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
15 provisions identified: 3 benefits, 9 costs, 3 mixed.
Higher penalties and hunting license suspensions
Covered big game violations carry a $500–$2,000 fine, up to 60 days in prison, or both. Repeat convictions, or convictions during a hunting or fishing license suspension, carry $2,000–$5,000 fines, up to 180 days, or both. Covered offenses also include specified endangered-species, animal-trade, interference, and illegal import or possession violations. The law revises 10- and 20-point violations, assigns 20 points for taking big game out of season, and requires suspension at 10 points. Points for youth deer weekend, youth turkey weekend, and mentored hunting violations go only to the accompanying adult.
Farmers lose wildlife damage reimbursements
Beginning July 1, 2025, farmers lose the state reimbursement program for qualifying deer or black bear damage. The former benefit paid up to $5,000 per year. It covered specified damage to crops, livestock, poultry, bees, and bee hives.
Live wildlife permits cost $100
Beginning July 1, 2025, live-wildlife import, transport, and possession limits expressly include reptiles and amphibians. Bringing in, moving within or through Vermont, or possessing these animals requires authorization from the Commissioner or a designee. Each permit application under the live-wildlife law costs $100. Violations can bring penalties, including added amounts tied to harm and possible commercial gains. For commercial collection or trade violations, the Commissioner can sue to require reasonable repairs to harm and recover economic benefits.
Free fishing licenses for developmental disabilities
Beginning January 1, 2026, Vermont residents with qualifying developmental disabilities can get a free permanent fishing license. Applicants must submit a signed statement from their treating health care provider. The statement must certify that they meet Vermont's legal definition of developmental disability.
Free Labor Day fishing with mentors
The Commissioner can designate Labor Day weekend each year as a three-day free mentored fishing weekend. During a designated weekend, one licensed angler can fish with up to four unlicensed anglers age 15 or older. The license-free opportunity applies only when the Commissioner designates the weekend.
Some wildlife charges qualify as minor
Some wildlife offenses not already listed as minor can now be charged as minor violations. The person must have no prior wildlife violations; no evidence can be seized, no criminal warrant used, and no forfeiture possible. Big game offenses and offenses committed under license revocation do not qualify. Separately, the Criminal Division no longer has exclusive jurisdiction over cases covered by the law's specified exceptions. Its exclusive jurisdiction over other fish and wildlife cases remains unchanged.
New limits on pond slider turtles
The law generally bans importing, possessing, or selling pond slider turtles in Vermont. Owners can keep turtles legally acquired as pets before July 1, 2025. Validly permitted pet dealers and commercial collectors can keep and sell turtles documented as possessed before that date. Owners must not release pet pond sliders into the wild. These statutory restrictions end when a Commissioner rule governing pond slider importation, possession, or sale takes effect.
Public water violations face $300 penalties
People who break covered rules for using public waters face enforcement or fines of up to $300 per violation. The Judicial Bureau has jurisdiction over these rule violations.
Reptile and amphibian hunting needs permission
The law bars intentionally taking reptiles or amphibians unless state rules allow it. Beginning January 1, 2027, the Commissioner has rulemaking authority over their taking, possession, commercial collection, export, and sale. Rules can cover common S5-ranked species, species targeted for population reduction, and scientific, educational, or noncommercial cultural and ceremonial uses. Those rules must protect species health and population levels. When hunting is authorized, a hunting license covering the activity must carry an endorsement showing that permission.
Tighter weapon rules in highway vehicles
The law restricts specified weapons and projectiles in or on motor-powered vehicles, or vehicles they tow, within public-highway rights-of-way. Covered items include air rifles, arrow rifles, pre-charged pneumatic rifles, and projectiles in rifles or shotguns. Charged muzzle-loaders with enabled ignition systems are covered, subject to statutory exceptions. Crossbows are covered only when cocked. A person possessing a rifle, crossbow, or shotgun in such a vehicle must show it for examination when an enforcement officer demands it.
Tighter trade rules for endangered species
Beginning July 1, 2025, people cannot sell or offer threatened or endangered species for sale within Vermont without legal authorization. The law also bars delivering, receiving, carrying, transporting, or shipping them in trade within the state without authorization. Importing them into Vermont or exporting them from Vermont also requires authorization under the species-protection law.
Climate charges use fuel-linked emissions
Beginning June 5, 2025, climate cost recovery counts emissions from fossil fuels extracted or refined during the covered period. It is not limited to gases released during that period. Responsible parties are fossil-fuel extractors, crude-oil refiners, or their successors linked to more than one billion metric tons of covered emissions. They must also have enough connection to Vermont to meet U.S. constitutional requirements. Each party's charge equals Vermont's total covered state and resident costs multiplied by its share of responsible parties' emissions.
Building protection allows limited nest removal
You can remove a bird nest when necessary to protect a building, but only after it has no eggs or chicks. Birds must also have stopped using the nest for feeding. These nest and egg protections do not cover rock pigeons, house sparrows, or European starlings.
Fishing tournament fees and permit exceptions
Required tournament permits cost $10 for up to 25 participants, $30 for 26–50, and $100 for more than 50. Tournaments limited to entrants under 15, or held as part of Special Olympics, pay no permit fee. Connecticut River tournaments need no Vermont permit when they use no Vermont access area. That exception does not cover Moore or Comerford Reservoirs. A multiday contest counts as one event only when its days are consecutive.
Species locations protected but access limited
Beginning July 1, 2025, the Secretary generally cannot share exact threatened or endangered species locations. This protects sensitive sites but limits access to land information. Regulatory exceptions do not cover especially vulnerable species whose names and locations must remain secret. Permit and critical-habitat disclosures identify only the municipality and general area; municipalities must receive notice of critical-habitat designations. Potential land buyers need a genuine purchase contract and must apply to the Secretary for disclosure. Qualified researchers, organizations, public agencies, and nonprofits can receive information for research, preservation, or planning only when disclosure will not further endanger species preservation.
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
6/9/2025HouseSigned by Governor on June 5, 2025
6/5/2025HouseDelivered to Governor on May 30, 2025
5/30/2025HouseHouse message: House concurred in Senate proposal of amendment
5/29/2025HouseSenate 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
5/23/2025SenateRules 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)Opens in a new window
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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