by the Department of Environmental Quality or by any\nother agency or political subdivision, acting at the direction of the Department\nof Environmental Quality, in and for preventing or alleviating damage, loss,\nhardship, or suffering caused by a release of liquid hydrocarbons or associated\nfluids directly related to offshore energy exploration, development, production,\nor transmission.\n\nE. The Department of Environmental Quality shall promptly seek reimbursement\nfrom any person causing or contributing to such a release of liquid hydrocarbons\nor associated fluids for all sums disbursed from the Fund for protection,\nrelief, or recovery from loss or damage caused by such person. In the event a\nrequest for reimbursement is not paid within 60 days of receipt of a written\ndemand, the claim shall be referred to the Attorney General for collection. The\nagency shall be allowed to recover all legal and court costs and other expenses\nincident to such actions for collection.\n\nHISTORY: 2014, c. 293.","edition":{"id":2,"name":"2026","slug":"2026","date_created":"2026-07-16 18:40:23","date_modified":"2026-08-02 15:14:36","current":1,"order_by":2,"last_import":"2026-08-02 12:37:30"}}