Virginia · 2026 Regular Session · Bill
HB 599: Marine Science, Virginia Institute of; duties, oyster stock assessment, report.
In committee Official data
- Introduced
- In committee
- Passed one chamber
- Passed both chambers
- Enacted
Last official action: ·Record last updated:
Plain-language summary
HB 599 is a bill introduced in the Virginia House on January 13, 2026. According to its official title, it concerns: Marine Science, Virginia Institute of; duties, oyster stock assessment, report. Primary sponsor: Shelly Simonds (Democratic). Most recent recorded action (February 18, 2026): Left in Committee Appropriations.
Generated automatically from the official title, sponsor list, and status record only. It does not characterize the bill’s purpose or effects. How summaries are written
Official summary
Abstract published by the legislature (via Open States). Text as published by the legislature; reproduced verbatim.
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.
Sponsors
Sponsors by party (alphabetical): Democratic 1
| Name | Role | Party | Chamber | District |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shelly Simonds | Primary sponsor | Democratic | House | 70 |
“Support” is shown only as formal sponsorship recorded by the legislature. Roll-call votes are available on the official bill page.
Recent official actions
- Left in Committee Appropriations
- Subcommittee recommends laying on the table (5-Y 2-N)
- Committee substitute printed 26106253D-H1
- Assigned HAPP sub: Commerce Agriculture & Natural Resources
- Reported from Agriculture, Chesapeake and Natural Resources with substitute and referred to Appropriations (22-Y 0-N)
- Subcommittee recommends reporting with substitute and referring to Appropriations (10-Y 0-N)
- House subcommittee offered
- Assigned HACNR sub: Chesapeake
- Referred to Committee on Agriculture, Chesapeake and Natural Resources
- Prefiled and ordered printed; Offered 01-14-2026 26105281D