VirginiaHB13962026 Regular SessionHouse

Dogs; hunting game animals, fur-bearing animals, and nuisance species, permits, civil penalties.

Sponsored By: Marty Martinez (Democratic)

Failed

Summary

Department of Wildlife Resources; permits; use of dogs in hunting game animals, fur-bearing animals, and nuisance species; civil penalties. Directs the Department of Wildlife Resources to establish a permit for persons and a permit for organizations that hunt game animals, fur-bearing animals, or nuisance species with the aid of dogs and makes it unlawful for any person to (i) release a dog to hunt, pursue, or chase any game animal, fur-bearing animal, or nuisance species on any tract of real property or (ii) engage in hunting for any game animal, fur-bearing animal, or nuisance species with the aid of any dog unless such person has been issued a permit to hunt with dogs by the Department. The bill exempts from permitting requirements any person or organization (a) engaged in mounted fox hunting or hunting waterfowl, migratory birds, or upland game birds; (b) using a tracking dog to retrieve a wounded or dead bear, turkey, or deer; (c) whose dog remains in the immediate visual presence and control of such person or organization; or (d) on public lands where hunting is allowed. Finally the bill subjects any person who violates the provisions of the bill to a civil penalty of no more than $50 for a first violation and no less than $100 but no more than $250 for a second or subsequent violation within three years.

Finance and Appropriations

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Bill Overview

No Economic Impacts Identified for this Bill

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Marty Martinez

    Democratic • House

Cosponsors

There are no cosponsors for this bill.

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 102 • No: 60

Senate vote 3/4/2026

Continued to 2027 in Finance and Appropriations

Yes: 15 • No: 0

Senate vote 2/24/2026

Reported from Agriculture, Conservation and Natural Resources with substitute and rereferred to Finance and Appropriations

Yes: 8 • No: 6

House vote 2/17/2026

Read third time and passed House

Yes: 55 • No: 39

House vote 2/11/2026

Reported from Agriculture, Chesapeake and Natural Resources with substitute

Yes: 15 • No: 7

House vote 2/4/2026

Subcommittee failed to recommend passing by indefinitely

Yes: 3 • No: 5

House vote 2/4/2026

Subcommittee recommends reporting with substitute

Yes: 6 • No: 3

Actions Timeline

  1. Continued to 2027 in Finance and Appropriations (15-Y 0-N)

    3/4/2026Senate
  2. Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (HB1396)

    3/3/2026House
  3. Committee substitute printed 26108421D-S1

    2/26/2026Senate
  4. Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (HB1396)

    2/25/2026House
  5. Assigned HACNR sub: Companion Animals

    2/24/2026Senate
  6. Senate subcommittee offered

    2/24/2026Senate
  7. Reported from Agriculture, Conservation and Natural Resources with substitute and rereferred to Finance and Appropriations (8-Y 6-N)

    2/24/2026Senate
  8. Referred to Committee on Agriculture, Conservation and Natural Resources

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

    2/18/2026Senate
  10. Read third time and passed House (55-Y 39-N 0-A)

    2/17/2026House
  11. Engrossed by House - committee substitute

    2/16/2026House
  12. committee substitute agreed to

    2/16/2026House
  13. Read second time

    2/16/2026House
  14. Read first time

    2/13/2026House
  15. Committee substitute printed 26107741D-H1

    2/11/2026House
  16. Reported from Agriculture, Chesapeake and Natural Resources with substitute (15-Y 7-N)

    2/11/2026House
  17. House committee offered

    2/11/2026House
  18. Subcommittee recommends reporting with substitute (6-Y 3-N)

    2/4/2026House
  19. Subcommittee failed to recommend passing by indefinitely (3-Y 5-N)

    2/4/2026House
  20. House subcommittee offered

    2/4/2026House
  21. Assigned HACNR sub: Agriculture

    1/30/2026House
  22. Referred to Committee on Agriculture, Chesapeake and Natural Resources

    1/22/2026House
  23. Presented and ordered printed 26105415D

    1/22/2026House

Bill Text

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