Bill Commons

VA HB 88

enacted

Highway rights-of-way; invasive species.

Virginia · 2026 Regular Session · lower

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Quick answers

Did VA HB 88 pass?

Yes. VA HB 88 has been enacted into law. Latest recorded action (2026-04-06): Acts of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP0063)

What is VA HB 88 about?

Highway rights-of-way; invasive species. Prohibits the Commonwealth Transportation Board (the Board) and Commissioner of Highways from planting or causing or suffering to be planted any invasive plant on the list of invasive plants created by the Department of Conservation and Recreation on the right-of-way of any state highway. Current law prohibits the planting of three listed plants if the governing body of the locality declares such weeds or plants to be injurious and requires the Board to remove such plants. The bill removes such requirement for the Board to remove such plants and requires the Department of Transportation to conduct a review of the processes and resources that are necessary and appropriate to (i) determine the prevalence of invasive plants on the list of invasive plant species created by the Department of Conservation and Recreation and develop options for establishing and implementing a plan to remove or control such plants and manage such plants on an ongoing basis.

Who sponsors VA HB 88?

Amy J. Laufer is the primary sponsor of VA HB 88, joined by 1 cosponsor.

Description

Highway rights-of-way; invasive species. Prohibits the Commonwealth Transportation Board (the Board) and Commissioner of Highways from planting or causing or suffering to be planted any invasive plant on the list of invasive plants created by the Department of Conservation and Recreation on the right-of-way of any state highway. Current law prohibits the planting of three listed plants if the governing body of the locality declares such weeds or plants to be injurious and requires the Board to remove such plants. The bill removes such requirement for the Board to remove such plants and requires the Department of Transportation to conduct a review of the processes and resources that are necessary and appropriate to (i) determine the prevalence of invasive plants on the list of invasive plant species created by the Department of Conservation and Recreation and develop options for establishing and implementing a plan to remove or control such plants and manage such plants on an ongoing basis.

Introduced
2026-01-01
Latest action
2026-04-06 — Acts of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP0063)
Bill type
bill
Last updated
—

Sponsors

  • Amy J. Lauferprimary
  • Holly M. Seiboldcosponsor

Committees

Not provided by source.

Action timeline

Newest first

  1. 2026-04-06

    Acts of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP0063)

  2. 2026-04-06

    Approved by Governor-Chapter 63 (effective 7/1/2026)

    executive-signature

  3. 2026-03-10

    Governor's Action Deadline 11:59 p.m., April 13, 2026

    executive-receipt

  4. 2026-03-10

    Enrolled Bill communicated to Governor on March 10, 2026

    enrolled,executive-receipt

  5. 2026-03-04

    Signed by President

    passage

  6. 2026-03-04

    Signed by Speaker

    passage

  7. 2026-03-04

    Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (HB88)

  8. 2026-03-04

    Bill text as passed House and Senate (HB88ER)

    passage

  9. 2026-03-04

    Enrolled

    enrolled

  10. 2026-02-27

    Passed Senate (37-Y 0-N 0-A)

    passage

  11. 2026-02-27

    Read third time

    reading-3

  12. 2026-02-26

    Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (HB88)

  13. 2026-02-26

    Passed by for the day Block Vote (Voice Vote)

  14. 2026-02-26

    Constitutional reading dispensed Block Vote (on 2nd reading) (40-Y 0-N 0-A)

  15. 2026-02-26

    Rules suspended

  16. 2026-02-25

    Reported from Finance and Appropriations (13-Y 0-N)

    committee-passage

  17. 2026-02-19

    Reported from Transportation and rereferred to Finance and Appropriations (15-Y 0-N)

    committee-passage

  18. 2026-02-13

    Referred to Committee on Transportation

    referral-committee

  19. 2026-02-13

    Constitutional reading dispensed (on 1st reading)

