The Animal Welfare Institute, a national nonprofit animal advocacy organization with hundreds of members in Virginia, strongly supports HB1768 to prohibit the private possession of primates. Public Safety Over the past few decades, hundreds of US citizens have reported being injured by captive primates, although many more incidents likely go unreported. Often purchased as cute infants, primates tend to exhibit unpredictable behaviors after the age of two. As they reach sexual maturity, they become larger and more aggressive, and will bite to defend themselves and to establish dominance. Even the smallest primates are incredibly strong and pose a serious safety risk. Additionally, nonhuman primates can easily transmit a wide range of dangerous and potentially deadly viral, bacterial, parasitic, and fungal diseases to humans, including yellow fever, monkey pox, hepatitis, measles, herpes simian B, Ebola, Marburg, and simian immunodeficiency virus. There have been multiple attacks by primates kept as pets in Virginia. For instance, in Virginia Beach a pet monkey bit a 9-year-old girl. In Richmond, a teenager was bitten by a pet monkey in Byrd Park. There have been other incidents reported in Franklin, Chesapeake, and Spartanburg. Even one such dangerous occurrence is too many, and neither communities nor first responders should have to deal with strong and aggressive wild animals. Animal Welfare Pet primates suffer enormously in captivity. They are often torn from their mothers soon after birth, spend their lives confined to small cages, and endure unnecessary mutilation such as tooth extraction in an attempt to “tame” them. Unlike in the wild, where most live in large social groups, almost all pet primates are kept in relative isolation, devoid of social contact with others of their species, and in conditions detrimental to their health and well-being. Even the most well-meaning of owners cannot provide the special care, housing, diet, socialization, and maintenance that wild animals require. Attempts to mold them to fit the owner’s expectations—including that they act like “little humans”—almost always end in pain and suffering for the primate. While a small number of abused and neglected pet primates are fortunate enough to be rescued and placed in sanctuaries, the majority live a shortened, deprived, and unhappy existence. Community Resources Private ownership of primates can also strain the resources of the community and of rescue organizations. Local police departments and other first responders are not trained or equipped to respond to wild animals. When a dangerous primate escapes from someone’s home, however, they are the ones forced to make difficult decisions about how to handle unpredictable situations. Global Conservation The pet primate trade contributes to the illegal international wildlife trade. Demand for primates in the United States incentivizes the capture and trafficking of animals from the wild—many of them from threatened and endangered species. Primates are smuggled into the United States to meet the demand, with trafficked animals suffering immensely and often dying along the way. While some are detected and confiscated at the border, there is no way to know how many more slip through and are sold as pets. Laws at the state level are crucial to end this exploitation and to protect communities from dangerous pet primates. I hope the Committee will swiftly pass HB1768.

January 22, 2025 RE: HB 1768 To the Committee Chair and members: My name is Peggy Rice and I live on 49 Pine Street, Onancock, Virginia. I have a nonprofit organization called, American Primate Haven, Inc. which has been in effect since 2012. I have been working with others here in Virginia concerning responsible ownership for almost 25 years as an individual. I have helped in several situations of irresponsible ownership, here in Virginia as well as neighboring states. I have worked with health departments, police departments, animal control agencies and private individuals to help educate others as well as find solution to an animal issue. I would like to present my concerns about HB 1768 concerning ownership of non human primates. First and foremost, I do not believe that Virginia has a large problem with non human primate ownership. I do know that with ALL ANIMALS there are irresponsible owners and therefore rules are needed and created to protect the animals and the public. However, in every instance that a BAN is instituted concerning a specific animal an even larger problem will develop. As I stated, I have helped in many situations, and I have found in my experience that while the BAN effects responsible owners from owning an animal the people who we classify as “irresponsible owners” due to their negligence and care of an animal, will boldly break the laws and due to maintaining a “low profile” while hiding their crime hurt the owned animals. Time and time again, animals that are hidden are uncared for due to a BAN. By establishing better guidelines and “rules” instead of a BAN we could continue to help educate the public and private citizens according to proper animal husbandry guidelines. My concern is not for myself, I am 71 years old and I have a plan for all of my 17 non-human primates living on my 6.5 acres, my concern is for my home, Virginia. As a retired special education teacher, I pride myself on Virginia being open minded to life here and as a citizen have enjoyed living in a commonwealth state where everything is considered honestly. When I had a non human primate suffer a stroke here on the Eastern Shore of Virginia, I was overwhelmed with the outpouring from my community of help from physical therapist to the Wal-Mart pharmacy! These people did not judge what animal needed help; they just helped because we are a community. As we know the organizations such as PeTa and HSUS have promoted BANS. The agenda is to BAN animals from ownership. They have gone from state to state with their propaganda of problems with ownership. They use to use “disease” of an animal as their platform, but due to lack of evidence they use the “fear” tactic of dangerous animals. BANS are for the closed minded who are afraid of what tomorrow will bring, instead of educating ourselves to face whatever it brings. As Benjamin Franklin said. “Those who would give up essential liberty to purchase a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety”. Please DO NOT ALLOW HB 1768 to become part of Virginia’s history. As always, I will continue to help, educate, work through anything to help Virginia just as I did while on the Workgroup of the Dangerous Animal Incentive several years ago. Sincerely, Peggy D. Rice President, American Primate Haven

The Metro Richmond Zoo supports the intent of this bill; however, some wording needs to be changed. - Most primate sanctuaries are not licensed, regulated, or inspected and should not be exempt unless they are licensed, regulated, and inspected. - Does this bill prohibit zoological facilities not operating by July 1, 2026 from ever housing primates? If, in 5 years, a new zoological park is established in a different city or town and meets all the licensing and accrediting standards, it would still be barred from housing primates. This would negatively affect the future of zoos and conservation in our state. - When we do employee background checks, there is no national registry to determine if any individual has been fined or has broken a local law in any state. - Requiring zoos to carry insurance is a positive step, but we recommend not having a minimum deductible. For example, our facility maintains a multi million policy and having such a low deductible would significantly increase the cost of our insurance.

The Virginia Animal Control Association supports this bill with 1 amendment. We as board feel that under subsection 6 of section 3.2-6602 “exceptions”, “Zoological parks” and “circus’s” need to be removed from this bill. We agree to a Class C License being in the bill. The VACA Board believes this bill with, the amendment suggested, will provide our communities with enhanced public safety due to the risk of disease and danger non- human primates pose to the general public, the possession of such animals should be strictly regulated and reserved for highly experienced and capable individuals with extensive knowledge of these animals. Furthermore, most local animal control agencies receive little to no training on the handling of Non-human primates, Creating enhanced risks for not only the public but the citizens. For those reasons we believe this bill will benefit the Commonwealth of Virginia and its residents by promoting public safety and enhanced disease control. Respectfully Submitted, The Virginia Animal Control Association.

Mr. Chair and Members of the Committee, House Bill 1768 is unnecessary, because regulations are already in place regarding primates through the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. (https://law.lis.virginia.gov/admincode/title2/agency5/chapter141/section130/). The things that have been incorporated into this legislation are truly terrifying and people would be up in arms if this language was brought forward pertaining to their pet dogs and cats. By focusing on primates, the target is much smaller and thereby the opposition less fierce. However, this bill demands everyone's attention. Up until this point in time, Virginia law has not allowed companion animals to be impounded on-site. This piece of proposed legislation will change this with the language, "If there is no immediate threat to public safety or animal welfare, a law-enforcement officer may impound the primate in place." IN OTHER WORDS, THE GOVERNMENT WILL BE PERMITTED TO TAKE OVER A CITIZEN'S HOME. The timing of this bill is also alarming, given what is currently transpiring with the Mogensen family. The Animal Law Unit has argued in court that the giraffes at Natural Bridge Zoo are COMPANION animals. Yet, legally a companion animal cannot be impounded on-site. Furthermore, when an agricultural animal is impounded under current law, law enforcement is to provide care for the animals pending court (3.2-6569). The Virginia State Police were permitted to effectively abandon the giraffes at Natural Bridge Zoo and questions swirl over how the County of Rockbridge could order something the law does not allow. Over a year after their impoundment, the Mogensens are STILL paying for the food, heat, enrichment, and care staff FOR ANIMALS THEY DO NOT LEGALLY OWN. The Animal Law Unit has not contributed a dime towards the giraffes and even sent a letter with a host of demands regarding daily care, births, deaths, veterinarian exams, contracts, etc. The Mogensen family is working for the Attorney General's Office without ANY compensation. Their labors and services are being obtained by Jason Miyares against their will. House Bill 1768 is seeking to "legalize" and enshrine such treatment of citizens into Virginia code. Please vote against this harmful bill! Sincerely, Heidi Crosky, Virginia Animal Owners Alliance

My name is Dr. Kelly George and I am the Executive Director of the Zoological Association of America (ZAA) which consists of and represents zoological professionals including zoos, aquariums, conservation breeding facilities, and conservation education-based animal ambassador programs. With more than 70 accredited facilities across more than 30 states, ZAA is also one of the largest accrediting organizations in the zoological sector. All ZAA accredited zoos are licensed and inspected by the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) under the federal Animal Welfare Act. ZAA accredited facilities in Virginia include Metro Richmond Zoo, Nova Wild and Virginia Safari Park. You can learn more about ZAA at www.zooasssociation.org. ZAA opposes HB 1768 as introduced and submits this written testimony to be included in the Subommittee's review of the bill. ZAA agrees that non-human primates are not appropriate as personal pets, nor should they be in the hands of untrained and unqualified individuals. However, the bill as drafted would treat federally licensed animal exhibitors unfairly and impose limitations on them that it does not impose on other facilities, including unlicensed sanctuaries. The bill would make it unlawful for any person to possess, sell, transfer, or breed primates unless that person qualifies for one of the delineated exceptions. These include research facilities that are licensed and inspected by the USDA and at least one other federal agency, primate sanctuaries,which, unless they are open to the public and operate like a zoo, are NOT licensed or inspected by the USDA. The bill also exempts Class C license exhibitors but in doing so includes additional conditions that are not applicable to any other exemption category including the unlicensed sanctuaries. These conditions reflect a lack of understanding of the USDA inspection and enforcement process and would deny Virginia zoos the ability to house and care for primates without appropriate legal due process. They would also impose additional requirements, including liability insurance that may not be available, as well written escape plans, that are not applicable to any other category. ZAA supports the concept of ensuring that all primates are properly and safely cared for regardless of where they are found. However there is no justification for targeting federally licensed zoos that also hold state licenses with such special conditions and they should be removed from the bill. Thank you.

