HB 1475 VA

0likes☆Favorite🔕SubscribeShare

Passed One Chamber

2027 SESSION INTRODUCED 26105347D HOUSE BILL NO. 1475 Offered January 23, 2026 A BILL to amend the Code of Virginia by adding in Article 1 of Chapter 5 of Title 29.1 a section numbered 29.1-509.1 , relating to Virginia Fungi Task Force established; report. ————— Patrons—Schmidt, Clark and Henson ————— Referred to Committee on Agriculture, Chesapeake and Natural Resources ————— Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia: 1. That the Code of Virginia is amended by adding in Article 1 of Chapter 5 of Title 29.1 a section numbered 29.1-509.1 as follows: § 29.1-509.1 . Virginia Fungi Task Force; report. A. The Director shall establish the Virginia Fungi Task Force ( the Task Force) to assess, categorize, and protect the Commonwealth's natural fungi species and explore the economic potential of fungi. The Task Force shall include the Director, the State Forester , the Director of the Department of Conservation and Recreation , and the Commissioner of Agriculture and Consumer Services or their designee s ; representatives from the Department of Conservation and Recreation , Natural Heritage Division ; and representatives of the Virginia Farm Bureau Federation , the Virginia Agribusiness Council , the Virginia Association of Soil and Water Conservation Districts , the Virginia Soil Health Coalition , the Chesapeake Bay Foundation , Virginia Polyt ech nic Institute and State University , Virginia State University , the Virginia Cooperative Extension , the Mycolog ical Association of Washington D.C. , the Blue Ridge Mycological Society , and any other stakeholders deemed appropriate by the Director. The Director or his designee shall serve as chair of the Task Force. B. The Task Force shall meet at least four times annually to discuss and develop recommendation s to (i) conduct a gap analysis and needs assessment on the Commonwealth's natural fungi species ; (ii) identify economic development opportunities for fungi ; (ii i ) build a Virginia database of native and invasive fungi species; (i v ) incorporate vulnerable fungi species in the 2035 Wildlife Corrido r Action Plan; (v) conduct statewide fungal monitoring and research; (v i ) support forest health, agriculture, and water quality in the Commonwealth ; ( vi i ) provide guidance on toxic mushrooms and public safety; (vii i ) coordinate with universities with mycology expertise ; (i x ) support academic expertise related to mycology ; and ( x) build public education and identification resources on fungi in the Commonwealth . C. The Task Force shall report its initial findings and recommendations to the Secretary of Natural and Historic Resources and the Chairs of the House Committee on Agriculture, Chesapeake and Natural Resources and Senate Committee on Agriculture, Conservation and Natural Resources by December 1, 2027, and shall update such report at least every five years.