Dealers in agricultural produce.
Summary
Dealers in agricultural produce. Repeals provisions relating to the licensing requirements of any person who buys, sells, solicits for sale, processes for sale or resale, resells, exchanges, negotiates, purchases, or contracts for processing or transfers any fruits and vegetables of a producer of such produce in Virginia. The bill maintains the exclusion of such person under the commission merchant licensing requirements if such person holds a license under the federal Perishable Agricultural Commodities Act. The bill also makes technical changes to references to agricultural produce as a result of the repeal.
Bill status
signed
all 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Jan 2025
Committee Review
Feb 2025
House of Delegates Passage
Feb 2025
Senate Passage
Feb 2025
Signed into Law
Mar 2025
Introduced Jan 6, 2025
Signed Mar 19, 2025
Maddy AI version diff · 2 comparisons
What changed between versions
Enrolled
→
Chaptered
·
5 edits
MODERATE
This bill amends Virginia's agricultural produce dealer laws and repeals the old licensing article, updating definitions and tax exemptions for farmers and agricultural businesses. The changes modernize the regulatory framework while maintaining protections for small-scale farmers and specific agricultural activities.
Scope change
The bill repeals the old Article 3 (§§ 3.2-4738 through 3.2-4752) which contained the previous dealer licensing provisions, replacing it with updated definitions and tax exemption thresholds.
DEFINITION
Removed the repealed Article 3 (§§ 3.2-4738 through 3.2-4752) that contained the previous dealer licensing framework.
Updated the definition of 'Commission merchant' to clarify exclusions and ensure alignment with federal Perishable Agricultural Commodities Act.
ELIGIBILITY
Increased the annual income threshold for farmers selling at local markets from $1,000 to $2,500 for tax exemption purposes.
Added specific exemptions for indoor, closed, controlled-environment commercial agricultural facilities including vertical farming and greenhouse equipment.
TECHNICAL
Changed document formatting from 'Enrolled' to 'Chaptered' status with updated chapter number and approval date.
Floor votes · Senate Feb 13, 2025 · House of Delegates Feb 4, 2025
How they voted
40–0
Passed
Total votes 40
Feb 13, 2025
D
Democratic21
100% Yea
R
Republican19
100% Yea
Vote distribution
All Yea
All Nay
Mixed
No data
Full legislative history
Actions timeline
Total actions
28
Key actions
11
Committee
6
Mar 19, 2025
Signed into law
Approved by Governor-Chapter 142 (Effective 07/01/25)
executive
Feb 22, 2025
Upper · Passed
Signed by President
upper
Feb 19, 2025
Lower · Passed
Signed by Speaker
lower
Feb 19, 2025
Lower · Passed
Bill text as passed House and Senate (HB1837ER)
lower
Feb 14, 2025
Upper · Passed
Passed Senate (36-Y 0-N)
upper
Feb 13, 2025
Upper · Passed
Passed by for the day
upper
Feb 11, 2025
Upper · Passed
Reported from Agriculture, Conservation and Natural Resources (15-Y 0-N)
upper
Feb 5, 2025
Committee
Referred to Committee on Agriculture, Conservation and Natural Resources
upper
Feb 4, 2025
Lower · Passed
Passed House (99-Y 0-N)
lower
Feb 4, 2025
Lower · Passed
Read third time and passed House (97-Y 0-N)
lower
Jan 29, 2025
Lower · Passed
Reported from Agriculture, Chesapeake and Natural Resources (22-Y 0-N)
lower
Jan 22, 2025
Lower · Passed
Subcommittee recommends reporting (10-Y 0-N)
lower
Jan 14, 2025
Committee
Assigned ACNR sub: Agriculture
lower
Jan 6, 2025
Committee
Referred to Committee on Agriculture, Chesapeake and Natural Resources
lower
1 primary · 0 co-sponsors
Sponsors
Role
Legislator
Party
State
District
P
Rob Bloxom
RRepublican
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