House of Delegates Speak

Public Comments for 01/24/2024 Agriculture Chesapeake and Natural Resources - Agriculture Subcommittee

HB9 - Animal control officers; additional training.

Last Name: Bocanegra Locality: Schonherrn

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Last Name: Baxter Locality: Richmond

I support this bill. There is literally no downside to supporting it.

Last Name: Leinberger Organization: Virginia Animal Control Association Locality: Chesterfield County

I’ve been an Animal Control Officer for 32 years (Chesterfield first and now City of Richmond), I’m a past president of the National Animal Control Association, and a past-president and current Board member of the Virginia Animal Control Association. Training is so fundamentally important. Some important reasons for increased continuing education I would share are: 1. The Virginia Animal Control Officer Basic Training Standards increased to a required minimum of 120 hours effective 07/01/2021. It was previously 92 hours. Therefore, the continuing education requirement needs to increase as well to stay consistent with the increased ACO Basic hours. 2. The 15-hour continuing education requirement has been in effect since 1999 and has never been increased. 3. Nearly all the animal related codes since 1999 have expanded or have come into existence, such as Dangerous/Vicious dogs, Animal Cruelty (recent felony upgrade), Animal Abandonment, Care of Companion Animals, etc. Animal Control Officers in Virginia must keep up with the ever changing and improving laws, technology, tasks, enforcement, etc. required of a modern ACO. Please let me know if there is anything I can do to help. Respectfully Robert Leinberger

Last Name: Peake Locality: Rockingham

Animal Control officers absolutely need more training. There are two officers in my county. One is fairly new and seems to know the law. The other doesn’t bother keeping up with legislative and case law changes. It’s exhausting having to pull out a copy of the code and read it to him. Disgraceful.

Last Name: McCracken Locality: Richmond

HB206 I SUPPORT this bill. All pet shops should be accountable for the animals in their possession and transparent as to their health and welfare HB221 Vote NO on this bill. As written, this bill ignores the many Virginia communities that are successfully/humanely managing free-roaming cat populations. Its current language leaves the door open for inhumane policies like catch and kill. I do NOT SUPPORT this bill HB223 I SUPPORT this bill HB330 I SUPPORT this bill, but no pet shop should EVER offer consumer credit for an animal HB580 I SUPPORT this bill. Testing facilities should be totally transparent!! HB804 I do NOT Support this bill. The orginal language is the preferred language and there is no reason that the case cannot be heard within 30 days. You are allowing too much leeway to string out the case HB62 I SUPPORT this bill. Anumal Cruelty offenders should be known to the public just like sex offenders. There absolutely should be a list! HB9 I SUPPORT this bill

HB62 - Local animal cruelty registries; any locality may establish, etc., a computerized registry.

Last Name: Bocanegra Locality: Schonherrn

Last Name: Birchell Locality: Newark

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Last Name: Donald Locality: Newark

Last Name: Spiro Locality: Hamburg Finkenwerder

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Last Name: McCullion Locality: Ashburn

I am in support of these three bills as the growing population of Virginia, specifically Northern Virginia, has caused problems with all animals (pets and wild). There are way too many cases of animal cruelty and neglect. Most go unnoticed as only the really horrible ones make the news. For HB206, I was actually surprised that pet stores DON'T provide information when animals die. This lack of accountability needs to be addressed since pet stores have the potential for abuse. This would align the accountability with other organizations that handle animals. For HB223, the recent cases of animal cruelty in Virginia have been disturbing to say the least. Hoarding and neglecting dogs and cats to the point of forcing them to live in their own feces, starve to the point of death, turn to cannibalism, and go without much needed medical treatment when they are sick and injured is beyond thoughts for any sane human. These people need to be identified, prosecuted to the fullest extent, and NEVER have access to pets or any animals. For HB62, I have experience in law enforcement and when a "potential" criminal is identified, a national database can be accessed to see the person's "record". A national database of individuals convicted of animal abuse and animal cruelty is needed so these "puppy mill" operators can't be closed down in one state only to reopen in another. This bill can address one aspect of this issue by establishing and maintaining a list of convicted individuals in Virginia so other states can research any potential convictions they may have. It also allows county humane enforcement / animal control officers to be better equipped with information when monitoring or prosecuting these horrible cases. Both of my recent dogs were rescue dogs. We had each of them for over 16 years. We gave them good lives. The Virginia Legislation needs to do their part and provide animals with the quality of life they deserve. Thank you.

Last Name: Scheuer Organization: Gentle Pets Rescue Locality: Rockbridge County

Good Afternoon!! As an owner/operator of a non-profit dog rescue here in Rockbridge County, I ask that you please support and fund HB62. Our beloved animals, like small children, cannot sign up to speak or submit written comments, but an Animal Cruelty Conviction List is well past due to be established for their well-being and safety. This List will be very beneficial to animal organizations who do pet adoptions, fostering and rescue work. The funding for HB62 is worth the cost of keeping animals safe from those convicted of felony animal cruelty. Thank you for your time in reading this comment.

Last Name: Ashton Locality: Spotsylvania

Good evening Committee I ask you to please vote in favor of all three of these bills. People should know how and why animals passed away in pet stores that is only fair to the consumers for transparency. HB 223 is long overdue in my opinion as it is now the judges do not have the tools they need to properly say bad actors can no longer work with animals and or own them like mini crimes offenders often happen. We need to protect the animals just as we do people we don't let people who've been charged with crimes against children work with children, so why would this be any differently? HB 62. I am so excited to see this Bill when you volunteer with rescues there's currently no database to see if somebody has been convicted of crimes against animals to know that an animal may not be safe with them. The Virginia Court System is a tool, but it is a tool that many many many people do not know how to navigate, you also have the problem of if somebody has changed their name you won't necessarily have that information. I think this bill along with HVB223 is a great opportunity for the companion animals and the Commonwealth of Virginia. It will also give people the peace of mind that when they're looking for a dog sitter or a new veterinarian or a dog trainer, they know they have a tool to go to to see if they're a good person. And also with HB 223 that is not mandatory situation. It is something that gives the judge the discretion, where if he, or she feel like the person has committed such heinous crimes that they should not be able to have animals that they have a legal way to forbid them from doing so.

Last Name: Crosky Organization: Virginia Animal Owners Alliance Locality: Wythe

The members of the Virginia Animal Owners Alliance ask you to please vote against HB 62. While we believe this bill is well-intentioned, the current environment in the State is very hostile towards animal ownership. Look no further than the case of Natural Bridge Zoo. Anyone can have their animals seized and anyone can face criminal charges. It doesn't matter how much documentation you have or how many times you use your veterinarian. Old animals are a liability, special needs animals make you a target, and any animal you've buried on your property over the years can be used against you in Virginia courts. The Animal Law Unit in the Attorney General's Office is overzealous and is looking to make a name for themselves. Innocent owners shouldn't have to fight the State when they have done nothing wrong and so often these cases come down to a citizen's financial resources. Do they have money for a good legal team? Can they afford the cost of appeal? Innocent people have been pressured into taking plea deals due to lack of funds or lack of energy to fight year after year after year. When these decisions are made public, other citizens believe that the heavy-handed actions of the Animal Law Unit and certain animal control officers must be justified when in fact these citizens have only been further victimized. This is not the first time that the effort to create a registry has been undertaken in Virginia. Previous efforts have failed as well as efforts in other States. Registries cost a lot of money and ultimately lack effectiveness in regards to ACTUAL animal abuse. What will this registry accomplish? It will embolden Michelle Welch. It will empower the Animal Law Unit. It will further stigmatize innocent people. Please don't look the other way on this issue. You have the power to change this problem. Instead of a registry, we need reform. Sincerely, Heidi Crosky, Virginia Animal Owners Alliance

Last Name: Hanrahan Locality: LORTON

I support this bill. It is important for protecting the health and safety of animals from those individuals who already have a record of serious cruelty toward animals. It is limited in that it would apply to only those individuals convicted of certain felonies. And it would allow for removing a person's name after a certain period of time with no further serious abuses. The bill is a reasonable and measured response to a persistent problem of repeat extreme animal abusers.

Last Name: Hanrahan Locality: LORTON

Last Name: Huffman Organization: Highland County Humane Society, Inc. Locality: Monterey

Dear AG Committee, I’m writing to encourage you to vote “yes” for the Animal Cruelty Conviction List HB62. Having an Animal Cruelty List will benefit animal organizations that do pet adoption, fostering, and rescue work. Being able to check the Conviction List will keep animals safe. I appreciate your consideration of the Animal Cruelty Conviction List, HB62. Sincerely, Corena Huffman, LVT Highland County Humane Society Inc 5409089152

Last Name: Brown Organization: Doberman Assistance Rescue and Education (DARE) Locality: Harpers Ferry

Dear AG Committee, I’m writing to you today to encourage you to vote “yes” for the Animal Cruelty Conviction List HB62. Having an Animal Cruelty List will be very beneficial to animal organization who do pet adoption, fostering and rescue work. Being able to check the Conviction List will keep animals safe. Thank you for your consideration of the Animal Cruelty Conviction List, HB62. Sincerely, Barbara Brown of Harpers Ferry, WV

Last Name: Gaines Locality: Springfield

Please have an animal cruelty list available to shelters and their foster parents to protect animals that are presented for adoption. These animals have already been through enough. It would be cruel to let them go into the hands of those who knowingly harm or are unable to adequately care for these pets. In addition, shelters and their volunteers invest in these animals to restore them to health, socialize them after trauma, and provide needed shots and food. PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE SIGN THIS BILL! Thank you!

Last Name: Belanger Locality: Rockbridge, Lexington

I support HB62 for the safety and wellbeing of animals in the state of VA. Thank you for your consideration to this bill.

Last Name: Leckie Organization: Doberman, Assistance, Rescue & Education Locality: Louisa

While I know there are other important bills in front of you this session, I hope you will give serious consideration to this one. This bill would help all animal shelters and rescues ensure that those animals adopted out don't end up in a bad situation. Thank you for your time.

Last Name: Studds Organization: Central Va. Shih Tzu Rescue, Inc. Locality: White Stone

This will assist rescues and shelters to prevent adoptions to individuals who have been convicted of animal cruelty from getting their hands on another helpless animal to be abused.

Last Name: Rosenfeld Organization: Friends of Rabbits Locality: Fairfax County

Dear Virginia House Agriculture, Chesapeake and Natural Resources: Agriculture Committee: Please vote “yes” for House Bill 62, which would establish an Animal Cruelty Conviction List in the commonwealth. Such a list will help ensure that individuals convicted of animal cruelty do not have the opportunity to adopt or foster any animals from rescue organizations. Thank you, Beth A. Rosenfeld Secretary, Board of Directors Friends of Rabbits Alexandria, Virginia (703) 660-6152

Last Name: Antonucci Locality: Arlington VA

please support HB 62 Having an Animal Cruelty List will be very beneficial to animal organization who do pet adoption, fostering and rescue work. Being able to check the Conviction List will keep animals safe. thank you Irene Antonucci

Last Name: kleifges Organization: Verizon Locality: Vienna

Dear AG Committee, I’m writing to you today to encourage you to vote “yes” for the Animal Cruelty Conviction List HB62. Having an Animal Cruelty List will be very beneficial to animal organization who do pet adoption, fostering and rescue work. Being able to check the Conviction List will keep animals safe. Thank you for your consideration of the Animal Cruelty Conviction List, HB62. Sincerely, Elena Kleifges

Last Name: hazera Organization: Rockbridge SPCA Locality: Rockbridge County

Dear Committee Members, On behalf of the Rockbridge SPCA, we strongly support HB62 establishing an Animal Cruelty Conviction List. Having first hand experience over the years and having attended many court hearings and trials, adding an abuser to the List as the result of a felony conviction is reasonable. Most felony charges involve abusers with multiple prior charges or heinous crimes that were pled down to misdemeanors - an actual felony conviction is rare. Recently in Rockbridge County, a felony bestiality case with a dog was pled down to a misdemeanor , no more than a parking ticket. Please consider the plight of shelters, animal rescue groups, Animal Control Officers and others must deal with horrible abuse cases only to have the abusers walk away with a slap on the wrist and get another dog, cat - abusers also tend to be involved in domestic abuse according to the FBI statistics. It's a pattern. Thank you for your consideration and please support HB 62. Sincerely, Ramona Hazera

Last Name: Brien Locality: Rockbridge county

Dear AG Committee, I’m writing to you today to encourage you to vote “yes” for the Animal Cruelty Conviction List HB62. Having an Animal Cruelty List will be very beneficial to animal organization who do pet adoption, fostering and rescue work. Being able to check the Conviction List will keep animals safe. Thank you for your consideration of the Animal Cruelty Conviction List, HB62.