  20. 2026-02-12

    Read third time and passed House (98-Y 0-N 0-A)

    passage,reading-3

  21. 2026-02-11

    Engrossed by House - committee substitute

    substitution

  22. 2026-02-11

    committee substitute agreed to

    substitution

  23. 2026-02-11

    committee substitute rejected

  24. 2026-02-11

    Read second time

    reading-2

  25. 2026-02-10

    Read first time

    reading-1

  26. 2026-02-06

    Committee substitute printed 26107203D-H2

    substitution

  27. 2026-02-06

    Reported from Appropriations with substitute (22-Y 0-N)

    committee-passage

  28. 2026-02-04

    Subcommittee recommends reporting with substitute (7-Y 0-N)

    substitution

  29. 2026-02-04

    House subcommittee offered

  30. 2026-01-29

    Assigned HAPP sub: Transportation & Public Safety

    referral-committee

  31. 2026-01-29

    Committee substitute printed 26106402D-H1

    substitution

  32. 2026-01-29

    Reported from Transportation with substitute and referred to Appropriations (21-Y 0-N)

    committee-passage

  33. 2026-01-27

    Subcommittee recommends reporting with substitute and referring to Appropriations (10-Y 0-N)

    substitution

  34. 2026-01-21

    Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (HB88)

  35. 2026-01-19

    Assigned HTRAN sub: Transportation Infrastructure and Funding

    referral-committee

  36. 2026-01-01

    Referred to Committee on Transportation

    referral-committee

  37. 2026-01-01

    Prefiled and ordered printed; Offered 01-14-2026 26102366D

    filing,introduction

Versions

Documents

Votes

  • Subcommittee recommends reporting with substitute

    2026-01-27 · pass · 10-0

    Member-level votes (10)
    • Betsy B. Carr: yes
    • Vivian E. Watts: yes
    • David A. Reid: yes
    • Jackie H. Glass: yes
    • Bonita G. Anthony: yes
    • Joshua E. Thomas: yes
    • Leslie Chambers Mehta: yes
    • Terry L. Austin: yes
    • Scott A. Wyatt: yes
    • Jason S. Ballard: yes
  • Reported from Transportation with substitute

    2026-01-29 · pass · 21-0

    Member-level votes (22)
    • Karrie K. Delaney: yes
    • David A. Reid: yes
    • Jeion A. Ward: yes
    • Delores L. McQuinn: yes
    • Betsy B. Carr: yes
    • Vivian E. Watts: yes
    • Briana D. Sewell: yes
    • Jackie H. Glass: yes
    • Adele Y. McClure: yes
    • Bonita G. Anthony: yes
    • Michael B. Feggans: yes
    • Elizabeth B. Bennett-Parker: yes
    • Elizabeth R. Guzman: yes
    • Leslie Chambers Mehta: yes
    • Joshua E. Thomas: yes
    • Barry D. Knight: not voting
    • Terry L. Austin: yes
    • Scott A. Wyatt: yes
    • Bill Wiley: yes
    • Israel D. O'Quinn: yes
    • Jason S. Ballard: yes
    • Wren M. Williams: yes
  • Subcommittee recommends reporting with substitute

    2026-02-04 · pass · 7-0

    Member-level votes (7)
    • David A. Reid: yes
    • Delores L. McQuinn: yes
    • Paul E. Krizek: yes
    • Alex Q. Askew: yes
    • Joshua E. Thomas: yes
    • Terry L. Austin: yes
    • Scott A. Wyatt: yes
  • Reported from Appropriations with substitute

    2026-02-06 · pass · 22-0

    Member-level votes (22)
    • Luke E. Torian: yes
    • Betsy B. Carr: yes
    • Delores L. McQuinn: yes
    • Paul E. Krizek: yes
    • C.E. Cliff Hayes, Jr.: yes
    • David A. Reid: yes
    • Rodney T. Willett: yes
    • Briana D. Sewell: yes
    • Alex Q. Askew: yes
    • Charniele L. Herring: yes
    • Marcia S. "Cia" Price: yes
    • Kathy K.L. Tran: yes
    • Shelly A. Simonds: yes
    • Joshua E. Thomas: yes
    • Amy J. Laufer: yes
    • Terry L. Austin: yes
    • James W. Morefield: yes
    • Robert S. Bloxom, Jr.: yes
    • M. Keith Hodges: yes
    • Scott A. Wyatt: yes
    • Bill Wiley: yes
    • Ellen H. McLaughlin: yes
  • H VOTE:

