Virginia Legislature Unanimously Approves Repeal of Apple Board and Excise Tax on Growers

Sep 7, 2026, 3:00 PM ET

RICHMOND, Va. — In a rare display of bipartisan unity, the Virginia House of Delegates and Senate have passed HB65, a bill to repeal the state Apple Board and the associated Apple Fund effective July 1, 2028. The legislation, which eliminates an excise tax on apples grown in the Commonwealth starting with the 2026 harvest season, was sent to the Governor’s desk on March 10, 2026, and now awaits action by the deadline of April 13, 2026.

Sponsored by Delegate Dan Helmer in the House, the measure mirrors SB390, introduced by Republican Senator Timmy French. Both bills advanced through committees without opposition, reflecting broad agreement on streamlining government operations in the agricultural sector. The House Agriculture, Chesapeake and Natural Resources Committee reported the bill favorably on January 28, 2026, with a vote of 22-0. The full House passed it on February 3, 2026, by a resounding 98-0 vote. In the Senate, the Agriculture, Conservation and Natural Resources Committee approved it 11-2 on February 24, 2026, before the chamber passed it 40-0 on March 2, 2026.

The Apple Board, established under Chapter 12 of Title 3.2 of the Code of Virginia, has overseen promotion, research, and marketing efforts for Virginia’s apple industry funded by an excise tax on growers. HB65 directs that any remaining funds in the Apple Fund as of the repeal date be transferred to the Governor’s Agriculture and Forestry Industries Development Fund, ensuring resources continue supporting broader agricultural initiatives. Additionally, the bill mandates a final report from the Apple Board chair to the Commissioner of Agriculture and Consumer Services by June 30, 2028, detailing receipts and disbursements for the prior fiscal year.

This repeal represents a significant reduction in government bureaucracy, dissolving a specialized board and halting the collection of a grower-paid tax that has burdened Virginia’s apple producers. By ending the excise tax for the 2026 harvest, the legislation provides immediate relief to farmers, allowing them to retain more of their earnings amid rising operational costs. The transfer of residual funds to a general agriculture development fund promotes efficient use of taxpayer and industry dollars, avoiding waste during the wind-down period.

The unanimous passage in both chambers highlights the consensus that outdated regulatory structures no longer serve the needs of modern agriculture. Republican leadership, exemplified by Senator French’s sponsorship of the companion bill, played a key role in advancing this deregulation effort. The Senate’s overwhelming approval, including strong committee support, demonstrates a commitment to fiscal prudence and empowering producers over government oversight.

Fiscal impact statements from the Department of Planning and Budget, issued multiple times throughout the process, accompanied the bill at key stages, underscoring its minimal budgetary implications while confirming the orderly dissolution. No amendments were proposed, signaling that lawmakers viewed the measure as complete and effective as drafted.

Virginia’s apple growers, concentrated in regions like the Shenandoah Valley and western counties, stand to benefit directly from lower costs and reduced administrative requirements. The two-year phase-out period allows for a smooth transition, preventing disruption to ongoing programs while paving the way for more market-driven approaches to industry promotion.

As the bill heads to the Governor, its bipartisan momentum suggests a high likelihood of signing into law. If enacted, HB65 will mark another step toward leaner government in agriculture, aligning with longstanding priorities of cutting unnecessary taxes and entities that duplicate efforts better handled by private enterprise or consolidated state funds. The legislation’s swift progress from prefiling on December 30, 2025, to enrollment in under three months exemplifies effective legislative collaboration focused on practical reforms for Virginia’s farming community.

