VirginiaSB3442026 Regular SessionSenateWALLET

Mammalian wildlife; separation and hybridization prohibited, exceptions.

Sponsored By: Jennifer B. Boysko (Democratic)

Became Law

Summary

Department of Wildlife Resources; premature separation and hybridization of mammalian wildlife prohibited; exceptions. Makes it unlawful to prematurely separate any mammalian wildlife offspring born in captivity from the mother prior to the offspring turning four months of age, except that wildlife offspring may be prematurely separated if a medical necessity exists pursuant to a written order from a veterinarian with appropriate species-specific experience and expertise licensed to practice in the Commonwealth. The bill excludes the following from its provisions: (i) agricultural animals; (ii) noncommercial transfers or trades between accredited zoological facilities; (iii) an accredited zoological facility, as defined in the bill, that retains the mammalian wildlife offspring separated by such zoological facility; (iv) the Department of Wildlife Resources, a person operating under a wildlife rehabilitator, scientific collection, or endangered and threatened species permit approved by the Department, or a person operating under a species recovery plan approved by the Department; (v) the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service; or (vi) any person rendering emergency neonatal aide, including the temporary separation of up to 72 hours until a licensed veterinarian can be engaged for assessment and treatment. The bill also makes it unlawful to intentionally and for commercial purposes propagate mammalian wildlife of different species, also known as hybridization. This bill is identical to HB 112.

Your PRIA Score

Score Hidden

Personalized for You

How does this bill affect your finances?

Sign up for a PRIA Policy Scan to see your personalized alignment score for this bill and every other piece of legislation we track. We analyze your financial profile against policy provisions to show you exactly what matters to your wallet.

Free to start

Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

4 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 1 costs, 1 mixed.

Fish farm permits and license-free fishing

The Board creates a permit for private facilities to raise and sell trout, catfish, largemouth bass, and other sunfish. If a permitted facility lets the public fish and the permit fee is paid, people fishing there do not need a separate state fishing license. The law caps Board wildlife permit fees at $20 per year for endangered species, scientific collection, and wildlife holder permits, and $50 per year for other permits. Fees must still cover processing and administration costs.

Teachers can display wildlife without a permit

Elementary and secondary school teachers may possess and display wildlife for class. No permit application or permit fee is required. Teachers must notify the Department and follow Board standards on allowed species, cages, no release, and reporting sickness or escape.

No commercial breeding of mammal hybrids

It is illegal to intentionally breed hybrids of different mammal species for sale. Commercial propagation of mammal hybrids is banned.

No early separation of captive young mammals

It is illegal to separate captive-born mammal young from the mother before four months old, unless the Board sets a different age for that species. A licensed Virginia veterinarian can order an earlier separation for medical need, and caretakers must try to reunite the young after treatment. Other exceptions include accredited zoos and their trades, approved rehabilitators and permit holders, the Department, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, agricultural animals, and up to 72 hours for emergency neonatal aid.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Jennifer B. Boysko

    Democratic • Senate

Cosponsors

There are no cosponsors for this bill.

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 260 • No: 90

Senate vote 4/22/2026

Senate concurred in Governor's recommendation

Yes: 24 • No: 15

House vote 4/22/2026

House concurred in Governor's recommendation

Yes: 67 • No: 30

House vote 3/2/2026

Passed House

Yes: 74 • No: 25

House vote 2/25/2026

Reported from Agriculture, Chesapeake and Natural Resources

Yes: 19 • No: 3

Senate vote 2/9/2026

Read third time and passed Senate

Yes: 26 • No: 14

Senate vote 2/6/2026

Agriculture, Conservation and Natural Resources Substitute agreed to

Yes: 0 • No: 0

Senate vote 2/5/2026

Passed by for the day Block Vote (Voice Vote)

Yes: 0 • No: 0

Senate vote 2/5/2026

Constitutional reading dispensed Block Vote (on 1st reading)

Yes: 40 • No: 0

Senate vote 2/3/2026

Reported from Agriculture, Conservation and Natural Resources with substitute

Yes: 10 • No: 3

Actions Timeline

  1. House concurred in Governor's recommendation (67-Y 30-N 0-A)

    4/22/2026House
  2. Senate concurred in Governor's recommendation (24-Y 15-N 0-A)

    4/22/2026Senate
  3. Acts of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP1004)

    4/22/2026Governor
  4. Reenrolled bill text (SB344ER2)

    4/22/2026Senate
  5. Reenrolled

    4/22/2026Senate
  6. Approved by Governor-Chapter 1004 (effective 7/1/2026)

    4/22/2026Governor
  7. Signed by President

    4/22/2026Senate
  8. Signed by Speaker

    4/22/2026House
  9. Governor's recommendation adopted

    4/22/2026Governor
  10. Governor's recommendation received by Senate

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

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

    3/10/2026Senate
  13. Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (SB344)

    3/5/2026Senate
  14. Bill text as passed Senate and House (SB344ER)

    3/5/2026Senate
  15. Enrolled

    3/5/2026Senate
  16. Signed by President

    3/5/2026Senate
  17. Signed by Speaker

    3/5/2026House
  18. Passed House (74-Y 25-N 0-A)

    3/2/2026House
  19. Read third time

    3/2/2026House
  20. Read second time

    2/27/2026House
  21. Reported from Agriculture, Chesapeake and Natural Resources (19-Y 3-N)

    2/25/2026House
  22. Referred to Committee on Agriculture, Chesapeake and Natural Resources

    2/12/2026House
  23. Read first time

    2/12/2026House
  24. Placed on Calendar

    2/12/2026House
  25. Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (SB344)

    2/11/2026Senate

Bill Text

Related Bills

Back to State Legislation