Bill
Bill > HB599
summary
Introduced
01/13/2026
01/13/2026
In Committee
01/28/2026
01/28/2026
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
Introduced Session
2026 Regular Regular Session
Bill Summary
Virginia Institute of Marine Science; duties; oyster stock assessment; report. Directs the Virginia Institute of Marine Science (VIMS) to conduct, in collaboration with the Virginia Marine Resources Commission (VMRC), a stock assessment of the oyster population in the waters of the Commonwealth beginning in calendar year 2026 and occurring no less frequently than every three years thereafter. The bill directs VIMS to report its findings and any recommendations to the Secretary of Natural and Historic Resources, VMRC's Shellfish Management Division, and the Chairs of the House Committee on Agriculture, Chesapeake and Natural Resources and the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Conservation and Natural Resources no later than December 1 of the calendar year in which such assessment has been conducted. The bill also directs VMRC to utilize the findings and recommendations of such assessment in its fisheries and restoration management decisions no later than July 1 of the calendar year following the calendar year in which such assessment has been conducted.
AI Summary
This bill mandates that the Virginia Institute of Marine Science (VIMS), in partnership with the Virginia Marine Resources Commission (VMRC), will conduct a comprehensive assessment of the oyster population in Virginia's waters starting in 2026 and repeating at least every three years. This assessment will involve mapping and sampling oyster habitats, identifying factors impacting oyster populations like habitat changes, natural deaths, and harvesting, and every other assessment will be a detailed "benchmark stock assessment" that reviews the overall health of the oyster stock using new data and improved models. VIMS will then report its findings and recommendations to the Secretary of Natural and Historic Resources and legislative committee chairs by December 1st of the assessment year, and the VMRC must use these findings and recommendations in its decisions regarding oyster fisheries and restoration management by July 1st of the following year. The VMRC is also authorized to hire outside companies for surveying services through a competitive bidding process as part of this assessment.
Committee Categories
Agriculture and Natural Resources, Budget and Finance
Sponsors (1)
Last Action
Left in Committee Appropriations (on 02/18/2026)
Official Document
bill text
bill summary
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bill summary
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bill summary
| Document Type | Source Location |
|---|---|
| State Bill Page | https://lis.virginia.gov/bill-details/20261/HB599 |
| BillText | https://lis.virginia.gov/bill-details/20261/HB599/text/HB599H1 |
| BillText | https://lis.virginia.gov/bill-details/20261/HB599/text/HB599HC2 |
| BillText | https://lis.virginia.gov/bill-details/20261/HB599/text/HB599HC1 |
| BillText | https://lis.virginia.gov/bill-details/20261/HB599/text/HB599 |
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