The Marine Resources Commission, is a State agency charged with the management and regulation of marine resources. Almost all aspects of the Commission's Management Programs are authorized or mandated by State law. In some circumstances, federal law may play a role in the actions of the Commission. Currently, laws related to the Commission are either approved by the General Assembly directly on an annual basis or are developed by the Commission throughout the year when so authorized by the General Assembly.
Any regulation created in Virginia is developed according to rules prescribed by law.
You are also able to obtain texts of all Virginia Statutes and Regulations at this site. Most regulations created by the Commission involve fisheries. The Agency's Fisheries Management Division is responsible for developing regulatory proposals that are then considered by the full Commission. Normally, regulations are proposed by citizens, private companies or other groups involved with marine fisheries, or from the Fisheries Division, itself, in response to General Assembly mandates or fisheries conservation plans. If the Commission agrees to consider a proposal, a public notice is prepared to schedule a public hearing and to request public input.