§ 3.1-22.49 amended. Virginia Horse Industry Board. Allows certain members of the Board to designate an alternate to attend meetings in the member's place. The member may execute a proxy allowing the alternate vote. SB 286; CH. 586.

§§ 3.1-418.1 and 35.1-14.2 amended. Donations of food to charitable organizations by certain businesses. Clarifies the term "retailers of food" to include grocery, convenience and other types of stores selling food and food products when donating food to food banks or charitable organizations for subsequent distribution to needy persons, thereby limiting their civil liability for such donations. The bill also makes clear that the charitable organizations (food banks and others) distributing the food will likewise be exempt from civil liability except for gross negligence or intentional acts that directly result in injury or death. SB 478; CH. 641.

§§ 3.1-461.1 through 3.1-461.4 added. Southern Dairy Compact. Establishes the compact and creates the Southern Dairy Compact Commission, to which the Governor will appoint five members. In addition to conducting studies and making recommendations on market conditions and milk pricing policy, the Commission is authorized, so long as federal milk marketing orders remain in effect in the region, to establish a compact over-order price. If such orders are terminated, the Commission may establish one or more commission marketing orders. In either case, the Commission must conduct a referendum of producers. The Commission may collect assessments from handlers to pay for administration and enforcement of the compact and administration of an over-order price or a compact marketing order, if established. The declared purpose of the compact is not to displace existing federal milk marketing orders or state dairy regulation but to supplement them. SB 683; CH. 706.

§§ 3.1-796.66, 3.1-796.67:2, 3.1-796.68, 3.1-796.72, 3.1-796.83:2, 3.1-796.92, 3.1-796.93:1, 3.1-796.94, 3.1-796.96, 3.1-796.97:1, 3.1-796.101, 3.1-796.102, 3.1-796.104 through 3.1-796.108, 3.1-796.110 through 3.1-796.119, 3.1-796.121, 3.1-796.122, 3.1-796.124, 3.1-796.126:1, 3.1-796.126:7, 3.1-796.126:8, 3.1-796.126:10, 3.1-796.126:11, 3.1-796.127 and 3.1-796.128 amended; §§ 3.1-796.104:1, 3.1-796.106:1 and 3.1-796.106:2 added; § 3.1-796.109 repealed. Comprehensive Animal Laws. Revises the Comprehensive Animal Laws, particularly with respect to humane investigators, animal control officers, and the State Veterinarian's representatives. For humane investigators, the bill eliminates their authority to arrest, imposes new continuing education requirements, details procedures for their appointment and removal, and requires them to carry identification during the performance of their duties and keep records of investigations. For animal control officers (known under current law as animal wardens), the bill imposes new training and continuing education requirements. The bill defines "State Veterinarian's representatives" and empowers them to inspect businesses where animals are kept and enforce laws regarding the care of animals. The bill also requires humane investigators and animal control officers to consult with State Veterinarian's representatives before impounding agricultural animals and makes it a Class 1 misdemeanor to impersonate a humane investigator. HB 232; CH. 817.

§ 3.1-796.90 amended. Dog and cat licenses. Makes it optional for localities to indicate the sex of the animal on license tags. Currently, tags must indicate sex. SB 351; CH. 394.

§ 3.1-1060 amended. Agriculture; Winegrowers Advisory Board. Increases from 15 to 16 the number of members on the Winegrowers Advisory Board. The president of the Virginia Tourism Corporation is the new member of the Winegrowers Advisory Board. HB 1028; CH. 99.

§§ 2.1-1.6 and 9-6.25:1 amended; § 3.1-1104 and 3.1-1105 added. Virginia Charity Food Assistance Act. Establishes the Charity Food Assistance Advisory Board. The Advisory Board will advise the Board and the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services on hunger and nutrition issues. HB 1174; CH. 539/SB 681; CH. 524.