Comments Document

I am a constituent of your district, and I am writing to urge your support for wildlife crossing legislation in the upcoming General Assembly session. Wildlife crossings, such as overpasses, underpasses, and expanded culverts with fencing, are proven solutions for reducing wildlife-vehicle conflicts by up to 96% and ensuring safer roads for both wildlife and drivers. Virginia is currently ranked 9th highest in the nation for wildlife-vehicle conflicts, showing the urgent need for statewide improvements in our road and infrastructure design. As evidence of this need, I’ve included a screenshot from this interactive map (attached), which shows areas in our district where better infrastructure is essential to protect communities from flooding. This map highlights opportunity areas where flood-resilient structures could also facilitate safe aquatic and terrestrial wildlife passage. By supporting this wildlife crossing legislation this session, you can help bring impactful solutions to your district, protecting both biodiversity and community safety. This bill directly addresses Virginia's ranking as one of the top ten states for wildlife-vehicle collisions, which results in over 60,000 deer crashes annually, costing lives, taxpayer dollars, and biodiversity. Wildlife crossings can reduce collisions by up to 96%, providing a solution that protects drivers and wildlife alike. Delegate Simonds and Senator Marsden are championing a $460,000 budget amendment to provide essential resources for state agencies and localities to implement corridor and crossing projects. These funds will serve as a vital match for federal grants, a significant barrier for many localities.

I am writing as a concerned citizen in opposition to HB1768, regarding primate ownership in the state. My family has an animal petting zoo in the state, and I am opposed to additional state regulations governing animal ownership. The state has proved to be a malicious actor, raiding and harassing family run business and seizing private property without proper justification. I think these regulations only empower bad actors in the state, when we need to do the opposite. The Animal Law Unit needs to be disbanded and trust the responsible animal owners in the state. Please stop with the constant barrage of new legislation and restrictions on responsible animal ownership. Thank you for listening to our concerns! -Dale Johnson

I OPPOSE House Bill 1768. Why is this bill necessary? This isn't about animal welfare, but a push to further regulate and ultimately end private animal ownership and family-owned zoos. Virginia zoos are licensed by the USDA and are already heavily regulated. This bill states zoos are exempt, but if there has been ONE noncompliance issue in the past three years (which may not have anything to do with animal care), the state can seize or destroy your primates. That is ridiculous and makes it easy for the state to seize or kill perfectly happy and healthy animals. Please do not pass this bill, Virginia zoos and animal owners are already working hard to keep up with USDA regulations and this bill is unnecessary and overreaching.

Hello, I am writing to oppose this bill. My family owns and operates a small private zoo in Leesburg, Va. know as Leesburg Animal Park. We have been at this location since 2000 and prior to that, at another location in Fairfax County since the early 1980's. We are USDA licensed to exhibit animals. This bill should exclude zoological parks that are USDA licensed , period. It should not have all of the lengthy provisions that must exist in order to be excluded. The provisions are worded so that almost no one would be able to keep primates! We know that there are very radical animal groups such as PETA that are working to influence laws to abolish exotic animal ownership, and I think that is at play with this bill! Also, this bill, as it is written, would allow local animal control staff to be regulating and impounding zoo animals. They do not have people with the necessary expertise and animals will be harmed as a result. Allowing them to destroy the animal is ridiculous! Please do not pass this bill as it is written and allow for more time for input from animal owners. Thank you. Shirley Johnson Director

OPPOSE HB1768. The VFDCB stands in support of animal owners of all species from government overreach, "gotcha" laws and ordinances, and bills predicated on ignorance and extremist agendas. As outlined in other comments Virginia law enforcement has demonstrated a deadly lack of knowledge about how to manage primates. How is it deadly? See the examples of various seizures over the years by the AG office. But the most telling of how deadly HB 1768 will be is in the bill itself. Lines 113-115 Section D "The court may also order that the primate be humanely DESTROYED by a law-enforcement officer for any primate found to NOT BE PROPERLY CONFINED to protect the safety of the public." Lines 116 - 119 Section E. "Nothing in this section shall be construed to: 1. Prevent a law-enforcement officer from humanely DESTROYING a primate in compliance with federal and state law if, after reasonable efforts, no zoological or a primary sanctuary is willing and able to provide long-term care for the primate; " So basically - if the state cannot find a place to put a primate it does not like they can just kill it. Dogs can be labelled dangerous or even vicious and still be allowed to live. Social media, as well as VA court records, are full of accounts of bites and maulings by dogs. What is so threatening about primates that we must kill them? PLEASE, PLEASE OPPOSE HB 1768. Alice Harrington, VFDCB

I am writing to declare my OPPOSE to Bill 1768. Many aspects of this Bill 1769 appear driven by mis-information with disregard of professional organizations. There are aspects that should be reviewed and re-written to reflect and accurate account for what the state is trying to accomplish and not loop broad language with room for misinterpretation by state agencies or the like. Fair and judicial action with just cause in accordance with factual documentation needs to have space in our government policies. Please OPPOSE Bill 1768 and review for the sake of the animals listed.

It am writing to oppose House Bill 1768. I am deeply disturbed by this proposed bill. This bill will strip away the little protection private individuals and zoos have in this state from the animal right extremist. This bill is not about animal welfare or safety it’s about the extreme animal rights activists getting one step closer to ending all family owned zoos and private animal ownership. In the state of Virginia zoos are permitted and regulated by the USDA and the Virginia Department of Wildlife Resourced the state does not need to waste resources or time on regulating animals for zoos that are already heavily regulated. In this bill its states zoos are exempt but if a zoo in the past three years has just one noncompliance violation for failure to allow a facility inspection or interference with inspection the state will seize the zoos primates. This in itself is not fair to zoos. Perhaps you are unaware what that means when a zoo has been cited for that. It means if for any reason the individual was not available when the inspector showed up for an unannounced , unscheduled visit they have to write it up. Meaning if the individual named on the USDA permit was running errands in town on a day there facility was closed and the inspector did not have time to wait for that individual to return to the zoo they then write them up for noncompliance failure to allow facility inspection. This has nothing to do with the care or welfare of the animals it simply means the person just happened to not be at the facility when the inspector showed up for an unscheduled inspection and the inspector did not have the time to wait for the person to return. This is not a just cause to steal those primates from that facility. Also where is the state planning on housing the confiscated primates? Sanctuaries? Sanctuaries that can be citied for the same noncompliance of failure to allow a facility inspection or interferences with an inspection but somehow are given special treatment. Or do you plan to use the overburdened animal shelters that have no knowledge of how to care for primates? Or is the plan just to euthanize healthy and happy animals? Forcing individuals and businesses to carry special liability insurance will hurt private individuals and businesses financially to where most private individuals will not be able to afford such insurance. Forcing this special liability insurance for an animal that has never once caused a death in the USA to a person and very rarely have ever attacked and harmed a human in the USA let alone in Virginia. All in all the wording and goal of this bill is to end primate ownership for individuals and zoos in the state of Virginia. It has nothing to do with safety of the public or animal welfare. It’s about stripping away the little protection citizens of Virginia have from the animal rights extremist that would rather have animals killed than kept as pets or in zoological facilities.The state of Virginia is under attack by animal rights extremist from private pet ownership, to farmers and zoos. Please help stop the lies of the animal rights extremist and protect the rights of the citizens and business owners of Virginia, but most of all protect the primates that will suffer the most from this unnecessary and harmful bill.

