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: January 22, 2025
| Bill | Chief Patron | Catch Line | Committee / Subcommittee | Latest Information |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| House Bills Introduced | ||||
| 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. | House Finance | Summary and Status |
| 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. | House Agriculture, Chesapeake, & Natural Resources | Summary and Status |
| HB2025 | Gardner | Wildlife corridors or crossings; action plan and programs; Virginia Flood Protection Master Plan; Wildlife Corridor Action Plan; wildlife carcass removal tracking; report. | House Agriculture, Chesapeake, & Natural Resources / Natural Resources | Summary and Status |
| HB2034 | Simonds | Secretary of Natural and Historic Resources; protection of existing tidal and nontidal wetlands; wetland restoration and creation; policy task force; report. | House Floor | Summary and Status |
| HB2057 | Green | Voter registration; automatic registration of hunting, fishing, and milk distributor license and concealed handgun permit applicants; penalty. | House Privileges & Elections / Election Administration | Summary and Status |
| HB2273 | Obenshain | Kill permits for deer, elk, or bear; local authority. | House Agriculture, Chesapeake, & Natural Resources / Agriculture | Summary and Status |
| HB2335 | Simonds | Free fishing license program; blue catfish; sunset. | House Agriculture, Chesapeake, & Natural Resources / Agriculture | Summary and Status |
| HB2410 | Griffin | Tangible personal property tax; classification for rate purposes; boats and watercraft powered by green technology; registration and titling. | House Finance | Summary and Status |
| HB2496 | Cordoza | DWR; use of a safety monitoring device; Fox Hill Boat Ramp. | House Agriculture, Chesapeake, & Natural Resources / Agriculture | Summary and Status |
| HB2523 | Fowler | DWR; free or partially discounted fees to hunt, fish, and trap; reimbursement. | House Agriculture, Chesapeake, & Natural Resources / Agriculture | Summary and Status |
| HB2629 | Fowler | Fishing license requirements; exemptions; free fishing days. | House Agriculture, Chesapeake, & Natural Resources / Agriculture | Summary and Status |
| HB2782 | Simonds | Board of Wildlife Resources; amend 4VAC15-320-25. | TBD | Summary and Status |
| Senate Bills Introduced | ||||
| SB928 | Stuart | State Police Officers' Retirement System; membership for DWR conservation police officers. | Senate Finance & Appropriations | Summary and Status |
| SB1125 | Boysko | DWR; propagation of wildlife without a permit unlawful; premature separation; hybridization. | Senate Agriculture, Conservation, & Natural Resources / Companion Animals | Summary and Status |
| SB1204 | Mulchi | Hunter education program personnel. | Senate Agriculture, Conservation, & Natural Resources / Rural Affairs | Summary and Status |
| SB1224 | Deeds | State Police Officers' Retirement System; membership for DWR conservation police officers. | Senate Finance & Appropriations | Summary and Status |
| SB1341 | Marsden | Wildlife corridors; action plan, fund, and programs; Virginia Flood Protection Master Plan; wildlife carcass removal tracking; reports. | Senate Agriculture, Conservation, & Natural Resources | Summary and Status |