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Bill > HB129


VA HB129

VA HB129
Deer; permit may be issued to kill if damaging residential plants and certain property.


summary

Introduced
01/02/2026
In Committee
03/03/2026
Crossed Over
02/09/2026
Passed
Dead

Introduced Session

2026 Regular Regular Session

Bill Summary

Killing of deer damaging residential plants and certain property. Allows the Director of the Department of Wildlife Resources or his designee to issue a permit to kill a limited number of antlered deer when such deer cause damage to residential plants and the Director or his designee determines, upon inspection, that there is clear and convincing evidence that the damage was done by antlered deer. Upon a landowner or lessee’s request, the bill also requires the Director or his designee to issue a permit to kill antlerless deer on commercial agricultural production lands when such deer cause damage to fruit trees, Christmas trees, crops, plants, or personal property utilized for commercial agricultural production within the Commonwealth. When such damage is caused by an antlered deer, the bill requires the Director or his designee to issue a permit to kill a limited number of antlered deer if the Director or his designee determines that there is clear and convincing evidence that the damage was done by antlered deer.

AI Summary

This bill modifies existing law to allow for the issuance of permits to kill deer that are causing damage to residential plants and certain property. Specifically, the Director of the Department of Wildlife Resources, or their designee, can issue a permit to kill a limited number of antlered deer if there is clear evidence they are responsible for damage to residential plants. For commercial agricultural lands, the Director or designee is required to issue a permit upon request to kill antlerless deer damaging fruit trees, Christmas trees, crops, plants, or property used for commercial agriculture. If antlered deer cause damage on these commercial lands, a permit can also be issued to kill a limited number of them, provided there is clear and convincing evidence of their involvement. The bill also clarifies that individuals with revoked or suspended hunting licenses cannot assist in carrying out activities under these kill permits.

Committee Categories

Agriculture and Natural Resources

Sponsors (1)

Last Action

Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (HB129) (on 03/06/2026)

bill text


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