Vermont 2025-2026 Regular Session Status: Enacted 1 D cosponsors

H 231 — An act relating to technical corrections to fish and wildlife statutes

Last action — House message: Governor approved bill on June 5, 2025

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  1. ✓
    Introduced
  2. ✓
    In Committee
  3. ✓
    Passed House
  4. ✓
    Passed Senate
  5. ✓
    To Executive
  6. 6
    Enacted

This bill has been enacted into law. Introduced February 18, 2025. Enacted.

Signed by Governor Phil Scott (Republican) on June 05, 2025.

Prognosis

Advancing 52% · moderate confidence

Where this bill stands today.

Odds of enactment

High

How often bills like it became law.

  • Enacted

    Current position in the legislative process.

  • 1 sponsor

    1 primary, 0 co-sponsors signed on.

  • Single-party support

    Sponsorship is currently within one party (1 D).

Prognosis reads this bill's own signals — stage, sponsorship breadth, committee status, recorded votes and cross-state momentum. Odds come from a model trained on which bills have become law.

Bill Text

What changed in the latest version

386 added · 123 removed

Plain-language change summary

The latest version of Bill H.231 has removed specific terms related to types of fish—namely "pike perch" and "pickerel"—to streamline the language. It also simplifies the wording around the destruction of birds' nests and eggs, maintaining protections for all wild birds except for a few specified species. These changes can help clarify regulations for both fish and wildlife management, making it easier for people to understand the rules regarding fishing and wildlife conservation.

