Environment
Mixed / Neutral
50%
Benefits
- Potential reduction in feral cat population impact on local wildlife
Risks
- No direct environmental effect identified
StateVirginiaIntroduced
SB 266: Companion Animal Surgical Sterilization Program and Fund; established and created, report.
Bill Stanley
SB 266 status: Introduced — Continued from last session (updated Jul 21, 2026).
Source
OpenStates
Confidence
Low
Analysis basis
OpenStates summary
01
What this bill does
Official summary alongside an AI-generated read on where it stands and why.
Overall Score
65OUT OF 100
Score:65/100 civic fit
Risk:Moderate Risk
Impact:Moderate Impact 55/100
Earlier scoring method. Reanalyze to use the sector calculation.
Constitutionality90%
Bipartisan50%
Public opinion70%
Bill summary
Companion Animal Surgical Sterilization Program and Fund. Directs the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services to establish the Companion Animal Surgical Sterilization Program and Fund to reimburse participating veterinarians for the surgical sterilizations they perform on eligible cats or dogs beginning July 1, 2027. The bill provides that a surcharge of $50 per ton of pet food distributed in the Commonwealth be deposited in the Fund and that such pet food be exempted from the existing litter tax. An animal will be eligible for sterilization under the Program beginning July 1, 2027, if it is a feral or free-roaming cat, is owned by a low-income individual, or is in the possession of a releasing agency such as an animal shelter.
02
Impact analysis
✦ AI analysisModeled effects across six domains, estimated from bill text and comparable legislation.
Economy
Mixed / Neutral
45%
Benefits
- Financial support for veterinary businesses performing sterilizations
Risks
- New $50 per ton surcharge on pet food may increase costs for consumers
- Administrative costs to manage the reimbursement fund
Society
Positive outlook
80%
Benefits
- Increased access to sterilization for low-income pet owners
- Reduction in animal shelter overcrowding
Risks
- Requirement for low-income verification may create barriers to entry
Technology Industry
Not scored in this analysis.
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Civic Accountability
Not scored in this analysis.
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Public Health & Safety
Not scored in this analysis.
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03
How trustworthy & consequential it is
Sourcing already shown above, this is what the analysis found worth flagging.
Source
OpenStates
Official bill text or data from OpenStates.
Confidence
Low
Information is limited or incomplete.
Analysis basis
OpenStates summary
Source used for this bill's analysis.
Source note
The $50 per ton surcharge on pet food may lead to price increases for retail pet owners
Analysis scope
Source provided is a summary abstract; full bill text and specific program rules were not reviewed
04
Where it stands
Official record- IntroducedCurrent
- CommitteeUpcoming
- Chamber votesUpcoming
- Final agreementUpcoming
- GovernorUpcoming
- EnactedUpcoming
05
How it affects your district
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06
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