As a Virginia citizen and small business owner, I am asking you to oppose House Bill 1768. I own and operate Fort Chiswell Animal Park and we have two primates--Cindy and Gracie--who will be harmed if this legislation is passed. Cindy is in her 30's and Gracie is in her teens. Both were pets before they came to us. When you look at the "exemption" for zoos there are a host of scenarios of why an exhibitor WILL NOT be allowed to keep their primates. In October 2021 and February 2022, we were cited by our USDA inspector, because "A responsible adult was not available to accompany APHIS Officials during the inspection process..." We have ALWAYS operated seasonally. We live on the property. After Labor Day, we go to a reduced schedule of three days a week. Group visits of 20 or more are available by appointment Monday - Thursday. When our inspector visited in October 2021, it was during the week and we were in town running errands. These inspections are unannounced, surprise visits. We had no idea she was coming to the zoo. In February 2022, we were cited again for the same reason. After Thanksgiving weekend, we close the park down until April. We do this every winter and are still taking care of our animals. When the inspector visited this time--unplanned and unannounced--STAFF WERE ON THE PROPERTY. However, our property is approximately 70 acres with animals and barns spread throughout. The inspector did not wait on the property long enough for us to see her. We were cited again and appealed the citation to USDA. THIS WAS A COMMUNICATION ISSUE--NOT AN ANIMAL CARE ISSUE. Delegate Martinez now wants to strip us and other small businesses of our primates for this very reason! He would rather throw Cindy and Gracie into turmoil or have them "humanely destroyed" (killed) than live with us, because of a citation. No true animal lover would be so cruel. Please help us defeat this bill if you care anything about animals. Jeff Archer, Fort Chiswell Animal Park

Mr. Chair and Members of the Committee, The members of the Virginia Animal Owners Alliance ask that you strongly oppose HB 1768. Virginia already has a track record when it comes to primates and it isn't a pretty picture. As you may know, the Animal Law Unit raided the zoo in Winchester in August 2019. The memorandum from the game department that the VAOA obtained through a FOIA request reveals Shenandoah Animal Control asked a wildlife rehabilitator to take the zoo's macaques. However, the rehabilitator was concerned that she did not have the proper facility to house them. Ultimately, the macaques never left the property and were killed on-site. In December 2023 the Animal Law Unit raided the Natural Bridge Zoo. They decided to seize multiple primates. The raid team asked Lois Magill if she could take some of the primates to her horse farm. She told them she did not have a proper place for them. This is preserved in the court transcript. Where are all these primate sanctuaries that are being referenced in HB 1768? Why was the Animal Law Unit seizing primates FROM A USDA LICENSED FACILITY when they didn't even have a proper place to house them? While at Natural Bridge Zoo the Animal Law Unit decided to seize Ted the gibbon. Dr. Dominguez testified that he and Sgt. Erin Brogan caught him (Brogan works for the Shenandoah County Sheriff's Office). He also stated that he has training in capturing primates and that before a seizure happens he has to go step by step with Erin on how to capture them. In spite of his claim, it is obvious to everyone in the zoo community that he DOES NOT KNOW how to capture, handle, or transport a gibbon and neither does Sgt. Brogan. The day of the raid, Gretchen and Timmy heard Ted screaming in terror and walked calmly but quickly towards his exhibit so as not to cause alarm. They could see the raid members screaming at each other--they all seemed to be in a state of panic--before being confronted by Amy Taylor of the Animal Law Unit when they were still over 50 feet from Ted's enclosure. Amy grabbed Timmy's arm to stop him from walking any closer and had them escorted away by Virginia State Police. Gretchen and Timmy were told if they didn't go with the officer they were going to have a problem and it wouldn't go well for them. When Amy Taylor testified on the stand, she stated that two staff members were causing a disturbance and had to be escorted away. This was a lie. When Dr. Dominguez was asked under oath about Ted crying, he coolly stated the gibbon vocalized. Ted later died at Metro Richmond Zoo. Ted's treatment and death obviously had an effect on the jury. They awarded Ted back to the Mogensens, although he could never actually be returned. Ted was an innocent animal who was very content in his home. The greatest threat to his life, safety, and health was the Animal Law Unit when they appeared on the property under the blessing of PETA. THE STATE OF VIRGINIA HAS PROVEN OVER AND OVER AGAIN THEY DO NOT HAVE THE HEART, KNOWLEDGE, OR SKILL TO HANDLE PRIMATES. House Bill 1768 is already planning for the worst: "E. Nothing in this section shall be construed to: 1. Prevent a law-enforcement officer from humanely destroying a primate in compliance with federal and state law if, after reasonable efforts, no zoological or a primary sanctuary is willing and able to provide long-term care for the primate..." Please oppose and defeat this bill. Sincerely, Heidi Crosky Virginia Animal Owners Alliance

Please pass this bill for the voiceless. You know what's right and what's wrong, please do the right thing. Help these animals. Thank you!!

Please reconsider this bill. A person with the temperment to abuse animals once will almost surely do it again. We need to keep track of repeat offenders in order to prevent unnecessary suffering. Animal abusers frequently move on to abusing humans, particularly children. Crack down on them before it happens, please!

I live in Greene County and volunteer with Charlottesville-Albemarle SPCA (CASPCA) and with Houses of Wood & Straw (HOWS). I have seen a marked increase year after year, in the numbers of animals needing care due to cruelty, abuse, or neglect. Recently, as a CASPCA member I helped when Greene County Sheriff services served warrant on an alleged puppy/dog mill. The conditions that the animals were living in & being bred-for-profit was deplorable. Daily on social media there are dozens of examples (witness statements and/or videos) of people abusing or maltreating animals intentionally. The only way this cruelty will stop is when individuals are tried and when found guilty of these crimes are held accountable & placed on tracked so they can’t just move on to another location and restart their mistreatment, abuse, and cruelty against innocent animals. I implore you implement this humane action for animals that can’t speak or protect themselves from these cruel people. If you can’t support this legislation, keeping these abusers from working with, fostering, adopting, or breeding animals in the future then I’ll vote someone into office that will protect animals.

People need to be accountable for their acts of cruelty to domestic animals. Providing a state wide list of those convicted of such a horrible deed would alert others who may desire to sell or give their pets to these terrible folks. There are correlations between animal abusers and children/spousal abusers. There is no place that this behavior should be tolerated.

This bill will be a game charger and advocate for thos who cannot find or spek for themselves. The animals, cruelty of any kind to any living thing should have consequences especially for repeat offenders who feel rules, regulation and commone decency does not apply because of where they livem. To many times the owners are not held accountable or put on notice This bill shows how much of a necessity it has become to ask for regulations because people cannot be trusted to so the right thing. So please pass bill HB 1814. Thank you

I wholeheartedly support and encourage this bill. I have been a vounteer with the HOWS Project (https://housesofwoodandstraw.org/) for at least 13 years, and I have repeatedly seen instances of individuals mistreating (or worse) animals, having those animals taken away or die, and then simply procuring more animals to similarly mistreat. The establishment of a database such as this would go a long way in minimizing this kind of repeat offense and saving animals from needless, avoidable suffering. Please do the right thing by these animals and your constituents and support this bill.

I wholeheartedly support this bill as an important investment in the safety and wellbeing of our society as a whole. Having worked in animal welfare for the past 11+ years, I have been privy to the terrible effects cruelty has on animals and to the correlation between animal abuse and other forms of violence. This bill will provide both security for animals and humans, as well as an important tool that animal welfare professionals can utilize to ensure they are placing animals with safe caregivers.

I support HB1814

This would make our adoption and foster placements so much easier and safer!!!

This initiative represents a crucial step toward enhancing public safety, protecting vulnerable animals, and promoting accountability for those who commit acts of cruelty. Research has consistently demonstrated a significant correlation between animal cruelty and other forms of violence, including domestic abuse, child abuse, and violent crimes. The FBI, for instance, categorizes animal cruelty as a Group A offense in its National Incident-Based Reporting System, recognizing its association with broader patterns of violent behavior. According to a study published in Violence Against Women, nearly 71% of women entering domestic violence shelters reported their abuser had harmed or threatened their pets. Furthermore, the National Link Coalition highlights that individuals who abuse animals are five times more likely to harm humans. Creating a publicly accessible Animal Cruelty Conviction List serves several critical purposes: Deterrence: Public accountability can deter potential offenders by increasing the visibility of consequences for animal cruelty. Community Safety: Providing access to information about individuals convicted of such offenses empowers communities to protect animals and vulnerable individuals from potential harm. Resource Allocation: Law enforcement and animal welfare organizations can better allocate resources by identifying patterns of abuse and focusing intervention efforts. The inclusion of a fee to maintain the list ensures its sustainability without placing undue financial burden on the state. Additionally, the provision to remove names after 15 years, provided there are no further offenses, balances public safety with the opportunity for rehabilitation and reintegration. This legislation is a meaningful step toward fostering a compassionate and safe society. By addressing animal cruelty proactively, we send a clear message that such behavior is unacceptable and that we are committed to protecting all living beings. I urge lawmakers to support this important initiative.

On behalf of Sussex County Animal Services, and as the Director of Services for the agency, I fully support HB1814. Having access and reportability to an Animal Cruelty List, will help Animal Services such as ours, have access to information about bad actors who seem to move around the state. We want to safeguard the animals in our care as we place them in new homes. Having a sharable database with this information will help us all with that. Please vote yes for HB1814. Thank you! Debbie Broughton, Director Sussex County Animal Services

Comments Document

I am a constituent of your district, and I am writing to urge your support for wildlife crossing legislation in the upcoming General Assembly session. Wildlife crossings, such as overpasses, underpasses, and expanded culverts with fencing, are proven solutions for reducing wildlife-vehicle conflicts by up to 96% and ensuring safer roads for both wildlife and drivers. Virginia is currently ranked 9th highest in the nation for wildlife-vehicle conflicts, showing the urgent need for statewide improvements in our road and infrastructure design. As evidence of this need, I’ve included a screenshot from this interactive map (attached), which shows areas in our district where better infrastructure is essential to protect communities from flooding. This map highlights opportunity areas where flood-resilient structures could also facilitate safe aquatic and terrestrial wildlife passage. By supporting this wildlife crossing legislation this session, you can help bring impactful solutions to your district, protecting both biodiversity and community safety. This bill directly addresses Virginia's ranking as one of the top ten states for wildlife-vehicle collisions, which results in over 60,000 deer crashes annually, costing lives, taxpayer dollars, and biodiversity. Wildlife crossings can reduce collisions by up to 96%, providing a solution that protects drivers and wildlife alike. Delegate Simonds and Senator Marsden are championing a $460,000 budget amendment to provide essential resources for state agencies and localities to implement corridor and crossing projects. These funds will serve as a vital match for federal grants, a significant barrier for many localities.