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AS PASSED BY HOUSE H.231 Page 1 of 6 H.231 An act relating to technical corrections to fish and wildlife statutes It is hereby enacted by the General Assembly of the State of Vermont:
BILL AS PASSED BY THE HOUSE H.231 Page 1 of 18 H.231 Introduced by Representative Satcowitz of Randolph Referred to Committee on Date:
Subject:
Fish and wildlife;
technical corrections;
definitions;
uniform points;
transporting a crossbow in a motor vehicle Statement of purpose of bill as introduced:
This bill proposes to make several technical corrections to fish and wildlife statutes.
The bill would strike two definitions from the general definitions section of fish and wildlife statutes.
The bill also would make technical changes to the uniform point system statute, including increasing the point penalty for snaring animals.
The bill would also provide that certain use of public waters violations would be judicial bureau offenses.
An act relating to technical corrections to fish and wildlife statutes It is hereby enacted by the General Assembly of the State of Vermont:
§ 4001 is amended to read:
§ 4001 is amended to read:
* * * (6) Pickerel:
BILL AS PASSED BY THE HOUSE H.231 Page 2 of 18 * * * (6) Pickerel:
§ 4905 is amended to read:
§ 4905 is amended to read:
DESTROYING OR ROBBING A person shall not take or wilfully willfully destroy the nests or eggs of wild birds, other than rock pigeons, the English sparrow, starling, or purple grackle house sparrows, or European starlings, except when necessary to protect buildings and the nests to be removed contain no eggs or chicks and are no longer being used by birds for feeding, or when taken as provided in section 4152 of this title.
DESTROYING OR ROBBING A person shall not take or wilfully willfully destroy the nests or eggs of wild birds, other than pigeons, the English sparrow, starling, or purple grackle, except when necessary to protect buildings and the nests to be removed contain no eggs or chicks and are no longer being used by birds for feeding, or when taken as provided in section 4152 of this title.
VT LEG #381870 v.1 AS PASSED BY HOUSE H.231 Page 2 of 6 Sec.
Sec.
§ 4502 is amended to read:
§ 4502 is amended to read:
(b) A person violating provisions of this part shall receive points for convictions in accordance with the following schedule (all sections are in this title of the Vermont Statutes Annotated):
BILL AS PASSED BY THE HOUSE H.231 Page 3 of 18 (b) A person violating provisions of this part shall receive points for convictions in accordance with the following schedule (all sections are in this title of the Vermont Statutes Annotated):
Snaring animals [Repealed.] * * * VT LEG #381870 v.1 AS PASSED BY HOUSE H.231 Page 3 of 6 (Y) Appendix § 2;
Snaring animals [Repealed.] * * * (Y) Appendix § 2;
(LL) § 4256.
BILL AS PASSED BY THE HOUSE H.231 Page 4 of 18 (LL) § 4256.
Possession or transport of a cocked crossbow in or on a motor vehicle, motorboat, airplane, snowmobile, or other motor-propelled vehicle [Repealed.] VT LEG #381870 v.1 AS PASSED BY HOUSE H.231 Page 4 of 6 (RR) Appendix § 7, section 6.3(b).
Possession or transport of a cocked crossbow in or on a motor vehicle, motorboat, airplane, snowmobile, or other motor-propelled vehicle [Repealed.] (RR) Appendix § 7, section 6.3(b).
Taking deer big game out of season prohibited * * * (O) Appendix § 7, sections 4.2, 5.1, 5.2, 5.3, 6.1, 6.2, 6.3(b), 6.3(d), 6.3(e), 6.4, 6.5(c), 6.5(d), 7.1, and 7.2, 7.3, and 7.4.
Taking deer big game out of season prohibited * * * BILL AS PASSED BY THE HOUSE H.231 Page 5 of 18 (O) Appendix § 7, sections 4.2, 5.1, 5.2, 5.3, 6.1, 6.2, 6.3(b), 6.3(d), 6.3(e), 6.4, 6.5(c), 6.5(d), 7.1, and 7.2, 7.3, and 7.4.
Crossbow hunting [Repealed.] VT LEG #381870 v.1 AS PASSED BY HOUSE H.231 Page 5 of 6 (X) Appendix § 4.
Crossbow hunting [Repealed.] (X) Appendix § 4.
Holding or conducting a coyote-hunting competition (DD) § 4706.
Holding or conducting a coyote-hunting competition (DD) § 4706.
Snaring animals * * * BILL AS PASSED BY THE HOUSE H.231 Page 6 of 18 Sec.
4.
10 V.S.A.
§ 4705 is amended to read:
§ 4705.
SHOOTING FROM MOTOR VEHICLES OR AIRCRAFT;
SHOOTING FROM OR ACROSS HIGHWAY;
PERMIT (a) A person shall not take or attempt to take a wild animal by shooting from a motor vehicle, motorboat, airplane, snowmobile, or other motor- propelled craft or any vehicle drawn by a motor-propelled vehicle except as permitted under subsection (e) of this section.
(b) A person shall not carry or possess while in or on a vehicle propelled by mechanical power or drawn by a vehicle propelled by mechanical power within the right-of-way of a public highway any of the following:
