WeVote
Log In

Bill

Bill

S 290

An act relating to no net loss of State lands used for hunting and fishing

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Patrick Brennan

Vermont must prevent net loss of state lands available for hunting and fishing, replacing closed areas with similar land, ideally within 25 miles, to maintain access.

Read 1st time & referred to Committee on Natural Resources and Energy
0
WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · S 290

Summary of S.290 (2025-2026) — An act relating to no net loss of State lands used for hunting and fishing (Vermont)

Purpose and intent

  • The bill requires the State of Vermont to ensure no net loss of State lands available for hunting and/or fishing. In other words, if land currently used for these activities is removed from use, the state must replace it with other land or control to maintain the same overall availability for hunting and fishing.

Key definitions

  • Secretary: The Secretary of Natural Resources, with authority extending to the Commissioners of Fish and Wildlife, Environmental Conservation, and Forests, Parks and Recreation.
  • State lands: Lands owned in fee, interests in lands, or lands controlled by the Agency of Natural Resources or the named departments (Fish and Wildlife, Forests, Parks and Recreation, Environmental Conservation).

Main provisions

  1. Public access guarantee (duty of the Secretary)

    • The Secretary must ensure State lands remain open to the public for hunting and/or fishing, unless access is restricted or prohibited for management, safety, or compliance with law.

  2. No net loss principle (c)

    • Decisions or actions by the Secretary regarding State land management must not result in a net loss of acreage available for hunting or fishing as of July 1, 2026.
    • This includes scenarios where private land controlled by the State is closed to hunting or fishing.

  3. Replacement requirement when closures occur (d)

    • If State lands used for hunting or fishing are removed from use, the Secretary must expeditiously acquire replacement acreage (through ownership or control).
    • Replacement land should, to the extent possible, be located within 25 miles of the closed land.
    • Replacement land should allow the same hunting or fishing activities as the closed land, to maintain parity in use.

  4. annual reporting (e)

    • By January 15 each year, the Secretary must report to:
      • House Committee on Environment
      • Senate Committee on Natural Resources and Energy
    • The report must include:
      • (1) Acreage closed to hunting/fishing in the prior year and the reasons for closures
      • (2) Acreage opened to hunting/fishing to compensate closures
      • (3) Total acreage of State lands available for hunting/fishing

Effective date

  • The act takes effect on July 1, 2026.

Scope and impact

  • Applies to lands owned in fee, land interests, or lands controlled by the Agency of Natural Resources and its major related departments.
  • Establishes a formal no net loss standard for lands used for hunting and fishing, potentially affecting land management decisions, land acquisitions, and coordination with private land holdings controlled by the State.
  • Creates a mechanism for proximity-based replacement (within 25 miles) to minimize disruption to hunters and anglers and preserve access patterns.

Procedural notes

  • The bill was introduced by Senator Patrick Brennan and referred to the Senate Committee on Natural Resources and Energy on January 22, 2026.
  • The text specifies reporting deadlines and requires ongoing annual reporting to legislative committees.

Potential considerations for stakeholders

  • Hunters, anglers, and outdoor recreation users: clearer guarantee of ongoing access; may see changes in land management decisions to avoid net loss.
  • Landowners and public land managers: may trigger additional acquisitions or land exchanges to maintain the no net loss standard.
  • Environmental and wildlife management agencies: obligation to coordinate replacements and maintain consistent hunting/fishing opportunities when adjustments are made.

Overall, S.290 establishes a policy commitment to preserve public hunting and fishing access on State lands in Vermont, with a formal process for replacement land if access is restricted and annual oversight through legislative reporting.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

Sign in to ask a question.