Last Name: Sheila Parker Locality: Rockbridge

AG Committee, I’m writing to you today to encourage you to vote “yes” for the Animal Cruelty Conviction List HB62. Having an Animal Cruelty List will be very beneficial to animal organization who do pet adoption, fostering and rescue work. Being able to check the Conviction List will keep animals safe. Thank you for your consideration of the Animal Cruelty Conviction List, HB62. Sincerely, Sheila Parker

Last Name: STENE Organization: Rockbridge County SPCA Locality: Rockbridge Baths

I am in favor of creating an animal cruelty conviction list for the state of Virginia.

Last Name: Huckabee-Mayfield Organization: White Bird Appaloosa Horse Rescue Locality: Nottoway

Dear Agriculture Committee Members: I’m writing to you today to encourage you to vote “yes” for the Animal Cruelty Conviction List HB62. Having an Animal Cruelty List will be very beneficial to animal organization who do pet adoption, fostering and rescue work. Being able to check the Conviction List will keep animals safe. Thank you for your consideration of the Animal Cruelty Conviction List, HB62. Sincerelely, Jorg Huckabee-Mayfield

Last Name: Kelly Organization: Northern Virginia Sheltie Rescue (as volunteer) Locality: Nellysford

I am writing in support of HB62 to establish an Animal Cruelty Conviction List that will be available on the State Police website. Such a list will be very beneficial to animal organization who do pet adoption, fostering and rescue work. As a volunteer in Northern Virginia Sheltie Rescue, we see the results of horrible but legal breeding operations. In one of the cruelty case intakes, n July 2023 NVSR took in eight Sheltie-Papillion mixes from among 58 dogs that were seized by animal control in Northumberland County, VA. The dogs were kept in filthy and deplorable conditions by Phyllis Swift, who advertised herself as a breeder and boarding facility, "Passion for Pets," but she was breeding dogs that experienced almost no handling and were completely undomesticated and living in filth. NVSR spent many thousands of dollars for each dog for heartworm treatment, extensive dental work, spay/neuter, vaccinations, treatment intestinal parasites, and other maladies. Those were only the physical damages that could be treated by a vet. One of the foster parents who testified at the criminal trial described the terrible emotional damage done to the dogs due to lack of socialization and inhumane treatment, damage that may be life-long. Two of the dogs had to be euthanized before heartworm treatment could begin. The dogs' foster homes have spent several months since, getting the dogs used to humans. Yet Ms. Swift got a suspended sentence and will be able to move to another state to continue her business. Please allow the General Assembly to vote on this measure. Thank you.

Last Name: McCarren Locality: Fairfax

Dear AG Committee, I’m writing to you today to encourage you to vote “yes” for the Animal Cruelty Conviction List HB62. Having an Animal Cruelty List will be very beneficial to animal organization who do pet adoption, fostering and rescue work. Being able to check the Conviction List will keep animals safe. Thank you for your consideration of the Animal Cruelty Conviction List, HB62. Marisa McCarren

Last Name: Gibson Organization: Rockbridge Area SPCA Locality: Buena Vista

Dear AG Committee, I’m writing to you today to encourage you to vote “yes” for the Animal Cruelty Conviction List HB62. Having an Animal Cruelty List will be very beneficial to animal organization who do pet adoption, fostering and rescue work. Being able to check the Conviction List will keep animals safe. Thank you for your consideration of the Animal Cruelty Conviction List, HB62. Sincerely, Juliet Gibson President, Board of Directors Rockbridge Area SPCA

Last Name: Owens Organization: Rockbridge SPCA Locality: Rockbridge

Dear AG Committee, I’m writing to you today to encourage you to vote “yes” for the Animal Cruelty Conviction List HB62. Having an Animal Cruelty List will be very beneficial to animal organization who do pet adoption, fostering and rescue work. Being able to check the Conviction List will keep animals safe. Thank you for your consideration of the Animal Cruelty Conviction List, HB62. Sincerely, Lucia R Owens

Last Name: Woo Locality: Fairfax county

Dear AG Committee, I’m writing to you today to encourage you to vote “yes” for the Animal Cruelty Conviction List that will be presented in the Virginia Assembly, House BILL NO 62. Having an Animal Cruelty List will be very beneficial to animal organization who do pet adoption, fostering and rescue work. Being able to check the Conviction List will keep animals safe. Thank you for your consideration of the Animal Cruelty Conviction List, House BILL No. 62. Sincerely, Haylee Woo

Last Name: Mason Organization: RSPCA Locality: Lexington Va.

I support legislation, Bill HB 62 should be passed and move on in the legislation. Thank you.

Last Name: Mortenson Organization: Rockbridge SPCA Locality: Rockbridge county

I am voting to pass the Animal cruelty bill. As board member of the Rockbridge SPCA I can see how important this is. There has been numerous instances in n our area that were concerning animal cruelty. I believe it’s very important for this bill to pass. Our animals can’t speak for themselves. This is why as a SPCA board member I am speaking.

Last Name: Vance Locality: Fairfax

Dear AG Please vote “yes” for the Animal Cruelty Conviction List HB62. Having an Animal Cruelty List will be very beneficial to animal organization who do pet adoption, fostering and rescue work. Being able to check the Conviction List will keep animals safe. Thank you for your consideration of the Animal Cruelty Conviction List, HB62. Sincerely, V Vance

Last Name: Connell Locality: Arlington

I’m writing to you today to encourage you to vote “yes” for the Animal Cruelty Conviction List HB62. The List will be very beneficial to animal organizations that do adoption, foster, and rescue work. Being able to check the List will help keep animals safe. Thank you for your support of the Animal Cruelty Conviction List.

Last Name: Sheehan Locality: Arlington

I’m writing to you today to encourage you to vote “yes” for the Animal Cruelty Conviction List HB62. Having an Animal Cruelty List will be very beneficial to animal organization who do pet adoption, fostering and rescue work. Being able to check the Conviction List will keep animals safe. Thank you for your consideration of the Animal Cruelty Conviction List.

Last Name: Fairchild Locality: Buena Vista

Last Name: Connell Locality: Arlington

Last Name: Higgins Organization: Rockbridge SPCA Locality: 3052 big hill Road Lexington VA

Dear AG Committee, I’m writing to you today to encourage you to vote “yes” for the Animal Cruelty Conviction List HB62. Having an Animal Cruelty List will be very beneficial to animal organization who do pet adoption, fostering and rescue work. Being able to check the Conviction List will keep animals safe. Thank you for your consideration of the Animal Cruelty Conviction List, HB62. Sincerely, Carol Higgins

Last Name: Conner Organization: Rockbridge spca Locality: Rockbridge county

Dear AG Committee, I’m writing to you today to encourage you to vote “yes” for the Animal Cruelty Conviction List HB62. Having an Animal Cruelty List will be very beneficial to animal organization who do pet adoption, fostering and rescue work. Being able to check the Conviction List will keep animals safe. Thank you for your consideration of the Animal Cruelty Conviction List, HB62. Sincerely, Ashley Conner

Last Name: Mingus Organization: Rockbridge SPCA Locality: Lexington

Dear AG Committee, I’m writing to you today to encourage you to vote “yes” for the Animal Cruelty Conviction List HB62. Having an Animal Cruelty List will be very beneficial to animal organization who do pet adoption, fostering and rescue work. Being able to check the Conviction List will keep animals safe. Thank you for your consideration of the Animal Cruelty Conviction List, HB62. Sincerely, Anne Mingus Rockbridge SPCA Supervisor

Last Name: Mingus Organization: Rockbridge SPCA Locality: Lexington

Dear AG Committee, I’m writing to you today to encourage you to vote “yes” for the Animal Cruelty Conviction List HB62. Having an Animal Cruelty List will be very beneficial to animal organization who do pet adoption, fostering and rescue work. Being able to check the Conviction List will keep animals safe. Thank you for your consideration of the Animal Cruelty Conviction List, HB62. Sincerely, Anne Mingus Rockbridge SPCA Supervisor

Last Name: Rodi Organization: Rockbridge SPCA Locality: Lexington

Comments Document

Dear Committee, Please vote "yes" for the Animal Cruelty Conviction List HB62. The List will be very beneficial to animal organizations who do pet adoptions, fostering and rescue work. Being able to check the Conviction List will keep animals safe! I am including a list of animal organization who have email me in support of HB62. Please note these organization are from all over the State of Virginia and growing. Thank you very much for your consideration of this Bill. Sincerely, Tara Rodi Rockbridge SPCA Executive Director

Last Name: Lott Locality: Arlington, VA

To the AG Committee: I’m contacting you as I strongly support a “yes” vote for the Animal Cruelty Conviction List HB62. An Animal Cruelty List will provide necessary information for rescue groups responsible for pet adoptions, fostering, and rescue. Being able to check a "Conviction List" will contribute to the safety of animals, i.e. dogs, cats, & horses. It's important to have as much background information as possible about potential adopters. People who abuse animals, i.e. use them in fighting situations (as a fighter or a bait animal), or profit from puppy mills need to be readily identified. Thank you for your help in support of the Animal Cruelty Conviction List, HB62. Sincerely, Linda Lott

Last Name: Chipkin Locality: Stuart

Dear AG Committee, Please vote “yes” for the Animal Cruelty Conviction List HB62. Having an Animal Cruelty List will be very beneficial to animal organization who do pet adoption, fostering and rescue work. Being able to check the Conviction List will keep animals safe. Thank you for your consideration of the Animal Cruelty Conviction List, HB62. Sincerely, Lynn Chipkin, Stuart VA.

Last Name: Taylor Locality: Gum Spring, Virgnia

Dear AG Committee, I’m writing to you today to imploree you to vote “yes” for the Animal Cruelty Conviction List HB62. Having an Animal Cruelty List will be very beneficial to animal organization who do pet adoption, fostering and rescue work. We invest much time and energy into rehabiliting animals who come into our care. Being able to check the Conviction List will keep animals safe. Thank you for your consideration of the Animal Cruelty Conviction List, HB62. Sincerely, Elaine Taylor, Board member of Northern Virginia Sheltie Rescue, a Virginia Nonprofit Corp

Last Name: Houser Organization: Rockbridge Animal Alliance Locality: Rockbridge County

My name is Maurine Houser and I am the Board Chair for Rockbridge Animal Alliance in Lexington, Virginia. I am in support of HB62 and believe it is vital to the safety of pets in the Commonwealth of Virginia. On more than one occasion we have seen convicted animal abusers readopt and/or obtain pets following a conviction to only abuse pets again. Animal Shelters and Rescues have no way of knowing if they are allowing an abuser to adopt a dog or cat. Animal abuse in an ingrained behavioral pattern and without intervention it will continue. Being able to check the Conviction List will keep animals safe. Please help pets from suffering. Thank your for your time and consideration. Maurine M. Houser 1892 Turnpike Road Lexington, Virginia 24450

Last Name: Barnett Organization: F.A.C.E. Locality: Vinton

Dear AG Committee, I’m writing to you today to encourage you to vote “yes” for the Animal Cruelty Conviction List HB62. Having an Animal Cruelty List will be very beneficial to animal organizations that do pet adoption, fostering, and rescue work. This list is paramount in protecting the safety of animals. We've spent far too long destroying their habitats and not protecting them from harms and abuses. Being able to check a Conviction List will not only keep animals safe but also give rescuers the ability to properly screen potential adopters. We need your help here. Thank you for your consideration of the Animal Cruelty Conviction List, HB62. Sincerely, Mary Barnett 540-815-9258 Purple12tweety@gmail.com

Last Name: Counts Organization: Madison Community Cats Locality: Culpeper County

Dear AG Committee, I’m writing to you today on behalf of Madison Community Cats to encourage you to vote “yes” for the Animal Cruelty Conviction List HB62. Having an Animal Cruelty List will be very beneficial to animal organization who do pet adoption, fostering and rescue work. Being able to check the Conviction List will allow our team to check the list before approving adoptions. Thank you for your consideration of the Animal Cruelty Conviction List, HB62. Sincerely, Laurie Counts, and Madison Community Cats

Last Name: Beard Locality: Rockbridge County Va

Dear AG Committee, I’m writing to you today to encourage you to vote “yes” for the Animal Cruelty Conviction List HB62. Having an Animal Cruelty List will be very beneficial to animal organization who do pet adoption, fostering and rescue work. Being able to check the Conviction List will keep animals safe. Thank you for your consideration of the Animal Cruelty Conviction List, HB62. Sincerely, Karen R. Beard

Last Name: Brown Locality: Roanoke

I support this legislation and the method described to fund it. Having names removed after a set time also allows for potentially a one time mistake not to follow someone the rest of their life.

