Bill
Bill > HB859
summary
Introduced
01/13/2026
01/13/2026
In Committee
03/04/2026
03/04/2026
Crossed Over
02/02/2026
02/02/2026
Passed
Dead
Introduced Session
2026 Regular Regular Session
Bill Summary
Department of Education; Farm to School Program Task Force; membership requirements; report. Amends the membership requirements of the Farm to School Program Task Force (the Task Force) established in accordance with applicable law by requiring the membership to include (i) one member of the Senate, to be appointed by the Senate Committee on Rules after consideration of the recommendation of the Chair of the Senate Committee on Education and Health; (ii) one member of the House of Delegates, to be appointed by the Speaker of the House of Delegates after consideration of the recommendation of the Chair of the House Committee on Education; and (iii) at least four members to be appointed by the Department of Education, including at least one school board member, one representative of the Department of General Services involved in procurement, one representative of the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, and one farmer of producer in the Commonwealth who sells only the farm or agricultural products produced or grown by him. The bill also directs the Task Force to study and submit to the Virginia Commission to End Hunger by November 1, 2026, a report on supporting, expanding, and improving farm to school programs in the Commonwealth.
AI Summary
This bill modifies the membership requirements for the Farm to School Program Task Force, which aims to increase student access to farm to school programs, defined as initiatives where schools buy and prominently feature local food in meals or offer experiential learning about local food and agriculture. The Task Force will now include one Senator appointed by the Senate Committee on Rules, one Delegate appointed by the Speaker of the House of Delegates, and at least four members appointed by the Department of Education, specifically requiring representation from a school board, the Department of General Services (involved in purchasing), the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, and a farmer who exclusively sells their own farm products. Additionally, the bill mandates that by November 1, 2026, the Task Force must study and report to the Virginia Commission to End Hunger on how to support, expand, and improve these farm to school programs across the Commonwealth.
Committee Categories
Budget and Finance, Education, Health and Social Services
Sponsors (4)
Last Action
Reported from Finance and Appropriations (15-Y 0-N) (on 03/04/2026)
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/HB859 |
| Fiscal Note/Analysis - Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (HB859) | https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1187557.PDF |
| BillText | https://lis.virginia.gov/bill-details/20261/HB859/text/HB859S1 |
| BillText | https://lis.virginia.gov/bill-details/20261/HB859/text/HB859SC1 |
| Fiscal Note/Analysis - Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (HB859) | https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1100977.PDF |
| BillText | https://lis.virginia.gov/bill-details/20261/HB859/text/HB859 |
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