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.
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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
No roll call votes available for this bill.
Actions Timeline
Continued from last session
7/21/2026SenateContinued to 2027 in Finance and Appropriations (15-Y 0-N)
3/4/2026SenateFiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (HB1396)
3/3/2026HouseCommittee substitute printed 26108421D-S1
2/26/2026SenateFiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (HB1396)
2/25/2026HouseAssigned HACNR sub: Companion Animals
2/24/2026SenateSenate subcommittee offered
2/24/2026SenateReported from Agriculture, Conservation and Natural Resources with substitute and rereferred to Finance and Appropriations (8-Y 6-N)
2/24/2026SenateReferred to Committee on Agriculture, Conservation and Natural Resources
2/18/2026SenateConstitutional reading dispensed (on 1st reading)
2/18/2026SenateRead third time and passed House (55-Y 39-N 0-A)
2/17/2026HouseEngrossed by House - committee substitute
2/16/2026Housecommittee substitute agreed to
2/16/2026HouseRead second time
2/16/2026HouseRead first time
2/13/2026HouseCommittee substitute printed 26107741D-H1
2/11/2026HouseReported from Agriculture, Chesapeake and Natural Resources with substitute (15-Y 7-N)
2/11/2026HouseHouse committee offered
2/11/2026HouseSubcommittee recommends reporting with substitute (6-Y 3-N)
2/4/2026HouseSubcommittee failed to recommend passing by indefinitely (3-Y 5-N)
2/4/2026HouseHouse subcommittee offered
2/4/2026HouseAssigned HACNR sub: Agriculture
1/30/2026HouseReferred to Committee on Agriculture, Chesapeake and Natural Resources
1/22/2026HousePresented and ordered printed 26105415D
1/22/2026House
Bill Text
Substitute
2/26/2026
Substitute
2/24/2026
Substitute
2/11/2026
Substitute
2/5/2026
Substitute
2/4/2026
Introduced
1/22/2026
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