HB599Introduced in the House of Delegates
Marine Science, Virginia Institute of; duties, oyster stock assessment, report.
Introduced by Shelly Simonds, District 70
What does this bill do?
Plain-English breakdown
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Official description
Virginia Institute of Marine Science; duties; oyster stock assessment; report. Directs the Virginia Institute of Marine Science (VIMS) to conduct, in collaboration with the Virginia Marine Resources Commission (VMRC), a stock assessment of the oyster population in the waters of the Commonwealth beginning in calendar year 2026 and occurring no less frequently than every three years thereafter. The bill directs VIMS to report its findings and any recommendations to the Secretary of Natural and Historic Resources, VMRC's Shellfish Management Division, and the Chairs of the House Committee on Agriculture, Chesapeake and Natural Resources and the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Conservation and Natural Resources no later than December 1 of the calendar year in which such assessment has been conducted. The bill also directs VMRC to utilize the findings and recommendations of such assessment in its fisheries and restoration management decisions no later than July 1 of the calendar year following the calendar year in which such assessment has been conducted.
Where it stands
Left in Committee Appropriations
February 18, 2026
How did lawmakers vote?
House of DelegatesStage: Subcommittee recommends laying on the table (5-Y 2-N) · February 11, 2026
5
Yes
2
No
0
Absent or Not Voting
7 delegates recorded in this House of Delegates vote. Colors show vote categories only, not whether a vote was good or bad.
What do people think?
Citizen Voice
How would you vote on this bill?
An unofficial public opinion poll. It does not affect the bill or the official vote.
One response per device. Location is self-reported and not verified. Results are informal and not a scientific survey.
See how each delegate voted
| Delegate | District | Vote |
|---|---|---|
| Charniele Herring | 4 | Yes |
| Paul Krizek | 16 | Yes |
| Bill Wiley | 32 | No |
| Amy Laufer | 55 | Yes |
| Rodney Willett | 58 | Yes |
| Betsy Carr | 78 | Yes |
| Robert Bloxom | 100 | No |
Bill history
Prefiled and ordered printed; Offered 01-14-2026 26105281D
Referred to Committee on Agriculture, Chesapeake and Natural Resources
Assigned HACNR sub: Chesapeake
House subcommittee offered
Subcommittee recommends reporting with substitute and referring to Appropriations (10-Y 0-N)
Reported from Agriculture, Chesapeake and Natural Resources with substitute and referred to Appropriations (22-Y 0-N)
Assigned HAPP sub: Commerce Agriculture & Natural Resources
Committee substitute printed 26106253D-H1
Subcommittee recommends laying on the table (5-Y 2-N)
Left in Committee Appropriations
Verify the information
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