I support this bill

Dear Agriculture Subcommittee, Please consider voting “yes” for HB1814. Having an Animal Cruelty List will be very beneficial to animal organizations who do pet adoptions, fostering and rescue work. I support this Bill. Sincerely, Jennie M Bochette 7478 Greenville Road Nokesville, VA 20181

Please support this bill to establish and maintain an Animal Cruelty Registry. It will be very useful to Animal welfare organizations like ours to prevent the further abuse of animals.

Please consider passing the animal cruelty bill. This is very important to me being a SPCA board member.

We are writing to express our strong support for the establishment of an Animal Cruelty Conviction List, as outlined in the proposed legislation. This initiative represents a crucial step toward enhancing public safety, protecting vulnerable animals, and promoting accountability for those who commit acts of cruelty. Research has consistently demonstrated a significant correlation between animal cruelty and other forms of violence, including domestic abuse, child abuse, and violent crimes. The FBI, for instance, categorizes animal cruelty as a Group A offense in its National Incident-Based Reporting System, recognizing its association with broader patterns of violent behavior. According to a study published in Violence Against Women, nearly 71% of women entering domestic violence shelters reported their abuser had harmed or threatened their pets. Furthermore, the National Link Coalition highlights that individuals who abuse animals are five times more likely to harm humans. Creating a publicly accessible Animal Cruelty Conviction List serves several critical purposes: 1. Deterrence: Public accountability can deter potential offenders by increasing the visibility of consequences for animal cruelty. 2. Community Safety: Providing access to information about individuals convicted of such offenses empowers communities to protect animals and vulnerable individuals from potential harm. 3. Resource Allocation: Law enforcement and animal welfare organizations can better allocate resources by identifying patterns of abuse and focusing intervention efforts. 4. The inclusion of a fee to maintain the list ensures its sustainability without placing undue financial burden on the state. Additionally, the provision to remove names after 15 years, provided there are no further offenses, balances public safety with the opportunity for rehabilitation and reintegration. This legislation is a meaningful step toward fostering a compassionate and safe society. By addressing animal cruelty proactively, we send a clear message that such behavior is unacceptable and that we are committed to protecting all living beings. I urge lawmakers to support this important initiative.

On behalf of Rockbridge Animal Alliance, I am writing to express our enthusiastic support for House Bill 1814, which seeks to establish an Animal Cruelty Registry in Virginia. This legislation represents a critical step toward protecting the welfare of animals across our Commonwealth and ensuring accountability for those who commit acts of cruelty. As the only canine spay and neuter organization in Rockbridge County, Rockbridge Animal Alliance is deeply committed to improving the lives of animals and supporting families who care for them. We encounter countless cases where neglect, abuse, or cruelty has had devastating impacts on pets and their families. House Bill 1814 offers an opportunity to address these issues by creating a tool to better safeguard animals and prevent repeat offenses. The benefits of an Animal Cruelty Registry are manifold: Enhanced Public Safety: By identifying individuals convicted of animal cruelty, the registry will provide crucial information to shelters, rescues, and law enforcement agencies, ensuring that animals are not placed in potentially abusive environments. Deterrence: The creation of a public record for offenders will send a strong message that Virginia prioritizes the humane treatment of animals and holds individuals accountable for acts of cruelty. Improved Coordination: A statewide registry will facilitate collaboration between agencies, enabling better monitoring and enforcement of animal welfare laws. Protection of Vulnerable Communities: Research consistently shows a link between animal cruelty and other forms of violence, including domestic abuse. Identifying and tracking offenders can play a role in broader community safety efforts. The implementation of this registry aligns with Virginia’s longstanding commitment to animal welfare. It also complements the ongoing work of organizations like Rockbridge Animal Alliance to address the root causes of overpopulation, neglect, and cruelty through education, community engagement, and affordable services. Whether through advocacy, providing testimony, or mobilizing our supporters, Rockbridge Animal Alliance is dedicated to ensuring that HB 1814 becomes law. Together, we can build a safer and more compassionate Commonwealth for all living beings. Sincerely, Maurine M. Houser, Board Chair Rockbridge Animal Alliance 401 S. Main Street Lexington, VA 24450 703-626-4801

I support these bills

Hello, Please require retail establishments to post clear signage designating invasive plants and educating the public on what that means. Invasive plants are a tremendous issue threatening our ecosystems. They out-compete native plants that we need in order to enjoy our land, support animals for hunting and fishing, control floods and erosion, protect infrastructure, protect our trees, and protect wildlife. I work in watershed restoration cleaning up our waterways to provide safer drinking water, protect infrastructure, protect our ability to safely hunt and fish, and protect our native songbirds, trees, flowers, and wildlife. Most of our budget is spent on invasive species removal; it costs a lot, requires the use of herbicides, requires the use of heavy equipment, and requires many years of constant maintenance in order to prevent them from coming back. They damage our ecosystems and I have seen many beautiful old trees die because of invasive English ivy, tree-of-heaven, privet, and invasive honeysuckle. Our songbirds die eating berries from invasive plants. Please pass this legislation. Additionally, please pass the legislation supporting wildlife corridors; in addition to being needed to protect wildlife, this bill would protect so many people. Deer-auto collisions cost states millions each year and injure and kill many drivers. We are also at risk of losing many of our native wildlife species as a result; animals like frogs and salamanders need to cross roadways in order to reach wetlands to breed, and cannot escape cars.

I support this bill

I support this bill. After 32 years in animal rescue I can tell you that it is needed.

I support this bill.

I support this bill.

I support these

I support this bill

To Whom It May Concern: My family and I are very much in favor of HB1814, a mandate to those who choose to abuse animals (and from this abhorrence, to abusing children?), that it will NOT be tolerated in the Commonwealth of Virginia . So many helpless dogs and cats become victims, as a result of the current state of affairs. Please don’t perpetuate this horrible situation. End animal abuse in the Commonwealth. Sincerely, Mrs. Mary Stuart Harlow

As a long-time volunteer with Northern Virginia Sheltie Rescue, I strongly support HB 1814 to maintain a publicly available list of people who have been convicted of cruelty as a result of abusive animal breeding operations, which includes failure to care for the animals humanely. This will come too late for so many dogs who have suffered and died at the hands of so-called breeders, but having this will prevent suffering in the future.

I am writing to encourage you to consider this bill carefully and to support the creation of a statewide animal cruelty list. The creation of an animal cruelty list that is readily accessible for animal shelters and others who provide temporary homes for homeless animals will ensure safer homes for these animals. Animal rescue organizations will be able to check this list to determine if prospective adopters have previous animal cruelty convictions. Thank you for your time and consideration of this much-needed bill.

Good Afternoon ..... As an owner/operator of a non-profit dog rescue organization for Great Pyrenees, I ask that you support HB1814. Having an Animal Cruelty Conviction List established will be very beneficial to all Virginia animal organizations who do pet adoptions, foster and rescue work. Our beloved animals, like small children, need someone to advocate for their safety. Thank you for your time in reading this. Respectfully submitted, Amy Baksa Scheuer Rockbridge County, VA

I support this bill.

Dear Agriculture Subcommittee, Please consider voting “yes” for HB1814. Having and Animal Cruelty List will be very beneficial to animal organizations who do pet adoptions, fostering and rescue work. I support this Bill. Sincerely, Tara Rodi 540-463-5123

Hi There, We are looking for installation partners in your area. NO COST TO YOU. We sell PVC Marble Design Panels to homeowners and contractors. When a homeowner buys panels but is not handy enough to install them themselves, we want to be able to recommend a vetted installation company. Please check out our website to learn more and to apply for partnership: https://gpe-partners.com We are looking forward to working with you. Marc Wagner COO Great Products Enterprise

Comments Document

I am a registered landscape architect and also work with our local non-profit Tree Stewards. We spend a tremendous amount of time and resources fighting exotic species like tree of heaven, barberry, privet, English ivy and non-native honeysuckle. These things displace our native plants that have co-evolved with our fauna and soil microbe systems. Tree of heaven produces toxins in the roots that prevent other plants from germinating. Fescue has been shown to reduce wildlife biodiversity (insects, game birds, etc) as well as not being that great for cattle. Heavy vining species like English ivy and oriental bittersweet can bring down even very large trees. Labeling invasive plants is a very weak first step--states like New York and even Ohio have banned a number of exotic plants, and despite some squawking from the nurseries, their economies have not shut down as a result. But at least the labeling is a start!

