Authority: Title 3.2, Chapters 7, 8, 9, 10, 28, 38, 41.1 and 44; Title 15.2, Chapter 18, Code of Virginia.

A.1. The Commissioner may enter into agreements with local and state agencies, or other persons, for the control of black vultures, coyotes, and other wildlife that pose danger to agricultural animals. The Commissioner shall enter into an agreement with the federal government to establish and maintain the Virginia Cooperative Wildlife Damage Management Program.

2. Out of the appropriation in this item, $292,525 the first year and $292,525 the second year from the general fund is provided to enhance the cooperative agreement between the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the department regarding the Wildlife Damage Cooperative Program to maintain the technical assistance provided to help landowners with wildlife depredation from coyotes, black vultures and other wildlife.

B. Out of the amounts in this Item, $200,000 the first year and $200,000 the second year from the general fund shall be deposited to the Beehive Grant Fund established pursuant to § 3.2-4415, Code of Virginia. Notwithstanding the provisions of § 3.2-4416, Code of Virginia, the department shall not accept applications for grants from the Beehive Grant Program if funds are not appropriated for such purposes nor shall the department be required to continue to accept applications for the program if funds appropriated have been fully allocated to grantees for a given fiscal year.

C. Notwithstanding the provisions of §§ 3.2-4114.2 and 3.2-4115, Code of Virginia, the Commissioner shall charge an annual nonrefundable fee of $150 on each application for registration, or renewal of registration, as an industrial hemp grower, an annual nonrefundable fee of $200 on each application for registration as an industrial hemp processor, and an annual nonrefundable fee of $250 for registration as an industrial hemp dealer pursuant to Chapter 41 of Title 3.2, Code of Virginia.

D. Out of the amounts appropriated in this item, $485,000 the first year and $485,000 the second year from the general fund and one position is provided to the department to support one additional staff position and related expenses for invasive species management and to take steps to eradicate or slow the spread of priority species.