The General Assembly adjourned, sine die, on Saturday, February 22 after debating nearly 2,500 bills and reaching an agreement on amendments to the biennial budget. Legislators have sent just under 1,000 bills over to the Governor who has 30 days to sign, veto or amend legislation. The House and Senate will reconvene for “veto” session on April 2. There were several challenges legislators faced this year from water outages delaying the start of session, multiple snowstorms, to heavy debates on energy within the Commonwealth. And, now, it’s time for our final session update.
Author: VFB Governmental Relations
Merchandiser Minute: South American Weather
Robert Harper with Virginia Farm Bureau’s grain division provides this week’s market updates.
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2025 General Assembly Update: Week 6
It’s the final stretch of the General Assembly 2025 session! As we enter Week Six the final bills from each chamber will move through committees and conferees will be named to work out the final agreements between each body’s bill versions. As the bill numbers have dwindled down, we have some updates below on those that moved over from the Senate to the House and vice versa.
Merchandiser Minute: February Crop Report
Robert Harper with Virginia Farm Bureau’s grain division provides this week’s market updates.
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Farmer Resources for Potential U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement
There have been recent reports of increased U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Customs and Border Patrol activity across the country and in Virginia. Agricultural employers are encouraged to act immediately to ensure your farm and employees are as prepared as possible for any immigration enforcement.
Employers who fail to comply with U.S. immigration laws and regulations may face fines, including I-9 violations up to $2,789 per form and undocumented worker violations up to $27,894 per worker. Employers could also face criminal charges and, if convicted, up to 10 years in prison and fines up to $250,000 for actions considered “harboring” or concealing undocumented workers
As you prepare, please consider the following resources:
- Cornell University has several resources from their Ag Workforce Central. As part of the Ag Workforce Central Office Hour on January 9, 2025, Cornell hosted attorney Michael Sciotti from the law firm Barclay Damon LLP to discuss how employers can get into I-9 compliance and prepare for enforcement actions. Find the video and the presentation with links to resources at Ag Workforce Central.
- The Fisher Phillips law firm has developed a helpful resource here: Incoming Border Czar Signals Heightened Immigration Enforcement: 5 Steps for Employers to Prepare for Anticipated Raids and Deportations.
- Employers should have a list of all employees’ emergency contacts they can inform if the employee is detained or arrested. Likewise, all employees should have a farm contact so they can inform if they are detained or arrested by ICE.
- The Virginia State Bar offers a referral service to connect you with a lawyer, if you do not have one.
The National Employment Law Project is an employee-centric organization that has also published guidance for employers and employees in “Employer Guide: What to Do If Immigration Comes to Your Workplace,” available in multiple languages.
Please take time to review the resources above and speak with your legal counsel to ensure you are complying with immigration and labor laws, appropriately train employees, and have a response plan in the event of an ICE audit or raid.
Merchandiser Minute: Tariff News All Week
Robert Harper with Virginia Farm Bureau’s grain division provides this week’s market updates.
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2025 General Assembly Update: Week 5
It’s Week Five of the General Assembly! Session’s “halftime” or Crossover occurred on Tuesday, where fewer than half of the introduced bills survived. The House and Senate chambers also approved their respective budgets this week. Next, each chamber will convene a committee of conference to work out any differences between the two bills. We expect budget conferees to be named by the middle of next week. Watch the video for key developments from this pivotal legislative week.
Merchandiser Minute: Volatility is Opportunity
Robert Harper with Virginia Farm Bureau’s grain division provides this week’s market updates.
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2025 General Assembly Update: Week 4
As the General Assembly enters its final days before Crossover, legislators are rushing to pass bills through their originating chambers. “Budget Sunday” will occur on February 2, where the House and Senate money committees will each release their versions of the budget.
Merchandiser Minute: Politics, Weather and Volatility
Robert Harper with Virginia Farm Bureau’s grain division provides this week’s market updates.
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Plows and Politics 