2026 SESSION

INTRODUCED

26104983D

HOUSE BILL NO. 1465

Offered January 23, 2026

A BILL to amend and reenact § 3.2-2704 of the Code of Virginia, relating to powers and duties of the Marine Products Board; full-time equivalent position established; marketing and production of blue catfish.

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Patrons—Simonds, Askew, Hernandez, Kent, Cousins, Martinez and Tran

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Referred to Committee on Agriculture, Chesapeake and Natural Resources

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Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:

1. That § 3.2-2704 of the Code of Virginia is amended and reenacted as follows:

§ 3.2-2704. Powers and duties of the Marine Products Board.

A. The Marine Products Board shall: (i) plan and conduct marketing, educational, and promotional campaigns and programs for Virginia marine products; (ii) carry on research and testing programs; and (iii) conduct activities relating to the catching, processing, conservation, and marketing of Virginia marine products; and (iv) establish a full-time equivalent position who shall be responsible for identifying grants and other funding opportunities for the marketing and production of blue catfish in the Commonwealth and disbursing moneys from such grants and funds.

B. The Marine Products Board may investigate, study, and formulate recommendations regarding regulation, conservation, and management of marine resources of the Commonwealth.

C. The Marine Products Board may make contracts and expend money from the Virginia Marine Products Fund necessary to carry out the purposes of this chapter. The contracts, debts, and liabilities of the Marine Products Board shall not be an obligation of the Commonwealth, but shall be met utilizing the sums paid into the Virginia Marine Products Fund.

D. The Marine Products Board may cooperate with other state, regional, and national seafood organizations in research, advertising, publicity, education, and other means of promoting the sale and use of seafood, and may expend moneys of the Virginia Marine Products Fund for such purposes.