    2026-02-12 · pass · 98-0

    Member-level votes (100)
    • Jessica L. Anderson: yes
    • Bonita G. Anthony: yes
    • Alex Q. Askew: yes
    • Terry L. Austin: yes
    • Jason S. Ballard: yes
    • Elizabeth B. Bennett-Parker: yes
    • Robert S. Bloxom, Jr.: yes
    • Gretchen M. Bulova: yes
    • Katrina Callsen: yes
    • Karen R. "Kacey" Carnegie: yes
    • Betsy B. Carr: yes
    • Stacey Annie Carroll: yes
    • Mike A. Cherry: yes
    • Nadarius E. Clark: not voting
    • Laura Jane Cohen: yes
    • Joshua G. Cole: yes
    • Nicole Cole: yes
    • Kelly K. Convirs-Fowler: yes
    • Mitchell Cornett: yes
    • Rae Cousins: yes
    • Will Davis: yes
    • Karrie K. Delaney: yes
    • Lindsey Dougherty: yes
    • Mark C. Downey: yes
    • Michael B. Feggans: yes
    • Hyland F. "Buddy" Fowler, Jr.: yes
    • Lily V. Franklin: yes
    • Margaret A. Franklin: yes
    • Debra D. Gardner: yes
    • Thomas A. Garrett, Jr.: yes
    • Jackie H. Glass: yes
    • Timothy P. Griffin: yes
    • Elizabeth R. Guzman: yes
    • Karen Hamilton: yes
    • C.E. Cliff Hayes, Jr.: yes
    • Dan I. Helmer: yes
    • Rozia A. Henson, Jr.: yes
    • Phil M. Hernandez: yes
    • Charniele L. Herring: yes
    • M. Keith Hodges: yes
    • Patrick A. Hope: yes
    • Hillary Pugh Kent: yes
    • Karen Keys-Gamarra: yes
    • Terry G. Kilgore: yes
    • Barry D. Knight: not voting
    • Paul E. Krizek: yes
    • Amy J. Laufer: yes
    • James A. "Jay" Leftwich: yes
    • Destiny LeVere Bolling: yes
    • Alfonso H. Lopez: yes
    • Michelle Lopes Maldonado: yes
    • Marty Martinez: yes
    • John Chilton McAuliff: yes
    • Adele Y. McClure: yes
    • Garrett McGuire: yes
    • Ellen H. McLaughlin: yes
    • Joseph P. McNamara: yes
    • Delores L. McQuinn: yes
    • Leslie Chambers Mehta: yes
    • James W. Morefield: yes
    • May Nivar: yes
    • Delores Oates: yes
    • Israel D. O'Quinn: yes
    • Justin Pence: yes
    • Eric Phillips: yes
    • Kimberly Pope Adams: yes
    • Marcia S. "Cia" Price: yes
    • Sam Rasoul: yes
    • Atoosa R. Reaser: yes
    • David A. Reid: yes
    • Chris S. Runion: yes
    • Charlie Schmidt: yes
    • Don Scott: yes
    • Phillip A. Scott: yes
    • Holly M. Seibold: yes
    • Briana D. Sewell: yes
    • Irene Shin: yes
    • Marcus B. Simon: yes
    • Shelly A. Simonds: yes
    • JJ Singh: yes
    • Richard C. "Rip" Sullivan, Jr.: yes
    • Anne Ferrell Tata: yes
    • Joshua E. Thomas: yes
    • Virgil Thornton: yes
    • Luke E. Torian: yes
    • Kathy K.L. Tran: yes
    • H. Otto Wachsmann, Jr.: yes
    • Wendell S. Walker: yes
    • Jeion A. Ward: yes
    • R. Lee Ware: yes
    • Vivian E. Watts: yes
    • Michael J. Webert: yes
    • Madison Whittle: yes
    • Bill Wiley: yes
    • Rodney T. Willett: yes
    • Wren M. Williams: yes
    • Tony O. Wilt: yes
    • Thomas C. Wright, Jr.: yes
    • Scott A. Wyatt: yes
    • Eric R. Zehr: yes
  • Reported from Transportation

    2026-02-19 · pass · 15-0

    Member-level votes (15)
    • Lamont Bagby: yes
    • David W. Marsden: yes
    • Bill DeSteph: yes
    • David R. Suetterlein: yes
    • Jennifer B. Boysko: yes
    • T. Travis Hackworth: yes
    • Glen H. Sturtevant, Jr.: yes
    • Lashrecse D. Aird: yes
    • Danica A. Roem: yes
    • J.D. "Danny" Diggs: yes
    • Stella G. Pekarsky: yes
    • Tammy Brankley Mulchi: yes
    • Kannan Srinivasan: yes
    • Luther Cifers, III: yes
    • Michael J. Jones: yes
  • Reported from Finance and Appropriations

