H 587 Vermont House · 2023-2024 Regular Session

An act relating to enforcement of fish and wildlife violations

This bill updates Vermont's fish and wildlife enforcement laws by adjusting penalties, clarifying jurisdiction, and introducing new enforcement options. It directly affects hunters, anglers, trappers, and anyone who violates state wildlife regulations. The key changes include increasing fines for big game violations from $1,000 to $2,000 and raising imprisonment limits from 60 to 180 days for repeat offenders, while designating the Superior Court's Criminal Division as the exclusive venue for most wildlife cases. The bill also defines what counts as a minor violation, gives wardens discretion to treat certain offenses as minor based on factors like first-time status and cooperation, and allows the Commissioner to accept written agreements to stop violations instead of pursuing court cases. Finally, it repeals two older sections related to administrative penalties and hearing procedures, with all changes taking effect on July 1, 2024.
Bill status introduced 1 of 4 stages cleared
Introduction
Jan 2024
Committee Review
Floor Vote
Governor
Introduced Jan 3, 2024 Last action Jan 3, 2024
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Jan 3, 2024
Introduced
Read first time and referred to the Committee on Environment and Energy
lower
1 primary · 0 co-sponsors

Sponsors

Role
Legislator
Party
State
District
P
Photo of Patrick Brennan
Patrick Brennan
RRepublican
VT
Grand Isle