Bill Text: VA SB306 | 2024 | Regular Session | Comm Sub

NOTE: There are more recent revisions of this legislation. Read Latest Draft

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Bill Title: Invasive plant species; requirements for retail sales.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 2-0)

Status: (Vetoed) 2024-04-17 - Senate sustained Governor's veto [SB306 Detail]

Download: Virginia-2024-SB306-Comm_Sub.html

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24106629D
SENATE BILL NO. 306 AMENDMENT IN THE NATURE OF A SUBSTITUTE (Proposed by the Senate Committee on Finance and Appropriations on January 30, 2024) (Patron Prior to Substitute--Senator Salim) A BILL to amend and reenact §10.1-104.6:2 of the Code of Virginia, relating to invasive plant species; retail sales; civil penalty.

Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:

1. That §10.1-104.6:2 of the Code of Virginia is amended and reenacted as follows:

§10.1-104.6:2. Invasive plant species; civil penalty.

A. The Department shall create a list of invasive plant species no later than January 1, 2024, and shall update such list at least every four years thereafter.

B. No agency of the Commonwealth shall plant, sell, or propagate any plant on the list of invasive plants established in subsection A except when doing so is necessary for scientific or educational purposes or bona fide agricultural purposes including the management, tilling, planting, or harvesting of agricultural products.

C. No retail establishment shall sell or offer for retail sale for outdoor use a plant that is on the list of invasive plants pursuant to subsection A unless such retail establishment posts, in a conspicuous manner on the property at all public entrances, a sign identifying such plant as invasive.

D. The Commissioner of Agriculture and Consumer Services shall designate the format, size, and content of the sign required by subsection C no later than October 1, 2024. If the Commissioner finds that a plant for sale for outdoor use that is on the list of invasive plants pursuant to subsection A does not meet the signage requirements of subsection C, the Commissioner shall (i) issue a stop sale order for such plant and (ii) mark or tag such plant in a conspicuous manner. The Commissioner shall give written notice of a finding made under this subsection to the owner, tenant, or person in charge of the retail establishment. A stop sale order issued under this subsection shall remain in effect until the required signage is posted.

E. Any retail establishment that violates the provisions of subsection C or any subsequent order by the Commissioner related to such subsection is subject to a civil penalty not to exceed $500.