Department of Natural Resources - Water Resources - Identification of Vernal Pools (Jack Cover Vernal Pool Wetlands Protection Act of 2026)

Summary

The bill tells the Department of the Environment to create rules that identify and keep a public list of vernal pools that are not already covered by existing wetland laws. It would require anyone doing certain land‑disturbing activities near those pools to avoid, minimize, and compensate for any damage, and it sets buffer standards that match those for other protected wetlands. The goal is to safeguard these seasonal habitats that support many amphibians and invertebrates.

AI-generated summary — may be incomplete or inaccurate. Verify against the official bill text.

Hearings

• Environment and Transportation — Bill Hearing
  Environment and Transportation · Feb 18, 2026

History

1. Apr 13, 2026Rereferred to Education, Energy, and the Environment
2. Apr 10, 2026Referred Rules
3. Apr 9, 2026Third Reading Passed
4. Apr 9, 2026Second Reading Passed with Amendments
5. Apr 9, 2026Favorable with Amendments {
6. Apr 8, 2026Favorable with Amendments Report by Environment and Transportation
7. Feb 4, 2026Hearing 2/18 at 1:00 p.m.
8. Feb 2, 2026First Reading Environment and Transportation

Sponsors

• Hill · sponsor
• Lehman
• Lewis
• Odom
• Terrasa
• Wu

Bill text

Opens the legislature’s own copy.

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