Subcommittee advances bills on invasive-species penalties and apple industry funding

Senator French presented several relatively brief agriculture and conservation items late in the docket. A substitute to Senate Bill 383 moves a provision into code section 3.2800 under the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (VDACS) to permit promulgating regulations that require trade professionals to notify homeowners about invasive species and replaces a misdemeanor penalty with a graduated civil fine (first violation $250, second $500, third $1,000). Stakeholders including Brad Copenhaver (Virginia Nursery and Landscape Association) and Jake Taber (Farm Bureau) said they worked with the patron and supported the change.

Senator French also presented a measure (referred to as Senate Bill 390 during the hearing) to eliminate an excise tax used historically for apple-promotion activities; the bill would allow the apple board to use reserves through 2028 and transfer remaining funds to the governor’s AFID fund. Farm Bureau witness Martha Moore explained that a shrinking number of growers are paying into the program and that the industry needs alternative supports; Farm Bureau testified in favor.

Both bills were moved, seconded and recorded by roll call; the subcommittee voted Aye 5, No 0 on these docketed items. The meeting then concluded and the committee rose.