(1) a rifle or, airgun, shotgun, or other projectile implement containing a loaded cartridge or shell in the chamber, mechanism, or in a magazine, or clip within a rifle or shotgun, or;
(2) a muzzle-loading rifle or muzzle-loading shotgun that has been charged with powder and projectile and the ignition system of which has been enabled by having an affixed or attached percussion cap, primer, battery, or priming powder, except as permitted under subsections (d) and (e) of this section.;
(3) unless it is uncocked, a person shall not possess or transport a crossbow in or on a motor vehicle, motorboat, airplane, snowmobile, or other BILL AS PASSED BY THE HOUSE H.231 Page 7 of 18 motor-propelled craft or any vehicle drawn by a motor-propelled vehicle except as permitted under subsection 47059e);
and (4) a person who possesses a rifle, crossbow, or shotgun, including a muzzle-loading rifle or muzzle-loading shotgun, in or on a vehicle propelled by mechanical power, or drawn by a vehicle propelled by mechanical power within a right-of-way of a public highway shall upon demand of an enforcement officer exhibit the firearm for examination to determine compliance with this section.
(c) A person while on or within 25 feet of the traveled portion of a public highway, except a public highway designated Class 4 on a town highway map, shall not take or attempt to take any wild animal by shooting a firearm, a muzzle loader, a bow and arrow, or a crossbow.
A person while on or within the traveled portion of a public highway designated Class 4 on a town highway map shall not take or attempt to take any wild animal by shooting a firearm, a muzzle loader, a bow and arrow, or a crossbow.
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A person shall not shoot a firearm, a muzzle loader, a bow and arrow, or a crossbow over or across the traveled portion of a public highway, except for a person shooting over or across the traveled portion of a public highway from a sport shooting range, as that term is defined in section 5227 of this title, provided that:
(1) the sport shooting range was established before January 1, 2014;
and BILL AS PASSED BY THE HOUSE H.231 Page 8 of 18 (2) the operators of the sport shooting range post signage warning users of the public highway of the potential danger from the sport shooting range.
(d) This section shall not restrict the possession or use of a loaded firearm by an enforcement officer in performance of his or her the officer’s duty.
(e) Subsections (a) and (c) of this section shall not apply to a licensed hunter with paraplegia or who is certified by a physician to be unable to pursue game because of permanent severe physical disability, if he or she the licensed hunter obtains a permit as provided in this subsection.
The Commissioner on receipt of satisfactory proof of the disability of an applicant may issue a permit under this subsection.
This permit shall be attached to the license and shall remain in effect until the death of the holder, unless the Commissioner has reason to believe the permit is misused.
The holder of the permit shall carry it at all times while hunting and shall produce it on demand for inspection by any game warden or other law enforcement officer authorized to make arrests.
The holder of the permit may take game from a vehicle or boat but only if it is stationary and is not within 10 feet of the traveled portion of a public highway.
In no event shall the holder of a permit shoot across the traveled portion of a public highway.
(f) The phrase “public highway,” as used in this section, means roads, including Class 4 roads, shown on the highway maps of the respective towns, BILL AS PASSED BY THE HOUSE H.231 Page 9 of 18 made by the Agency of Transportation, but does not include foot trails or private roads.
Sec.
5.
23 V.S.A.
§ 3317(b) is amended to read:
(b) Penalty or fine;
$300.00 or $1,000.00 maximum.
A person who violates a requirement under 10 V.S.A.
§ 1454 shall be subject to enforcement under 10 V.S.A.
§ 8007 or 8008 or a fine under this chapter, provided that the person shall be assessed a penalty or fine of not more than $1,000.00 for each violation.
A person who violates a rule adopted under 10 V.S.A.
§ 1424 shall be subject to enforcement under 10 V.S.A.
chapter 201 or a fine under this chapter, provided that the person shall be assessed a penalty of not more than $300.00 for each violation.
A person who violates any of the following sections of this title shall be subject to a penalty of not more than $300.00 for each violation:
* * * Sec.
6.
4 V.S.A.
§ 1102 is amended to read:
§ 1102.
JUDICIAL BUREAU;
JURISDICTION (a) The Judicial Bureau is created within the Judicial Branch under the supervision of the Supreme Court.
(b) The Judicial Bureau shall have jurisdiction of the following matters:
* * * (19) Violations of 10 V.S.A.
§ 1424, relating to the use of public waters.