    2026-02-25 · pass · 13-0

    Member-level votes (15)
    • L. Louise Lucas: yes
    • R. Creigh Deeds: yes
    • Mamie E. Locke: yes
    • Ryan T. McDougle: yes
    • Mark D. Obenshain: yes
    • Richard H. Stuart: yes
    • Bryce E. Reeves: not voting
    • Barbara A. Favola: yes
    • Scott A. Surovell: yes
    • Jeremy S. McPike: yes
    • Jennifer B. Boysko: yes
    • Todd E. Pillion: yes
    • Aaron R. Rouse: yes
    • Lamont Bagby: yes
    • Lashrecse D. Aird: not voting
  • Constitutional reading dispensed (on 2nd reading)

    2026-02-26 · pass · 40-0

    Member-level votes (40)
    • Lashrecse D. Aird: yes
    • Lamont Bagby: yes
    • Elizabeth B. Bennett-Parker: yes
    • Jennifer B. Boysko: yes
    • Jennifer D. Carroll Foy: yes
    • Luther Cifers, III: yes
    • Christie New Craig: yes
    • R. Creigh Deeds: yes
    • Bill DeSteph: yes
    • J.D. "Danny" Diggs: yes
    • Tara A. Durant: yes
    • Barbara A. Favola: yes
    • Timmy French: yes
    • T. Travis Hackworth: yes
    • Christopher T. Head: yes
    • Michael J. Jones: yes
    • Emily M. Jordan: yes
    • Mamie E. Locke: yes
    • L. Louise Lucas: yes
    • David W. Marsden: yes
    • Ryan T. McDougle: yes
    • Jeremy S. McPike: yes
    • Tammy Brankley Mulchi: yes
    • Mark D. Obenshain: yes
    • Mark J. Peake: yes
    • Stella G. Pekarsky: yes
    • Russet Perry: yes
    • Todd E. Pillion: yes
    • Bryce E. Reeves: yes
    • Danica A. Roem: yes
    • Aaron R. Rouse: yes
    • Saddam Azlan Salim: yes
    • Kannan Srinivasan: yes
    • William M. Stanley, Jr.: yes
    • Richard H. Stuart: yes
    • Glen H. Sturtevant, Jr.: yes
    • David R. Suetterlein: yes
    • Scott A. Surovell: yes
    • Schuyler T. VanValkenburg: yes
    • Angelia Williams Graves: yes
  • Passage R

    2026-02-27 · pass · 37-0

    Member-level votes (40)
    • Lashrecse D. Aird: yes
    • Lamont Bagby: yes
    • Elizabeth B. Bennett-Parker: yes
    • Jennifer B. Boysko: yes
    • Jennifer D. Carroll Foy: yes
    • Luther Cifers, III: yes
    • Christie New Craig: yes
    • R. Creigh Deeds: yes
    • Bill DeSteph: yes
    • J.D. "Danny" Diggs: yes
    • Tara A. Durant: not voting
    • Barbara A. Favola: yes
    • Timmy French: yes
    • T. Travis Hackworth: yes
    • Christopher T. Head: yes
    • Michael J. Jones: yes
    • Emily M. Jordan: yes
    • Mamie E. Locke: yes
    • L. Louise Lucas: yes
    • David W. Marsden: yes
    • Ryan T. McDougle: yes
    • Jeremy S. McPike: yes
    • Tammy Brankley Mulchi: yes
    • Mark D. Obenshain: yes
    • Mark J. Peake: yes
    • Stella G. Pekarsky: not voting
    • Russet Perry: yes
    • Todd E. Pillion: yes
    • Bryce E. Reeves: yes
    • Danica A. Roem: not voting
    • Aaron R. Rouse: yes
    • Saddam Azlan Salim: yes
    • Kannan Srinivasan: yes
    • William M. Stanley, Jr.: yes
    • Richard H. Stuart: yes
    • Glen H. Sturtevant, Jr.: yes
    • David R. Suetterlein: yes
    • Scott A. Surovell: yes
    • Schuyler T. VanValkenburg: yes
    • Angelia Williams Graves: yes

Related bills

No related bills recorded for this bill.

Official source

Attribution

Data from openstates_bulk_csv, retrieved 2026-07-24T05:35:59.552682Z

Inspect retained evidence for changes recorded after evidence tracking began:

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