2026 SESSION

INTRODUCED

26100333D

SENATE BILL NO. 414

Offered January 14, 2026

Prefiled January 13, 2026

A BILL to amend and reenact § 28.2-208.2 of the Code of Virginia and to repeal Article 1 (§ 28.2-1000) of Chapter 10 of Title 28.2 of the Code of Virginia, relating to Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Compact; withdrawal.

—————

Patron—Stuart

—————

Referred to Committee on Privileges and Elections

—————

Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:

1. That § 28.2-208.2 of the Code of Virginia is amended and reenacted as follows:

§ 28.2-208.2. Menhaden Management Advisory Committee established.

The Commissioner shall establish a Menhaden Management Advisory Committee (the Committee) to provide guidance to the Commission on the sustainable management of the menhaden resource and harvest of the bait and reduction fisheries in the waters of the Commonwealth, including the Chesapeake Bay. The Committee shall consist of not more than 12 nonlegislative citizen members who shall be residents of the Commonwealth with knowledge of the menhaden resource, to be appointed by the Commissioner, including one representative of the menhaden reduction fishery, one representative of the menhaden bait fishery, one representative of a labor organization involved in the menhaden fishery, one recreational angler, one member of a Virginia-based conservation organization, and one representative of the sportfishing industry, and the Virginia appointee to the Atlantic Menhaden Technical Committee of the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission.

2. That Article 1 (§ 28.2-1000) of Chapter 10 of Title 28.2 of the Code of Virginia is repealed.

3. That the Marine Resources Commission shall, no later than July 31, 2026, provide written notice to all states that are a party to the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Compact (the Compact) that the Commonwealth intends to renounce and withdraw from the Compact as provided for in Article XII of § 28.2-1000 of the Code of Virginia, as repealed by this act.

4. That the Marine Resources Commission shall, on or after February 1, 2027, take all actions necessary and appropriate to effectuate the Commonwealth's renunciation of and withdrawal from the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Compact pursuant to the second enactment of this act and shall complete such actions no later than July 1, 2027.