RICHMOND—On the eve of “crossover day” Tuesday, February 7, bills of local interest were poised for passage by the General Assembly.
By a vote of 92-8, the House of Delegates on Thursday, February 2, passed HB 1664, creating the Governor’s Blue Catfish Industries Development Fund to incentivize the landing and processing of blue catfish from the Chesapeake Bay. Del. M. Keith Hodges of Urbanna, who introduced the bill, and Del. Margaret D. Ransone of Kinsale voted in favor, according to the Virginia Legislative Information System (lis.virginia.gov).
Following passage, HB 1664 was forwarded to the Senate, where on Friday, February 3, it was referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Conservation and Natural Resources. Sen. Richard H. Stuart of Montross serves on the committee.
Meanwhile, by a vote of 38-0, the Senate on February 3 passed corresponding Senate Bill 897, introduced by Sen. Stuart.
By a vote of 40-0, the Senate on February 2, approved Senate Bill 997 which would create a tax credit for oyster shell donations….