Statement of the Virginia Association of Soil and Water Conservation Districts in Support of HB 1941 The Virginia Association of Soil and Water Conservation Districts (VASWCD) is a private nonprofit association of 47 soil and water conservation districts in Virginia. The Association provides and promotes leadership in the conservation of natural resources through stewardship and education programs. It coordinates conservation efforts statewide to focus effectively on issues identified by local member districts. Our mission is to serve and strengthen soil and water conservation districts in the stewardship of natural resources. Invasive plants cause both economic and environmental problems in all regions of the Commonwealth. Often sold to unwitting purchasers, invasive plants easily and rapidly spread onto neighboring private lands and into adjacent county, state, and federal conservation areas. They often cause expensive and difficult management problems for neighboring landowners and degrade the environmental health of private property, forests, and parks across the Commonwealth. At the December 2022 annual meeting of the Virginia Association of Soil and Water Conservation Districts, the Association unanimously expressed support for legislation and other efforts to further control the spread of invasive plants in Virginia. We believe that Virginia consumers want to know what impact their actions may have on the environment. HB 1941 is a pro-consumer, pro-environment, truth-in-labelling bill. It gives consumers the information they need to make informed purchasing decisions; it does not deprive them of choice. The bill may have the secondary economic benefit of promoting markets in Virginia for businesses that choose to cultivate and sell native Virginia plants. The Virginia Association of Soil and Water Conservation Districts therefore strongly supports HB1941 patroned by Delegate Seibold. We believe HB1941 takes a positive step to address the many problems posed by invasive plants across the Commonwealth. We urge its prompt passage.

I am very against this bill which mandates signage for the retail sale of certain invasive plant species. Overregulation: This legislation represents an overreach of government regulation into the day-to-day operations of retail establishments, particularly small businesses, which might struggle with the additional compliance requirements. Consumer Overload: Overloading consumers with mandatory signage might lead to information fatigue, where important messages about invasive species get lost among other retail signage, reducing the effectiveness of the education effort. Economic Burden: The cost of designing, producing, and maintaining this signage could be significant, especially for small garden centers or nurseries, potentially impacting their profitability and sustainability. Enforcement Challenges: The enforcement of this law, including issuing stop sale orders and ensuring compliance, places an undue burden on the Commissioner of Agriculture and Consumer Services, potentially diverting resources from more critical agricultural oversight. Potential for Misinformation: Standardized signage might not accurately reflect regional variations in what constitutes an invasive species, leading to potential misinformation or confusion among consumers about which plants are truly problematic in their area. Market Impact: This bill could negatively affect the market for certain plants by stigmatizing them, even if they have legitimate uses or are not invasive in all parts of Virginia, potentially reducing consumer choice and affecting sales. Legal and Administrative Overhead: The requirement for the Commissioner to designate the specifics of the signage by a set date introduces unnecessary legal and administrative overhead, creating a bureaucratic process that might delay implementation. Ineffectiveness: Signage alone might not effectively change consumer behavior towards invasive species, especially if alternatives are not readily available or if consumers are not inclined to read or heed the signs. Focus on Symptoms, Not Causes: This bill addresses the sale of invasive species at the retail level but does not tackle the broader issue of how these species spread, such as through landscaping practices, wildlife, or existing plantings, missing a more holistic approach to the problem. I strongly oppose this legislation for its potential to overregulate, burden businesses, confuse consumers, strain enforcement resources, and for its likely ineffectiveness in significantly reducing the spread of invasive species without addressing root causes.

I am a volunteer at two Fairfax public schools, where I dedicate 4–8 hours per week teaching students about science and nature and have done so for the past four years. My students are fortunate to have county parks behind their schools—a thoughtful gift from county planners in the 1960s. These parks significantly enhance their understanding of science and nature. They love going outside in the woods! We do lots of project based learning outside. Unfortunately, both parks are overrun with invasive plants. Porcelainberry may look lovely at first, and I understand why people who don’t know how aggressive and destructive it can be might buy it. However, once it takes hold in a park, it forms unsightly, tangled carpets of vines that are nearly impossible to control. My students feel disheartened when they see the struggling wildlife in our parks. They’ve compared wildlife inventories taken 30 years ago in their parks—when citizens first warned about invasives in the 1990s—to today’s data, which shows far fewer animals and a dramatic increase in invasive plants. My students understand that birds, insects, and mammals depend on native plants for food and shelter. They also recognize that, in some cases, a single native species may be the sole host for a specific animal. It’s clear to my students (who call these vines the "plant zombie apocalypse") and I that invasive plants should be outlawed entirely. They overwhelm park departments budgets and the resources of those who maintain other public lands, including schools. They also burden private citizens who inherit these plant beasts from neighbors or prior owners. At a minimum, consumers should be educated about the consequences of their actions, including how much taxpayer money is spent each year removing these plants from public spaces! My students also understand that these aggressive vines eventually overtake trees, which are critical for capturing CO2 and combating climate change. Every year, my students spend hours—twice a year—cutting and removing these invasive plants. They ask me why such plants are legal to sell. Please pass this common-sense bill! Please consider taking much more actionable actions as well such as the banning of these plants. Otherwise it feels like our politicians are out of touch when they can't fix something so obviously hurting us. Thank you for working hard on this important issue.

Hello, my name is Charles Mason, and I'm a constituent from Richmond, VA. I’m asking you to build on an important step by voting YES on HB1941 by Delegate Holly Seibold. My 22 years of experience in the green industry has shown me the need for legislation where the free market has failed to end the retail sale of invasive plants.

Removal of invasive species is important. They do a lot of damage to the environment by killing trees and shrubs, frequently our native plants that provide habitat for many species. Slowing down the sale of invasive species is not really enough to solve a problem that already exists, but I support HB1941 which would require nurseries to label plants that are invasive. This would be a first step, but the problem is so urgent that I support stopping the sale of the invasive plants that are causing damage to our environment. A lot of trees have been and will continue to be lost on both private property and in our the parks due to ivy. This is one of the worst culprits, but it is only one of many.

I’m asking you to build on that important step by voting YES on HB1941 by Delegate Holly Seibold / SB1166 by Senator Salim for a bill that will stop invasive plants from getting into our parks, neighborhoods, farms and forests in the first place. Invasive plants known to pose a threat to Virginia’s forests, native grasslands, wetlands or waterways are still being sold in garden centers and local nurseries. They often end up in our environment after being purchased and planted by well-meaning gardeners who don’t realize the plant's invasive risk. The bills prevent that by raising awareness for consumers at the point of sale and encouraging the purchase of non-invasive alternatives.

Please support Del. Seibold’s HB1941 to provide signage when invasive plant species are sold in Virginia. When invasive plants are incorporated in the Virginia environment, they do not stay where they are placed, because seeds are spread, or roots travel far beyond their original location. Placing warning signs can offer opportunities to suggest native plants that will support our essential pollinators and keep Virginia beautiful. It will reduce the need for the costs of invasive amelioration later on, including the invisible costs of the use of herbicides (environmental contamination and cancer in humans and pets).

Fairfax Environmental Forum strongly supports HB 1941. Invasive species are destroying our native flora. Invasive species are destroying our trees. Please give the consumer the information to choose better. Please pass HB1941 Katy Johnson-Fairfax Environmental Forum Fairfax, VA 22030

Comments Document

I am a constituent of your district, and I am writing to urge your support for wildlife crossing legislation in the upcoming General Assembly session. Wildlife crossings, such as overpasses, underpasses, and expanded culverts with fencing, are proven solutions for reducing wildlife-vehicle conflicts by up to 96% and ensuring safer roads for both wildlife and drivers. Virginia is currently ranked 9th highest in the nation for wildlife-vehicle conflicts, showing the urgent need for statewide improvements in our road and infrastructure design. As evidence of this need, I’ve included a screenshot from this interactive map (attached), which shows areas in our district where better infrastructure is essential to protect communities from flooding. This map highlights opportunity areas where flood-resilient structures could also facilitate safe aquatic and terrestrial wildlife passage. By supporting this wildlife crossing legislation this session, you can help bring impactful solutions to your district, protecting both biodiversity and community safety. This bill directly addresses Virginia's ranking as one of the top ten states for wildlife-vehicle collisions, which results in over 60,000 deer crashes annually, costing lives, taxpayer dollars, and biodiversity. Wildlife crossings can reduce collisions by up to 96%, providing a solution that protects drivers and wildlife alike. Delegate Simonds and Senator Marsden are championing a $460,000 budget amendment to provide essential resources for state agencies and localities to implement corridor and crossing projects. These funds will serve as a vital match for federal grants, a significant barrier for many localities.

I am writing in support of HB1941- invasive plant species incur substantial economic and environmental costs. In my work as a natural resources professional and volunteer I have seen many examples of the degredadation of our delicate native ecosystems due to invasive species and the immense effort it takes to attempt remediation and restoration. While progress is being made funding and promoting management of these areas, a stronger strategy is needed to prevent the introduction of these plants to new areas. Unfortunately, many of these plants remain for sale in Virginia and are easily purchased by individuals unaware of the risk. This bill will help to fill this critical educational need at the point sale while allowing collaboration from retailers, regulatory agencies, and non-profits to ensure that the signage meets the needs of involved stakeholders and allows consumers to make more informed plant purchases. Thank you for your consideration.

Please support HB1941 requiring nurseries selling invasive plants to alert customers that they are buying a problem for the environment. I won't detail all the problems caused by invasives since so many people have done so already, and many eloquently. Suffice it to say, I spend a very large amount of time battling them on my property and others', including public spaces. It's so frustrating to do all this work and then see the plants I've been working so hard to eliminate for sale at a local nursery. Please help stop this.

