An act relating to reimbursing the Department of Fish and Wildlife for lost license fee revenue

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Patrick Brennan

The bill creates a mechanism for reimbursing the Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department when license fee revenue falls short, stabilizing funding for wildlife programs.

Read 1st time & referred to Committee on Natural Resources and Energy

Summary of Bill S.289 (2025-2026) – Vermont

Purpose and intent

The bill seeks to reimburse the Vermont Department of Fish and Wildlife (VT F&W) for revenue lost from license fees. In short, it aims to compensate the agency when expected license fee collections do not materialize, ensuring funding stability for wildlife management, enforcement, and related programs.

Key provisions and changes

Reimbursement mechanism: Establishes a process by which the state may reimburse the VT F&W for the shortfall in license fee revenue. The exact formula, cap, or trigger for reimbursement is not provided in the available summary, but the core intent is financial restitution to the department.

Funding source and timeline: The bill would designate a funding stream or appropriation to cover the reimbursements. It may specify timing (e.g., annual or fiscal-year basis) and administrative steps to disburse funds to the department.

Administrative framework: Likely sets responsibilities for identifying revenue shortfalls, calculating amounts due, and processing reimbursements, potentially involving the Department of Finance and Management or the legislature.

Reporting and accountability: May require periodic reporting on revenue projections, actual collections, and reimbursement payments to ensure transparency and proper use of funds.

Who/what is affected

Vermont Department of Fish and Wildlife: Primary beneficiary, receiving reimbursements for lost license fee revenue to maintain program operations.

State budget and finances: Impacts general fund or designated appropriations through the reimbursement mechanism; may affect allocations to wildlife programs and enforcement.

License holders and the public: Indirectly affected insofar as SF&W programs (hunting, fishing, wildlife management) receive stable funding, supporting services, enforcement, habitat work, and public access programs.

Procedural and timeline aspects

Introduction and referral: The bill was read 1st time and referred to the Committee on Natural Resources and Energy on January 21, 2026.

Next steps: The committee would review, possibly amend, and vote on the bill before it proceeds to additional legislative stages (potential Senate floor vote, House consideration, and eventual enactment). If enacted, provisions would take effect on a specified effective date, which is not stated in the provided information.

Notes

The summary relies on available action history and title information. Specifics such as the exact reimbursement formula, funding amounts, and effective dates would be clarified in committee analyses, fiscal notes, and the bill text as it moves through the legislative process.