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Subcommittee approves outreach bill to reduce fishing line entanglement; amendment narrows reporting duties
Summary
HB 291 requires the Department of Wildlife Resources to maintain a public webpage educating about responsible recycling and disposal of fishing tackle and removes a required triennial evaluation, replacing it with a stakeholder consultation requirement; the amended bill was reported 10–0.
Delegate Anderson introduced HB 291 to direct the Department of Wildlife Resources to develop and maintain a webpage educating recreational anglers and the public about the responsible disposal and recycling of fishing line and tackle. Anderson said improperly discarded line and tackle can entangle wildlife, damage aquatic ecosystems and create avoidable safety hazards.
She offered an amendment, agreed to by staff, that removed a statutory requirement for the department to conduct an evaluation every three years and instead requires the department to update the webpage in consultation with relevant agencies and stakeholders every three years. Counsel advised the committee the revised subsection would be prepared in concept and posted following the hearing; the patron confirmed the amendment captured the intent.
Julie Wobeg of Eastern Virginia Wildlife Rescue, a permitted bird rehabilitator, urged inclusion of imagery showing entangled wildlife and noted the long-term harm fishing line causes to animals. No opposition speakers were present. The subcommittee adopted the amendment and reported the bill as amended by a 10–0 vote.
Supporters said the change is a low‑cost educational intervention aimed at reducing preventable harm to wildlife and improving angler awareness. The department will be responsible for website maintenance and periodic stakeholder consultation under the amended language.
