VirginiaHB7102026 Regular SessionHouse

Invasive plant species installation; written notification to property owners, civil penalty.

Sponsored By: Justin Pence (Republican)

Became Law

Summary

Board of Agriculture and Consumer Services; invasive plant species installation; written notification to property owners; civil penalty. Provides that the Board of Agriculture and Consumer Services may assess a civil penalty in an amount of not more than $250 for a first violation, $500 for a second violation, and $1,000 for each subsequent violation to any tradesperson involved with proposing or installing plants who fails to provide written notification to property owners when such plants are on the Department of Conservation and Recreation's list of invasive plant species. Current law provides that any such tradesperson who fails to provide such written notice is guilty of a Class 1 misdemeanor. This bill is identical to SB 383.

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

2 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 2 costs, 0 mixed.

Fines if installers skip written notice

Tradespersons who install plants must give written notice to the property owner, as state regulations require. If you do not give the notice, the Board can fine you up to $250 the first time, up to $500 the second time, and up to $1,000 each time after that. Each violation can be fined. The state deposits these fines into the Plant Pollination Fund.

Class 1 misdemeanor for invasive plant violations

Any person who fails to follow the invasive plant law or its rules is guilty of a Class 1 misdemeanor. This criminal penalty does not apply to the specific notice violations that face civil fines for tradespersons.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Justin Pence

    Republican • House

Cosponsors

There are no cosponsors for this bill.

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 218 • No: 2

Senate vote 2/27/2026

Passed Senate Block Vote

Yes: 37 • No: 0

Senate vote 2/26/2026

Constitutional reading dispensed Block Vote (on 2nd reading)

Yes: 40 • No: 0

Senate vote 2/26/2026

Passed by for the day Block Vote (Voice Vote)

Yes: 0 • No: 0

Senate vote 2/24/2026

Reported from Agriculture, Conservation and Natural Resources

Yes: 14 • No: 0

House vote 2/10/2026

Read third time and passed House

Yes: 95 • No: 2

House vote 2/4/2026

Reported from Agriculture, Chesapeake and Natural Resources with substitute

Yes: 22 • No: 0

House vote 1/28/2026

Subcommittee recommends reporting with substitute

Yes: 10 • No: 0

Actions Timeline

  1. Acts of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP0412)

    4/8/2026Governor
  2. Approved by Governor-Chapter 412 (effective 7/1/2026)

    4/8/2026Governor
  3. Governor's Action Deadline 11:59 p.m., April 13, 2026

    3/10/2026Governor
  4. Enrolled Bill communicated to Governor on March 10, 2026

    3/10/2026House
  5. Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (HB710)

    3/4/2026House
  6. Bill text as passed House and Senate (HB710ER)

    3/4/2026House
  7. Enrolled

    3/4/2026House
  8. Signed by President

    3/4/2026Senate
  9. Signed by Speaker

    3/4/2026House
  10. Passed Senate Block Vote (37-Y 0-N 0-A)

    2/27/2026Senate
  11. Read third time

    2/27/2026Senate
  12. Passed by for the day Block Vote (Voice Vote)

    2/26/2026Senate
  13. Constitutional reading dispensed Block Vote (on 2nd reading) (40-Y 0-N 0-A)

    2/26/2026Senate
  14. Rules suspended

    2/26/2026Senate
  15. Reported from Agriculture, Conservation and Natural Resources (14-Y 0-N)

    2/24/2026Senate
  16. Referred to Committee on Agriculture, Conservation and Natural Resources

    2/11/2026Senate
  17. Constitutional reading dispensed (on 1st reading)

    2/11/2026Senate
  18. Read third time and passed House (95-Y 2-N 0-A)

    2/10/2026House
  19. Moved from Uncontested Calendar to Regular Calendar

    2/9/2026House
  20. Engrossed by House - committee substitute

    2/9/2026House
  21. committee substitute agreed to

    2/9/2026House
  22. Read second time

    2/9/2026House
  23. Read first time

    2/6/2026House
  24. Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (HB710)

    2/4/2026House
  25. Committee substitute printed 26106450D-H1

    2/4/2026House

Bill Text

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