Invasive plants disrupt native habitats and local ecosystems, reducing crop yields, killing livestock, degrading pastures, infesting timber stands, and hosting pests. It is imperative that Virginia reins in invasive plants to protect our agriculture, ecosystems, and economy as a whole.
This legislation moves forward in preventing the spread of invasive plants by removing a loophole that prevents control of invasive species if they are being grown or sold in Virginia, regardless of the plants’ harm. It also eliminates a provision requiring examination of commercial viability for plants being considered for the noxious weeds list.
HB109 passed out of the House of Delegates 98-2, cleared the Senate unanimously, and was signed into law.