BILL AS PASSED BY THE HOUSE H.231 Page 10 of 18 Sec.
7.
EFFECTIVE DATE This act shall take effect on July 1, 2025.
Sec.
1.
10 V.S.A.
§ 4001 is amended to read:
§ 4001.
DEFINITIONS Words and phrases used in this part, unless otherwise provided, shall be construed to mean as follows:
* * * (6) Pickerel:
the great northern pike, chain pickerel, or muskellunge.
[Repealed.] (7) Pike perch:
walleyed or yellow pike.
[Repealed.] * * * Sec.
2.
10 V.S.A.
§ 4905 is amended to read:
§ 4905.
BIRDS’ NESTS AND EGGS;
DESTROYING OR ROBBING A person shall not take or wilfully willfully destroy the nests or eggs of wild birds, other than rock pigeons, the English sparrow, starling, or purple grackle house sparrows, or European starlings, except when necessary to protect buildings and the nests to be removed contain no eggs or chicks and are no longer being used by birds for feeding, or when taken as provided in section of this title.
Sec.
3.
10 V.S.A.
§ 4502 is amended to read:
§ 4502.
UNIFORM POINT SYSTEM;
REVOCATION OF LICENSE BILL AS PASSED BY THE HOUSE H.231 Page 11 of 18 (a) A uniform point system that assigns points to those convicted of a violation of a provision of this part is established.
The conviction report from the court shall be prima facie evidence of the points assessed.
In addition to other penalties assessed for violation of fish and wildlife statutes, the Commissioner shall suspend licenses issued under this part that are held by a person who has accumulated 10 or more points in accordance with the provisions of subsection (c) of this section.
(b) A person violating provisions of this part shall receive points for convictions in accordance with the following schedule (all sections are in this title of the Vermont Statutes Annotated):
(1) Except for biological collection violations determined to be nonpoint violations under the rules of the Board, five points shall be assessed for any violation of statutes or rules adopted under this part except those listed in subdivisions (2) and (3) of this subsection.
(2) Ten points shall be assessed for:
* * * (I) § 4706.
Snaring animals [Repealed.] * * * (Y) Appendix § 2;
Appendix § 33, section 14.3.
Reporting of big game * * * BILL AS PASSED BY THE HOUSE H.231 Page 12 of 18 (II) Appendix § 37, as it applies to annual deer limits section 10.
Novice season (JJ) § 4742a.
Youth deer hunting weekend.
The points shall be assessed solely against the adult who is accompanying the youth hunter.
(KK) § 4908.
Youth turkey hunting weekend.
The points assessed against the adult accompanying the youth hunter.
(LL) § 4256.
Mentored hunting license.
The points shall be assessed against the licensed adult who is accompanying the individual holding the mentored hunting license.
(MM) § 4827a.
Feeding a black bear (NN) § 4826.
Taking deer doing damage (OO) § 22a.
Taking turkey doing damage (PP) § 35.
Taking moose doing damage (QQ) Appendix § 22, section 6.7;
Appendix § 33, section 13.1(g);
Appendix § 37, section 7.7.
Possession or transport of a cocked crossbow in or on a motor vehicle, motorboat, airplane, snowmobile, or other motor- propelled vehicle [Repealed.] (RR) Appendix § 7, section 6.3(b).
Hunting bear with any dog not listed on the permit [Repealed.] * * * (3) Twenty points shall be assessed for:
BILL AS PASSED BY THE HOUSE H.231 Page 13 of 18 (A) § 4192.
General powers and duties;
failure to obey warden [Repealed.] * * * (I) § 4745.
Taking deer big game out of season prohibited * * * (O) Appendix § 7, sections 4.2, 5.1, 5.2, 5.3, 6.1, 6.2, 6.3(b), 6.3(d), 6.3(e), 6.4, 6.5(c), 6.5(d), 7.1, and 7.2, 7.3, and 7.4.
Bear, unauthorized taking (P) Appendix § 22.
Turkey season, excluding:
requirements for youth turkey hunting season;
section 6.2, and size of shot used or possessed;
and section 6.7, transport of cocked crossbow * * * (U) Appendix § 37.
Deer management rule, excluding requirements for youth deer hunting weekend;
requirements for novice season;
limitations on feeding of deer;
section 7.7, transport of cocked crossbow;
reporting big game;
and section 11.0, ban of urine and other natural lures * * * (W) § 4711.
Crossbow hunting [Repealed.] (X) Appendix § 4.
Hunting with a crossbow without a permit or license [Repealed.] * * * (Z) Appendix § 44, section 4.6.
Use of tooth jawed traps BILL AS PASSED BY THE HOUSE H.231 Page 14 of 18 (AA) Appendix § 44, section 4.11.
Taking furbearers with poison (BB) Appendix § 44, section 4.12.
Taking furbearers from a den (CC) § 4716.
Holding or conducting a coyote-hunting competition (DD) § 4706.
10 V.S.A.
§ 4705 is amended to read:
§ 4705.
SHOOTING FROM MOTOR VEHICLES OR AIRCRAFT;
SHOOTING FROM OR ACROSS HIGHWAY;
