A bill introduced by State Sen. Timmy F. French would require that property owners receive written notification if invasive plant species are included in proposed plantings, the Virginia State Senate reports.
SB383, filed on Jan. 14, 2026, in the 2026 regular session, is titled: “Invasive plant species installation; written notification to property owners, civil penalty.”
This summary highlights key elements of the measure as based on the official bill text and contains explanations for clarity.
Under the bill, the Board of Agriculture and Consumer Services would be tasked with establishing rules that require tradespeople to deliver written notice to property owners when proposed plant installations involve any species included on the Virginia invasive plant list. The Department of Conservation and Recreation is assigned responsibility for creating this list by Jan. 1, 2024, and updating it at least once every four years. Tradespeople who do not give proper notice could face civil penalties of up to $250 per violation, with fines directed to the Plant Pollination Fund. State agencies would be restricted from planting, selling or propagating invasive listing species unless for scientific, educational or legitimate agricultural purposes.
Sen. Timmy F. French (Republican-1st District) and Sen. T. Travis Hackworth (Republican-5th District) are the bill’s primary sponsors.
Since this session began, French has introduced two additional bills.
French, a Republican, took office in the Virginia State Senate in 2024 representing the 1st District, succeeding T. Monty Mason.
The legislative process in Virginia starts when a bill is filed in either the Senate or House of Delegates. It then moves to one or more committees for consideration and amendment. If it advances from committee, both chambers debate and vote on the bill. Passage in both chambers sends the measure to the governor for signature, veto or enactment without signature. The Virginia General Assembly’s regular session convenes annually on the second Monday in January, with lawmakers filing hundreds of bills each session; only a share become law.
| Legislative Session | Patron(s) | Bill Number | Date Introduced | Short Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | Timmy F. French and T. Travis Hackworth | SB383 | 01/14/2026 | Invasive plant species installation; written notification to property owners, civil penalty. |
| 2026 | Timmy F. French | SB385 | 01/14/2026 | Front Royal, Town of; amending charter, relating to town manager. |
| 2026 | Timmy F. French | SB390 | 01/14/2026 | Apple Board; repealing Board and Apple Fund effective July 1, 2028, delayed effective date, report. |
| 2025 | Timmy F. French | SB857 | 01/08/2025 | Dam Safety Act; powers and duties of DCR, rights and requirements of dam owners, civil penalty. |
Information in this article was obtained from the Virginia State Senate. The source data can be found here.
