Virginia legislation · 2026 Regular Session
Virginia SB719: An Act to amend the Code of Virginia by adding in Article 2.1 of Chapter 2 of Title 2.2 a section numbered 2.2-203.4, relating to Secretary of Agriculture and Forestry; Virginia Farm and Forest Prosperity Plan; report.
Status: Chaptered, April 13, 2026
Secretary of Agriculture and Forestry; Virginia Farm and Forest Prosperity Plan; report. Directs the Secretary of Agriculture and Forestry, during the first year of each new gubernatorial administration, to develop and implement a written comprehensive Virginia Farm and Forest Prosperity Plan that is designed to be enacted over the course of such gubernatorial administration's term. The Secretary is directed to submit a report detailing the progress made toward the development and implementation of the Plan to the Governor and to the Chairs of the House Committee on Agriculture, Chesapeake and Natural Resources and the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Conservation and Natural Resources by December 1 of the first year of each new gubernatorial administration. This bill is identical to HB 512.
What the bill says
An Act to amend the Code of Virginia by adding in Article 2.1 of Chapter 2 of Title 2.2 a section numbered 2.2-203.4, relating to Secretary of Agriculture and Forestry; Virginia Farm and Forest Prosperity Plan; report. [S 719] Approved April 13, 2026 1. That the Code of Virginia is amended by adding in Article 2.1 of Chapter 2 of Title 2.2 a section numbered 2.2-203.4 as report. A. During the first year of each new gubernatorial administration, the Secretary shall develop and implement a written comprehensive Virginia Farm and Forest Prosperity Plan (the Plan) that is designed to be enacted ov.
From the enrolled text, April 13, 2026:
An Act to amend the Code of Virginia by adding in Article 2.1 of Chapter 2 of Title 2.2 a section numbered 2.2-203.4, relating to Secretary of Agriculture and Forestry; Virginia Farm and Forest Prosperity Plan; report. [S 719] Approved April 13, 2026 1. That the Code of Virginia is amended by adding in Article 2.1 of Chapter 2 of Title 2.2 a section numbered 2.2-203.4 as report. A. During the first year of each new gubernatorial administration, the Secretary shall develop and implement a written comprehensive Virginia Farm and Forest Prosperity Plan (the Plan) that is designed to be enacted over the course of such gubernatorial administration's term. Strategic areas of focus for the Plan shall include the economic prosperity, diversification, and growth of the agriculture and forestry industries in the Commonwealth. In developing the Plan, the Secretary shall review the existing agriculture and forestry policies in effect at the commencement of the Governor's term of office. The Secretary shall make revisions to such existing policies as the Secretary deems necessary to ensure that it is appropriate for the Commonwealth. The Secretary shall coordinate with representatives of agriculture and forestry organizations, members of the agribusiness community, and other stakeholders he deems necessary, in developing the Plan. B. The Secretary shall submit a report detailing the progress made toward the …