Email the Richmond City Council:
Andrew Breton, andrew.breton@rva.gov,
Katherine Jordan, katherine.jordan@rva.gov,
Kenya Gibson, kenya.gibson@rva.gov,
Sarah Abubaker, sarah.abubaker@rva.gov,
Stephanie Lynch, stephanie.lynch@rva.gov,
Ellen Robertson, ellen.robertson@rva.gov,
Cynthia Newbille, cynthia.newbille@rva.gov,
Reva Trammell, reva.trammell@rva.gov,
Nicole Jones, nicole.jones@rva.gov,

Email the Richmond School Board:
Matthew Percival, mpercival@rvaschools.net,
Kathryn Ricard, kricard@rvaschools.net,
Ali Faruk, afaruk@rvaschools.net,
Wesley Hedgepeth, whedgepeth@rvaschools.net,
Stephanie Rizzi, srizzi@rvaschools.net,
Anne Holton, aholton@rvaschools.net,
Cheryl Burke, cburke2@rvaschools.net,
Emmett Jafari, ejafari@rvaschools.net,
Shavonda Fernandez, sdixon@rvaschools.net,

Richmond Virginia House of Delegates Virginia Senate Aaron Rouse Abigail Spanberger Adam Ebbin Adele McClure Agriculture Alex Askew Alfonso Lopez Ali Faruk Amendments Amy Laufer Andrew Breton Angelia Williams Graves Anne Holton Anne Tata Atoosa Reaser Barbara Favola Barry Knight Betsy Carr Bill DeSteph Bill Wiley Bills Bonita Anthony Briana Sewell Bryce Reeves Buddy Fowler Budget Charlie Schmidt Charniele Herring Cheryl Burke Chris Runion Christie Craig Christopher Head Cia Price Cliff Hayes Creigh Deeds Cynthia Newbille Dan Dan Helmer Danica Roem Danny Diggs David Marsden David Reid David Suetterlein Debra Gardner Delores McQuinn Delores Oates Destiny LeVere Bolling Don Scott Elizabeth Bennett-Parker Elizabeth Guzmán Ellen McLaughlin Ellen Robertson Emily Jordan Emmett Jafari Eric Phillips Eric Zehr Farming Garrett McGuire Glen Sturtevant Governor Gretchen Bulova Helmer Hillary Kent Holly Seibold House of Delegates Irene Shin Israel O'Quinn Jackie Glass Jas Jeet Singh Jason Ballard Jay Leftwich Jeion Ward Jennifer Boysko Jennifer Carroll Foy Jeremy McPike Jessica Anderson John McAuliff Joseph McNamara Josh Thomas Joshua Cole Justin Pence Kacey Carnegie Kannan Srinivasan Karen Hamilton Karen Keys-Gamarra Karrie Delaney Katherine Jordan Kathryn Ricard Kathy Tran Katrina Callsen Keith Hodges Kelly Convirs-Fowler Kenya Gibson Kimberly Pope Adams Lamont Bagby Lashrecse Aird Laura Cohen Lawmakers Lee Ware Legislation Leslie Mehta Lily Franklin Lindsey Dougherty Louise Lucas Luke Torian Luther Cifers Madison Whittle Mamie Locke Marcus Simon Margaret Franklin Mark Downey Mark Obenshain Mark Peake Marty Martinez Matthew Percival May Nivar Michael Feggans Michael Jones Michael Webert Michelle Maldonado Mike Cherry Mitchell Cornett Nadarius Clark Nicole Cole Nicole Jones Otto Wachsmann Patrick Hope Paul Krizek Phil Hernandez Phillip Scott Rae Cousins Republican Reva Trammell Richard Stuart Richmond Richmond City Council Richmond School Board Rip Sullivan Robert Bloxom Rodney Willett Rozia Henson Russet Perry Ryan McDougle Saddam Salim Sam Rasoul Sarah Abubaker Schuyler VanValkenburg Scott Surovell Scott Wyatt Senate Senator Shavonda Fernandez Shelly Simonds Stacey Carroll Stella Pekarsky Stephanie Lynch Stephanie Rizzi Tammy Mulchi Tara Durant Taxes Terry Austin Terry Kilgore Tim Griffin Timmy French Todd Pillion Tom Garrett Tommy Wright Tony Wilt Travis Hackworth Virgil Thornton Virginia Virginia House Virginia House of Delegates Virginia Senate Vivian Watts Wendell Walker Wesley Hedgepeth Will Davis Will Morefield William Stanley Wren Williams