PERMIT (a) A person shall not take or attempt to take a wild animal by shooting from a motor vehicle, motorboat, airplane, snowmobile, or other motor- propelled craft or any vehicle drawn by a motor-propelled vehicle except as permitted under subsection (e) of this section.
(b) A person shall not carry or possess while in or on a vehicle propelled by mechanical power or drawn by a vehicle propelled by mechanical power within the right-of-way of a public highway any of the following:
(1) a rifle or, airgun, shotgun, or other projectile implement containing a loaded cartridge or shell in the chamber, mechanism, or in a magazine, or clip within a rifle or shotgun, or;
(2) a muzzle-loading rifle or muzzle-loading shotgun that has been charged with powder and projectile and the ignition system of which has been enabled by having an affixed or attached percussion cap, primer, battery, or BILL AS PASSED BY THE HOUSE H.231 Page 15 of 18 priming powder, except as permitted under subsections (d) and (e) of this section.;
(3) unless it is uncocked, a person shall not possess or transport a crossbow in or on a motor vehicle, motorboat, airplane, snowmobile, or other motor-propelled craft or any vehicle drawn by a motor-propelled vehicle except as permitted under subsection 47059e);
and (4) a person who possesses a rifle, crossbow, or shotgun, including a muzzle-loading rifle or muzzle-loading shotgun, in or on a vehicle propelled by mechanical power, or drawn by a vehicle propelled by mechanical power within a right-of-way of a public highway shall upon demand of an enforcement officer exhibit the firearm for examination to determine compliance with this section.
(c) A person while on or within 25 feet of the traveled portion of a public highway, except a public highway designated Class 4 on a town highway map, shall not take or attempt to take any wild animal by shooting a firearm, a muzzle loader, a bow and arrow, or a crossbow.
A person while on or within the traveled portion of a public highway designated Class 4 on a town highway map shall not take or attempt to take any wild animal by shooting a firearm, a muzzle loader, a bow and arrow, or a crossbow.
A person shall not shoot a firearm, a muzzle loader, a bow and arrow, or a crossbow over or across the traveled portion of a public highway, except for a person shooting over or BILL AS PASSED BY THE HOUSE H.231 Page 16 of 18 across the traveled portion of a public highway from a sport shooting range, as that term is defined in section 5227 of this title, provided that:
(1) the sport shooting range was established before January 1, 2014;
and (2) the operators of the sport shooting range post signage warning users of the public highway of the potential danger from the sport shooting range.
(d) This section shall not restrict the possession or use of a loaded firearm by an enforcement officer in performance of his or her the officer’s duty.
(e) Subsections (a) and (c) of this section shall not apply to a licensed hunter with paraplegia or who is certified by a physician to be unable to pursue game because of permanent severe physical disability, if he or she the licensed hunter obtains a permit as provided in this subsection.
The Commissioner on receipt of satisfactory proof of the disability of an applicant may issue a permit under this subsection.
This permit shall be attached to the license and shall remain in effect until the death of the holder, unless the Commissioner has reason to believe the permit is misused.
The holder of the permit shall carry it at all times while hunting and shall produce it on demand for inspection by any game warden or other law enforcement officer authorized to make arrests.
The holder of the permit may take game from a vehicle or boat but only if it is stationary and is not within 10 feet of the traveled portion BILL AS PASSED BY THE HOUSE H.231 Page 17 of 18 of a public highway.
In no event shall the holder of a permit shoot across the traveled portion of a public highway.
(f) The phrase “public highway,” as used in this section, means roads, including Class 4 roads, shown on the highway maps of the respective towns, made by the Agency of Transportation, but does not include foot trails or private roads.
Sec.
4.
§ 3317(b) is amended to read:
§ 3317(b) is amended to read:
VT LEG #381870 v.1 AS PASSED BY HOUSE H.231 Page 6 of 6 * * * Sec.
* * * Sec.
§ 1102 is amended to read:
§ 1102 is amended to read:
JURISDICTION (a) The Judicial Bureau is created within the Judicial Branch under the supervision of the Supreme Court.
JURISDICTION BILL AS PASSED BY THE HOUSE H.231 Page 18 of 18 (a) The Judicial Bureau is created within the Judicial Branch under the supervision of the Supreme Court.
§ 1424, relating to the use of public waters.
§ 1424, relating to the use of public waters.
VT LEG #381870 v.1
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Amendments

