Virginia Apple Board repeal bill from Sen. French passes House and Senate

A bill introduced by State Sen. Timmy F. French seeks to disband the Virginia Apple Board, gradually end its operations, and update corresponding state statutes, according to the Virginia State Senate.

Both legislative chambers approved the measure, which was officially enrolled on March 5, 2026, after passing the House with a 99-0 vote and the Senate with a 40-0 vote.

Filed as SB390 during the 2026 regular session on Jan. 14, 2026, the summary provided by lawmakers reads: “Apple Board; repealing Board and Apple Fund effective July 1, 2028, delayed effective date, report.”

This overview is based on the actual bill text and may use interpretation to clarify legislative details.

The measure repeals the Virginia Apple Board and relevant statutes effective July 1, 2028, with concurrent changes to legal cross-references such as the Freedom of Information Act and the roster of protected agricultural special funds. Board appointments end after July 1, 2026, but the Commissioner of Agriculture and Consumer Services may fill any partial terms. The legislation also stops the state excise tax on apples grown in Virginia after July 1, 2026. On July 1, 2028, any remaining Apple Fund money transfers to the Governor’s Agriculture and Forestry Industries Development Fund. A final Board financial report is required by June 30, 2028.

In the House, 64 Democrats and 35 Republicans supported the bill.

In the Senate, 21 Democrats and 19 Republicans voted for the measure.

Sen. Timmy F. French (Republican-1st District) was the sole sponsor of this legislation.

French, a Republican, was elected to the Virginia State Senate in 2024 to represent the 1st Senate district and succeeded previous officeholder T. Monty Mason.

Virginia’s legislative process starts when a bill is filed in the House of Delegates or Senate, assigned to committees for review and possible changes. If it moves forward, the full chamber debates and votes; after passage in both the House and Senate, a bill is sent to the governor for signature, veto, or enactment without signature. The General Assembly holds regular sessions each year beginning the second Monday in January, and only a fraction of the hundreds of introduced bills become law.

Information in this article was drawn from the Virginia State Senate. The original source material is available here.