Last Name: McCracken Locality: Richmond

HB206 - Pet shops; notice of deceased animals.

Last Name: Bocanegra Locality: Schonherrn

Last Name: Birchell Locality: Newark

Last Name: Donald Locality: Newark

Last Name: McCullion Locality: Ashburn

Last Name: Baxter Locality: Richmond

Please vote yes. This bill increases transparency and accountability relating to animals.

Last Name: Ashton Locality: Spotsylvania

Last Name: Peake Locality: Rockingham

SUPPORT. Of course this needs to happen. Pet shops should be at least as regulated as our local shelters. To do otherwise is to be hypocritical. Plus, since they are a consumer service, there is an additional need for regulation to protect the public from being sold sick puppies.

Last Name: Laume Organization: Virginia Dog Army Locality: Fairax County

VA has witnessed multiple instances of cruelty which has run a prolonged course of time because there was no 'alert system' such as required reporting of deaths would provide. While requiring a more regular reporting summary than annual would be preferred, this requirement to retain a record for inspectors is a positive step in preventing poor care.

Last Name: Laume Organization: Virginia Dog Army Locality: Fairax County

Last Name: Brown Locality: Roanoke

I support this bill to require more transparency of pet shops that choose to sell cats or dog. These animals are generally sourced from puppy or kitten mills where profit is put before the wellbeing of the animals in the facility.

Last Name: McCracken Locality: Richmond

HB223 - Cruelty to animals; possession and ownership of animals.

Last Name: Bocanegra Locality: Schonherrn

Last Name: Birchell Locality: Newark

Last Name: Donald Locality: Newark

Last Name: McCullion Locality: Ashburn

Last Name: Rodi Organization: Rockbridge SPCA Locality: Lexington

Please support HB223 to help keep animals safe in the Commonwealth.

Last Name: Ashton Locality: Spotsylvania

Good evening, my name is Jaimie Ashton and I would ask you to support HB223. This bill is needed unfortunately we have had several cases In the Commonwealth that this bill would have been a great help to protect animals. In Fredericksburg we had a case where a partner in a practice who is also a Vet Tech committed an awful crime against a dog and confessed to such crime. There was no option for the judge in that case to restrict her access to dogs, she is still a current owner and practing Vet Tech. In Spotsylvania County we had a lady who was charged with starving her horses but yet was able to continue to work for years as a dog trainer at a major retail chain. In Orange County we had a well known dog trainer who was charged with several charges of cruelty. We need to give the judges the tool to help protect animals from people like these. This is an optional tool not a requirement. Thank you in advance for your time and support.

Last Name: Crosky Organization: Virginia Animal Owners Alliance Locality: Wythe

The members of the Virginia Animal Owners Alliance ask you to vote "no" on HB 223. Supporters of the lifetime ban don't realize that ANYONE with an animal can be charged with animal cruelty in the Commonwealth. We have an overzealous Animal Law Unit and the process of obtaining a search warrant, raiding the home, bringing criminal charges, pursuing prosecution, and securing a conviction is completely flawed. Changes must be made to the current process before ever considering anything as permanent as a lifetime ban. The perfect example of the current hostility towards owners is the case of the Natural Bridge Zoo. Karl and Debbie Mogensen are living proof of how the Animal Law Unit can put a target on your back and then "fish" for the crimes they believe were committed. It doesn't matter how many times you use your vet or how much documentation you have to back it up. Old animals are a liability, special needs animals garner you an investigation, and any animal that is buried or preserved on your property can be used against you. The Animal Law Unit is looking to make a name for themselves instead of focusing on ACTUAL animal abuse. Innocent owners shouldn't have to fight the State when they have done nothing wrong and yet this is happening in case after case. The lifetime ban is in regards to felonies, but who has been charged with a felony? Irina Barrett was charged for a dog that swallowed an object. A DOG THAT SHE TOOK TO THE VET FOR HELP. She was also charged for the torture and death of Deelah when in fact the dog was still alive! Irina went public with this information and Michelle Welch had the wording changed and the charge dismissed on the first day of Irina's trial. This charge alone reveals a lot about what is happening with these animal cases. Rhiannan Vitiello was charged with FOUR FELONIES for horse body parts that were found in a 30-year-old compost pile--even though this was "junk science." She was also charged with a felony for a horse that was experiencing colic. COLIC IS ONE OF THE LEADING CAUSES OF DEATH IN EQUINES. Why was Rhiannan criminally pursued for this? Rhiannan's mother, Robin Vince, was charged and CONVICTED for three felonies for three old, dead horses that had been euthanized and buried on her property. Amy Taylor (who is now part of the Animal Law Unit) was part of the raid and testified against Robin. Robin appealed the verdict, but did not win her appeal. If every farmer in Virginia was treated like this for animals buried on their farm, there would be public outrage. Debbie Coley is yet another example of how the code is being abused to harm good owners. She was charged with FELONY TORTURE for her special needs dog, Romeo. He had been hit by a car and was in a wheelchair. The Commonwealth later reduced the charge and Debbie won her case, but she should have never endured such treatment. A citizen's "guilt" or "innocence" is often based on their financial resources. Do they have money for a good legal team? Do they have money for the care bond? Can they afford to appeal? A lifetime ban is a permanent and serious thing. We need to fix the current problems with the process before ever considering methods to increase punishment. Instead of a lifetime ban, we need reform to the code and accountability for the Animal Law Unit. Please don't further empower Michelle Welch--vote "no" on HB 223. Sincerely, Heidi Crosky, Virginia Animal Owners Alliance

Last Name: Ashton Locality: Spotsylvania

Last Name: Blaney Organization: Animal Welfare Institute Locality: Arlington

Comments Document

Please see attached testimony.

Last Name: Hanrahan Locality: LORTON

I support this bill. Persons who are convicted of animal cruelty in Virginia often obtain other animals who are subject to similar acts of cruelty. This bill gives discretion to the court to protect animals from individuals with a record of animal cruelty, as necessary.

Last Name: Peake Locality: Rockingham

Support. Good change to the law.

Last Name: Brown Locality: Roanoke

I support this bill to allow for more freedom in the length of prohibition of owning animals if convicted of a misdemeanor or felony cruelty charge. Allowing additional time after incarceration provides the opportunity for additional rehabilitation and services to be provided.

Last Name: Patwardhan Locality: Fairfax County

I SUPPORT HB223, HB320, and HB47. (I declared support for HB221 to curb outdoor and feral cats in another comment.) I only wish HB47 could go farther and place an outright ban on the sale of invasive plants. I am appalled that it isn't already the law that someone convicted of animal cruelty is barred from ever owning a pet in the future. Let's fix that post haste! And HB320 is important to pass because we need to get rid of invasive species - they are causing tremendous damage to our native flora and fauna. (As are free-roaming cats, hence my support for HB221.)

Last Name: Grebe Locality: Fairfax County

Please support HB223! This bill hits home, as our neighbor's small dog was mauled and killed in May 2023 before her owner's eyes by a pitbull, as she waited to pick up her daughter at the bus stop after school. It was a terrible incident that opened my eyes to how little could be done to make sure the owner of the pitbull never let this happen again. (I'm a pitbull owner myself, so I realize it is not the dog's fault.) This owner did not take care of the dog, frequently left it outside in the rain and snow, locked it in the basement. The pitbull had apparently killed the owners' other dog at some point. The owner surrendered his dog and it was put down by Fairfax County, but he went out and got another one. Our neighborhood again lives in terror of this owner. Please support HB223!

Last Name: McCracken Locality: Richmond

HB330 - Dog or cat; financing.

Last Name: Bocanegra Locality: Schonherrn

Last Name: Birchell Locality: Newark

Last Name: Donald Locality: Newark

Last Name: Hanrahan Locality: LORTON

I support this bill. Seventeen pet stores in Virginia and large on-line brokers offer loans for the purchase of puppies, often approved by third party lenders within minutes. They often don’t disclose the APR or fees. This leads to financial hardship and high vet bills for unhealthy puppies. Responsible breeders, shelters, and rescue organizations do not offer financing. Consumers need protections.

Last Name: Peake Locality: Rockingham

SUPPORT. There is not enough time to unpack the phenomena of consumers buying mixed breeds, etc., at exorbitant prices, but at a minimum, stopping the use of consumer credit is a good place to start to address this madness.

Last Name: McCracken Locality: Richmond

HB580 - Animal testing facilities; DACR shall convene task force to identify potential deficiencies.

Last Name: Bocanegra Locality: Schonherrn

Last Name: Birchell Locality: Newark

Last Name: Cordeaux Locality: Newark

Last Name: Donald Locality: Newark

Last Name: Spiro Locality: Hamburg Finkenwerder

Last Name: Mitrano Organization: Christopher Newport University Locality: Newport News

Dear Delegate Simonds and the House Subcommittee recommending HB580 on Animal Testing Facilities, My name is Darlene Mitrano and I am a professor at Christopher Newport University (CNU). We strongly disagree with this bill on Animal Testing Facilities. As an animal researcher myself, and former member of CNU' s Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC), I have almost 25 years of experience in the field. We find this bill problematic in a few ways. First of all, the number of animals an institution uses, if the public wanted it, can be accessed through the Freedom of Information Act. Second, animal facilities, if they use animals covered by the USDA, already report and post their numbers annually to the USDA. Additionally, if the institution receives any federal grant money (i.e., from the National Institutes of Health), the Office of Laboratory Animal Welfare (Under the Public Health Services or PHS) oversees the use of animals in research or teaching protocols. They review the IACUC protocols used by those who conduct animal testing. Second, every project for research or teaching purposes must be approved by CNU's IACUC and the number of animals proposed to be used must be justified within these projects with an aim of minimizing the number of animals used. These IACUC protocols are also available under FOIA. Lastly, posting these numbers on the institution's website is detrimental to those who conduct animal research. You would be putting a target on the backs of your fellow Virginians who work using animal models with a goal of their research striving to improve human health, the environment, gain a greater understanding of behavior, etc., all which benefit Virginians in the long run. What would be the purpose of posting these numbers, other than endangering researchers who have devoted their lives to improve the human condition? We are already under the watchful eye of our universities/institutions, the IACUC, Laboratory Safety Committees, and the federal government. Does putting this information on websites present any value to the interest of Virginians, other than placing additional administrative burdens on faculty or staff that use animal models for research. I implore the committee to think about any medications, medical treatments, etc. they have received. Without animal research, most of the medical advances we see, use, and appreciate today would not have been possible without animal research. I thank you in advance for reading my feedback and would be happy to answer any additional questions. Sincerely, Darlene Mitrano

Last Name: Hanrahan Locality: LORTON

I support this bill. There is little transparency when it comes to animals used in research, making it impossible to know how much research facilities are investing in modern, humane nonanimal methods. Many animals used in research are not covered under the Animal Welfare Act and data is lacking as to their use.