The Virginia Native Plant Society supports HB1941, which would provide consumers with the information to make informed decisions when considering the purchase of invasive plants by requiring retailers to provide clear and consistent signage at the point of sale about the harms of invasive plants on our ecology. Please support HB1941.

My name is Andrew Dougherty and I am an avid outdoorsman and volunteer with schoolchildren to teach biology and earth sciences. Invasive plants are a critical threat to the Virginian lumber, waterway, agricultural, natural tourism, and recreational industries. Each year Virginian businesses and citizens spend close to a billion dollars in order to maintain and preserve the natural resources that are impacted by the unchecked growth of foreign plants. In addition to the economic impact, these invasive species impact local wildlife, killing trees, choking out native plants, and starving insects and animals that depend on plants that evolved alongside them to thrive in forests and waters of Virginia. While eliminating the sale of threatening invasive species similar to measures taken by Maryland and Massachusetts is most effective, requiring vendors to inform consumers of the threat their desired plant poses is a vital first step in combating the significant harms to our commonwealth's natural areas. Please consider passing HP1941 and making it law. Thank you, Andrew Dougherty

Please vote in favor of HB1941. Our neighbors who know very little about plants and make choices solely on their appearance need guidance regarding their choices. Let’s curve the unknowing planting of invasive plants by implementing this bill. It’s the best step we can take- Peggy Singlemann

I am the volunteer Park Steward at two parks in Arlington County, and I also serve as a roving Park Steward in which capacity I assist other Park Stewards in Arlington and Alexandria. I implore you to support HB1941. I spend the vast majority of my time as a Park Steward manually removing non-native invasive plants that have become entrenched in our parks. These plants have caused great damage to the natural environment in our parks, overwhelming and killing our native plants while providing no benefits to our native wildlife. Most of these plants were not intentionally planted in the parks but instead came in from adjoining private property. It is imperative that we dramatically reduce the amount of non-native invasive plants that consumers are buying if we are to have any hope of saving our parkland. My preference would be to ban the sale of the worst of these non-native invasive plants, but at a minimum we should require that warnings be posted by those businesses that still sell these plants so that consumers are educated about the harm that these plants cause and learn about native plant alternatives. Educating the consumer would help tremendously. Even if I had an army of volunteers helping me every day eradicate non-native invasive plants from the parks, I would still be fighting a losing battle without passage of this legislation. Please help us win this battle to save our natural areas! Thank you for allowing me to submit this statement.

Hello, my name is Tracy Stone, and I'm a constituent from Stafford. I'm writing today to thank Paul Milde for voting for a budget that allocates $3.35 million to support the Virginia Invasive Species Management Plan that will address the spread of invasive plants. I’m asking you to build on that important step by voting YES on HB1941 by Delegate Holly Seibold, a bill that will stop invasive plants from getting into our parks, neighborhoods, farms and forests in the first place. Invasive plants known to pose a threat to Virginia’s forests, native grasslands, wetlands or waterways are still being sold in garden centers and local nurseries. They often end up in our environment after being purchased and planted by well-meaning gardeners who don’t realize the plant's invasive risk. The bills prevent that by raising awareness for consumers at the point of sale and encouraging the purchase of non-invasive alternatives. Thank you for your time and consideration. I look forward to hearing about Mildred's efforts to address this critical issue.

Hello, I am writing you on behalf of Lands and Waters, an environmental educational and restoration nonprofit. For over 25 years volunteers and I have worked restoring degraded areas in VA. - schools, communities and individual homes. The one seemingly unbeatable problem we face is invasive plants. Our native plants provide vastly more ecological services than nonnative plants - support of wildlife, erosion control, water purification, etc. Additionally, from my observations native plants are more resilient to the effects of climate change. But, they cannot compete with invasive plants. Consequently, our native plants lose their place in our ecosystems and are replaced by plants that provide far less ecological services. A major reason conservation sites fail ( based upon by experiences not only with my restoration projects but also large ones funded by state and local governments is that invasive plants return to sites or quickly move in and out compete the native plants. Consequently, the restored areas return to their former degraded ecosystems. We must address this problem seriously. It is prevalent in our environment, urban, suburban, natural, and agriculture areas. Fact: Non-native invasive species have significant economic and environmental impacts in the United States. Studies show that economic losses caused by non-native invasive species exceed $138 billion annually. I am asking you to support HB1941/SB1166. Lets begin! A good step is to discourage the selling and buying of invasive plants in our nursery centers by not only identifying the plant as invasive, but also list reasons why they are harmful, and encourage customer to buy native alternatives - hopefully that can be purchase right in their store. Thank you for considering my request, Jeanette Stewart President and founder Lands and Waters

SUPPORT SB1166 (Salim) | HB1941 (Seibold) point-of-sale consumer education Invasive plants threaten wildlife habitats and endangered species, degrade agricultural land, parks and outdoor recreation spaces, increase soil erosion, and decrease water quality. 39 species of invasive plants “pose a threat to Virginia’s forests, native grasslands, wetlands or waterways” and are readily available for sale to Virginia residents without required notice, or recommendation of native or non-invasive alternatives. This results in the accidental purchase, planting, and spread of invasives by well-meaning Virginians, despite many citizens demonstrating they don’t want to unwittingly buy invasive plants. • Invasive species are expensive. Estimated economic losses due to invasive species in Virginia may be as high as $1 billion annually. Examples include invasive plants’ degradation of rangelands, clogging of important waterways and causing increased efforts to maintain open power line rights-of-way. • Invasive plants harm our environment by displacing native plants, threatening wildlife and pollinators that are often unable to utilize non-native species. Approximately 20-45% of native bees are entirely dependent on a single native plant species or genus for their nectar. A SIMPLE SOLUTION: POINT-OF-SALE EDUCATION Consumers should be provided with the tools to make educated decisions when considering whether to purchase invasive plants by requiring retailers to provide clear and consistent signage identifying invasives. • The most efficient and effective moment to educate consumers is at the point of sale. This is the only method that reaches 100% of consumers considering planting invasive plants on their property. • Requiring retailers to provide consumers with clear signage can help direct consumers to alternative options, most often those sold at the same retail location. Effective Consumer Education Efforts will: • Include consistent, recognizable signage that is conspicuously visible and located next to invasive plants available for sale • Clearly identify plants as invasive and recommend alternatives • Provide opportunities for future education around the harm of invasive plants • Be developed in consultation with regulatory agencies, retailers, and nonprofit ad

I am a resident of Loudoun County, where our wineries are battling the scourge of Spotted Lanternfly. They are everywhere - on our houses and sidewalks, on plants of all kinds, but especially on the invasive Tree of Heaven. Tree of Heaven is a native of China, and it exudes a chemical which actually kills native plants. It is also the host plant for the Spotted Lanternfly. Not only does Tree of Heaven displace native tree species, but the Spotted Lanternfly feeds on grapevines, ultimately causing the withering of the whole plant. The wine industry in Virginia is worth at least $1.7 billion, both from tourism and direct sales. This is just one example of the devastation caused by the 39 species of invasive plants in Virginia, which are stimated to cost the state as much as $1 billion annually. They degrade rangelands, clog important waterways and require increased efforts to maintain open power line rights-of-way. They also harm our environment by displacing native plants and threatening wildlife and pollinators which are often unable to utilize non-native species. Approximately 20-45% of native bees, which pollinate crops and are a keystone species, are entirely dependent on a single native plant species or genus for their nectar. Many citizens are unwittingly buying invasive plants sold at nurseries and big box stores, resulting in accidental spread of invasive throughout Virginia. Currently, their sale is allowed without required notice, or recommendation of native or non-invasive alternatives. This bill requires point of sale consumer education -- consistent, recognizable signage that is conspicuously visible and located next to invasive plants available for sale. It does not stop sale of these plants or in any way inhibit commerce. Indeed it helps consumers locate alternative options, usually sold within the same stores. Please support this legislation to allow Virginia's citizens to make informed choices on this very important issue for our environment.

Please support HB1941. Invasive plants have serious negative economic and ecological impacts on the environment. They tend to spread aggressively and become a problem not only for the buyer, but also their neighbors, including those who manage public property and community green space. Invasive plants crowd out important native plants, such as young oak trees, that are critical to the future health and recreational value of our forests. They also degrade agriculture fields and increase land management costs for farmers. Consumers need to be made aware of this when purchasing plants at nurseries. Frankly, I can't understand why these plants are even available at nurseries. A full accounting of how much time and money Virginians are spending on fighting these plants on the landscape would likely far exceed the economic benefit associated with their sale at nurseries. Personally, I spend countless hours every year engaged in physically demanding invasive plant control chores on my property. I would much rather spend that time doing something else, but the future quality of my fields and forest are dependent upon these control efforts.

My research and experience supports that education is important, but it is more effective when coupled with removing barriers to adoption of better management practices. Harrisonburg is a [case study](https://buildingbettercommunities.org/landscape/stormwater.html) with a high level of awareness and acceptance of better ecological practices, but fewer than four percent of candidate parcels have adopted our storm water utility fee credit after nearly a decade. Our research implicates the chilling effect of our lawn ordinance, consistent with published findings on barriers to adoption of BMPs. People who are aware and interested don't dare go the non-invasive route when they fear an arbitrary and capricious lawn complaint could force them to rip out their nature-friendly garden and replace it with sod. Over-mowed turf and bulletproof invasives offer a safe default. We think this bill will be more effective if coupled with draft bill [25102956 (low impact landscaping)](https://buildingbettercommunities.org/#outline-container-orgcfb74f2), drafted by Ms. Cottrell and available for introduction from Delegate Wilt, that prunes redundant vague and sweeping references to "tall grass and weeds" from the Code of Virginia leaving one coherent central leader approach to plants that builds on former Senator Hanger's 2017 Running Bamboo example by regulating specific plants that cause a problem in context, when and if necessary.

