Committee advances scores of agriculture, Chesapeake and natural‑resources bills; PFAS, sludge, and nutrient measures move to appropriations

The House Agriculture, Chesapeake and Natural Resources Committee advanced a broad package of bills affecting fisheries, water quality, biosolids, invasive species, and environmental justice during a single, extended meeting.

Key committee actions included reporting HB 1443 (quarterly PFAS sampling of sewage sludge, EPA Method 1633 referenced) with a substitute and referring it with reported amendments; reporting HB 938 (PFAS industrial self‑reporting) and referring it to Appropriations (vote 20–2); and incorporating HB 880 into HB 1443. The committee also reported HB 952 (nutrient credit rules for MS4 and industrial stormwater permittees) with substitute (22–0) and HB 747 (agricultural commitments reporting into the Impaired Waters Cleanup Plan) (21–0).

Fisheries measures advanced: HB 1465 (blue catfish marketing position for the Marine Products Board) was reported and referred to Appropriations (20–1); HB 1049 (Manhaden quota/management changes) drew extensive questions about science and jurisdiction and was reported with amendments and referred (12–10). The committee also reported HB 487 (project partnership agreement easements) with substitute (21–0).

Other reported bills included a mattress‑stewardship program (HB 86) reported with substitute (19–3), an environmental‑justice permitting guidance update and DEQ town‑hall requirement (HB 1266) reported and referred to Appropriations (15–7), and HB 1502 (a one‑year DEQ study of standby generators at commercial facilities, including data centers) reported with substitute (14–7).

Several bills were continued to 2027, including HB 1091 (agrivoltaics) and HB 1356 (climate‑adjusted precipitation design). The committee stated that additional work will continue after crossover.

A full list of actions, as recorded in committee, is available in the committee minutes; the meeting concluded with the committee rising.