Last Name: EAST Locality: SALEM

WE SHOULDNT EVEN BE TESTING ON ANIMALS IN THE FIRST PLACE. WHATS WRONG WITH VIRGINIA!!!????? YOU WANT TO BE TIED DOWN THEN LOCKED IN A CAGE THEN EUTHANIZED/ KILLED??? WHEN WILL WE BAN THIS ENTIRE BARBARIC CRIME.

Last Name: Peake Locality: Rockingham

SUPPORT. Needs to happen. Should have happened long ago. Please pass this law.

Last Name: Hagan Organization: Animal Health Institute Locality: Fauquier

Comments Document

See attached.

Last Name: Brown Locality: Roanoke

While I believe there are more humane methods today for most tests still conducted on animals, this is a good first step in better regulating this industry. The Envigo beagle situation should provide a wake up call that Virginia needs to do a better job regulating these facilities so there isn't more negative press on a state that failed these animals and ensuring there were regulations in place to ensure their wellbeing and have methods of recourse when that was not the case.

Last Name: McCracken Locality: Richmond

HB681 - Home-produced or small farm-produced food products; sale of products.

Last Name: Hanselman Organization: National Milk Producers Federation Locality: Arlington, VA

The National Milk Producers Federation (NMPF) and the International Dairy Foods Association (IDFA) oppose HB 681 which would allow for the sale of raw milk in Virginia. Consumption of raw milk and raw milk products has been opposed by every major health organization in the United States, including the American Medical Association and the American Academy of Pediatrics. Multiple studies support the findings that state laws increasing the availability of raw milk are associated with more outbreak-associated illnesses and outbreaks. For example, just in 2023, there were outbreaks associated with raw milk consumption in Utah, Minnesota and California to name a few. Consumption of raw milk and raw milk products is a demonstrated public health risk. The link between raw milk and foodborne illness has been well-documented in the scientific literature, with evidence spanning nearly 100 years. Raw milk is a key vehicle in the transmission of dangerous and sometimes deadly human pathogens, including E. coli O157:H7, Campylobacter, Listeria monocytogenes, and Salmonella. Based on a recent study which analyzed Foodborne Disease Outbreak Surveillance System data from 2013-2018, it was found that jurisdictions where unpasteurized milk sales were allowed were estimated to have 3.2 times more outbreaks and 2.9 times more outbreak-associated illnesses compared with jurisdictions where retail sales were prohibited. Of the 74 single-state outbreaks, 78% occurred in states where the sale of unpasteurized milk was expressly allowed in retail stores, at farmers markets or on the farm where it was produced. Nearly two-thirds of all outbreaks associated with raw milk or raw milk products involve children. Most recently, two 10-month-old infants in Tennessee were infected with shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli linked to raw milk consumption. The herd where the milk was obtained included 7-10 cows being hand-milked. Health department staff upon completing a site visit observed possible fecal contamination during milking and possible milk storage at higher than recommended temperatures. One infected infant developed hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS) requiring hemodialysis and hospitalization for 27 days. One critical aspect of this high-profile issue is the tremendous amount of misinformation that has been disseminated regarding the supposed health benefits of raw milk. It is important to emphasize that no claim related to the health benefits of consuming raw milk has been substantiated in any of the medical literature. The scientific consensus is that raw milk can cause serious illnesses and hospitalizations, as well as result in life-long negative health complications and death. Another misleading claim is that testing or regulating the sale of raw milk will protect consumers from the risks of raw milk consumption. This is also unfounded. Product testing and no amount of added procedures on-farm can ensure the same level of safety as pasteurization. Supporting the sale of raw milk would be a step in the wrong direction and create unnecessary food safety risks for consumers and liability for dairy producers. While choice is an important value, it should not pre-empt consumers’ well-being. To support the sale of raw milk and raw milk products is an unnecessary risk to consumer safety and public health.

Last Name: Fleming Locality: Roanoke

Please support local farmers with HB681. They are our community's unsung heroes and are critical for reducing our food carbon footprint. We need to make small scale farming a more sustainable economic choice. Further, small scale farmers use less pesticides, less fertilizer, and more sustainable practices on average, improving the health of human communities and cleanliness of rivers.

Last Name: Croes Organization: Virginia Independent Consumers and Farmers Association Locality: Spotsylvania

Dear Agricultural Subcommittee Members, Please support, HB759. Passing this bill forward will enable small scale producers to become a financially viable in today's economy. The current cap amounts to $60.00 in weekly sales, that is not very much. Removing or expanding the dollar amount on the cap would make it worth the effort to make and bring pickles to the market. Please support substitutions that forward that goal. Regarding HB681, please support expanding the amount that people can produce and sell to the end user helps to foster a stronger local food shed. In 2020 grocery shelves were empty. Virginians need to have a back up plan, not everyone has the ability to produce their own food. Building up a secondary food base offers more food security, neighbor to neighbor/local farmer. Make that possible by releasing the burdensome regulatory statutes that hold the small local producer down and move both HB749 and HB681 forward. Thank you for your consideration. Sincerely, Suzi Croes 540-419-6571 VICFA, President

Last Name: Mullin Locality: Louisa County

Please support HB759 and HB681. Both bills help homesteaders and small family farms sell quality homegrown food to people in their community. It is becoming increasingly more difficult for small farms to stay in business since they do not get the subsidies that large agricultural farms qualify for. Our community members want homegrown, homemade foods and are actively seeking out these healthy alternatives. It is critical to our communities that we can legally sell homemade pickles without a cap of $3000. If we have a bumper crop of beautiful organic cucumbers we should be able to sell as many pickles as possible that are made in my kitchen!

HB759 - Food inspections; pickles and acidified vegetables, gross sales.

Last Name: Bocanegra Locality: Schonherrn

Last Name: Birchell Locality: Newark

Last Name: Donald Locality: Newark

Last Name: Rucker Locality: Bluemont

Please vote YES on HB759. The red tape involved in our current home processing exemption AKA "cottage law" is extremely burdensome to entrepreneurs like myself trying to start small businesses to make ends meet for our families. Not being permitted to sell at craft fairs, holiday markets, or by way of in-person local delivery has hindered the success of my business, as local farmer's markets are oversaturated with bakers and are not accepting any other vendors of our specialty, and I live in a rural area where customers are not willing to pick up from. There is no reason why I should not be able to sell homemade pound cakes at a craft show or deliver fresh-baked bread on Saturday mornings to my customers' homes!

Last Name: Futrell Locality: Charlottesville

I am in support of HB 759. 1. The demand for local food continues to grow; passage of HB 759 will better enable producers of pickles and other acidified foods to better meet that demand. 2. Producers operating under the current pickle law have a great track record for safety; not a single case of foodborne illness has been attributed to a sale made under that law. 3. Passage of the bill will increase producer income and expand markets with the allowance of Internet advertising.

Last Name: Buteau Locality: Nelson County

Good morning Homemade pickles are SAFE and this bill needs to pass, as $3000.00 GROSS sales does not produce much profit at all these days. On the CDC National Outbreak Reporting System Dashboard there are ZERO cases of foodborne illness in the whole of the USA from pickles, for the whole of the period of records available online 1971- 2021 ... 40 years. There are therefore no cases of foodborne illness from pickles at all in Virginia also for 40 years from 1971-2021, so NO REASON NOT TO REMOVE THE CAP. CDC STATISTICS tell the true story. Documents attached. See the search filters at top. See box that says current filters for results, with graphs at the bottom. Allowing Gross Sales of $9000.00 is an improvement, but the sales limit should really just be removed! Labelling change makes sense for small items. Please vote yes on this bill as it is. thank you Anne Buteau Nelson County, VA Download all attachments as a zip file VA Pickles stats all causes .jpeg 614kB Whole USA Pickle cdc stats all causes .jpeg 609.9kB

Last Name: Angle Locality: Farmville

Please vote YES to HB759. Demand for local food continues to grow! Those who operate under the current law have a great track record for safety,; not a single case of foodborne illness has been attributed to a sale made under that law. The allowance of Internet marketing will broaden the customer base significantly, and this is the medium customers use. The bill will quite simply allow the producer to increase their market to meet the growing market demand and compensate them appropriately. Please support!

Last Name: Ciske Locality: Culpeper

To support local producers, please vote yes on bill 759.

Last Name: Croes Organization: Virginia Independent Consumers and Farmers Association Locality: Spotsylvania

Last Name: Mullin Locality: Louisa County

HB804 - Dangerous dog; extending the time for adjudication.

Last Name: Bocanegra Locality: Schonherrn

Last Name: Birchell Locality: Newark

Last Name: Donald Locality: Newark

Last Name: Baron Organization: N/a Locality: Fairfax County

This bill seems like just a formality to the committee, but it actually has some very important safety ramifications and animal welfare ramifications that the legislators don’t seem to be considering. HB 804 should actually be going in the reverse to *lessen the amount of time* to hold a hearing because subjecting animals—particularly ones being examined for dangerous dog designation—to severe stress of being in a shelter away from their owners, creates a safety risk for shelter, staff and all but ensures the deterioration of the subject animal. Typically these animals are dog or human reactive so placing them for extended periods of time in the shelter environment with strange dogs and strange people people has been shown to create additional stress on the animal leading to worse outcomes. Further, stress actually changes the chemical composition of the brain so if we are trying to properly evaluate these animals, then subject them to these kinds of conditions is backwards. In my professional opinion, as a certified professional dog trainer (CPDT-KA) and shelter worker, the Bill should be prioritizing and expediting the hearings on these cases. There are usually medical or other acute issues at play that benefit from fast tracking evaluation and hearing. In addition, the extra emotional toll on owners, the victims and shelter and care staff for animals that are essentially in a limbo waiting period is avoidable by *prioritizing adjudication* for the sentient parties involved. Thank you.

Last Name: McCracken Locality: Richmond

HB1167 - English ivy; local prohibition on sale, civil penalty.

Last Name: Bocanegra Locality: Schonherrn

Last Name: Birchell Locality: Newark

Last Name: Donald Locality: Newark

Last Name: Blackburn Organization: Audubon Society of Northern Virginia Locality: McLean

THE AUDUBON SOCIETY OF NORTHERN VIRGINIA SUPPORTS HB1167 The Audubon Society of Northern Virginia (ASNV) is a 5,000-member independent chapter of the National Audubon Society. Its mission is to engage all Northern Virginia communities in enjoying, conserving, and restoring nature for the benefit of birds, other wildlife, and people. ASNV strongly supports HB1167. English Ivy is a growing threat to our environment, and its continued sale should be prohibited. HB1167 provides localities an effective and cost-efficient way to slow the spread of English Ivy. The bill does not require all localities to ban the sale of this invasive plant. Localities that are concerned about its impact would have the right to ban its sale, which would help to slow the growing spread of this extremely harmful plant. English Ivy is an invasive plant. English Ivy is not native to Virginia. It has been imported to the commonwealth through sales by plant stores and nurseries. Once a property owner plants it, typically as a ground cover, it climbs trees, flowers and produces seeds. Birds disperse the seeds to nearby private properties and forests, and it quickly becomes established beyond the areas where it originally was planted. Property owners frequently find English Ivy seedlings on their land that have spread from adjacent properties and must spend time and money to eradicate them. English Ivy is harmful to the environment. English Ivy displaces native plants because it has no natural enemies. It threatens the ecosystem because it reduces the number and diversity of native plants that are available for native wildlife. It also alters the nutrient dynamics of forest soils. English Ivy overwhelms trees. English Ivy can heavily drape trees and can smother them. It also adds substantial weight to the trees that the trees are not designed to support, making them more susceptible to blowing down in storms. It is costly to remove the prematurely-downed trees. ASNV urges the House Agriculture, Chesapeake and Natural Resources Committee to report out HB1167. Respectfully submitted, Tom Blackburn, Advocacy Chair Audubon Society of Northern Virginia 11100 Wildlife Center Drive Reston VA 20190

Last Name: Hill Locality: Chesterfield

Please support HB 1167 for all the reasons already stated. Allowing localities to ban the sale of English ivy is a start.

