SB 461 Virginia Senate · 2026 Regular Session

Commercial electrofishing; MRC to temporarily prohibit in portions of Rappahannock River, report.

Summary

Marine Resources Commission; prohibition of commercial electrofishing in the Rappahannock River; report. Directs the Marine Resources Commission to temporarily prohibit commercial electrofishing in the portion of the Rappahannock River north of the Downing Bridge in Tappahannock until January 1, 2027, and to examine the practice of commercial electrofishing in the waters of the Commonwealth and submit a report of its findings and recommendations to 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 January 1, 2027.

Issues: ✓ Environment

Bill status passed 3 of 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Jan 2026

Committee Review

Feb 2026

Senate Passage

Feb 2026

House of Delegates Passage

Governor

Introduced Jan 13, 2026 Last action Feb 25, 2026

Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

Introduced → Agriculture, Conservation and Natural Resources Substitute · 3 edits

MINOR

The bill was transformed from a general prohibition on commercial electrofishing statewide to a more targeted approach. The original version would have banned commercial electrofishing in all tidal rivers and streams, while the substitute version directs the Marine Resources Commission to temporarily prohibit electrofishing only in a specific portion of the Rappahannock River and requires a report on the practice statewide.

Scope change

The bill's scope was significantly narrowed from a statewide prohibition on commercial electrofishing to a temporary prohibition in only one specific river location, while adding a requirement for a broader study of the practice across the Commonwealth.

SCOPE

Changed from a statewide ban on commercial electrofishing in all tidal rivers and streams to a temporary prohibition limited to the Rappahannock River north of Downing Bridge until January 1, 2027.

REQUIREMENT

Added a requirement for the Marine Resources Commission to examine commercial electrofishing practices statewide and submit findings and recommendations to legislative committee chairs by January 1, 2027.

TIMELINE

Changed from an immediate permanent prohibition to a temporary prohibition with a specific end date of January 1, 2027.

Floor votes · Senate Feb 5, 2026

How they voted

39–0

Passed

Total votes 39

Feb 5, 2026

D Democratic20

20 Yea

100% Yea

R Republican19

19 Yea

100% Yea

Vote distribution

All Yea All Nay Mixed No data

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Feb 12, 2026

Committee

Referred to Committee on Agriculture, Chesapeake and Natural Resources

lower

Feb 9, 2026

Upper · Passed

Read third time and passed Senate (32-Y 8-N 0-A)

upper

Feb 5, 2026

Upper · Passed

Passed by for the day (Voice Vote)

upper

Feb 5, 2026

Upper · Passed

Senate committee offered

upper

Feb 3, 2026

Upper · Passed

Reported from Agriculture, Conservation and Natural Resources with substitute (10-Y 2-N 2-A)

upper

Jan 13, 2026

Committee

Referred to Committee on Agriculture, Conservation and Natural Resources

upper

1 primary · 0 co-sponsors