summary
Introduced
02/18/2025
02/18/2025
In Committee
05/13/2025
05/13/2025
Crossed Over
05/09/2025
05/09/2025
Passed
Dead
Introduced Session
2025-2026 Session
Bill Summary
This bill proposes to amend multiple provisions related to hunting, fishing, and trapping and related to the conservation of threatened and endangered species. The bill would authorize the Commissioner of Fish and Wildlife to designate Labor Day weekend as a free mentored fishing weekend. The bill would adjust the fees for fishing tournaments based on the number of participants. The bill also increases the penalties for big game violations. In addition, the bill would allow for enforcement of a fish and wildlife violation in the Judicial Bureau based on the determination of the enforcing warden. The bill authorizes the Commissioner of Fish and Wildlife to adopt rules for the protection, conservation, and taking of amphibians and reptiles. The bill would clarify that a person could not take, collect, or possess a wild bird, wild animal, reptile, or amphibians with a permit from the Commissioner. The bill also clarifies the authority of the Commissioner of Fish and Wildlife to not disclose the location of specific endangered or threatened species. In addition, the bill would repeal the statute H.230 requiring the Department of Fish and Wildlife to reimburse farmers whose crops are damaged by black bear.
AI Summary
This bill proposes several significant changes to fish and wildlife management in Vermont. It establishes a new "free mentored fishing weekend" during Labor Day weekend, allowing one unlicensed angler to fish with a licensed angler. The bill adjusts fishing tournament fees based on the number of participants, with sliding scales from $10 to $100 depending on tournament size. It increases penalties for big game violations, raising fines from $1,000 to $2,000 for first offenses and from $4,000 to $5,000 for subsequent offenses. The bill expands the definition of big game violations and allows more types of fish and wildlife violations to be charged as minor infractions under certain conditions. It also introduces new regulations for reptiles and amphibians, including restrictions on importing and possessing certain species like pond slider turtles. Additionally, the bill clarifies the Commissioner of Fish and Wildlife's authority to protect endangered species by maintaining confidential location information and modifies jurisdictional rules for fish and wildlife violations. Notably, the bill repeals a previous statute requiring the Department of Fish and Wildlife to reimburse farmers for damages caused by black bears.
Committee Categories
Agriculture and Natural Resources, Budget and Finance
Sponsors (1)
Last Action
Read 1st time & referred to Committee on Rules (on 05/13/2025)
Official Document
bill text
bill summary
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bill summary
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bill summary
| Document Type | Source Location |
|---|---|
| State Bill Page | https://legislature.vermont.gov/bill/status/2026/H.230 |
| BillText | https://legislature.vermont.gov/Documents/2026/Docs/BILLS/H-0230/H-0230%20As%20passed%20by%20the%20House%20Official.pdf |
| Fiscal Note - H.230 – An act relating to the management of fish and wildlife, As recommended by the House Committee on Ways and Means | https://ljfo.vermont.gov/assets/Uploads/GENERAL-383028-v2-H_230_Fiscal_Note.pdf |
| Fiscal Note - H.230 – An act relating to the management of fish and wildlife, As recommended by the House Committee on Environment | https://ljfo.vermont.gov/assets/Uploads/GENERAL-383028-v1-H_230_Fiscal_Note.pdf |
| BillText | https://legislature.vermont.gov/Documents/2026/Docs/BILLS/H-0230/H-0230%20As%20Introduced.pdf |
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