Virginia Fungi Task Force; established, report.

Plain English Breakdown

The official source does not provide details about penalties for non-compliance or funding sources.

Virginia Fungi Task Force Established

This bill establishes the Virginia Fungi Task Force to assess, categorize, protect natural fungi species in Virginia, explore economic opportunities for fungi, and provide guidance on public safety related to toxic mushrooms.

What This Bill Does

• Establishes the Virginia Fungi Task Force to assess, categorize, and protect natural fungi species in Virginia.
• Directs the Task Force to identify economic development opportunities for fungi.
• Instructs the Task Force to build a database of native and invasive fungi species in Virginia.
• Requires the Task Force to conduct statewide fungal monitoring and research.
• Supports forest health, agriculture, and water quality in Virginia through fungal studies.
• Provides guidance on toxic mushrooms and public safety.

Who It Names or Affects

• The Department of Conservation and Recreation
• Representatives from various departments and organizations related to forests, wildlife, agriculture, and water quality
• Residents of Virginia

Terms To Know

Task Force

A group of people brought together to solve a specific problem or complete a particular task.

Limits and Unknowns

• The bill does not specify how the Task Force will be funded.
• It is unclear if there are any penalties for not following the requirements of the task force.
• Details about the report's content and format after December 1, 2027, are not provided.

Official Summary Text

Virginia Fungi Task Force established; report.
Requires the Director of the Department of Conservation and Recreation to establish the Virginia Fungi Task Force to assess, categorize, and protect the Commonwealth's natural fungi species and explore the economic potential of fungi. The bill directs the Task Force to develop recommendations to (i) conduct a gap analysis and needs assessment on the Commonwealth's natural fungi species; (ii) identify economic development opportunities for fungi; (iii) build a Virginia database of native and invasive fungi species; (iv) conduct statewide fungal monitoring and research; (v) support forest health, agriculture, and water quality in the Commonwealth; (vi) provide guidance on toxic mushrooms and public safety; and (vii) build public education and identification resources on fungi in the Commonwealth. The bill requires the Task Force to report its initial findings and recommendations to the Secretary of Natural and Historic Resources and the Chairs of the House Committee on Agriculture, Chesapeake and Natural Resources and Senate Committee on Agriculture, Conservation and Natural Resources by December 1, 2027, and update such report at least every five years.

Current Bill Text

HOUSE BILL NO. 1475

AMENDMENT IN THE NATURE OF A SUBSTITUTE

(Proposed by the House Committee on Agriculture, Chesapeake and Natural Resources

on February 11, 2026)

(Patron Prior to Substitute--Delegate Schmidt)

A BILL to amend the Code of Virginia by adding a section numbered
10.1-211.1
, relating to Virginia Fungi Task Force established; report.

Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:

1. That the Code of Virginia is amended by adding a section numbered
10.1-211.1
as follows:

§
10.1-
211.1
. Virginia Fungi Task Force; report.

A.
The Director shall establish the Virginia Fungi Task Force (
the
Task Force) to assess, categorize, and protect the Commonwealth's natural fungi species and explore the economic potential of fungi. The Task Force shall include
the Director,
the State Forester
,

the
Director of
the Department of

Wildlife Resources
, and

the

Commissioner
of Agriculture and Consumer Services
or
their
designee
s
;
representatives from the Department
,

the Department's
Natural Heritage Division
;
and
representatives of

the
Virginia Farm Bureau Federation
,

the
Virginia Agribusiness Council
,

the
Virginia
Association of
Soil and Water
Conservation Districts
,

the
Virginia Soil Health Coalition
,

the
Chesapeake Bay Foundation
,
Virginia
Polyt
ech
nic
Institute and State University
,
Virginia State University
,

the
Virginia Cooperative Extension
,

the
Mycolog
ical
Association of Washington D.C.
,

the
Blue Ridge Mycological
Society
,
and any other stakeholders deemed appropriate by the Director. The Director or his designee shall serve as chair of the Task Force.

B. The Task Force shall meet
at least four times annually
to
discuss and develop recommendation
s
to
(i) conduct a gap analysis and needs assessment
on the Commonwealth's natural fungi species
; (ii) identify economic development opportunities
for fungi
; (ii
i
) build a
Virginia database of native and
invasive
fungi species;
(
i
v)
conduct statewide fungal
monitoring
and research; (v) support forest health, agriculture, and water quality in the
Commonwealth
; (
vi) provide guidance on toxic mushrooms and public safety;
and (
vii
) build public education and identification resources
on fungi in the Commonwealth
.

C. The Task Force shall
report its initial findings and recommendations to the Secretary of Natural and Historic Resources and the Chairs of the
House Committee on Agriculture, Chesapeake and Natural Resources and Senate Committee on Agriculture, Conservation and Natural Resources by December 1, 2027, and shall update such report
at least every five years.