2026 SESSION

SENATE SUBSTITUTE

26107161D

SENATE BILL NO. 461

AMENDMENT IN THE NATURE OF A SUBSTITUTE

(Proposed by the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Conservation and Natural Resources

on February 3, 2026)

(Patron Prior to Substitute—Senator Stuart)

A BILL to direct the Marine Resources Commission to temporarily prohibit electrofishing in certain portions of the Rappahannock River; report.

Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:

1. § 1. That the Marine Resources Commission shall (i) prohibit commercial electrofishing in the portion of the Rappahannock River north of the Downing Bridge in Tappahannock until January 1, 2027, and (ii) examine the practice of commercial electrofishing in the waters of the Commonwealth and submit a report of its findings and recommendations to the Chairs of the House Committee on Agriculture, Chesapeake and Natural Resources and the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Conservation and Natural Resources no later than January 1, 2027.