I support these bills

Hello, Please require retail establishments to post clear signage designating invasive plants and educating the public on what that means. Invasive plants are a tremendous issue threatening our ecosystems. They out-compete native plants that we need in order to enjoy our land, support animals for hunting and fishing, control floods and erosion, protect infrastructure, protect our trees, and protect wildlife. I work in watershed restoration cleaning up our waterways to provide safer drinking water, protect infrastructure, protect our ability to safely hunt and fish, and protect our native songbirds, trees, flowers, and wildlife. Most of our budget is spent on invasive species removal; it costs a lot, requires the use of herbicides, requires the use of heavy equipment, and requires many years of constant maintenance in order to prevent them from coming back. They damage our ecosystems and I have seen many beautiful old trees die because of invasive English ivy, tree-of-heaven, privet, and invasive honeysuckle. Our songbirds die eating berries from invasive plants. Please pass this legislation. Additionally, please pass the legislation supporting wildlife corridors; in addition to being needed to protect wildlife, this bill would protect so many people. Deer-auto collisions cost states millions each year and injure and kill many drivers. We are also at risk of losing many of our native wildlife species as a result; animals like frogs and salamanders need to cross roadways in order to reach wetlands to breed, and cannot escape cars.

Considering the massive worldwide loss of insects and the local disappearance of beneficial and, indeed, enjoyable ones such as lightning bugs, native ladybugs, and dragonflies to name only three, it is imperative that we plant the native plants which sustain such creatures. Our survival and that of other species (birds, etc) depends on human stewardship. This requires a turn away from invasive plants which are in our gardens and invade our wild places. On a personal note, I have been trying to eradicate ivy, vinca, and bamboo which were here on our property when we moved in almost 30 years ago. Having done a good job eliminating the bamboo, I noticed a year ago that it has returned with a vengeance from a neighboring property. I ask you to pass HB 1941 as a first step in protecting Virginia’s fauna as well as its flora which are out- competed by the invasive plants so many of us have planted with little thought for the future. Thank you, Cynthia B. Evans

Considering the massive worldwide loss of insects and the local disappearance of beneficial and, indeed, enjoyable ones such as lightning bugs, native ladybugs, and dragonflies to name only three, it is imperative that we plant the native plants which sustain such creatures. Our survival and that of other species (birds, etc) depends on human stewardship. This requires a turn away from invasive plants which are in our gardens and invade our wild places. On a personal note, I have been trying to eradicate ivy, vinca, and bamboo which were here on our property when we moved in almost 30 years ago. Having done a good job eliminating the bamboo, I noticed a year ago that it has returned with a vengeance from a neighboring property. I ask you to pass HB 1941 as a first step in protecting Virginia’s fauna as well as its flora which are out- competed by the invasive plants so many of us have planted with little thought for the future. Thank you, Cynthia B. Evans

Invasive plants currently sold in stores are an economic threat to Virginia. In some instances, they may also threaten human health by contributing to higher concentrations of disease-carrying organisms in the landscape. Many well-meaning gardeners plant invasives, not realizing the harm they cause to our forests, native grasslands, wetlands and waterways, once they escape yards and gardens. This bills provides the means to promote awareness among consumers at the point of sale and can encourage the purchase of non-invasive alternatives. Thank you.

Considering the massive worldwide loss of insects and the local disappearance of beneficial and, indeed, enjoyable ones such as lightning bugs, native ladybugs, and dragonflies to name only three, it is imperative that we plant the native plants which sustain such creatures. Our survival and that of other species (birds, etc) depends on human stewardship. This requires a turn away from invasive plants which are in our gardens and invade our wild places. On a personal note, I have been trying to eradicate ivy, vinca, and bamboo which were here on our property when we moved in almost 30 years ago. Having done a good job eliminating the bamboo, I noticed a year ago that it has returned with a vengeance from a neighboring property. I ask you to pass HB 1941 as a first step in protecting Virginia’s fauna as well as its flora which are out- competed by the invasive plants so many of us have planted with little thought for the future. Thank you, Cynthia B. Evans

This is SO VERY CRITICAL!! Our landscape is being taken over by invasive plants, killing our trees, leaving our birds and pollinators without foods they have evolved to require, and creating an environment rich only for mosquitoes!!

There are so many things which we are working on to make Virginia a place where our grandchildren can appreciate the beauty of our state. Invasives pose a particular problem and this one (English Ivy) can be taken off the market if our state legislature approves this bill.

Dear Terry L. Austin, I’m writing to ask you to consider HB1941 by Delegate Holly Seibold / SB1166 by Senator Salim, a bill that will stop invasive plants from getting into our parks, neighborhoods, farms and forests in the first place. Invasive plants known to pose a threat to Virginia’s forests, native grasslands, wetlands or waterways are still being sold in garden centers and local nurseries. They often end up in our environment after being purchased and planted by well-meaning gardeners who don’t realize the plant's invasive risk. The bills prevent that by raising awareness for consumers at the point of sale and encouraging the purchase of non-invasive alternatives. And once an invasive plant is established, people often use herbicides to control them, which is expensive and damaging to waters, soils and ecosystems. It would be easier to prevent the invasion or reduce the need for such herbicides in the first place. Thank you for your time and consideration. Lisa Connors

I urge you to support HB1941, Invasive plants are causing damage to our environment by crowding out native plants that support birds and other wildlife. Invasive plants such as English Ivy that continue to be sold commercially migrate from where they are planted to populate roadsides and parks. I have been a volunteer leader for Fairfax County Parks’ invasive removal efforts since 2006. My volunteers can’t keep up with the spread of invasive plants in our parks, we can only suppress their spread temporarily. By educating consumers to the harm that these plants cause, we can hope to actually reduce their spread and the destruction of our environment . HB 1941 is a logical and reasonable step towards controlling these known invasive plants. As a resident of Fairfax County whose drinking water comes from the Occoquan watershed, I urge you to support HB 2050 to remove pfas forever chemicals from our drinking water. They are known carcinogens. Thank you.

Please vote yes to informing customers about invasive plants that are being sold. I have spent the last 12 years removing invasive plants from the Old Growth Forest on VT campus and on native habitats in Christiansburg. Hopefully, we can outlaw the sale of Callery Pear, English ivy, barberry, burning bush, Miscanthus, wintercreeper, and other plants on the state invasive species list will be illegal to sell as other states have done.

I support these

Please support Delegate Seibold's bill to help educate potential purchasers of non-native invasive plants of the hazards of planting such greenery. I spend countless hours removing the English Ivy and Bamboo that comes from my neighbors' yards as well as volunteering at my house of worship to remove the highly invasive Asian Bittersweet and Barberry, among others. Knowledge is power! While I respect individuals' desire to plant whatever they want in their own yard, the problem with these non-natives is that they don't stay where they're planted. Not only do vines cross property lines, birds who eat their berries eventually drop seeds far away from the original plant. Many of these non-natives kill the surrounding native plants by out-competing them- using their water and soil nutrients and blocking the sun. Some, like the bittersweet, can strangle even mature trees as its vine grows tighter and tighter around their trunk. Virginia has a lovely tree cover which helps clean our air and cool our homes. Dead trees can take power lines down with them. Please take this action to slow the spread of non-native invasive plants in Virginia.

Please vote YES on HB1941 by Delegate Holly Seibold, a bill that will stop invasive plants from getting into our parks, neighborhoods, farms and forests. Invasive plants known to pose a threat to Virginia’s forests, native grasslands, wetlands or waterways are being sold in garden centers and local nurseries. They often end up in our environment after being purchased and planted by well-meaning gardeners who don’t realize the plant's invasive risk. The bill prevent that by raising awareness for consumers at the point of sale and encouraging the purchase of non-invasive alternatives.

Vote for HB1941. I have a 7.5 acre working farm with native habit in as many areas areas as I can accomodate on a working farm, and have to contantly fight invasive plants like Oriental Bittersweet and Ailanthus (Tree of Heaven), that have spread to my land from neighboring landowners who don't care about invasives. Our native plants cannot fight invasives on their own. They need help in order to survive. Education contained in the bill is only the first step. Banning retail sails of invasive plants listed by the Department of Conservation and Recreation. should be next. What is the point of DCR listing invasives if no one takes any action to lessen the invasive presence? I wish a statement would be put on the signs educating buyers that the wind, birds, wild animals and their own pets spread invasives to other properties and natural areas. Just because they don't see invasive seedlings springing up all over their property from what the invasive they planted does not mean they are not invading other areas with seeds their plants produced.

I have been removing invasive species such as English ivy and Oriental bittersweet from my yard and local parks for 5 years. Yet, when I visit area nurseries to select native plants to replace the areas, I find that the invasive plants such as ivy are on prominent display! In our local park on Mill Mountain here in Roanoke, the ivy can be seen invading the forest and climbing up and swallowing some trees. I've also pulled it out on Roanoke mountain off the Blue Ridge parkway! We need to educate our communities about these invasive plants to keep them from spreading further. Native plants and trees support important wildlife species such as caterpillars, butterflies and birds. Please support this important bill.

