Senate subcommittee advances five‑year renewal of Virginia peanut excise assessment (SB 302)

An unspecified sponsoring senator introduced Senate Bill 302 on the peanut excise assessment and the subcommittee voted to report the bill after brief testimony from industry supporters.

The sponsor described SB 302 as a renewal of a grower‑imposed assessment intended to fund marketing and research, saying, "this will be the fifth renewal of the excise tax," and arguing the program helps preserve and expand peanut acreage across the Commonwealth. Caitlin Joyner, executive director of the Virginia Peanut Growers Association and program director of the Virginia Peanut Board, testified the assessment is voted on by growers and collected at the point of sale. "So it's $5 for every ton," Joyner said, and she explained the Department of Agriculture holds the account and forwards funds to the association for marketing, promotions and research.

Joyner provided examples of how the funds are used, listing state fair participation, baseball game promotions, a partnership with Virginia Commonwealth University basketball and distribution of promotional peanut packets to Senate offices, USOs and welcome centers. She said the renewal process occurs every five years to allow growers to revisit the assessment rate as acreage changes; Joyner reported roughly 30,000 acres of peanut production in recent years.

Supporting witnesses included Jake Taber of the Virginia Farm Bureau, who told the committee the peanut advisory committee strongly supports the bill and cited a recent state record yield of nearly 4,900 pounds per acre. Trey Davis of the Virginia Agribusiness Council described the assessment as a common, industry‑funded practice used by multiple commodity groups to promote their sectors.

When asked who pays the assessment, Joyner said it is assessed and collected at the sheller or buying point when growers sell their peanuts and that the funds are used for grower‑directed marketing and research. She told the committee the assessment mechanism allows growers periodically to review and, if desired, change the rate.

After testimony the chair asked for a motion to report the bill; a motion was made and seconded and the clerk took a roll call. The transcript records responses including "Senator Perry — Aye," "Senator Srinivasan — Yes," "Senator Hackworth — Aye," and "Senator French — No." The clerk announced the tally as "Ayes, 4; Noes, 0," and the bill was reported out of the subcommittee.

The subcommittee did not debate amendments or require staff direction beyond the report; the meeting then concluded. The transcript does not specify a floor or subsequent committee schedule.