Last Name: Rifai Locality: Arlington

English ivy is destroying trees all over the area. There needs to be an immediate ban on all sales of invasive species to protect our trees. Please can the sale of English ivy.

Last Name: Dillion Locality: Abingdon

As English Ivy is an invasive species with major negative impacts on both native plants at the ground level and the trees that it engulfs I would love to see a ban on it.

Last Name: Williama Locality: Arlington

Land development is VA is massive business, and despite existing measures our tree canopy is shrinking in the name of gigantic mcmansions and invasive English grass lawns. Tree canopy preservation in every district should have tighter regulations to stop the decimation of our tree canopy.

Last Name: Moorman Locality: Keswick

I am in support HB1167. I am a volunteer who battles invasive species in the Glenmore housing development. I have seen the devastating effects of English Ivy and other "ornamental vines" that have slipped the bounds of gardens and are suffocating the trees around us. I started a group of volunteers in our neighborhood to try and save our neighborhood woodlands. However, even more worrisome is the loos of our beautiful VA landscape, beyond my neighborhood, due to the effects of this invasive vine and others like it. You (or any visitor to our state) can't help but see trees along I-64 and Rt 250 buried beneath English Ivy, Kudzu and Porcelain Berry, and in varying stages of death. As soon as you leave VA and enter WVA and PA, you see start healthy trees and woodlands. Just like the war on drugs, we must first get the vines out of circulation by outlawing their sale.

Last Name: Spohn Organization: ASNV, wildlife rehabilitators Locality: Reston, VA

Please support Invasive Plant management. I am a Fairfax Master Naturalist and learned about invasive plants during my training. Invasives should NOT be sold to the public and should NOT be in the nursery trade. I teach the public about invasives and their impact on our environment and wildlife. Most folks have no idea how significant an issue these plants have created within our food web. Jill Spohn 1286 Auburn Grove LN Reston, VA 20194 Thank you, Jill

Last Name: Lafferty Locality: Charlottesville

I would like to submit my support for banning the sale of English ivy. Both in my person experiences and as a professional in natural resources, I have seen how damaging English ivy can be for trees and native vegetation. It is very difficult to control with chemical herbicides and usually requires tremendous physical effort to get under control. It spreads easily between properties and to natural areas, causing problems for other landowners, cities, counties, etc. Driving around Charlottesville can be a sad reminder of the havoc invasive vines like English ivy can cause to urban tree canopy. Please support this bill and help prevent the death of many Virginia trees.

Last Name: Strode Locality: Fairfax County

I support HB1167. English ivy is an invasive species that chokes out beneficial native plants and can kill even mature trees. You can easily see the harm it causes throughout neighborhoods where I live, in Faifax County. Commercial plant nurseries should not encourage the spread of this harmful plant by selling it. Thank you for considering my comment.

Last Name: CONNETTE Locality: FRONT ROYAL

I am submitting a comment in support of HB1167 and allowing localities to prohibit the sale of English Ivy. English Ivy is an invasive species that smothers large areas of native ecosystems in Virginia and inhibits the growth of native plants and thus harms the wildlife and pollinators that depend on them. English Ivy is also a nuisance that does not respect property boundaries. Our neighbors have English Ivy on their property that we have had to regularly fight to remove from our property when it encroaches. It has also worked its way into the tops of large trees along our property line that have then been damaged during ice storms due to the added weight of the ivy. While I personally wish that this bill prohibited the sale of English Ivy statewide, a good first step is to allow localities the right to make that decision. Please support this bill!

Last Name: Lovell Organization: Virginia Master Naturalist Locality: ROCKY MOUNT

I have seen how the ivy can expand it's grip on anything within a wide range and destroy any and all native vegetation, it will also shorten the life expectancy of any structure that it can attach to . It needs to be eliminated!!!

Last Name: Littman Organization: Loudoun Invasive Removal Alliance (200K Loudoun residents) Locality: Loudoun

I lead a consortium of 29 HOAs representing nearly 200,000 residents in Loudoun County (the Loudoun Invasive Removal Alliance) who have come together to request support from our County government to tackle the issue of invasive plants in our communities. The Loudoun Board of Supervisors unanimously passed funding to scope the issue this past October. Invasive Plants are causing significant economic, health/safety and environmental damage in our communities. A huge cause of the issue is simply lack of awareness awareness at this point, with Virginians purchasing 1000's of invasives every day from nurseries as well as Big Box retailers like Home Depot and Lowe's, and then planting them in their yards. At best, 1-5% of Virginia residents know what an invasive plant is. Passing this bill to ban English Ivy, one of the worst of the worst in Loudoun County, would be a game changer in Virginia. If residents recognize that English Ivy is an invasive with significant economic, health/safety and environmental impact to Virginia, in addition to the retailers no longer selling them due to this bill, they'll no doubt be compelled to join the state's direction and remove them from their properties.

Last Name: Krist Organization: Friend of trees, and of local, state, and national parks Locality: Fairfax

I implore your support of this bill that would empower localities to prevent the sale of English Ivy (hedera helix). This vine is about the only green I see this time of year in our oak forests, whether I am driving down my road or along the George Washington Memorial Highway, where I do English Ivy removal as a National Park Service volunteer. This vine and others like it are swallowing our forests. English Ivy in particular will smother trees, preventing them from photosynthesis. On the ground, English Ivy carpets forest floors so that native groundcover, shrubs, and saplings can take root. This impacts not only the flora but the fauna as well, as our forest inhabitants starve. This plant is extremely challenging to remove, being resistant to herbicides and having a deep, aggressive root system. Here is an informative blog post about the impact of English Ivy, written by Ellen Powell, VDOF Conservation Education Coordinator, Virginia Department of Forestry: https://fieldnotesvdof.wordpress.com/2021/01/19/field-notes-januarys-least-wanted-english-ivy/ Let's please take steps to stop the sale of English Ivy. It makes sense economically and ecologically. In gratitude, Pamela Krist

Last Name: Barnett Locality: City of Charlottesville

Please support HB1167 For all of the reasons provided in previously entered comments - primarily the damage English ivy does to mature, shade providing trees in city, suburbs and country.

Last Name: Lerdau Locality: Charlottesville

I write in support of HB1167, which allows the Local prohibition on the sale of English ivy; civil penalty. As someone trained in Ecology (PhD 1994, Stanford University) who has studied invasive species since 1998, I can say with complete professional confidence that invasive species are one of the gravest threats facing Virginia ecosystems today, and English ivy has become one of the most serious invasive species in the Commonwealth. This legislation is especially important because English ivy is still commonly used as an ornamental, despite its deleterious impacts on our forests. I urge the Delegates to move this bill forward. Sincerely, Manuel Lerdau Ps, although I am a Professor of Environmental Sciences at the University of Virginia, and have been so for 17 years, I stress that I am writing now in my individual, not institutional capacity.

Last Name: James-Goodenow Locality: Richmond

English ivy does harm to Virginia’s native landscapes, to our buildings and fences, and to our safety as it smoothers healthy large canopy trees. Preventing its spread is a labor intensive commitment. I am in support of this bill to help curb it’s destructive effects.

Last Name: Gilpin Locality: Falls Church

Please pass this bill, HB1167, so localities can begin to control English Ivy, Hedera helix, a terrible invasive vine that damages buildings, kills trees and ground cover, displaces native plants, and disrupts ecosystems. I am leading an effort to restore seven acres of forest behind my church in Vienna, and English Ivy is one of the worst problem plants we have there. We must get control of this and other noxious invasive plants.

Last Name: Steele Organization: Blue Ridge PRISM, VA Master Naturalists Locality: Roanoke

I support HB1167 as an important step toward restoration of native habitat and even retention of our forest and edge canopy. As homeowners, we have incurred significant expense due to trees killed by English ivy, and take steps ourselves to girdle trees thus endangered on our property. Once English ivy is in place, it's very hard to eradicate, so best practice is to discourage its introduction from the outset. Thank you in advance for your support of HB1167.

Last Name: DeFluri Organization: Plant NOVA Natives and the Prince William Wildflower Society Locality: Centreville

Trees are the one of the very best resources we have to combat climate change. Trees are being cut down daily for construction and in addition they are being overwhelmed with Non native vines such as : English Ivy, Japanese honey suckle, Porcelain Berry, Oriental Bittersweet, Winter creeper and Asian wisteria. These non native vines smother trees and strangle them., preventing them from being able to photosynthesize which is key to survival. Branches break and fall over under the weight of these vines , many of which are still being sold in Nurseries . Please note that these nurseries are selling these vines to homeowners and contractors who may not realize the dangers these invasive vines inflict on our trees. Many of these vines produce large quantities of seeds, so that they proliferate and aggressively climb up the trees, causing them to bend and break, along with their aggressive root systems which grow densely and compete with native trees, shrubs and plants for much needed resources in the soil. Please take this bill seriously and request that Non native vines like English ivy etc, cannot be sold in box stores such as Lowes , Home Depot and nurseries , etc. Thank you for your time , Theresa DeFluri President Centreville Garden Club Prince William Wild Flower Society member

Last Name: Hryckiewicz Locality: Vienna

As you drive on our roadways notice all the vines climbing and destroying the trees and other native vegetation. These vines are invasives! Also, once the invasives are established the remediation options options are extremely expensive because they include very labor intensive plant removal and replacement and/or the application of herbicides, which have their own associated issues. In short, the invasives issue is real extensive...you will witness it on your ride home tonight. And the invasives issue is real costly in terms of 1) the environmental damage and 2) the costs for remediation. Please support HB1167 Sincerely, Steve Hryckiewicz 8157 Silverberry Way Vienna VA 22182

Last Name: Nelson Organization: friend of Blue Ridge Prism, Virginia Native Plant Society and Va. Extension Master Gardeners Program Locality: Culpeper County

As the Blue Ridge Prism, Virginia Native Plant Society, and Virginea's own Ag. Extension Master Gardener's programs can affirm, removing English Ivy from Virginia gardens (and homes) would help countless native trees and other species thrive free of the stress this plant causes -- due to it's ability to take over -- in our forests and yards. The eastern US hardwood forest and mid-Atlantic native plant communities are vibrant and deserve our awareness of their needs, and our respect for their value and vulnerability.

Last Name: Wackerbarth Locality: Falls Church City

Prohibiting the sale of English Ivy is necessary. It will ease the expenditures of town and park entities who spent large amounts of money to eradicate it. For our own sustainability we need native plants, think pollinators. Native plants are, crowded out by invasives, one of which is English ivy, which can be easily found at our local nurseries.

Last Name: Fleming Locality: Roanoke, VA

English Ivy is not only an environmental hazard (is it choking out large swaths of forest), but is also a massive health hazard. Because it is evergreen and outcompetes all other plants, it provides a safe haven for ticks and mosquitos to overwinter. In areas where English ivy is dominant, tick and white footed mice (the reservoir for Lyme) populations sky rocket. In Roanoke, lone star ticks that carry ehrlichiosis are also on the rise, seeking safe haven in English ivy and spreading Rickettsial disease, which is hard to treat. This disease is especially deadly to children under 5. The environmental and health costs of English Ivy are exponential compared to the marginal profit that businesses make selling it to naïve buyers. Thank you for proposing this bill because English Ivy should have been outlawed decades ago.

Last Name: Hannigan Locality: Arlington

I urge you to adopt this ban on selling English ivy. I am involved with volunteer efforts to get English ivy out of parks, forests, and other natural areas where it has spread uncontrollably for decades and is doing tremendous damage to the ecosystem. English ivy is easily spread by runners that escape yards and gardens and by berries transplanted by birds. It not only smothers the ground and prevents native vegetation from growing, but it grows up the trunks of trees, weakening and killing them by allowing diseases and pests to enter the bark, blocking light from the leaves, and weighing the canopy down with its considerable weight. A mass of English ivy on trees also creates a "sail effect" in windy or icy weather and causes trees to break or fall. In this time of climate change, we need our forests and our trees more than ever. For the landscape and garden trade to continue to sell this killer is unconscionable. There are native alternative groundcovers with deeper root systems and benefits to wildlife that could be offered instead. It is high time homeowners and landscapers learned about the harm that English ivy does and stop buying and selling it for its (supposed) aesthetics. Environmental groups and concerned citizens need more help in getting rid of this harmful vine (for example trees on VDOT property along highways need to be rescued from ivy). Please help by voting to prevent more English ivy from entering the landscape. Thank you.

