TITLE 2. AGRICULTURE
BOARD OF AGRICULTURE AND CONSUMER SERVICES
Agency Notice
Pursuant to §§ 2.2-4007.1 and 2.2-4017 of the Code of Virginia, the following regulations are undergoing a periodic review and a small business impact review: 2VAC5-150, Rules and Regulations Governing the Transportation of Companion Animals, 2VAC5-315, Virginia Imported Fire Ant Quarantine for Enforcement of the Virginia Pest Law, 2VAC5-490, Regulations Governing Grade "A" Milk, 2VAC5-501, Regulations Governing the Cooling, Storing, Sampling and Transporting of Milk, 2VAC5-510, Regulations Governing the Production, Processing, and Sale of Ice Cream, Frozen Desserts, and Similar Products, 2VAC5-531, Regulations Governing Milk for Manufacturing Purposes, 2VAC5-620, Requirements Pertaining to the Establishment of the Dangerous Dog Registry, 2VAC5-670, Regulations Governing Pesticide Product Registration, Handling, Storage, and Disposal under Authority of the Virginia Pesticide Control Act, 2VAC5-675, Regulations Governing Pesticide Fees Charged by the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, 2VAC5-680, Regulations Governing Licensing of Pesticide Businesses Operating under Authority of the Virginia Pesticide Control Act, and 2VAC5-685, Regulations Governing Pesticide Applicator Certification under Authority of Virginia Pesticide Control Act. The reviews will be guided by the principles in Executive Order 19 (2022). The purpose of these reviews is to determine whether the regulations should be repealed, amended, or retained in their current forms. Public comment is sought on the review of any issue relating to the regulations, including whether each regulation (i) is necessary for the protection of public health, safety, and welfare or for the economical performance of important governmental functions; (ii) minimizes the economic impact on small businesses in a manner consistent with the stated objectives of applicable law; and (iii) is clearly written and easily understandable.
Public comment period begins October 20, 2025, and ends November 10, 2025.
Comments must include the commenter's name and address (physical or email) in order to receive a response to the comment from the agency.
Following the close of the public comment period, a report of both reviews will be posted on the Virginia Regulatory Town Hall and published in the Virginia Register of Regulations.
Contact Information: Kevin Schmidt, Board Secretary, Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, Oliver Hill Building, 102 Governor Street, Suite 219, Richmond, VA 23219, telephone (804) 786-1346, fax (804) 371-7679, or email kevin.schmidt@vdacs.virginia.gov.
STATE MILK COMMISSION
Agency Notice
Pursuant to §§ 2.2-4007.1 and 2.2-4017 of the Code of Virginia, the following regulation is undergoing a periodic review and a small business impact review: 2VAC15-12, Public Participation Guidelines. The review will be guided by the principles in Executive Order 19 (2022). The purpose of this review is to determine whether the regulation should be repealed, amended, or retained in its current form. Public comment is sought on the review of any issue relating to the regulation, including whether the regulation (i) is necessary for the protection of public health, safety, and welfare or for the economical performance of important governmental functions; (ii) minimizes the economic impact on small businesses in a manner consistent with the stated objectives of applicable law; and (iii) is clearly written and easily understandable.
Public comment period begins October 20, 2025, and ends November 10, 2025.
Comments must include the commenter's name and address (physical or email) in order to receive a response to the comment from the agency.
Following the close of the public comment period, a report of both reviews will be posted on the Virginia Regulatory Town Hall and published in the Virginia Register of Regulations.
Contact Information: Crafton Wilkes, Administrator, Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, Oliver Hill Building, 102 Governor Street, Room 206, Richmond, VA 23218, telephone (804) 786-2013, fax (804) 371-8700, or email crafton.wilkes@vdacs.virginia.gov.
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TITLE 4. CONSERVATION AND NATURAL RESOURCES
DEPARTMENT OF CONSERVATION AND RECREATION
Report of Findings
Pursuant to §§ 2.2-4007.1 and 2.2-4017 of the Code of Virginia, the Department of Conservation and Recreation conducted a periodic review and a small business impact review of 4VAC5-11, Public Participation Guidelines, and determined that this regulation should be retained as is. The department is publishing its report of findings dated September 18, 2025, to support this decision.
The regulation meets the criteria set out in Executive Order 19 (2022) as it is necessary for the protection of public health, safety, and welfare of the citizens and visitors to the Commonwealth. The regulation does not have an adverse impact on small businesses and does not overlap, duplicate, or conflict with any known federal or state law or regulation.
Contact Information: Lisa McGee, Policy and Planning Director, Department of Conservation and Recreation, 600 East Main Street, 24th Floor, Richmond, VA 23219, telephone (804) 786-4378, fax (804) 786-6141, or email lisa.mcgee@dcr.virginia.gov.
VIRGINIA SOIL AND WATER CONSERVATION BOARD
Report of Findings
Pursuant to §§ 2.2-4007.1 and 2.2-4017 of the Code of Virginia, the Virginia Soil and Water Conservation Board conducted a periodic review and a small business impact review of 4VAC50-11, Public Participation Guidelines, and determined that this regulation should be retained as is. The board is publishing its report of findings dated September 16, 2025, to support this decision.