2 amendments

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Action History

  1. House message: Governor approved bill on June 5, 2025

  2. Signed by Governor on June 5, 2025

  3. Delivered to the Governor on May 30, 2025

  4. House message: House concurred in Senate proposal of amendment

  5. Senate proposal of amendment concurred in

  6. Action Calendar: Senate Proposal of Amendment

  7. Notice Calendar: Senate Proposal of Amendment

  8. Senate Message: Passed in concurrence with proposal of amendment

  9. Rules suspended & messaged to House forthwith, on motion of Senator Baruth

  10. Read 3rd time & passed in concurrence with proposal of amendment

  11. Rules suspended & bill placed on all remaining stages of passage, on motion of Senator Baruth

  12. 3rd reading ordered

  13. Proposal of amendment by Committee on Natural Resources and Energy, as amended, agreed to

  14. Proposal of amendment by Committee on Natural Resources and Energy amended as moved by Senator(s) Douglass

  15. Proposal of amendment by Committee on Natural Resources and Energy amended as recommended by Committee on Appropriations

  16. Reported favorably by Senator Perchlik for Committee on Appropriations with proposal of amendment

  17. Reported favorably by Senator Mattos for Committee on Finance

  18. Read 2nd time, reported favorably with proposal of amendment by Senator Watson for Committee on Natural Resources and Energy

  19. Rules suspended & taken up for immediate consideration, on motion of Senator Baruth

  20. Favorable report with proposal of amendment by Committee on Appropriations

  21. Favorable report by Committee on Finance

  22. Favorable report with proposal of amendment by Committee on Natural Resources and Energy

  23. Second Reading

  24. Entered on Notice Calendar

  25. Referred to Committee on Appropriations per Senate Rule 31

  26. Favorable report by Committee on Finance

  27. Favorable report with proposal of amendment by Committee on Natural Resources and Energy

  28. Second Reading

  29. Entered on Notice Calendar

  30. Referred to Committee on Finance per Senate Rule 31

  31. Favorable report with proposal of amendment by Committee on Natural Resources and Energy

  32. Second Reading

  33. Entered on Notice Calendar

  34. Read 1st time & referred to Committee on Natural Resources and Energy

  35. Read third time and passed

  36. Rep. Satcowitz of Randolph, Sheldon of Middlebury, Austin of Colchester, Bartholomew of Hartland, Chapin of East Montpelier, Labor of Morgan, Logan of Burlington, Morris of Springfield, North of Ferrisburgh, Pritchard of Pawlet, and Tagliavia of Corinth moved to amend the bill, which was agreed to

  37. Action Calendar: Third Reading

  38. Third Reading ordered

  39. Report of Committee on Environment agreed to

  40. Rep. Satcowitz of Randolph reported for the Committee on Environment

  41. Read second time

  42. Action Calendar: Favorable with Amendment

  43. Notice Calendar: Favorable with Amendment

  44. Read first time and referred to the Committee on Environment

Sponsors

Sponsorship breakdown

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1 sponsors · 0 co-sponsors · 189 not signed on

Sponsors (1)

Co-sponsors (0)

None.

Not signed on (189)

189 members have not signed on to this bill.

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"Not signed on" means a member has not sponsored or co-sponsored this bill — it does not imply opposition. Members flagged Voted No have a recorded No vote on this bill.

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Subjects

environment agriculture
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Frequently asked questions

Who sponsors H 231?
H 231 is sponsored by Larry Satcowitz (Democrat).
What is the current status of H 231?
This bill has been enacted into law. Introduced February 18, 2025. Enacted.
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