Last Name: Cacamis Organization: Woodlake Environmental and Maintenance Committee Locality: Midlothian

Pronoun-Really??? Native trees and plants create an atmosphere and ambiance that enhances the quality of life for everyone. Throughout the Commonwealth of Virginia, this is the issue, quality of life. English Ivy is controlled through a labor intensive process performed by volunteers for our home owners association. Without this effort there would be an overwhelming number of dead trees in our community. Restricting, eliminating, and/or controlling invasive plant species is progress for Virginia.

Last Name: Shannon Locality: Charlottesville

I am pleased to learn of a bill that may restrict the sale of English ivy. I have spent many hours in my neighborhood controlling invasive plants, including English ivy. In other places nearby, I am appalled at the sight of English ivy growing up trees because I expect the ivy will kill the trees. Therefore I am happy at a measure to help stop the spread of English ivy.

Last Name: Jones Organization: WRES Gardening Club Locality: Falls Church, VA

Hello, My name is Peter Jones. I am an elementary school teacher in the City of Alexandria and a resident of Falls Church, Fairfax County. I strongly support this bill to curb the sale of English Ivy. This non-native plant is a scourge of the local ecosystem. It does not prevent run off, it provides landing and resting pads for mosquitos and it smothers, girdles and kills trees. Mature native trees are the largest living organisms in our community providing enormous ecological benefit. Native trees act as larval hosts for hundreds of moth and butterfly species, which in turn provide food for growing birds. Mature trees capture carbon from the atmosphere, hold soil in place, lowering soil erosion from the umbrella effect of their branches and the net effect of their roots. In our urban and suburban neighborhoods, mature trees lower the heat index by providing shade and evaporative cooling through transpiration. English Ivy, moving from the ground, climbs trees and sends out horizontal branches. It grows seeds in this state which are then spread further by birds who eat the seeds and deposit them elsewhere through digestion. The continued promotion of English Ivy through sales at Garden Centers should stop and an actual monetary fine for establishments that don't comply with this sale stoppage is warranted. My wife and I volunteer in a Fairfax County Park as volunteer leaders through the Invasive Management Area (IMA) program. With the help of many volunteers last year we logged over 400 hours of invasive plant removal. We still have more English Ivy to remove from the edges of this park. This plant is a pernicious scourge and should be removed from the local ecosystem. Your efforts to remove this plant from Virginia Plant Store shelves is much appreciated. For those who are against this bill, one could ask, "Would anyone support the continued sale of large glue traps designed to catch and kill birds?" These traps do not exist. But of course no one would support this. This English Ivy , if left to run rampant will kill the food source of baby birds, native trees, effectively starving them to death, doing even more damage than a single glue trap. Let's make English Ivy unavailable, fine those who continue to sell it, protect our ecosystem from harm, and support HB1167. Respectfully submitted, Peter Jones Falls Church, VA

Last Name: Rossmoore Locality: Henrico

English ivy is growing all through my and my neighbors woods uncontrolled killing All the native trees and ground covers Neither of us planted it originally. It is sickening to watch.

Last Name: Shaw Locality: Ruckersville

Dear Delegate Krizek, As a proud appreciative citizen of the state of Virginia I have watched English Ivy move from being a landscape staple to becoming a destructive force in our forests. In a mere 10-20 years it has taken hold as an invasive of great consequence degrading the health of our wilderness and other natural areas. Because it climbs trees and easily sets seeds dispersed by weather, wildlife and unintended human means, it is spread readily; most citizens don’t control it on their property. Our neighbors have it growing up their trees which has spread to our 10 acres. We have spent much time and money in efforts to eradicate it with some success but we still find new patches and so need to be vigilant to keep it contained. I urge you to support HB1167 as a first step to control this threat and so that we can be responsible stewards of Virginia. With appreciation for your service, Elaine M. Shaw 331 Summerfields Lane Ruckersville, VA 22968

Last Name: Hughes Locality: Augusta

Please pass this bill. English Ivy is a devastating invasive species that is wreaking havoc on our local ecosystems. Municipalities & government agencies do NOT have the budget to combat this ever increasing invasive. The public at large is not capable of abstaining from purchasing it & numerous growers in the industry are too money driven to find sustainable (and even native) alternatives, sadly. Even with peer intervention. Our own Virginia Nursery & Landscape Association (VNLA) is too cowardly to make an attempt to support what we genuine professionals know to be true as proven by science backed evidence. Please prohibit the sale of this plant & hopefully many to follow i.e. Burning Bush, Barberry, Miscanthus, Bradford Pear, Vinca minor & major, BUDDLEIA etc. Many contiguous states have already enacted this type of legislation. Please make this happen for the sake of our public lands. We can not educate the public & industry peers quickly enough to intercept this overgrowing problem. It is costing us so much on so many levels.

Last Name: Crumpton Organization: City of Falls Church Habitat Restoration Volunteer Locality: Falls Church

Dear Delegate Krizek, I spend many hours volunteering in the City of Falls Church and Arlington parks removing invasive plants including dreaded English ivy from mature and young trees. While volunteers often do successfully keep trees cleared in a few parks, there are many more parks and public lands that remain in need of restoration. Even if English ivy is off the trees, the vine often continues to cover forest floors and must be treated with herbicide by local governments who have to ration resources. The pervasiveness of English ivy can feel overwhelming. In rare parks that do manage to remove English ivy, volunteers will be on the lookout for its return for generations to come. By prohibiting the sale of English ivy, HB1167 offers localities a needed tool to stop more of this invasive plant escaping into our local natural areas. I fully support HB1167 and hope that the Agriculture, Chesapeake and Natural Resources Committee will fully support the bill and move it forward. Regards, Amy Crumpton Falls Church, VA 22046

Last Name: Laume Locality: Fairfax County

Working weekly with volunteers to remove English Ivy and other invasive plants from Laurel Hill Park and regularly using other parks in the county it is evidence what a huge and pervasive problem English Ivy has become. With the capability to expand into ground blankets and climb into tree canopies to kill even mature trees, there is no redeeming value to the use of this non-native plant, when other similar native and non-destruction options are available. Please support the bill to allow localities to prohibit sales, as was done for bamboo.

Last Name: Edmonds Locality: Maidens

I volunteer to pull English ivy along the Buttermilk trail in Richmond. The ivy is destroying the trees and native plants. I have never understood how selling invasive plants is legal. Lowe’s and Home Depot’s profits are not worth the damage being done. Thank you, Peter Edmonds

Last Name: Baum Organization: Blue Ridge Prism Locality: Albemarle

It is better late than never. There was never a better time than now to ban the sale of English Ivy, Hedera helix. Please pass HB1167 out of committee and on to the House of Delegates. My career was largely spent designing and developing ecologically friendly insecticides, fungicides, and herbicides, e.g., Methoprene. John Baum, PhD - Zoecon Research and its successors - retired

Last Name: Uphaus Locality: Frederick

Hello: I'm hoping you and the agriculture subcommittee will support HB1167 that would authorize localities to ban the sale of English Ivy. This is a noxious invasive, one that causes much damage and economic and environmental loss: English Ivy has become a major killer of trees, weighing them down and smothering them. English Ivy also spreads across the ground and smothers the native ground layer including tree seedlings, preventing woods from regenerating. It spreads readily and is difficult to control, infringing on property rights by causing damage on neighboring properties and in our natural areas. The cost of removing English Ivy is substantial and growing. For the future of our environment it's critical to begin restricting the sale of this and other invasive species. Thank you for your attention.

Last Name: Watt Locality: Williamsburg

I strongly support this bill; please do the same.

Last Name: Lewis Organization: none Locality: Loudoun County

We live just north of Leesburg and close to the Potomac River I am trying to rid my property of invasive plants and have had a job cutting down oriental bittersweet and privet. I do have some English Ivy that is growing on a large tree near Limestone Creek. I have been cutting and poisoning it for years, but it is very hard to kill. Please do everything you can to prevent more English Ivy from being planted....it is one of the plants that the Commonwealth should keep from being sold at nurseries.

Last Name: Pool Locality: Staunton

I support this bill as a homeowner and resident in the state of VIrginia. My home was abandoned before I bought it in 2017 and I have spent the last seven years battling the invasive plants that took over the yard. There is English Ivy choking my trees and ailanthus growing up under the porch and house, poisoning my gardening efforts and preventing me from growing beneficial native species. Not only is this frustrating but dangerous and difficult to deal with on a teacher's salary. Please pass this bill designating invasive plants as such so hopefully we can begin to curb this problem. Thank you.

Last Name: Atkinson Locality: Hanover County

Non-native plants are taking over and killing native ones, even in rural areas like Montpelier. I spend a lot of time hand pulling these invasive plants out of our local park and out of our woods. Selling more of them defeats these efforts, which seem endless. Please support this bill.

Last Name: Mizell Organization: Blue Ridge PRISM Locality: Clarke, Warren, Rappahannock, Page, Madison, Rockingham, Greene, Augusta, Albemarle, Nelson, Loudoun, and Fauquier counties and the Cities of Charlottesville, Harrisonburg, Staunton, and Waynesboro

Blue Ridge PRISM reduces the impact of invasive plants on the ecosystems of the northern Blue Ridge Mountains and surrounding areas through regional and statewide advocacy, landowner support, implementing control measures, and public education. Localities should have the flexibility to ban the sale of this pretty, but destructive plant. Blue Ridge PRISM supports HB1167. Why this bill matters: -English Ivy has become a major killer of trees, weighing them down and smothering them. -English Ivy also spreads across the ground and smothers the native ground layer including tree seedlings, preventing woods from regenerating. -It spreads readily and is difficult to control, infringing on property rights by causing damage on neighboring properties and in our natural areas. -The cost of removing English Ivy is substantial and growing.

Last Name: Aimone Locality: Fairfax

I support HB1167. English ivy is a nightmare to get out and it takes up space that would be beneficial for our native pollinators.

Last Name: Lehnigk Locality: OAKTON

Invasive plants are detrimental to our ecosystem. Please support these bills to limit them. Thank you.

Last Name: McBride Locality: Glen Allen

I strongly support passage of both HB47 and HB1167. It is time for Virginia to stop pussyfooting around the severe ecological and biodiversity issues created by the proliferation of non-native and invasive plants. As a volunteer working in invasive plant removal, I can attest to the damage being done to our natural areas and our backyards by the continued sale of plants that are well known to be troublesome invasives. In the James River Park system, English ivy is rampant, with disastrous results to the native flora, especially the stately old trees in the park. There is plenty of money to be made by garden centers in the sale of native plants; it is unconscionable that they have been permitted to continue proliferation of this problem through the near total non-regulation of these destructive plants. A ban on English ivy is absolutely necessary, and a warning to consumers that other plants are deleterious to our ecosystem is a good first step, though a total ban on invasives is what is really needed.

Last Name: Meadows Locality: ELKTON

Please ban the sale of English Ivy in Virginia to protect our native ecosystem.

