| Old | New | Differences | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1 | 2025 SESSION | |
| 2 | 2 | ||
| 3 | 3 | INTRODUCED | |
| 4 | 4 | ||
| 5 | 5 | 25103754D | |
| 6 | 6 | ||
| 7 | 7 | HOUSE BILL NO. 2512 | |
| 8 | 8 | ||
| 9 | 9 | Offered January 8, 2025 | |
| 10 | 10 | ||
| 11 | 11 | Prefiled January 8, 2025 | |
| 12 | 12 | ||
| 13 | 13 | A BILL to direct the Department of Conservation and Recreation to examine measures to reduce, mitigate, and eliminate the continued sale and use of Johnsongrass in the Commonwealth. | |
| 14 | 14 | ||
| 15 | 15 | ||
| 16 | 16 | ||
| 17 | 17 | PatronTaylor | |
| 18 | 18 | ||
| 19 | 19 | ||
| 20 | 20 | ||
| 21 | 21 | Committee Referral Pending | |
| 22 | 22 | ||
| 23 | 23 | ||
| 24 | 24 | ||
| 25 | 25 | Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia: | |
| 26 | 26 | ||
| 27 | 27 | 1. 1. That the Department of Conservation and Recreation (the Department) shall, in collaboration with the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, convene a work group that includes representatives of the Department of Transportation, the Department of Wildlife Resources, localities, and other relevant stakeholders as the Department deems appropriate to examine measures to reduce, mitigate, and eliminate the continued sale and use of Johnsongrass, belonging to the species known as Sorghum halepense, in the Commonwealth. Such work group shall (i) conduct a risk assessment on the use of such plant to evaluate its effect on crops, livestock, public health, and the environment; (ii) identify measures to support education and outreach to reduce the use of such plant and promote the use of noninvasive or native species as a substitute; and (iii) make recommendations regarding potential statutory and regulatory changes relating to the use of such plant, including the creation of guidance documents from relevant agencies. The Department shall report its findings and any recommendations to the Chairmen of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Conservation and Natural Resources and House Committee on Agriculture, Chesapeake and Natural Resources by December 1, 2026. |