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H 230

An act relating to the management of fish and wildlife

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Larry Satcowitz

Vermont H.230 modernizes fish and wildlife laws by expanding rulemaking for reptiles/amphibians, increasing penalties for big game violations, and adding new programmatic options l

Referred to Committee on Natural Resources and Energy per Temporary Senate Rule 44A
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Bill Summary · H 230

Summary — H.230 (2025): An act relating to the management of fish and wildlife

Status and sponsor
- Introduced Feb. 13, 2025. Primary sponsor: Rep. Lawrence Satcowitz (Randolph).
- As passed by the Vermont House (text provided). Subsequent committee referrals and a hearing were scheduled (hearing noted for 07/08/2025). Check the legislative website for current Senate action and final status.

Note: The legislative packet included unrelated documents from other states; this summary focuses only on H.230 as passed by the Vermont House (fish & wildlife).

Purpose
- Modernize and clarify Vermont statutes governing hunting, fishing, trapping, and conservation of threatened and endangered species; expand rulemaking authority for reptiles and amphibians; adjust enforcement procedures and penalties; and modify programmatic provisions such as free fishing days and tournament permits.

Key provisions and changes
- Free fishing / mentored weekend (10 V.S.A. § 4251)
- Commissioner may designate two annual “free fishing days” (open-water and ice seasons).
- Commissioner may designate Labor Day weekend as a “free mentored fishing weekend” during which one unlicensed angler may fish with one licensed angler for three days.

  • Fishing tournaments (10 V.S.A. § 4613)

    • Requires permits for fishing tournaments on state waters (some Connecticut River events exempt).
    • Defines tournaments and exempts youth-only and Special Olympics events from fees.
    • Establishes tiered permit fees deposited to the Fish & Wildlife Fund:
    • Up to 25 participants: $10
    • 26–50 participants: $30
    • More than 50 participants: $100
    • (A separate $50-permit phrase appears in the text but the fee schedule above is explicit.)

  • Increased penalties for “big game violations” (10 V.S.A. § 4518)

    • First offense penalties increased from $400–$1,000 to $500–$2,000 (up to 60 days jail).
    • Second and subsequent convictions (or convictions while under suspension) increased to $2,000 minimum and up to $5,000 (jail up to 180 days).

  • Enforcement venue and minor violations (10 V.S.A. §§ 4552, 4572)

    • Clarifies jurisdiction/venue for fish and wildlife violations (Vermont Criminal Division retains primary jurisdiction, with exceptions).
    • Expands and clarifies what may be charged as a “minor fish and wildlife violation” and provides criteria under which wardens may treat certain offenses as minor and refer them to the Judicial Bureau.

  • Reptiles and amphibians (new § 4085 and related sections)

    • Prohibits intentional taking of reptiles or amphibians unless authorized by Commissioner rule.
    • Grants the Commissioner authority to adopt rules for collection, possession, commercial use, export, population control, and scientific/educational/ceremonial taking, with conservation-focused standards.
    • Places restrictions on importing, possessing, or selling certain species (e.g., pond slider turtles)—text is partially truncated but indicates tighter controls.

  • Other conservation and regulatory clarifications

    • Clarifies that permits from the Commissioner do not authorize illegal taking/possession of wild birds, animals, reptiles, or amphibians beyond rule allowances.
    • Clarifies Commissioner authority to withhold location information for specific threatened or endangered species.
    • Repeals the statute requiring the Department to reimburse farmers for crop damage by black bear (per bill summary).

Who is affected
- Recreational anglers (free days, mentored weekend), fishing tournament organizers (permit/fees), hunters and trappers (penalties and enforcement changes), commercial and hobby reptile/amphibian collectors and sellers (new limits and rulemaking), Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department (expanded rulemaking and enforcement processes), wardens and the judicial system (altered enforcement/venue options), and farmers (reimbursement repeal).

Fiscal impact
- The materials provided do not contain a specific fiscal note for this Vermont bill. The fee provisions create modest revenue to the Fish & Wildlife Fund (tournament permit fees as listed). Departments and committees named in the packet (Appropriations, Ways & Means) have been involved in review.

Next steps / procedural notes
- After House passage/text as provided, the bill proceeded through committee referrals and hearings (hearing scheduled 07/08/2025). Monitor the legislature’s docket for Senate committee action, amendments, and final enactment (effective date/emergency clause are referenced in the bill title).

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

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