VirginiaHB13652026 Regular SessionHouse

Fishing license requirements; free fishing days.

Sponsored By: Jen Kiggans - to resign 12/31 (Republican)

Became Law

Summary

Fishing license requirements; exemptions; free fishing days. Increases from three to six days the maximum number of free fishing days, during which a person is allowed to fish without a fishing license, that the Board of Wildlife Resources may designate for inland waters in the Commonwealth and the Commissioner of Marine Resources may designate for saltwater recreational fishing in the Commonwealth.

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

8 provisions identified: 8 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.

Kids and simple traps: license-free options

Resident kids under 12 can hunt without a license when directly supervised by an adult with a valid Virginia hunting license. Resident kids under 16 can trap without a license when with a licensed adult age 18 or older. No license is needed to trap rabbits using box traps.

Low-cost licenses and local senior exemptions

Residents age 65 or older do not need a license to hunt or trap on private property in their city or county. You can get an annual inland fishing license for $1. You can also get a statewide annual hunting or a trapping license for $1 with proof of age.

More inland fishing without a license

You do not need an inland fishing license on Board‑designated free fishing days. The Board can set up to six free days each year and replace a day canceled for bad weather. Kids under 16 do not need an inland fishing license. Nonresident kids under 16 are covered when with a person who has a valid Virginia fishing license. Legally blind persons are exempt. Virginia residents on active‑duty leave can fish inland without a license if they show leave papers. Kentucky residents may fish Laurel Lake or Beaver Pond at Breaks Interstate Park with a valid Kentucky license or exemption. Trout rules still apply.

More saltwater fishing without a license

This law lets more people fish in saltwater without buying a license. You are exempt if you are under 16 or 65 or older. You are also exempt when fishing from your own or rented shoreline, and your nonpaying guests and immediate family are covered. You do not need a license when fishing from a licensed recreational boat, headboat, charterboat, or licensed pier, or when using Commission‑licensed gear. The Commissioner can honor another state’s fishing license if declared reciprocal. Tribal members with approved ID and people fishing from a federal park that crosses into a state with no saltwater license are exempt. The Commissioner can set up to six free saltwater fishing days each year, but not for headboats, charterboats, or rental boats. Holders of lifetime and disabled lifetime saltwater licenses remain covered.

No license on your land or pond

You do not need a license to hunt, trap, or fish on land and waters you own. Your spouse, children, grandchildren and their spouses, and your parents are also covered. Tenants or renters who live on the land are exempt if they carry written consent from the landlord while they hunt, trap, or fish. A guest of a private fish‑pond owner can fish that pond without a license. If you own 50% or more of a domestic corporation that owns land, you and listed family can use that corporate land license‑free.

No license to help disabled hunters

If you help a disabled person hunt or fish, you do not need your own license. The disabled person must have a valid Virginia hunting or fishing license.

Old lifetime licenses stay valid

Any lifetime license issued before July 1, 1988 remains valid for the holder’s lifetime.

Tribal members: no hunting or fishing licenses

Members of Virginia‑recognized tribes and Indians who live on an Indian reservation do not need hunting, trapping, or fishing licenses. You must carry one of the listed tribal IDs or certifications. That document presumes Virginia residence unless proof shows you live elsewhere.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Jen Kiggans - to resign 12/31

    Republican • Senate

Cosponsors

There are no cosponsors for this bill.

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 213 • No: 9

Senate vote 3/10/2026

Passed Senate

Yes: 39 • No: 1

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

Yes: 14 • No: 1

House vote 2/17/2026

Read third time and passed House

Yes: 92 • No: 4

House vote 2/11/2026

Reported from Agriculture, Chesapeake and Natural Resources

Yes: 19 • No: 3

House vote 2/4/2026

Subcommittee recommends reporting

Yes: 10 • No: 0

Actions Timeline

  1. Acts of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP0834)

    4/13/2026Governor
  2. Approved by Governor-Chapter 834 (effective 7/1/2026)

    4/13/2026Governor
  3. Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (HB1365)

    4/1/2026House
  4. Governor's Action Deadline 11:59 p.m., April 13, 2026

    3/31/2026Governor
  5. Enrolled Bill communicated to Governor on March 31, 2026

    3/31/2026House
  6. Signed by Speaker

    3/31/2026House
  7. Bill text as passed House and Senate (HB1365ER)

    3/30/2026House
  8. Enrolled

    3/30/2026House
  9. Signed by President

    3/30/2026Senate
  10. Passed Senate (39-Y 1-N 0-A)

    3/10/2026Senate
  11. Read third time

    3/10/2026Senate
  12. Passed by for the day

    3/9/2026Senate
  13. Passed by for the day Block Vote (Voice Vote)

    3/6/2026Senate
  14. Passed by for the day Block Vote (Voice Vote)

    3/5/2026Senate
  15. Constitutional reading dispensed Block Vote (on 2nd reading) (39-Y 0-N 0-A)

    3/5/2026Senate
  16. Rules suspended

    3/5/2026Senate
  17. Reported from Agriculture, Conservation and Natural Resources (14-Y 1-N)

    3/3/2026Senate
  18. Referred to Committee on Agriculture, Conservation and Natural Resources

    2/18/2026Senate
  19. Constitutional reading dispensed (on 1st reading)

    2/18/2026Senate
  20. Read third time and passed House (92-Y 4-N 0-A)

    2/17/2026House
  21. Read second time and engrossed

    2/16/2026House
  22. Read first time

    2/13/2026House
  23. Reported from Agriculture, Chesapeake and Natural Resources (19-Y 3-N)

    2/11/2026House
  24. Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (HB1365)

    2/10/2026House
  25. Subcommittee recommends reporting (10-Y 0-N)

    2/4/2026House

Bill Text

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