All Roll Calls
Yes: 295 • No: 27
Sponsored By: Mitchell Cornett (Republican)
Became Law
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, horticultural plants, or personal property utilized for commercial agricultural production within the Commonwealth. When such damage is caused by 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. The bill also changes the extent to which a person can assist in hunting when his hunting license has been revoked or suspended in the Commonwealth by prohibiting such person from assisting in hunting until the hunting restriction has been lifted. Current law allows such a person to assist in hunting after a certain period of time.
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On commercial farms, the Department issues antlerless-deer permits on request, without a set number, when deer damage fruit trees, crops, or other production plants. After inspection, it also issues limited permits for antlered deer and may authorize killing deer, elk, or bear on the damaged land. Permits end each December 31; reissue is simple once you report last year’s kill and confirm your details. The Department may require nonlethal steps instead for elk or bear within a reasonable time. All permit holders must follow local ordinances, including firearm rules.
Airport and facility operators can report wildlife hazards. If the Director confirms a hazard after investigation, those responsible are authorized to kill the wildlife creating the hazard. Federally protected species are not included.
A city, town, or a county with a special late antlerless season can ask by certified letter to allow killing deer over bait. The Director may approve this for that locality. Inside city or town limits, if a driver or the chief law officer reports a deer traffic hazard and the Director confirms it, responsible people may be authorized to kill the deer creating the hazard.
Homeowners can get a written permit to kill antlerless deer that damage yard or garden plants. The Department may allow a limited number of antlered deer only after inspection and clear, convincing evidence they caused the damage. On parcels five acres or less, the Department decides whether to issue a permit and may limit how many deer, how long, and the hours, including barring activity from 11:00 p.m. to a half hour before sunrise near homes. A fee (no more than actual cost) can apply, and you must follow local firearm and other local ordinances. If you seek a new permit after a prior one, you must show the land was hunted in the meantime (unless your locality runs a Department‑authorized deer control program); in places with a herd‑reduction plan, owners who report damage can be authorized to kill deer with set limits.
The Department can revoke or deny reissue of an authorization if abuse is proven by a preponderance of evidence; complaints can count as evidence. Anyone harmed by an issuance, denial, or revocation can appeal to the Department. People with hunting or trapping convictions can get authorizations but cannot act as a designated shooter or assist for two to five years; no designation is allowed while a license is suspended or revoked. Parts from authorized kills cannot be used for taxidermy or public display without approval; meat may be used, and carcasses and unused meat must be disposed of within 24 hours. It is illegal to willfully block someone lawfully killing under an authorization; violations are Class 3 misdemeanors.
Mitchell Cornett
Republican • House
There are no cosponsors for this bill.
All Roll Calls
Yes: 295 • No: 27
House vote • 3/10/2026
Senate substitute agreed to by House
Yes: 91 • No: 8
Senate vote • 3/9/2026
Agriculture, Conservation and Natural Resources Substitute agreed to
Yes: 0 • No: 0
Senate vote • 3/9/2026
Passed Senate with substitute
Yes: 33 • No: 7
Senate vote • 3/5/2026
Constitutional reading dispensed Block Vote (on 2nd reading)
Yes: 39 • No: 0
Senate vote • 3/5/2026
Passed by for the day Block Vote (Voice Vote)
Yes: 0 • No: 0
Senate vote • 3/3/2026
Reported from Agriculture, Conservation and Natural Resources with substitute
Yes: 13 • No: 2
House vote • 2/10/2026
Read third time and passed House
Yes: 88 • No: 9
House vote • 2/4/2026
Reported from Agriculture, Chesapeake and Natural Resources with substitute
Yes: 21 • No: 1
House vote • 1/28/2026
Subcommittee recommends reporting with substitute
Yes: 10 • No: 0
Acts of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP0912)
Approved by Governor-Chapter 912 (effective 7/1/2026)
Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (HB129)
Governor's Action Deadline 11:59 p.m., April 13, 2026
Enrolled Bill communicated to Governor on March 31, 2026
Signed by Speaker
Bill text as passed House and Senate (HB129ER)
Enrolled
Signed by President
Senate substitute agreed to by House (91-Y 8-N 0-A)
Passed Senate with substitute (33-Y 7-N 0-A)
Agriculture, Conservation and Natural Resources Substitute agreed to
Engrossed by Senate - committee substitute
Read third time
Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (HB129)
Passed by for the day Block Vote (Voice Vote)
Passed by for the day Block Vote (Voice Vote)
Constitutional reading dispensed Block Vote (on 2nd reading) (39-Y 0-N 0-A)
Rules suspended
Substitute bill reprinted 26108431D
Committee substitute printed 26108431D-S1
Reported from Agriculture, Conservation and Natural Resources with substitute (13-Y 2-N)
Assigned HACNR sub: Rural Affairs
Senate subcommittee offered
Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (HB129)
Chaptered
4/13/2026
Enrolled
3/30/2026
Substitute
3/4/2026
Substitute
2/24/2026
Substitute
2/4/2026
Substitute
1/28/2026
Introduced
1/2/2026
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