Through this summary, Virginia DWR will provide information on bills filed during the 2024 General Assembly related to the Department’s mission or that may affect our operations and be of interest to you. For information regarding DWR’s legislative process, contact Aaron Proctor, Legislative Liaison, at aaron.proctor@dwr.virginia.gov.
Commenting on Legislation
The most appropriate way to express your opinion about these bills, or any other legislation, is through your local delegate and/or senator. For more information about your legislators and how to contact them, please visit the Virginia General Assembly website.
Legislative Sportsman’s Caucus Meetings
Under the leadership of Caucus co-Chairs Delegate Betsy Carr and Delegate Buddy Fowler, the Legislative Sportsman’s Caucus meets on Thursday mornings at 7:00 AM during the legislative session to discuss issues impacting Virginia’s sportsmen and women.
These meetings are typically attended by Caucus members, state agency representatives, and various sportsman’s groups.
Bills
Click on the bill number to go directly to the state’s Legislative Information System (LIS) to view the full text of the legislation. The current committee to which the legislation is assigned and agendas/dockets for committee meetings can be found under the “Committee” column. Summary information and latest status is available in the “Latest Information” column. Please note that the “Committee” information will be updated on the LIS only when there has been action on the specific piece of legislation; not all bills will be acted on in the same timeframes.
Legislation will be added to this list as it is introduced. Please be aware that new legislation is introduced every day, especially during the pre-session and early session periods.
Last Updated: April 15, 2024
| Bill | Chief Patron | Catch Line | Committee | Latest Information |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| House Bills Introduced (Crossed Over to Senate) | ||||
| HB288 | Wiley | Stationary blinds for waterfowl; providing location of blinds to Department of Wildlife Resources. | Signed by Governor | Summary and Status |
| HB709 | Webert | Department of Wildlife Resources; killing of deer, elk, or bear damaging fruit trees, crops, lives. | Struck by Patron | Summary and Status This bill is no longer moving forward. |
| HB789 | Ennis | Special lifetime hunting and fishing license; military veterans. | Tabled | Summary and Status This bill is no longer moving forward. |
| HB879 | Kent | Conveyance of easement. | Signed by Governor | Summary and Status |
| HB999 | Anthony | Hunting within certain areas of Indian River prohibited; City of Chesapeake. | Failed House Floor | Summary and Status This bill is no longer moving forward. |
| HB1025 | Wilt | Claiming a deer, bear, turkey, or elk struck by motor vehicle. | Signed by Governor | Summary and Status |
| HB1053 | Knight | Destruction and disposal of abandoned watercraft by localities and state agencies. | Signed by Governor | Summary and Status |
| HB1058 | Hodges | Department of Wildlife Resources; singular license for waterfowl blinds in Chesapeake Bay. | Signed by Governor | Summary and Status |
| HB1151 | Cordoza | Photo monitoring system; Fox Hill boat ramp. | Tabled | Summary and Status This bill is no longer moving forward. |
| HB1406 | Fowler | Fishing license requirements; exemptions; free fishing days. | Failed House Floor | Summary and Status This bill is no longer moving forward. |
| Senate Bills Introduced (Crossed Over to House) | ||||
| SB455 | Marsden | Wildlife Corridor Grant Fund established; report. | Tabled | Summary and Status This bill is no longer moving forward. |
| SB712 | Marsden | Release of hunting dogs; state highway or right-of-way. | Failed Senate Floor | Summary and Status This bill is no longer moving forward. |