An act relating to technical corrections to fish and wildlife statutes
Sponsored By: Larry Satcowitz (Democratic)
Signed by Governor
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
10 provisions identified: 4 benefits, 4 costs, 2 mixed.
Climate Superfund setup and timelines
Effective June 5, 2025, Vermont sets up the Climate Superfund program to recover climate-related costs from major fossil fuel extractors and refiners. A “responsible party” has more than one billion metric tons of covered emissions during the covered period and sufficient legal ties to Vermont. Each party’s payment equals the State’s total cost times that party’s emission share divided by the total shares. The Agency must create rules and a resilience strategy, but deadlines are extended: proposed rules due July 1, 2027 and final rules due January 1, 2028. The State Treasurer’s cost assessment is due January 15, 2027.
More farmers qualify for damage pay
Beginning July 1, 2025, the law removes the rule that a farmer must earn at least half of their income from farming to count as “engaged in farming” under §4829. This change can help more farmers qualify for reimbursement for deer or black bear damage. Payment amounts are set elsewhere in law.
New permits and bans for live wildlife
Beginning July 1, 2025, you must get a permit to bring, move, or possess any live wild bird or animal in Vermont. The permit costs $100 per application, and the Department may inspect and can dispose of unlawfully held animals and seek three times its costs. The state bans permits for importing or possessing feral swine and bans importing, selling, or newly possessing pond slider turtles after July 1, 2025; legal owners from before that date may keep them, and permitted dealers may sell only animals they held before that date. Selling, transporting, importing, or exporting threatened or endangered species in Vermont is also banned. Starting January 1, 2027, you may not intentionally take reptiles or amphibians unless a rule authorizes it, and the Commissioner can set species-protective rules for collection, possession, sale, and special uses.
Tougher fines and license suspensions
Starting July 1, 2025, fish and wildlife violations count toward a points system. If your total reaches 10 points, the state suspends your licenses. Typical violations get 5 points; some get 10 or 20. Big game penalties also rise: first convictions bring $500–$2,000 in fines and up to 60 days in jail; later convictions bring $2,000–$5,000 and up to 180 days. Some other rule violations can carry civil fines up to $1,000 or $300 per violation, depending on the rule broken.
Free fishing days and free licenses
A Vermont resident with developmental disabilities can get a free permanent fishing license starting January 1, 2026 with a signed statement from their treating health care provider. The Commissioner may name two free fishing days each year when no license is needed. Labor Day weekend may be a free mentored fishing weekend, letting up to four unlicensed anglers age 15 or older fish with one licensed angler for three days. The free day and mentored weekend authority begins July 1, 2025.
Some wildlife offenses handled as minor
Beginning July 1, 2025, some fish and wildlife offenses can be charged as minor violations. This applies only if you have no prior violations, no evidence was seized, no warrant was used, and no forfeiture is possible. Big game and revocation offenses do not qualify. The law also sets where cases are heard: the Judicial Bureau handles public water–use rule cases, and most fish and wildlife crimes go to the Criminal Division where the offense happened.
No shooting wildlife from vehicles
The law bans taking wild animals by shooting from motor vehicles, motorboats, airplanes, snowmobiles, or other motor craft. You also may not carry certain loaded guns or a cocked crossbow while in a vehicle on a public highway right-of-way. Officers may demand to see the firearm. This rule applies starting July 1, 2025.
Fishing tournament permits and fees
Starting July 1, 2025, fishing tournaments need a permit. Fees depend on size: up to 25 participants pay $10, 26–50 pay $30, and over 50 pay $100. The text also states the Commissioner charges a $50 fee based on participant count. Tournaments on the Connecticut River that do not use a Vermont access area do not need a permit. Youth-only and Special Olympics tournaments do not pay the fee described in subsection (d).
Do not destroy most bird nests
Beginning July 1, 2025, it is illegal to take or willfully destroy wild bird nests or eggs. You may remove a nest to protect a building only if it has no eggs or chicks. Rock pigeons, house sparrows, European starlings, and purple grackle are exceptions, and other authorizations under law still apply.
Protected species info limited; more permit notice
Starting July 1, 2025, the Agency does not share exact locations of threatened or endangered species. It can share with the landowner, a buyer with a purchase contract, or an approved researcher, and must notify the town with only a general location. Before issuing certain wildlife permits, the Agency must give at least 30 days’ public notice, post applications and final decisions online, and allow comments or a hearing. These notice rules do not apply to species listed under §5410(b).
Sponsors & Cosponsors
Sponsor
Larry Satcowitz
Democratic • House
Cosponsors
There are no cosponsors for this bill.
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
Actions Timeline
House message: Governor approved bill on June 5, 2025
6/9/2025SenateSigned by Governor on June 5, 2025
6/5/2025HouseDelivered to the Governor on May 30, 2025
5/30/2025HouseHouse message: House concurred in Senate proposal of amendment
5/29/2025SenateSenate proposal of amendment concurred in
5/28/2025HouseAction Calendar: Senate Proposal of Amendment
5/28/2025HouseNotice Calendar: Senate Proposal of Amendment
5/27/2025HouseSenate Message: Passed in concurrence with proposal of amendment
5/23/2025HouseRules suspended & messaged to House forthwith, on motion of Senator Baruth
5/23/2025SenateRead 3rd time & passed in concurrence with proposal of amendment
5/23/2025SenateRules suspended & bill placed on all remaining stages of passage, on motion of Senator Baruth
5/23/2025Senate3rd reading ordered
5/23/2025SenateProposal of amendment by Committee on Natural Resources and Energy, as amended, agreed to
5/23/2025SenateProposal of amendment by Committee on Natural Resources and Energy amended as moved by Senator(s) Douglass
5/23/2025SenateProposal of amendment by Committee on Natural Resources and Energy amended as recommended by Committee on Appropriations
5/23/2025SenateReported favorably by Senator Perchlik for Committee on Appropriations with proposal of amendment
5/23/2025SenateReported favorably by Senator Mattos for Committee on Finance
5/23/2025SenateRead 2nd time, reported favorably with proposal of amendment by Senator Watson for Committee on Natural Resources and Energy
5/23/2025SenateRules suspended & taken up for immediate consideration, on motion of Senator Baruth
5/23/2025SenateFavorable report with proposal of amendment by Committee on Appropriations
5/23/2025SenateFavorable report by Committee on Finance
5/23/2025SenateFavorable report with proposal of amendment by Committee on Natural Resources and Energy
5/23/2025SenateSecond Reading
5/23/2025SenateEntered on Notice Calendar
5/23/2025SenateReferred to Committee on Appropriations per Senate Rule 31
5/22/2025Senate
Bill Text
As Enacted (ACT 47)
6/11/2025
As Passed by Both Chambers
5/30/2025
As Passed by Both Chambers (Unofficial)
5/30/2025
Senate Proposal of Amendment
5/23/2025
Senate Proposal of Amendment (Unofficial)
5/23/2025
As Passed by the House
3/25/2025
As Passed by the House (Unofficial)
3/25/2025
As Introduced
2/14/2025
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