2025 Legislative Update: Invasive Species, Retail Sales
The Virginia Nursery and Landscape Association is focused on bringing the green industry together and representing you before the Virginia General Assembly.
HB1941: Invasive Species; Retail Sales
Patrol: Del. Seibel
Requires, for the retail sale of certain invasive plant species for outdoor use, a retail establishment to post in a conspicuous manner on the property located in proximity to each invasive plant signage identifying such plant as invasive, educating consumers regarding invasive plant species, and encouraging consumers to ask about alternatives. The bill requires the Commissioner of Agriculture and Consumer Services to designate the format, size, and content of such signage no later than October 1, 2025, and requires the Commissioner to issue a stop sale order and mark or tag a plant in a conspicuous manner when an invasive plant is for sale at a retail establishment without appropriate signage. In such case, the bill requires the Commissioner to give written notice of a finding made to the owner, tenant, or person in charge of such retail establishment and requires the stop sale order issued to remain in effect until the required signage is posted.
VNLA participated in discussions throughout last year’s session and in the off session with stakeholders to come up with a bill that we can all support.
We recognize the importance of educating consumers regarding ALL plants, including those on the DCR invasive plant list for outdoor use, and encouraging consumers to learn about alternative plants to explore.
This bill removes the $500 civil penalty that was included last year.
This bill also allows for the Commissioner of Agriculture and Consumer Services to work with the Virginia Invasive Species Working Group to designate the format, size, and content of signage used to identify the plant as invasive on the DCR list. The group will work to do so by October 1, 2025.
VNLA expresses its appreciation to Del. Seibold and our fellow stakeholders for working together to find a product we can all support and looks forward to this legislation moving through the legislative process.
We continue to receive feedback from our membership and engage in discussion surrounding non-fertile cultivars, accommodating the growing season for our members who have made investments and growing decisions, and finally the invasive plant species which are itemized in the legislation.
Please share your feedback with Katie Hellebush via email and contact your legislators by entering your address in Who’s My Legislator. Remember – depending on where you live and work, you may live and work in different districts. Make sure to contact them all!
Please contact katie@vnla.org with any questions.
