Commercial fishing license tag bill from Del. Kent passes Virginia House and Senate

Del. Hillary Pugh Kent’s successful bill seeks to revise the display and maintenance requirements for commercial fishing license tags and identification numbers, pursuing clearer standards for the sector, according to the Virginia State House.

The measure was approved in both legislative chambers and completed enrollment on March 14, 2026. The House passed the bill by a 98-0 margin, while the Senate voted 40-0 in favor.

Filed as HB645 on Jan. 14, 2026, in the 2026 regular session, the bill summary from the state legislature reads: “Marine Resources Commission; marking of commercial fishing boats, nets, and other devices.”

Below is our detailed summary, using the actual bill text, with clarifying interpretation where needed.

Essentially, the legislation updates state regulations on how commercial fishing license tags and identification numbers are to be displayed, shifting the mandate to posting them as directed by the Marine Resources Commission instead of specific statutory instructions. Identification numbers must still be applied by the licensee to designated devices and remain in place whenever the equipment is in use. Failure to comply remains classified as a Class 1 misdemeanor. Additionally, the proposal eliminates a separate code section related to marking commercial fishing gear.

In the House, 63 Democrats and 35 Republicans supported the legislation.

In the Senate, 21 Democrats and 19 Republicans voted for passage.

The bill had a single sponsor, Del. Hillary Pugh Kent (Republican-67th District).

Kent, a Republican, was elected in 2024 to represent Virginia’s 67th House district, succeeding Karrie Delaney.

Virginia’s bill process starts with introduction in the House of Delegates or Senate. Committee consideration follows, with possible amendments. Approved bills move on to floor debate and voting in both chambers. After passage in both, the bill goes to the governor, who may sign, veto, or allow it to become law without signature. The General Assembly meets in regular session each year from the second Monday in January, considering hundreds of bills, though only some are enacted.

This article used information from the Virginia State House. Source data is available here.