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VA SB461

VA SB461
Commercial electrofishing licenses; MRC to temporarily prohibit in portions of Rappahannock River.


summary

Introduced
01/13/2026
In Committee
02/12/2026
Crossed Over
02/06/2026
Passed
Dead

Introduced Session

2026 Regular Regular Session

Bill Summary

Marine Resources Commission; prohibition of commercial electrofishing in the Rappahannock River; report. Directs the Marine Resources Commission to temporarily prohibit commercial electrofishing in the portion of the Rappahannock River north of the Downing Bridge in Tappahannock until January 1, 2027, and to examine the practice of commercial electrofishing in the waters of the Commonwealth and submit a report of its findings and recommendations to 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 January 1, 2027.

AI Summary

This bill prohibits the Marine Resources Commission, a state agency that regulates marine and estuarine resources, from issuing commercial electrofishing licenses for the portion of the Rappahannock River north of the Downing Bridge in Tappahannock until January 1, 2027. Electofishing is a method of fishing that uses electricity to stun fish, making them easier to collect. The bill also requires the Commission to study the practice of commercial electrofishing throughout the Commonwealth and report its findings and recommendations to specific legislative committees by January 1, 2027.

Committee Categories

Agriculture and Natural Resources

Sponsors (1)

Last Action

Tabled in Agriculture, Chesapeake and Natural Resources (15-Y 7-N) (on 02/25/2026)

bill text


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bill summary

Document Type Source Location
State Bill Page https://lis.virginia.gov/bill-details/20261/SB461
Fiscal Note/Analysis - Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (SB461) https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1169150.PDF
BillText https://lis.virginia.gov/bill-details/20261/SB461/text/SB461S1
BillText https://lis.virginia.gov/bill-details/20261/SB461/text/SB461SC1
Fiscal Note/Analysis - Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (SB461) https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1098380.PDF
BillText https://lis.virginia.gov/bill-details/20261/SB461/text/SB461
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