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HB 1016

Cats and dogs; Virginia Cooperative Extension Service to create a list of toxic houseplants.

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Kathy Tran

Virginia Cooperative Extension Service must create and publish a public list of houseplants toxic to cats and dogs to prevent accidental pet poisonings.

Assigned HAPP sub: Higher Education
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Bill Summary · HB 1016

Legislative bill overview

HB 1016 directs the Virginia Cooperative Extension Service to create and maintain a comprehensive list of houseplants that are toxic to cats and dogs. The bill requires this resource to be made publicly available, likely through the Extension Service's existing educational platforms and outreach programs.

Why is this important

Pet poisoning from houseplants is a genuine public health concern for pet owners, with veterinary emergency calls related to plant toxicity occurring regularly. Providing accessible, evidence-based information through a trusted state agricultural extension service could reduce accidental pet poisonings and associated veterinary costs, while improving pet owner awareness and safety.

Potential points of contention

  • Fiscal burden: The bill requires appropriations review, suggesting concerns about staffing, research, and ongoing maintenance costs for the Extension Service to compile and update accurate toxicity data
  • Scope and accuracy: Determining which plants to include, toxicity levels, and dosage thresholds requires expertise; incomplete or incorrect information could create liability issues or false sense of security
  • Duplication of existing resources: Multiple online databases and veterinary organizations already provide this information; questions exist about why state resources are necessary versus directing the public to existing vetted sources

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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