Generally revise fish and game laws

2025 Regular Session

LC 4149 would broadly revise fish and game laws, but the draft died in process (May 2025), so no changes took effect and details aren't known yet.

(LC) Draft Died in Process

#fish

Overview

Bill number: LC 4149

Title: Generally revise fish and game laws

Subject: Fish and wildlife regulation

Introduced: December 15, 2024

Status: Draft died in process (as of May 22, 2025)

Classification: Bill (LC draft)

Note: The available information does not include the bill’s full text. Therefore, the summary below focuses on the bill’s stated purpose and the administrative status and timeline, rather than specific statutory changes.

Purpose and intent

The title indicates a broad objective to “generally revise fish and game laws,” suggesting an overhaul or modernization of the statutes governing wildlife management, hunting, fishing, licensing, enforcement, and related programs.

Without the enacted text, the exact goals, policy changes, or new authorities are not specified.

Status and timeline

Dec 15, 2024: Draft (Drafter Assigned)

Dec 18, 2024: Status shown as On Hold

May 22, 2025: Status updated to Draft Died in Process

The “Died in Process” designation indicates the bill did not advance to committee or passage in its current form during that session. For it to become law again, it would typically need reintroduction or substantial amendments to be reintroduced in a future session.

What would be changed (provisional considerations)

Because the actual text is not provided, specific provisions cannot be enumerated. However, a bill with this title would commonly address:

Licensing and permit structures for hunting and fishing
Seasons, bag limits, and protected species
Definitions and regulatory authorities
Enforcement, penalties, and compliance mechanisms
Funding for wildlife agencies, conservation programs, and habitat management
Procedures for statewide rules versus local exemptions
Transition provisions if old laws are repealed or consolidated

Any of these areas could affect current regulations and how activities such as hunting, fishing, wildlife management, and conservation programs are conducted.

Who would be affected

Hunters, anglers, and other recreational/commercial users of wildlife resources

State wildlife or natural resources agencies responsible for implementing and enforcing laws

License vendors and license-issuing processes

Conservation organizations, landowners, and potentially tribal or local authorities depending on scope

Procedural notes for readers

With the draft status and the designation “Died in Process,” there is no enacted effect from LC 4149. If future sessions consider similar revisions, prospective language would need to be reviewed to assess fiscal impact, implementation timeline, and any new regulatory requirements.

To assess potential impacts, seek the full bill text, fiscal notes, and committee analyses if/when reintroduced.

Bill