Last Name: Train Locality: Fairfax

I ask that you give your strong support to HB1167. I am a 33-year Navy veteran and spend all of my time since I retired from active duty in 2016 volunteering for various conservation organizations dedicated to providing strong stewardship of Virginia's natural resources. I am a resident of Fairfax County. I have owned a home in Annandale, Fairfax County since 1999. I have observed over the past 22 years, a significant killing off of trees along the Accotink Creek Stream Valley watershed, VDOT right of ways, and properties in my own neighborhood because they have been smothered by climbing English Ivy that escaped from cultivation. It is critical to do more to preserve and increase Virginia’s tree canopy. English Ivy has significantly degraded our tree canopy and without further control measures, will continue to create both cost and health risks to our communities. Trees contribute significantly to water quality and public health. The tree canopy provides essential shade and stabilizes air temperatures by retaining and releasing water to create a net cooling effect. Trees reduce air pollution by absorbing air pollutants that contribute to climate change and respiratory illness. - Prevention of the continued proliferation of English Ivy and other invasive plants through prohibiting sale is the most effective and low-cost solution for managing them. Once an invasive species is established, management is costly and can harm valuable infrastructure and the natural biodiversity needed for healthy ecosystems. - Birds readily disperse seeds of this toxic plant. Once established it spreads on private property by a person who buys it, it spreads to other properties, including our urban forests, and then climbs trees up to the canopy where it flowers and fruits freely. - English Ivy has become a major killer of trees, weighing them down and smothering them. - Trees heavily draped with vines are more susceptible to blowing over during storms, making them hazardous near homes, roads, and public-use areas in parks. - English ivy reduces native plant diversity and associated fauna, threatens endangered species, and alters nutrient dynamics of forest soils. - By displacing native plants, this European introduction threatens the local ecosystem. - Respecting no property lines, it spreads readily and is difficult and costly to control, infringing on property rights by causing damage to neighboring properties and in our natural areas. - The cost of removing English Ivy by public and private landowners is high and growing. - Public interest in stopping the spread of English Ivy is large and growing. This bill is critical to mitigate the continued proliferation of this noxious introduced ornamental that has no biological controls, is resistant to chemical control, and is exceptionally costly to our government, our state agencies and our citizens to remove it and keep it from killing our urban forests and neighborhood trees. Rear Admiral Elizabeth Train, USN(Ret)

Last Name: Herrman Locality: Alexandria

Re: HB 1167 English ivy is an invasive plant that readily spreads beyond the sites where people initially plant it. The beauty of Virginia’s natural areas, parks and roadsides is diminished by the ugly monoculture of this one plant covering everything in its path. But more importantly, the trees, shrubs and smaller plants that support the food web are being smothered, weakened and often killed by this invasive plant. Please vote to pass HB 1167

Last Name: Handley Locality: Shenandoah

I support this bill to ban the sale of English ivy. It's a non-native and badly invasive plant, it crowds out native herbaceous plants and chokes trees to death, and it has no respect for property lines: ivy planted by my neighbor will inevitably end up in my yard, too. I spent several days in the bitter cold last winter leading a team of volunteers in removing English ivy in order to preserve trees in a local park. If the parents of that ivy hadn't been sold to landowners all over the neighborhood, those trees would have faced no threat, and we all could have stayed cozy indoors. There is no reason anyone would need to plant English ivy rather than one of the many native or non-invasive groundcover species on the market. By banning the sale of English ivy today, you'll protect local ecosystems throughout the state and spare our descendants the work of removing it from them.

Last Name: Randall Locality: Vienna

Please support bill HB47, which seeks to educate the plant buying public of the invasive nature of some plants being offered for sale in local nurseries. Our woods are being choked and destroyed with invasive plants and vines, which is a depressing sight. If more people understood the ramifications of the plants they buy, then maybe those invasive plants wouldn't be in the environment in the first place. I am trying to do my part by helping clear invasive plants from my local park. As well, I hope you will support bill HB1167 prohibiting the sale of English Ivy. Thank you for your support.

Last Name: Hinderer Locality: Berryville

Banning the sale of English Ivy would be a huge help to the environment. My town has major infestations of this junk. In my neighborhood it creates a mat on the ground which harbors Asian tiger mosquitoes making it very unpleasant and practically unbearable in the Summer. It also climbs up and kills so many trees because people don't know it's invasive so they leave it to grow & spread. The public school at the end of my street is completely infested with ivy. The schools are teaching kids about native vs invasive plants while the grounds of our middle school & public parks are overrun by invasives, including English Ivy. I'm happy to provide photographs of some of the terrible conditions in my town due to several invasives including English Ivy. It's everywhere & virtually useless to wildlife. In a time where resources have only become more and more scarce due to constant development & lack of education about the natural World passing this legislation is such a simple way to make a positive impact.

Last Name: Scott Locality: Fairfax

I support bill HB1167 to prohibit the sale of invasive English Ivy. I am also in favor of penalties for people who let it go into public property and into neighbors yards.

Last Name: Mestayer Locality: Williamsburg

Hi. I'm writing to request that you support HB1167, which will prevent the sale of additional english ivy in our Commonwealth. We know all too well how destructive and invasive this plant is. I have spent many hours removing ivy from trees and the ground, including an American Elm tree on the William and Mary campus. It spreads over time, overwhelming the native plants that support our ecosystems, wildlife habitat, waterways, and natural areas. When it overcomes a tree, it can increase the weight and wind resistance of the tree and its limbs, making it more likely to fall. As english ivy matures, it generates seeds that birds eat and "plant" across large areas, increasing the areas overtaken by the ivy. And because they are so aggressive, they cost us huge amounts of time and other resources to remove. I would appreciate the progress of HB1167 to become law. Thank you. k Kathi Mestayer 105 Gilley Drive Williamsburg, Va 23188 kwren@widomaker.com 757-784-7395 (cell/text) "Plant in haste, repent at leisure." - Kathi Mestayer (re: nonnative invasive garden plants)

Last Name: Lehnigk Locality: Oakton

I enthusiastically support passage of both HB47 and HB1167. I am one of the volunteers referenced in others' comments who works several times a month in our local parks to stem the spread of English Ivy and other invasive flora, under the leadership of various local Invasive Management Area site leaders. It is onerous work but, in my view, essential work, to help restore, if possible, the regionally indigenous populations of flora and fauna. Invasive species are, in essence, a form of pollution to our local natural habitats and harm our local ecosystems by establishing ecologically barren monocultures and supplanting ecologically integrated and diverse habitats. Curtailing further introduction of such invasive species either through outright bans or by imposing mitigation surcharges would be a significant restoration step in our state.

Last Name: Root Locality: Fairfax County

I wholly support HB 1167. One only needs to see the damage done to canopy trees in Virginia woodlands to know that this plant should be banned. Countless hours are spent by people pulling English ivy off of trees and digging it up by the roots to prevent trees from being blanketed by masses of it, which retain water around the trunks to rot the trees and harbor insects and diseases that can kill them. Well-educated nurseries with a conscience could be a big help in stemming this tide of destruction but for the others, some form of penalty will be needed to get their attention.

Last Name: Duncan Locality: Alexandria City

I see a lot of ivy choking out native trees in nearby parks and forests. I think landscapers are using it all over the place and I don’t understand why a plant that’s so harmful is allowed to be widespread. I think it’s a great idea to get this plant out of our community so that we can work to combat the damage it’s dome

Last Name: Costanzo Locality: Charlottesville

Please pass HG 1167 to reduce the environmental damage done by English Ivy--just one of numerous invasive plant species that are doing serious environmental damage in Virginia. Invasive plants crowd out and eventually kill many native plants which have evolved over time to support native wildlife. I know I have been trying to remove English Ivy from my property for decades. Banning the sale of this plant would be only a modest first step to protecting our Virginia ecosystem. Thank you.

Last Name: McCarthy Locality: City if Alexandria

As a resident of the City of Alexandria and as an employee of a nearby local Virginia government working outside daily, I see the effects that invasive plants have on our local ecosystems. I constantly see English ivy engulfing entire trees to the ground cover of forests covered with English ivy- choking out any natives. The community I live in uses English ivy for landscaping. Landscaping companies are contributing to the spread of invasives and prey on the general public’s lack of knowledge of invasive plants. The key to invasive plant control is not total eradication but containment and educating the public. This bill is a step in the right direction and is the least we can do for the flora and fauna of Virginia!!! We must hold each other accountable!!

Last Name: Gardner Locality: Richmond

I'm a young homeowner in the Richmond area, and I would love it if invasive species, especially English ivy, were taken more seriously on a legal level. Almost every homeowner in my neighborhood is battling or giving up on their battle to get this invasive ivy out of their yards after former owners planted it willingly. It has also spread to local wild walking paths, and is an overall a menace. If only one neighbor in a neighborhood allows it to grow freely, it can encroach many feet per year across yard borders, frustrating homeowners, the eco system, and lowering the overall value of an otherwise managed yard. Please make it more difficult to plant invasives, in measure with the difficulty down the line to remove them.

Last Name: Schiller Locality: vienna

Please ban HB1167. English Ivy is beautiful, but unfortunately climbs up trees and chokes and weighs them down to death. I have spent many volunteer hours removing these vines, but it makes no sense to do so if we are going to keep selling them. There are other alternatives.

Last Name: Clark Locality: Fairfax County, Springfield

I support HB1167 because while this bill makes only a small step the infestation of English ivy into our woodlands has resulted in the loss of many trees and general biodiversity with the plant being a tedious chore to remove due to its regenerative abilities to spread where it forms a thick carpet stopping or hindering the growth of other plants. If we are to get a handle on this invasive plant we need to cut it off at the source.

Last Name: Moore Locality: Charlottesville

Dear Representatives: I'm writing to urge you to support HB 47 and HB 1167. HB 47 is extremely gentle compared to what is actually needed (a ban on selling invasive species at all). However, the bill offers a place to start by requiring signage to warn would-be purchasers of invasive plants. HB 1167 bans the sale of English ivy and is a much-needed step in getting a grip on the invasive species that are taking over our landscape. As a Virginia resident who has spent hours in the trenches fighting invasive species, I can assure you that these things are formidable. Once you learn to recognize them, you can see that they're everywhere. They are a grave threat to our ecosystems and our agricultural systems. Please do the common sense thing and support these bills and support other invasive species bans as they arise. Thank you. Margaret Moore Charlottesville, VA

Last Name: Lebbin Locality: Vienna

I strongly support HB1167. As a homeowner and volunteer with the Invasive Management Area (IMA) program, I have seen firsthand how English Ivy severely damages native trees, weighing down branches and eventually killing the entire tree. Eradicating this invasive vine is difficult, and I have spent many hours digging and pulling from both my yard and my neighbor's yard with their permission. There are many native groundcover alternatives, that are beneficial for local biodiversity and do not threaten tree canopy cover. Please support HB1167.

Last Name: Pradas Locality: Oakton

Please enact HB1167 and HB47.I have been a site leader for the Invasive Management Area program, and have spent almost every weekend for the past 14 years pulling invasive plants. I have seen trees covered in Ivy weaken after a snowstorm and fall down. Invasive species are costing the county A LOT of money in terms of removal and loss of biodiversity, which affects the health of the ecosystem. I have seen a return of monarchs and other butterflies, and varying species of birds and insects after the removal of most invasive plants and the introduction of native plants. My boyfriend's yard was almost completely covered in English Ivy. It took a few years, but I removed it all, only to have it return because the neighbors did not remove theirs. I asked the local garden shop to stop selling Ivy, but they claimed people still asked for it. This is probably true, which means even though Native plant societies have done a ton of education, a lot more needs to happen. Until then we need the county's help in banning the sale of English Ivy. HB47 will help our efforts in educating the public, as many people are unaware of which species in invasive.

Last Name: Hathaway Locality: Charlottesville

I urge support for HB1167. English ivy may look pretty in a landscape, but there are native plants that can provide that visual effect without the devastating impact on local trees. I see English ivy overwhelming and killing trees all over my neighborhood, the city of Charlottesville, and Albemarle County. It's time to take action to prevent further spread as our properties and forests battle this and other invasives.

Last Name: Wainscott Organization: Kathryn and Jeffrey Wainscott Locality: Burgess

I write to urge support for HB1167 to prohibit the sale of English Ivy. I live on property that has become totally overwhelmed by English Ivy. I have no idea how it got started, probably years before we bought the property. It dominates almost all of the adjacent wooded area and has completely covered many of the trees on the property. It has already eliminated a nice stand of a native spring ephemeral known as bloodroot. Once established it is nearly impossible to stop. Please, please help to prevent the further spread of this highly invasive non-native plant by supporting the banning of further sales. Respectfully, Jeffrey Wainscott

Last Name: Kolish Locality: Fairfax

This bill is a necessary measure to help protect our critically important forests and natural areas. Sadly many are already overrun with invasives such as English Ivy. Many citizens volunteer their time to remove ivy, but it is still being sold. We need to recognize that allowing ivy to be sold undermines all of the commonwealth’s environmental and climate resiliency goals. Thank you for sponsoring this bill. I truly hope it becomes law.