Invasive plants known to pose a threat to Virginia’s forests, native grasslands, wetlands or waterways are still being sold in garden centers and local nurseries. They often end up in our environment after being purchased and planted by well-meaning gardeners who don’t realize the plant's invasive risk. The bills prevent that by raising awareness for consumers at the point of sale and encouraging the purchase of non-invasive alternatives. Please vote yes on this widely popular bill that all Virginians can support.

My name is Donna Reese, and I live in Midlothian. Please vote YES on HB-1941, a bill that will help to stop invasive plants from getting into our parks, neighborhoods, farms, and forests. This bill will raise awareness for consumers at the point of sale that certain plants are invasive. These plants are still being sold in our nurseries and garden centers, and are being purchased by consumers who may not know about the plants invasive risk. Thank you.

Invasive plants should not be sold in our state. If they are sold, they should be labeled as “invasive” to the native habitat.

We spend copious amount of time and money trying to ride the state of invasive plants. It is critical to pass this bill to provide the general public information so they can make an informed choice. Vote yes

Hello, my name is Allen Carter, and I'm a constituent from Virginia Beach. I'm supporting a budget that allocates $3.35 million to support the Virginia Invasive Species Management Plan that will address the spread of invasive plants. I’m asking you to build on that important step by voting YES on [HB1941 by Delegate Holly Seibold / SB1166 by Senator Salim], a bill that will stop invasive plants from getting into our parks, neighborhoods, farms and forests in the first place. Invasive plants known to pose a threat to Virginia’s forests, native grasslands, wetlands or waterways are still being sold in garden centers and local nurseries. They often end up in our environment after being purchased and planted by well-meaning gardeners who don’t realize the plant's invasive risk. The bills prevent that by raising awareness for consumers at the point of sale and encouraging the purchase of non-invasive alternatives. Thank you for your time and consideration.

As an owner of a 7-acre property in Fairfax County, I can attest to the damage caused by invasive species commonly sold in nurseries. I spend many hours every year cutting English Ivy from my trees and digging out other invasive species that are commonly sold in nurseries. Although the best solution would be to make the sale of invasive species illegal, I believe the signage proposed by HB 1941 would help prevent further spread. Before moving to my current property, I knew nothing about invasive species and even purchased some myself for the small flower garden I cultivated. If I had known these plants were invasive I would never have purchased them.

I am writing to request your support for HB 1941 and SB1166. Our small homeowners association of 248 homes has spent $14,000 in each of the last 3 years to eradicate invasive species within our boundaries that escaped the yards of well-meaning gardeners. These invasive species have clogged our ponds and waterways and have killed plantings of native species, costing our association even more. Your support is very much appreciated.

Please support HB1941. Requiring retail establishment to post signage identifying such plants as invasive, educating consumers regarding invasive plant species, and encouraging consumers to ask about alternatives, is an important step to controlling the spread of invasive plants. The Friends of Indian River is a volunteer organization in Chesapeake that works on invasive species management in our local parks. We and other groups in Chesapeake spend hundreds of volunteer hours working to remove invasives like English Ivy, Chinese Privet, and Linden Viburnum that are overrunning our landscape. Yet these same plants can be purchased in many nurseries and garden shops, perpetuating the problem and negating the hard work of these volunteers. At a minimum, consumers need to be educated about this problem at the point of sale. We need your help to control these threats to our ecosystem. Please vote yes on HB1941,

Please support HB 1941! Consumers MUST be educated about purchase of invasive plant!

Hello, my name is Peter M. Mecca, PhD, and I'm a constituent from Herndon. I'm writing to thank Delegate Shin for voting for a budget that allocates $3.35 million to support the Virginia Invasive Species Management Plan that will address the spread of invasive plants. I’m asking you to build on that important step by voting YES on HB1941 by Delegate Holly Seibold, a bill that will stop invasive plants from getting into our parks, neighborhoods, farms and forests. Invasive plants known to pose a threat to Virginia’s forests, native grasslands, wetlands or waterways are still being sold in garden centers and local nurseries. They often end up in our environment after being purchased and planted by well-meaning gardeners who don’t realize the plant's invasive risk. The bill prevents that by raising awareness for consumers at the point of sale and encouraging the purchase of non-invasive alternatives. Thank you for your time and consideration. I look forward to hearing about Delegate Shin's efforts to address this critical issue. Respectfully, Peter M. Mecca, PhD Educator and Scientist

Please support HB1941. Customers should be made aware, at the point of sale, of the plants that will cause harm to the environment & economy.

Hello, my name is Edwin Tobias, and I'm a constituent from Purcellville, VA. I’m asking you to build on an important step by voting YES on [HB1941 by Delegate Holly Seibold / SB1166 by Senator Salim], a bill that will stop invasive plants from getting into our parks, neighborhoods, farms and forests in the first place. Invasive plants known to pose a threat to Virginia’s forests, native grasslands, wetlands or waterways are still being sold in garden centers and local nurseries. They often end up in our environment after being purchased and planted by well-meaning gardeners who don’t realize the plant's invasive risk. The bills prevent that by raising awareness for consumers at the point of sale and encouraging the purchase of non-invasive alternatives. While Preventing the sale of designated invasive plants would be best, insuring that invasive flora is identified at the point of sale would be an important step in stoping the spread of invasive, non-native plants in Virginia. Thank you for your time and consideration. I look forward to hearing about Representative Perry's efforts to address this critical issue.

I support this bill and I am asking for your support with a vote of “Yes”, so that we can stop invasive plants from getting into our parks, neighborhoods, farms, and forests ! As a part of my volunteer work for invasive management in my county, it has been devastating to see the impact of some of the invasive species on the trees and the native plants. If we can avoid getting these invasive into our local habitats in the first place, we wouldn’t have to keep cleaning up after..

Please support HB1941. Just as the customer of any product should be informed if it is dangerous, people shopping for plants in garden centers should be made aware before they buy that a plant is invasive and, by legal definition, harmful to both the environment and the economy. I have spent untold hours volunteering to remove and / or treat many species of invasive plants on farms and residential properties. Although this bill doesn’t outright ban the sale of invasive plants—it should—it is a step in the right direction to educate consumers on the consequences of their likely unintended actions on landscape and habitat for flora, fauna, and soil biome. Thank you.

Regarding HB1941 | Seibold | Invasive plant species; retail sales. To those with voices powerful enough to enact meaningful change: Hello, my name is Dakota Hunter and I'm a constituent from Churchville VA. I'd like to thank the senate for voting for a budget that allocates $3.35 million to support the Virginia Invasive Species Management Plan that will address the spread of invasive plants. I’m asking you to build on that important step by voting YES on [HB1941 by Delegate Holly Seibold / SB1166 by Senator Salim], a bill that will stop invasive plants from getting into our parks, neighborhoods, farms and forests. Invasive plants known to pose a threat to Virginia’s forests, native grasslands, wetlands or waterways are still being sold in garden centers and local nurseries. They often end up in our environment after being purchased and planted by well-meaning gardeners who don’t realize the plant's invasive risk. The bills prevent that by raising awareness for consumers at the point of sale and encouraging the purchase of non-invasive alternatives. As a concerned citizen, and wildlife scientist by profession, I have been doing my part for nearly a decade to educate community members about how their choices affect the environment around them. My effort, and the effort of those around me pales in comparison to the potential benefits of consumers understanding the ramifications of the species they introduce to the environment before they select them from the shelves of local vendors. Thank you for your time and consideration. I look forward to hearing about the senate's efforts to address this critical issue.

I urge you to support HB1941 to help slow the spread of ornamental plants that escape cultivation and spread to forests, waterways, and other natural areas. These plants are sold in commercial nurseries for aesthetics and not wildlife value. In fact, they harm ecosystems and wildlife by displacing the native trees and plants that local insects and animals need. In addition, ornamental vines (such as English ivy, non-native wisterias, etc.) in particular smother or strangle trees and eventually cause them to fall. This obviously takes away valuable tree canopy that is not only needed as wildlife habitat, but as stormwater mitigation, heat mitigation, etc. Many (maybe most) gardeners who shop at nurseries are unaware of these problems. Case in point: I volunteer removing invasive plants from a natural area in my neighborhood. We have worked many hours to liberate dozens of trees from vines like ornamental wisteria and clematis. When my volunteer shift is over and I walk home, I see people's ornamental gardens full of wisteria, clematis, English ivy, and a lot of other invasive plants. And it's no wonder. The garden shops continue to hide information about these products and sell them without regard to the damage they do. This is not a matter of aesthetics. This is hastening climate change. It is time to consider the greater good. Thank you.

Nature Forward supports HB1941 with the goal of educating the public via point-of-sale signage about the harms of invasive plants on our local ecologies. This bill takes an important step towards recognizing the expensive, damage done to the world that supports both humans and wildlife and allows an opportunity for shoppers to be aware that their decisions have impacts. Many of us remember a time when "we didn't know what we didn't know" and this bill allows all consumers the opportunity to make more ecologically sound choices. Please support HB1941.

Please support HB1941. Just as the customer of any product should be informed if it is dangerous, people shopping for plants in garden centers should be made aware before they buy that a plant is invasive and, by legal definition, harmful to both the environment and the economy.