State Del. Holly M. Seibold’s recently introduced bill would designate little bluestem as Virginia’s official state grass, reflecting the grass’s ecological and cultural value, according to the Virginia State House.
The measure, titled HB152, was submitted Jan. 14, 2026, as part of the 2026 regular legislative session and is summarized as: “Little bluestem (Schizachyrium scoparium); designating as the official state grass.”
Below is a summary and clarification based on the bill’s text.
The bill seeks to update Virginia’s roster of official symbols to include little bluestem, with the scientific designation Schizachyrium scoparium, as the state grass. This would add the species to existing recognitions, such as the state bird, flower, tree, fossil and other important symbols. The bill would not amend any other symbols, establish new initiatives or requirements, but is aimed solely at officially highlighting little bluestem’s significance within the Code of Virginia.
Rep. Holly M. Seibold (Democrat-12th District) is the bill’s sole patron.
Since this legislative session began, Seibold has introduced 11 other bills.
Seibold received a bachelor’s degree from American University in 2000.
Elected in 2024, Seibold, a Democrat, now represents Virginia’s 12th House District following Jason Ballard’s departure.
In Virginia, the process for passing legislation starts with introduction in either legislative chamber, assignment to committees for review and amendments, and, if approved, consideration and votes by both the House and Senate. After both chambers pass the measure, the governor may sign, veto, or allow it to become law without a signature. The General Assembly convenes each year for its regular session beginning the second Monday in January. Lawmakers file hundreds of bills per session, but not all advance to become law.
| Legislative Session | Patron(s) | Bill Number | Date Introduced | Short Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | Holly M. Seibold | HB152 | 01/14/2026 | Little bluestem (Schizachyrium scoparium); designating as the official state grass. |
| 2026 | Holly M. Seibold, Irene Shin, Karen Keys-Gamarra, Atoosa R. Reaser, Destiny LeVere Bolling, and Sam Rasoul | HB91 | 01/14/2026 | Minors; limiting room or cell confinement in a juvenile correctional facility, report. |
| 2026 | Holly M. Seibold | HB109 | 01/14/2026 | Noxious weeds; amends definition, commercial viability, phase-out period, report. |
| 2026 | Holly M. Seibold | HB277 | 01/14/2026 | Zoning; wireless facility modifications, application process. |
| 2026 | Holly M. Seibold and Irene Shin | HB296 | 01/14/2026 | State correctional facilities; visitation policies, reports. |
| 2026 | Holly M. Seibold | HB297 | 01/14/2026 | Assisted living facilities; resident referral agencies, required disclosures. |
| 2026 | Holly M. Seibold, Destiny LeVere Bolling, and Karen Keys-Gamarra | HB361 | 01/14/2026 | Earned sentence credits; incarceration while awaiting trial or pending an appeal, effective date. |
| 2026 | Holly M. Seibold | HB763 | 01/14/2026 | Health insurance; reimbursement rates. |
| 2026 | Holly M. Seibold, Amy J. Laufer, and Laura Jane Cohen | HB994 | 01/14/2026 | Photo speed monitoring devices; placement and operation. |
| 2026 | Holly M. Seibold, Laura Jane Cohen, Amy J. Laufer, and Leslie Chambers Mehta | HB996 | 01/14/2026 | Postsecondary Education Rehabilitation Transition Program; plan for expansion of Program. |
| 2026 | Holly M. Seibold | HB997 | 01/14/2026 | Long-term care insurance; premium rate increases, regulations. |
