Committee clears H.231 with amendments: lifetime free fishing licenses for some, tournament fee restructuring, and air‑rifle rules

James Duffy (fiscal) and Michael O’Grady (Legislative Council) briefed the committee on H.231 and related provisions.

Duffy presented the fiscal note and said most provisions would have de minimis fiscal impact. He said the bill would authorize free lifetime fishing licenses for Vermonters with developmental disabilities; the Department of Fish and Wildlife estimated a small recurring cost and asked for annual reporting on license revenue categories. "This portion of the bill would also require Department of Fish and Wildlife to report back annually to the legislature on... fishing license revenue," Duffy said, and provided an illustrative estimate of about $2,800 annually based on comparable policies in other states.

The bill would also change tournament permit fees from a flat $50 to a tiered schedule tied to expected participant counts (for example, smaller tournaments paying less and larger tournaments paying more). Duffy said the net effect on fee revenue was expected to be de minimis because smaller tournaments would pay less while larger events could pay more, and the bill closes a permit‑use loophole by requiring multi‑day tournaments under one permit to be for consecutive days.

Michael O’Grady walked the committee through wildlife enforcement and weapons provisions. He explained the bill adds definitions and regulation for air‑powered projectile weapons (sometimes used to take deer clandestinely), noting the devices do not operate by firearm combustion and therefore did not clearly fall under existing firearm definitions. "There are weapons... that are not rifles or shotguns. They are, basically pneumatic or air canister, guns," O’Grady said, and the proposed language defines certain air‑powered weapons and prohibits loaded possession in motor vehicles in a way that avoids the ambiguity of a handgun exception.

The bill would also repeal the Department of Fish and Wildlife’s crop‑damage reimbursement program for farmers; Duffy reported that between FY22 and FY24 four reimbursements totaling about $207,000 were paid, but most of that sum ($~200,000) came from a single large claim paid before a later $5,000 annual cap. Excluding that one large payment, annual reimbursements averaged about $400 in the cited period.

Committee members considered an amendment offered by Senator Watson related to the Climate Superfund reporting and definitions; the amendment was approved by voice/show of hands and then the committee recorded a roll‑call vote on H.231 as amended. The roll call recorded several “Yes” votes and the committee marked the bill as amended for further steps.

Throughout the discussion staff emphasized the department and agency roles (Department of Fish and Wildlife, Agency of Natural Resources) and noted several items are contingent on appropriations and rulemaking.