Bill passes Virginia House and Senate, mandates invasive plant notifications for property owners

A new measure led by State Del. Justin Pence seeks to tighten regulations surrounding the use of invasive plants, focusing on additional notification requirements and expanded restrictions, information from the Virginia State House shows.

Having cleared both chambers, the bill was formally enrolled on March 4, 2026, following a 95-2 vote in the House and a 37-0 vote in the Senate.

Introduced as HB710 on Jan. 14, 2026, during the 2026 regular legislative session, the summary provided by lawmakers states: “Invasive plant species installation; written notification to property owners, civil penalty.”

The summary below, based on a review of the bill text, includes additional clarifications about its key sections.

In summary, the legislation instructs the Board of Agriculture and Consumer Services to establish rules requiring tradespeople proposing or installing plants to deliver written notification to property owners when a plant appears on the state’s list of invasive species. Noncompliance may trigger a civil penalty up to $250 for each offense, with funds directed to the Plant Pollination Fund. The mechanism also prohibits state agencies from planting, selling, or propagating listed invasive plants except for uses in science, education or legitimate agriculture. It further outlines the board’s authority to gauge plant risks and handle noxious weed quarantines.

In the House, there were 62 Democrats and 33 Republicans who supported the bill, with one Democrat and one Republican voting against it.

The Senate recorded 19 Democratic and 18 Republican votes in favor.

Del. Justin Pence (Republican-33rd District) served as the bill’s sole patron.

Pence holds a BS from Virginia Tech.

A Republican, Pence joined the Virginia State House in 2026 representing the 33rd House District after Todd Gilbert previously held the seat.

In Virginia, bills introduced in either legislative chamber first go through assigned committees for consideration and possible revisions, and then move to full debates and votes in both houses. If both approve, the bill advances to the governor to be signed, vetoed, or enacted without signature. The Virginia General Assembly meets annually, convening each January on the second Monday. Legislators introduce many bills each session but only some are enacted into law.

Information for this report came from the Virginia State House, with underlying data accessible here.