HB 734 (Hope) establishes an advisory committee to evaluate certain plant types that should be designated as a noxious weed. The bill requires the advisory committee to consider the plant’s (i) impact on water bodies, other plants, livestock, land, public health, the environment, and the economy and (ii) current and potential in-state commercial viability.
On January 18 the bill was approved on a 7-0 vote by a House Agriculture Subcommittee. VACo spoke in support of this measure. Last year several counties contacted VACo about problems caused by noxious weeds, and the need for a stronger state program for controlling them.
VACo Contact: Larry Land, CAE