Virginia 2025 Regular Session

Virginia House Bill HB1941 Compare Versions

OldNewDifferences
1-CHAPTER 393
1+2025 SESSION
2+
3+ENROLLED
4+
5+VIRGINIA ACTS OF ASSEMBLY -- CHAPTER
26
37 An Act to amend and reenact 3.2-3810 of the Code of Virginia and to amend the Code of Virginia by adding a section numbered 3.2-3801.1, relating to invasive plant species; retail sales.
48
59 [H 1941]
610
7-Approved March 24, 2025
11+Approved
812
913 Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:
1014
1115 1. That 3.2-3810 of the Code of Virginia is amended and reenacted and that the Code of Virginia is amended by adding a section numbered 3.2-3801.1 as follows:
1216
1317 3.2-3801.1. Invasive plants sold by retail establishments; signage requirements.
1418
1519 A. No retail establishment shall sell or offer for retail sale for outdoor use a plant that is an invasive plant species unless such retail establishment posts in a conspicuous manner on the property located in proximity to each invasive plant display signage identifying such plant as invasive, educating consumers regarding invasive plant species, and encouraging consumers to ask about alternatives. For purposes of this subsection, "invasive plant species" means the following list of plants:
1620
1721 1. Acer platanoides;
1822
1923 2. Akebia quinata;
2024
2125 3. Albizia julibrissin;
2226
2327 4. Arum italicum;
2428
2529 5. Berberis thunbergii;
2630
2731 6. Buddleja davidii;
2832
2933 7. Cenchrus purpurascens;
3034
3135 8. Citrus trifoliata;
3236
3337 9. Clematis terniflora;
3438
3539 10. Egeria densa;
3640
3741 11. Elaeagnus pungens;
3842
3943 12. Euonymus alatus;
4044
4145 13. Euonymus fortunei;
4246
4347 14. Glechoma hederacea;
4448
4549 15. Hedera helix;
4650
4751 16. Iris pseudacorus;
4852
4953 17. Ligustrum sinense;
5054
5155 18. Lonicera fragrantissima;
5256
5357 19. Lysimachia nummularia;
5458
5559 20. Mahonia bealei;
5660
5761 21. Miscanthus sinensis;
5862
5963 22. Morus alba;
6064
6165 23. Murdannia keisak;
6266
6367 24. Myriophyllum aquaticum;
6468
6569 25. Nandina domestica;
6670
6771 26. Oshuna crassipes;
6872
6973 27. Paulownia tomentosa;
7074
7175 28. Perilla frutescens;
7276
7377 29. Phyllostachys aurea;
7478
7579 30. Pyrus calleryana;
7680
7781 31. Rubus phoenicolasius;
7882
7983 32. Securigera varia;
8084
8185 33. Spiraea japonica;
8286
8387 34. Triadica sebifera;
8488
8589 35. Tripidium ravennae;
8690
8791 36. Vinca major;
8892
8993 37. Vinca minor;
9094
9195 38. Wisteria floribunda; and
9296
9397 39. Wisteria sinensis.
9498
9599 B. If the Commissioner finds that a plant for sale for outdoor use that is on the list of invasive plant species in subsection A does not meet the signage requirements of subsection A, 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.
96100
97101 3.2-3810. Penalty for violation.
98102
99103 A. The Commissioner may refuse, suspend, or cancel any license upon satisfactory evidence that the applicant or licensee has violated any of the provisions of this chapter or regulations adopted hereunder.
100104
101105 B. Any Except as provided in 3.2-3801.1, any person violating any of the provisions of this chapter or regulations adopted hereunder or interfering in any way with the Commissioner in the discharge of his duties herein is guilty of a Class 1 misdemeanor.
102106
103107 2. That the Commissioner of Agriculture and Consumer Services shall designate, in conjunction with the Virginia Invasive Species Working Group, as designated by 2.2-220.2 of the Code of Virginia, the format, size, and content of the sign required by subsection A of 3.2-3801.1 of the Code of Virginia, as created by this act, no later than October 1, 2025. The Commissioner shall take into consideration neighboring states' signage, including format, size, and content. The sign shall also include a QR code and a URL, as those terms are defined in 23.1-802.1 of the Code of Virginia, that links to the Department of Conservation and Recreation's website showing information about the plants listed in subsection A of 3.2-3801.1 of the Code of Virginia, as created by this act, that are on the invasive plant species list pursuant to 10.1-104.6:2 of the Code of Virginia.
104108
105109 3. That the provisions of the first enactment of this act shall become effective on January 1, 2027.