| 2026 | Holly M. Seibold, Kathy K.L. Tran, and Rae Cousins | HB998 | 01/14/2026 | Menstrual products ingredient labeling; restriction of substances, delayed effective date. |
| 2025 | Holly M. Seibold, Alex Q. Askew, Betsy B. Carr, Bonita G. Anthony, Chris Obenshain, Dan I. Helmer, David A. Reid, Debra D. Gardner, Delores L. McQuinn, Destiny LeVere Bolling, Irene Shin, Jeion A. Ward, Joshua E. Thomas, Joshua G. Cole, Karen Keys-Gamarra, Kathy K.L. Tran, Kelly K. Convirs-Fowler, Lamont Bagby, Marty Martinez, Michael B. Feggans, Michael J. Jones, Nadarius E. Clark, Patrick A. Hope, Paul E. Krizek, Rae Cousins, Richard C. “Rip” Sullivan, Jr., Rozia A. Henson, Jr., Shelly A. Simonds, and Thomas A. Garrett, Jr. | HB2691 | 01/16/2025 | Relief; Duffy, Keshawn Clarence, compensation for wrongful incarceration. |
| 2025 | Holly M. Seibold, Barbara A. Favola, Candi Mundon King, Irene Shin, Joshua G. Cole, Karen Keys-Gamarra, Kelly K. Convirs-Fowler, Marty Martinez, Michael B. Feggans, Nadarius E. Clark, Rae Cousins, Rozia A. Henson, Jr., and Stella G. Pekarsky | HB1892 | 01/13/2025 | Children with disabilities; annual individualized education program planning process; dual enrollment courses; certain parental notification required. |
| 2025 | Holly M. Seibold, Amy J. Laufer, Dan I. Helmer, Marcia S. “Cia” Price, Barbara A. Favola, Destiny LeVere Bolling, Irene Shin, Jackie H. Glass, Joshua G. Cole, Karen Keys-Gamarra, Kelly K. Convirs-Fowler, Marty Martinez, Michael B. Feggans, Michael J. Jones, Nadarius E. Clark, Patrick A. Hope, Rae Cousins, Rozia A. Henson, Jr., Saddam Azlan Salim, and Sam Rasoul | HB1894 | 01/13/2025 | State correctional facilities; cell and facility conditions, temperature monitoring. |
| 2025 | Holly M. Seibold, Candi Mundon King, Debra D. Gardner, Elizabeth B. Bennett-Parker, Joshua G. Cole, Kelly K. Convirs-Fowler, Marty Martinez, Michael J. Jones, Patrick A. Hope, Rozia A. Henson, Jr., Saddam Azlan Salim, and Stella G. Pekarsky | HB1947 | 01/13/2025 | Department of Education; survey of local education agencies on school-based mental and behavioral health services; report. |
| 2025 | Holly M. Seibold, Karen Keys-Gamarra, Kelly K. Convirs-Fowler, Marty Martinez, Michael B. Feggans, Nadarius E. Clark, Paul E. Krizek, Rozia A. Henson, Jr., and Saddam Azlan Salim | HB2024 | 01/13/2025 | Virginia Public Procurement Act; solar photovoltaic equipment and facilities. |
| 2025 | Holly M. Seibold, Barbara A. Favola, Bonita G. Anthony, Karen Keys-Gamarra, Kelly K. Convirs-Fowler, Marty Martinez, and Saddam Azlan Salim | HB2040 | 01/13/2025 | Speech-language pathology assistants; licensure, qualifications, scope of practice. |
| 2025 | Holly M. Seibold, Joseph P. McNamara, Candi Mundon King, Karen Keys-Gamarra, Kelly K. Convirs-Fowler, Marty Martinez, Michael B. Feggans, Michelle Lopes Maldonado, Nadarius E. Clark, Rozia A. Henson, Jr., Saddam Azlan Salim, and Sam Rasoul | HB2042 | 01/13/2025 | Certified public accountant; educational requirements to qualify for CPA licensure. |
| 2025 | Holly M. Seibold, David A. Reid, Debra D. Gardner, Elizabeth B. Bennett-Parker, Irene Shin, Jennifer B. Boysko, Karen Keys-Gamarra, Kelly K. Convirs-Fowler, Lamont Bagby, Marty Martinez, Patrick A. Hope, Paul E. Krizek, Rozia A. Henson, Jr., and Saddam Azlan Salim | HB1941 | 01/08/2025 | Invasive plant species; retail sales, penalty, delayed effective date January 1, 2027. |
Details in this article are drawn from the Virginia State House. The original data may be accessed here.
