Bill > HB710

This bill modifies existing law regarding penalties for failing to notify property owners about invasive plant species. Currently, tradespeople who fail to provide written notification to property owners about invasive plants are guilty of a Class 1 misdemeanor, which is a criminal offense. This bill, however, introduces a new provision allowing the Board of Agriculture and Consumer Services to instead assess a civil penalty, which is a monetary fine, for such violations. The proposed civil penalties are structured to increase with repeat offenses: up to $250 for a first violation, up to $500 for a second violation, and up to $1,000 for each subsequent violation. This change aims to provide an alternative enforcement mechanism to criminal prosecution for tradespeople involved in proposing or installing plants who do not inform property owners when those plants are on the Department of Conservation and Recreation's list of invasive plant species.

Agriculture and Natural Resources

https://lis.virginia.gov/bill-details/20261/HB710