The regulation meets the criteria set out in Executive Order 19(2022) as it is necessary for the protection of public health, safety, and welfare of the citizens and visitors to the Commonwealth. The regulation does not have an adverse impact on small businesses and does not overlap, duplicate, or conflict with any known federal or state law or regulation.
Contact Information: Lisa McGee, Policy and Planning Director, Department of Conservation and Recreation, 600 East Main Street, 24th Floor, Richmond, VA 23219, telephone (804) 786-4378, fax (804) 786-6141, or email lisa.mcgee@dcr.virginia.gov.
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TITLE 16. LABOR AND EMPLOYMENT
SAFETY AND HEALTH CODES BOARD
Report of Findings
Pursuant to §§ 2.2-4007.1 and 2.2-4017 of the Code of Virginia, the Safety and Health Codes Board conducted a periodic review and a small business impact review of 16VAC25-11, Public Participation Guidelines, and determined that this regulation should be retained as is. The board is publishing its report of findings dated September 23, 2025, to support this decision.
The public participation guidelines afford interested persons an opportunity to submit data, views, and arguments, either orally or in writing, to the Department of Labor and Industry (DOLI) and allows interested persons to be accompanied by and represented by counsel or other representative. This regulation is not overly complex and is clearly written. There is no negative impact on the regulated community, and the regulation does not overlap, duplicate, or conflict with federal or state law or regulation. The regulation has no negative economic impact on small business.
Contact Information: Cristin Bernhardt, Regulatory Coordinator Department of Labor and Industry, 6606 West Broad Street, Suite 500, Richmond, VA 23230, telephone (804) 786-2392, fax (804) 786-8418, or email cristin.bernhardt@doli.virginia.gov.
Report of Findings
Pursuant to §§ 2.2-4007.1 and 2.2-4017 of the Code of Virginia, the Safety and Health Codes Board conducted a periodic review and a small business impact review of 16VAC25-180, Virginia Field Sanitation Standard, Agriculture, and determined that this regulation should be retained as is. The board is publishing its report of findings dated September 23, 2025, to support this decision.
The regulation requires agricultural employers to provide potable drinking water, regardless of the number of employees, hand washing, and toilet facilities to field workers performing hand agricultural labor. It is identical to the current federal OSHA standard, except for the requirement that employers provide potable drinking water regardless of the number of employees.
The regulation has three goals: (i) to reduce the incidence of material impairment of the health of Virginia workers due to workplace exposure to known hazards; (ii) to require sanitary facilities for agricultural workers equal to those required for construction workers; and (iii) to protect the public's health, safety, and welfare with the least possible cost and intrusiveness to the citizens and businesses of the Commonwealth.
Provision of sanitary facilities and potable drinking water serve to reduce or eliminate the following four major categories of occupational diseases: heat-related illnesses, communicable diseases, urinary tract infections, and pesticide-related illnesses.
This regulation is not overly complex and is clearly written. There is no negative impact on the regulated community, and the regulation does not overlap, duplicate, or conflict with federal or state law or regulation. The regulation was last reviewed four years ago. There have been no significant changes in technology, economic conditions, or other factors in the area affected by the regulation since it became effective. The board has determined that retaining the regulation without amendment is consistent with the stated objectives of applicable law and is the most effective way to minimize the economic impact of regulations on small businesses.
Contact Information: Cristin Bernhardt, Regulatory Coordinator Department of Labor and Industry, 6606 West Broad Street, Suite 500, Richmond, VA 23230, telephone (804) 786-2392, fax (804) 786-8418, or email cristin.bernhardt@doli.virginia.gov.
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TITLE 24. TRANSPORTATION AND MOTOR VEHICLES
COMMONWEALTH TRANSPORTATION BOARD
Report of Findings
Pursuant to §§ 2.2-4007.1 and 2.2-4017 of the Code of Virginia, the Commonwealth Transportation Board conducted a periodic review and a small business impact review of 24VAC30-315, Standards for Use of Traffic Control Devices to Classify, Designate, Regulate, and Mark State Highways, and determined that this regulation should be amended. The board is publishing its report of findings dated September 25, 2025, to support this decision.
This regulation is necessary for the protection of public health, safety, and welfare and is clearly written and easily understandable. However, amendments are now needed to reflect adoption of the 11th Edition of the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD) by the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) and adoption of the Virginia MUTCD, version 11.0, by the board.
The board has determined that the regulation must be amended to incorporate the Virginia MUTCD, version 11.0, and complete formal adoption of the standards in accordance with the federal requirements.
The regulation is necessary to adopt federal standards as required by federal law. The board has received no complaints concerning the regulation, and although long and detailed, the regulation is not complex. The federal standards serving as the basis for this regulation were updated in December 2023, and the regulation now conflicts with federal law. A periodic review of this regulation was last performed in 2020. The regulation was adopted in 2012 pursuant to a board resolution dated December 7, 2011, and has not been amended since. This regulation does not impose an economic impact on small businesses.
Contact Information: JoAnne P. Maxwell, Agency Regulatory Coordinator, Governance and Legislative Affairs Division, Department of Transportation, 1401 East Broad Street, Richmond, VA 23219, telephone (804) 786-1830, fax (804) 225-4700, or email joanne.maxwell@vdot.virginia.gov.