2026 SESSION

SENATE SUBSTITUTE

26109672D

HOUSE BILL NO. 1013

FLOOR AMENDMENT IN THE NATURE OF A SUBSTITUTE

(Proposed by Senator Marsden

on March 11, 2026)

(Patron Prior to Substitute—Delegate Tran)

A BILL to amend and reenact § 28.2-701 of the Code of Virginia, relating to Marine Resources Commission; use of bycatch reduction devices on crab traps; penalty.

Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:

1. That § 28.2-701 of the Code of Virginia is amended and reenacted as follows:

§ 28.2-701. Crab traps, crab pots, and crab pounds; regulations; penalty.

A. The Commission shall promulgate regulations governing the use, placement, and maintenance of crab traps and crab pounds.

B. The Commission may promulgate regulations establishing the mesh size of crab pots and peeler pots. The regulation may provide for the interchangeable use of the two types of pots, provided that each respective gear is appropriately marked and cull rings in conformance with Commission requirements are installed in each pot.

C. The Commission shall require by regulation the use of bycatch reduction devices on all recreational crab pots, including such pots exempted from licensing requirements pursuant to § 28.2-226. For the purpose of this subsection, "bycatch reduction device" means a rigid rectangular device, often made of bright orange plastic, fitted to the entrance funnel of a crab pot through which crabs can enter but most terrapins cannot.

D. Any person convicted of violating any provision of a regulation promulgated under this section is guilty of a Class 3 misdemeanor.