Last Name: Lehnigk Locality: OAKTON

I urge you to enact HB1167 and HB47. English Ivy and other invasive species are a pernicious and growing (literally!) problem. Even when planted innocently by a homeowner looking to beautify their property, these plants end up jumping borders and destroying native plants, and the ecosystems they support, far beyond their site of origin. Virginia has so many beautiful and treasured native flora and fauna, many of which are truly struggling against this onslaught. Please give them a chance to flourish by restricting the distribution of invasive non-native species as much as possible. Thank you.

Last Name: Donovan Locality: McLean

Please support HB 1167 authorizing any locality to adopt an ordinance prohibiting the sale of English Ivy. This invasive vine is causing harm to our beautiful Commonwealth. (Visit the George Washington Parkway in northern Virginia for a glimpse of Virginia’s future.) English Ivy negatively affects Virginia wildlife and residents (for example, hikers, campers, hunters, fishermen, gardeners, and children who like playing outdoors). Also, local governments and private landowners spend a lot of time and money to control English Ivy, so preventing its sale makes sense from an economic perspective. Localities should be given the choice to prevent its sale since the economic burden of controlling English Ivy typically falls to them. Respectfully submitted.

Last Name: Potts Locality: Norfolk

I urge the support and passage of HB1167 which prohibits the sale of English ivy. That plant spreads beyond the properties where it is planted, climbs homes damaging mortar and siding, climbs trees to the point of killing them, climbs power poles increasing the risk of outages and crowds out native plant species that are beneficial for pollinators.

Last Name: Pittman Locality: Alexandria ( Del Ray )

English Ivy chokes trees and eventually kills them. That's all that has to be said. We should be doing all that we can to help the natural world during this time of global warming and biodiversity loss. We allow developers to cut down trees at their discretion. Let's not also allow English Ivy, a non native invasive vine, to further damage our trees, which birds and insects and other wildlife need, and also us humans need, to survive.

Last Name: Boyer Organization: IMA Locality: Fairfax

I am a site leader at Royal Lake and can’t keep up with pulling English ivy from trees and parkland. I’ve seen English ivy kill trees and take away land from our native plants. People who move into houses complain to me all the time about trying to get rid of it on their land. Please stop stores from selling it. It is one of the most invasive plants we have.

Last Name: Park Locality: Richmond

Please ban the sale of English Ivy in Virginia to protect our native ecosystem.

Last Name: Peake Locality: Rockingham

Say ‘no’ to invasive, destructive English Ivy. There’s no need to have more of these plants.

Last Name: Katy Melton Simpson Locality: Rockingham

English Ivy is an invasive species that causes economic and ecological harm. There are much better, beneficial native alternatives. With English Ivy on the shelves, people unknowingly purchase this damaging plant. Please ban the sale of English Ivy in Virginia.

Last Name: Allen Locality: Fairfax County

I strongly support HB1167. Invasive plants are one of the leading causes of habitat destruction, coming in second to that done directly to man. There is also recent work showing how invasive plants have a significant impact on climate change. This is easily seen with English Ivy and other vines that can kill canopy trees. Millions of trees are at risk in Northern Virginia and the solution will require thousands of volunteers and several millions of dollars to fix. Though planting trees has benefit, it can take 20+ years for these trees to start absorbing enough carbon, water and to be able to produce enough shade to have a benefit. Saving our mature trees is key, and we can do that, but we also need to stop allowing home owners to purchase these plants.

Last Name: Train Locality: Annandale

Support HB 1167 and HB309 --I am a long time resident of Annandale in Fairfax County and have observed significant degradation of the Accotink Creek watershed, tree canopy, our neighborhoods and VDOT right of ways due to smothering by English Ivy vines. We continue to lose trees to this noxious invasive vine. If it is sold in the commercial nurseries, well meaning homeowners have no way of knowing how damaging and costly this invasive plant is. HB309 - Virginia continues to lose trees at a rapid rate, which limits the state’s ability to improve water quality and public health. The loss of trees poses a significant threat to the well-being of all Virginians, especially those in our most vulnerable communities. It takes decades for newly planted trees to provide the carbon reduction, water and air quality, and wildlife benefits of mature trees, time is of the essence. Why support HB1167-Prevention through prohibiting sale is the most effective and low-cost solution for managing invasive species. Once an invasive species is established, management is costly and can harm valuable infrastructure and the natural biodiversity needed for healthy ecosystems. • Seeds of this toxic plant are readily dispersed by birds. Once established it spreads on the forest floor and then climbs trees up to the canopy where it flowers and fruits freely. • English Ivy has become a major killer of trees, weighing them down and smothering them. • Trees heavily draped with vines are more susceptible to blowing over during storms, making them hazardous near homes, roads, and public-use areas in parks. • English ivy reduces native plant diversity and associated fauna, threatens endangered species, and alters nutrient dynamics of forest soils. • By displacing native plants, this European introduction threatens the local ecosystem. • Respecting no property lines, it spreads readily and is difficult and costly to control, infringing on property rights by causing damage on neighboring properties and in our natural areas. • The cost of removing English Ivy by public and private landowners is high and growing. • Public interest in stopping the spread of English Ivy is large and growing. Why support HB309--Virginia needs to assess where and why canopy is lost and then address the findings through sound conservation planning. This Forest Conservation Plan will identify threats to tree canopy and forest conservation, identify priory forests for conservation, especially in areas adjacent to streams, steep or erodible slopes, large areas of forest and wildlife corridors. Trees play a vital role in improving water quality by slowing down and filtering rainfall, preventing soil erosion, and reducing polluted runoff. Tree root systems reduce the amount of sediment and runoff that pollutes our waterways by holding soil in place and taking up pollutants. Trees also act as natural barriers to flooding by absorbing and slowing the flow of rainwater. Trees contribute significantly to water quality and public health. Tree canopy provides essential shade and stabilizes air temperatures by retaining and releasing water to create a net cooling effect. Trees reduce air pollution by absorbing air pollutants that contribute to climate change and respiratory illness. Elizabeth Train Rear Admiral, USN, (Ret)

Last Name: Train Locality: Annandale

Support HB 1167 --I am a long time resident of Annandale in Fairfax County and have observed significant degradation of the Accotink Creek watershed, tree canopy, our neighborhoods and VDOT right of ways due to smothering by English Ivy vines. We continue to lose trees to this noxious invasive vine. If it is sold in the commercial nurseries, well meaning homeowners have no way of knowing how damaging and costly this invasive plant is. -Prevention through prohibiting sale is the most effective and low-cost solution for managing invasive species. Once an invasive species is established, management is costly and can harm valuable infrastructure and the natural biodiversity needed for healthy ecosystems. • Seeds of this toxic plant are readily dispersed by birds. Once established it spreads on the forest floor and then climbs trees up to the canopy where it flowers and fruits freely. • English Ivy has become a major killer of trees, weighing them down and smothering them. • Trees heavily draped with vines are more susceptible to blowing over during storms, making them hazardous near homes, roads, and public-use areas in parks. • English ivy reduces native plant diversity and associated fauna, threatens endangered species, and alters nutrient dynamics of forest soils. • By displacing native plants, this European introduction threatens the local ecosystem. • Respecting no property lines, it spreads readily and is difficult and costly to control, infringing on property rights by causing damage on neighboring properties and in our natural areas. • The cost of removing English Ivy by public and private landowners is high and growing. • Public interest in stopping the spread of English Ivy is large and growing. Elizabeth Train Rear Admiral, USN, (Ret)

Last Name: Briddell Locality: York County

I strongly support banning the sale of non native invasive plants! They are detrimental to Virginia's wildlife.

Last Name: Iyengar Locality: Fairfax

I would like to support the prohibition of sale of English Ivy as it is an invasive species and smothers trees and provides no ecological value. It outcompetes indigenous vegetation.

Last Name: Payne Organization: Concerned citizen and lover of nature and all that she offers Locality: Richmond

Thank you for taking the time to read my comments. English Ivy is a major killer of trees as well as of native plants at the ground level, and yet it is still for sale. It has no respect for property lines. Removal is difficult and costs public and private landowners significant amounts of time and money. Non-invasive groundcovers are available as alternatives. Please help us fight this invasive by making it illegal to sell.

Last Name: Latasa Organization: Friends of Accotink Creek Locality: Clifton

HB 1167 English ivy; local prohibition on sale - This bill should become law. English ivy is a plague in so many of Virginia's natural areas, crowding out native species, providing little food value to wildlife, and causing the demise of trees. Localities and volunteers commit untold resources to control of English ivy, while retailers continue to promote its sale.

Last Name: Trudy H McDaniel Locality: Lynchburg

At age 79 I am working hard to remove English Ivy that smothers the trees in my neighborhood. It was sold for its beauty without knowledge that it was invasive and harmful. Help our nurseries and big box stores be good environmental citizens by preventing the sale of this and other invasive plants. It's the very least we can do to reduce the burden that is falling so heavily on the shoulders of the generations that will follow up.

Last Name: Walter Locality: Alexandria

Please prohibit the sale of English ivy. It is invasive, hard to remove and/or contain, and spreads easily. And worst of all it can kill mature trees and smother other plants. It can also damage buildings. There are plenty of other plants available that will not be destructive, many of which can benefit the environment by providing food for birds and habitat for insects. English ivy does not do this although it is known to harbor rats and mosquitos. If left to its own devises English ivy will spread. You can walk through any long established neighborhood or local park and see this happening. Birds spread the seeds by eating the berries and then flying to another area and pooping them out, where they begin to grow new plants. This is causing ivy to spread into our parks and get even more out of control. The best way to remove ivy is by hand - pull the roots from the ground, cut them off trees, bag and dispose of every stem and leaf. Ivy will root from a single leaf left in contact will the ground. This makes it expensive to remove and the need for that is shifting from the homeowners who plant English ivy as ornamental to the state and local governments who maintsin public lands. Please help us stop incurring these costs. Please help us stop destroying our parks. Please help us stop the sale of a plant whose only value is ornamental, and take it a step further to encourage the sale and planting of plants that benefit our environment and the local food web. To further expand on the issue. English ivy will strangle a mature tree (native vines do not, but they are out competed by the ivy). We are already losing tree canopy to so many other causes - development, over population of deer, and blights and disease that wipe out entire species such as elms, dogwoods, and beeches. These trees are either not being replaced or are lacking the diversity they once had. This has so many impacts - lack of food for birds, lack of habitat for insects which pollinate crops and flowers, and lack of filtration for ground/storm water. Each of these leads to their own set of problems. The lack of water filtration leads to pollution of streams and rivers, and flooding. The flooding causes damage to buildings, roads, and other infrastructure that is expensive to maintain and repair. Little by little this is becoming a huge expense to local governments. Please help stop the flow now. Obivously English ivy is not solely responsible for all these problems, but it does contribute. And supporting this bill can help us take the first step to taking action and creating the change we need.

Last Name: Holtz Locality: Fairfax Co

I support HB1167. I serve as a Fairfax County Park Authority Invasive Management Areas site leader since 2015, The dangerous impact of invasive plants on our ecosystem, soil, and water quality greatly concerns me. Furthermore we have hundreds of volunteers who spend thousands of hours a year manually removing invasive plants such as English ivy from parkland. We also educate our volunteers about the English ivy choking & killing trees on their own private property. These volunteers always ask why Virginia allows the sale of invasive plants if they do such harm.

Last Name: Lehnigk Locality: Oakton

I firmly support HB47 and HB1167. As an earth scientist and an Invasive Management Areas site leader, I am very concerned aout the impact if invasive plants on our ecology, soil health, and water quality. We have incredibly dedicated volunteers working to manage invasive plants, but the lack of action to deter people from planting them significantly undermines those volunteer efforts.

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