VNLA Advocacy & Legislation
Our Mission
The Virginia Nursery & Landscape Association (VNLA) unifies and strengthens Virginia’s green industry. As the voice for nursery growers, garden centers, landscape professionals, and horticultural suppliers, we advocate for business-friendly policies and promote best practices that keep Virginia green and growing. We foster an engaged membership and work to advance a thriving, sustainable horticulture sector.
Legislative & Lobbying Activities
VNLA serves as a non‑partisan advocate before the Virginia General Assembly and Congress. We collaborate with lawmakers, agency staff, and allied organizations to educate them on the horticulture industry’s needs and to shape legislation that supports growers, retailers, and landscape professionals. Our advocacy focuses on science‑based policies, environmental stewardship, and the long‑term health of Virginia’s green sector.
2026 General Assembly Highlights
The 2026 session was a 60‑day "long" session, and it produced several wins for native plant protection and invasive‑species management:
- HB 88 – Invasive plants along state highways: Directs the Commonwealth Transportation Board to develop and implement an invasive plant management plan for highway rights‑of‑way and prohibits the Board or the Commissioner of Highways from planting any plant on the state’s invasive list on those rights‑of‑way.
- HB 109 – Noxious weeds & commercial viability: Removes the loophole that excluded commercially viable plants from the state Noxious Weed List. This change allows harmful invasive plants to be listed and regulated even if they are widely grown or sold in Virginia.
- HB 388 & SB 89 – Local invasive‑plant control: Allows service districts within localities to raise funds and actively control invasive plant species on public lands, giving communities a tool to manage weeds that threaten native ecosystems.
2025 Legislative Achievements
In 2025, the General Assembly passed HB 1941/SB 1166, which requires retailers to post clear signage identifying certain invasive plant species, educating consumers about their impact and encouraging alternatives. The law empowers the Commissioner of Agriculture and Consumer Services to specify the signage format and to issue stop‑sale orders when retailers fail to provide appropriate warnings. Some provisions take effect on January 1, 2027.
Partnerships & Programs
- Lighthouse Program: VNLA partners with AmericanHort (formerly ANLA) through the Lighthouse Program—a grassroots network that informs members about federal legislation and provides tools to engage with congressional offices.
- Environmental Stewardship: VNLA promotes sustainable practices by disseminating best‑management guidelines and supporting conservation efforts. Our Best Management Practices (BMP) manual helps growers identify efficient, environmentally responsible practices and reduce environmental impacts while operating at a high level of efficiency.
- Legislative Day & Advocacy 101: Each January VNLA hosts a Day on the Hill, along with a preparatory webinar, to help members understand the legislative process and advocate effectively for the green industry’s interests.
Get Involved
"We in America do not have government by the majority. We have government of the majority who participate."—Thomas Jefferson.
Your voice matters. Use our tools and networks to contact your legislators and speak up for science‑based policies that support Virginia’s landscapes. Click the button above or follow the links below to see current Virginia and federal legislative issues, find your representatives, and track bills.
Not a member? Consider joining now! Your membership supports our advocacy work and connects you with resources, education, and a statewide community of horticulture professionals.
Resources
Contact Your Legislator
Virginia General Assembly
Virginia’s Legislative Tracking System
Who’s My Legislator