I am writing in support of HB1475 to establish a Virginia Fungi Task Force. Fungi serve an important role as decomposers in our ecosystem, but they also servean arguably even more important role as mycorrhizal associates with trees and other plants. In this role they coexist with the root systems of pine trees, hardwood trees, grasses, legumes, and many other species, as key symbionts that allow these plants to survive. Despite the critical role they play in our ecosystem, very little is known about them. Mycologists in the eastern US are finding that we know much less than we thought about these organisms, it is imperative that we begin to take steps to better understand these species for the sake of our environment and economy. HB1475 is an extremely important first step in achieving a better understanding of the fungal kingdom and bringing the science of mycology up to speed with other similar studies such as forestry, botany, and wildlife studies. As an expert and life long professional in the field of ecosystems ecology, I implore you to support this bill - not only will it be important for the reasons listed above, but I believe it will be whole heartedly supported by the majority of the Virginia citizenship who care deeply for our green spaces. Thank you for your consideration.

I am strongly in support of HB1475. Fungi are critically understudied and underrepresented within state conservation practices. Implementing a Fungi Task Force would establish avenues for essential research on fungal biodiversity, expand public education on fungi, and hopefully create opportunities for community engagement and employment. Fundamentally, ensuring the health and longevity of our fungal partners will directly impact the future well-being of our forests and the native plants and animals that depend on them! Please vote yes on this bill! Fungi are the present, past, and the future!

Hello Delegates, I am writing in opposition of HB1396. This bill had been brought fourth by landowners groups that falsely claim to represent and maximize property owners rights when in fact they are property owners that want to end the tradition of hound hunting. This is proven by these groups comments on their own social media pages. These groups have made claim that only 8 states allow the use of hounds to hunt, a stat quoted by delegates in the subcommittee, that is simply a false statement, currently only 9 states allow hounds to be used to hunt deer but nearly every state allows the utilization of dogs to hunt other game species many not requiring an special license to do so. I ask the delegates to understand that the vast majority of the members of the hound hunting organizations are land owners as well in addition to all of the landowners who lease or allow hound hunting on their land support the tradition of hound hunting. This bill creates a permit allowing the DWR create and issue permits on a may issue criteria with visual permit requirements for hounds and vehicles. If Additional funding is needed to police game laws the bill should be amended to a license just like an archery or muzzleloading license that is a shall issue. Additionally the cost for said license should be reduced and required for all that utilize or partcipate in any type of hunting that utilizes a dog. Dogs are already required to have owner contact info on their collar and their vehicles have state issued license plates therefore marking is not necessary. Lastly the only ones who should be exempt from license purchase are those that utilize dogs to hunt on their own land. This simplifies the requirements and makes it fair for all parties. Basically if big game is harvested and checked in and the use of dogs is checked as a part of big game license registering process they should be required to have a dog hunting license or be exempt as a land owner. I hope that you find this as a reasonable comprise. Additionally there needs to be some sort of recourse for false complaints or accusations. If this bill continues as is it will create more tensions between those who utilize dogs to hunt and those who don't like the use of hunting dogs. False complaints will continue to increase cause additional hunter harassment and tension between hunters and those that oppose it. Thank you for your time. V/R, B. C. Bunch

I support the passage of this House bill. There is still so much to learn from the fungi in our environment. This is just a very necessary first step to help improve many aspects of the surrounding communities. From academics, to native plant protection, and local fungus education this bill is very important. Please vote yes

I am in support of HB1475 and would like to see the creation of a Virginia Fungi Task Force.

Please pass HB1475. There are fungi that sell for $100/ounce. Who knows what treasures we may be ignoring in Virginia.

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Invasives should be pulled or killed by herbicide and not be permitted to be sold in nurseries