Through this summary, Virginia DWR will provide information on bills filed during the 2025 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 21, 2025
| Bill | Chief Patron | Catch Line | Committee / Subcommittee | Latest Information |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| House Bills Introduced | ||||
| HB2034 | Simonds | Secretary of Natural and Historic Resources; protection of existing tidal and nontidal wetlands; wetland restoration and creation; policy task force; report. | -Passed House & Senate | Summary and Status |
| HB2782 | Simonds | Board of Wildlife Resources; amend 4VAC15-320-25. | -Passed House & Senate | Summary and Status |
| HB1592 | Kent | State Police Officers' Retirement System; membership for DWR conservation police officers. | Tabled in subcommittee | Summary and Status This bill is no longer moving forward. |
| HB1741 | Reid | Venison donation tax credit. | No motion in subcommittee | Summary and Status This bill is no longer moving forward. |
| HB1813 | Campbell | Wildlife Resources, Board of; trout-fishing access-site registry, income tax credit. | Tabled in subcommittee | Summary and Status This bill is no longer moving forward. |
| HB1907 | Kent | Board of Wildlife Resources; creel limits; blue catfish. | Tabled in subcommittee | Summary and Status This bill is no longer moving forward. |
| HB2025 | Gardner | Wildlife corridors or crossings; action plan and programs; Virginia Flood Protection Master Plan; Wildlife Corridor Action Plan; wildlife carcass removal tracking; report. | Tabled in committee | Summary and Status This bill is no longer moving forward. |
| HB2057 | Green | Voter registration; automatic registration of hunting, fishing, and milk distributor license and concealed handgun permit applicants; penalty. | Tabled in subcommittee | Summary and Status This bill is no longer moving forward. |
| HB2273 | Obenshain | Kill permits for deer, elk, or bear; local authority. | Tabled in subcommittee | Summary and Status This bill is no longer moving forward. |
| HB2335 | Simonds | Free fishing license program; blue catfish; sunset. | Left in House | Summary and Status This bill is no longer moving forward. |
| HB2410 | Griffin | Tangible personal property tax; classification for rate purposes; boats and watercraft powered by green technology; registration and titling. | No motion in subcommittee | Summary and Status This bill is no longer moving forward. |
| HB2496 | Cordoza | DWR; use of a safety monitoring device; Fox Hill Boat Ramp. | Tabled in subcommittee | Summary and Status This bill is no longer moving forward. |
| HB2523 | Fowler | DWR; free or partially discounted fees to hunt, fish, and trap; reimbursement. | Struck by patron; incorporated into HB2629 | Summary and Status This bill is no longer moving forward. |
| HB2629 | Fowler | Fishing license requirements; exemptions; free fishing days. | Tabled in subcommittee | Summary and Status This bill is no longer moving forward. |
| Senate Bills Introduced | ||||
| SB1125 | Boysko | DWR; propagation of wildlife without a permit unlawful; premature separation; hybridization. | -Passed Senate & House | Summary and Status |
| SB1204 | Mulchi | Hunter education program personnel. | -Passed Senate & House | Summary and Status |
| SB928 | Stuart | State Police Officers' Retirement System; membership for DWR conservation police officers. | Left in Senate | Summary and Status This bill is no longer moving forward. |
| SB1224 | Deeds | State Police Officers' Retirement System; membership for DWR conservation police officers. | Left in Senate | Summary and Status This bill is no longer moving forward. |
| SB1341 | Marsden | Wildlife corridors; action plan, fund, and programs; Virginia Flood Protection Master Plan; wildlife carcass removal tracking; reports. | Left in Senate | Summary and Status This bill is no longer moving forward. |