GOVERNOR'S VETO

Pursuant to Article V, Section 6 of the Constitution of Virginia, I veto House Bill 47, which creates civil penalties for the retail sale of certain plant species.

The Department of Conservation and Recreation (the Department) already publishes and distributes educational information related to invasive plant species and the benefits of planting native species. Virginia should continue to educate consumers about invasive plant species and encourage them to seek alternatives.

The proposal, however, places additional requirements and imposes civil penalties on Virginia’s small businesses for the sale of plants with low levels of invasiveness, such as periwinkle and winter honeysuckle.

Additionally, the Department's invasive species list would function as the legally binding authority regarding invasive species, circumventing the Administrative Process Act, which involves a public notice and comment period.

Accordingly, I veto this bill.