HB 1396 VA
Dogs; hunting game animals, fur-bearing animals, and nuisance species, permits, civil penalties.
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Summary
A BILL to amend the Code of Virginia by adding a section numbered 29.1-516.3, relating to Department of Wildlife Resources; permits; use of dogs in hunting game animals, fur-bearing animals, and nuisance species; civil penalties.
Sponsor (1)
- Marty Martinez Democratic · primary
1 coauthor / cosponsor
- Nadarius E. Clark Democratic · cosponsor
Action history (24)
- Jan 22, 2026 Presented and ordered printed 26105415D · lower
- Jan 22, 2026 Referred to Committee on Agriculture, Chesapeake and Natural Resources · lower
- Jan 30, 2026 Assigned HACNR sub: Agriculture · lower
- Feb 4, 2026 House subcommittee offered · lower
- Feb 4, 2026 Subcommittee failed to recommend passing by indefinitely (3-Y 5-N) · lower
- Feb 4, 2026 Subcommittee recommends reporting with substitute (6-Y 3-N) · lower
- Feb 11, 2026 House committee offered · lower
- Feb 11, 2026 Reported from Agriculture, Chesapeake and Natural Resources with substitute (15-Y 7-N) · lower
- Feb 11, 2026 Committee substitute printed 26107741D-H1 · lower
- Feb 13, 2026 Read first time · lower
- Feb 16, 2026 Read second time · lower
- Feb 16, 2026 committee substitute agreed to · lower
- Feb 16, 2026 Engrossed by House - committee substitute · lower
- Feb 17, 2026 Read third time and passed House (55-Y 39-N 0-A) · lower
- Feb 18, 2026 Constitutional reading dispensed (on 1st reading) · upper
- Feb 18, 2026 Referred to Committee on Agriculture, Conservation and Natural Resources · upper
- Feb 24, 2026 Assigned HACNR sub: Companion Animals · upper
- Feb 24, 2026 Senate subcommittee offered · upper
- Feb 24, 2026 Reported from Agriculture, Conservation and Natural Resources with substitute and rereferred to Finance and Appropriations (8-Y 6-N) · upper
- Feb 25, 2026 Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (HB1396) · lower
- Feb 26, 2026 Committee substitute printed 26108421D-S1 · upper
- Mar 3, 2026 Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (HB1396) · lower
- Mar 4, 2026 Continued to next session in Finance and Appropriations (15-Y 0-N) · upper
- Jul 21, 2026 Continued from last session · upper
Text versions (14)
The published texts of this bill as it moves through the legislature. Each links to the official document on the state legislature site. Data from OpenStates.
- Introduced · HTML
- Introduced · PDF
- Agriculture Subcommittee Substitute · HTML
- Agriculture Subcommittee Substitute · PDF
- Agriculture, Chesapeake and Natural Resources Substitute · HTML
- Agriculture, Chesapeake and Natural Resources Substitute · PDF
- Agriculture, Chesapeake and Natural Resources Substitute · HTML
- Agriculture, Chesapeake and Natural Resources Substitute · PDF
- Agriculture, Chesapeake and Natural Resources Substitute · HTML
- Agriculture, Chesapeake and Natural Resources Substitute · PDF
- Agriculture, Conservation and Natural Resources Substitute · HTML
- Agriculture, Conservation and Natural Resources Substitute · PDF
- Agriculture, Conservation and Natural Resources Substitute · HTML
- Agriculture, Conservation and Natural Resources Substitute · PDF
Full text
Full text imported from lis.blob.core.windows.net
2027 SESSION INTRODUCED 26105415D HOUSE BILL NO. 1396 Offered January 22, 2026 A BILL to amend the Code of Virginia by adding a section numbered 29.1-516.3 , relating to Department of Wildlife Resources; permits; use of dogs in hunting game animals, fur-bearing animals, and nuisance species. ————— Patrons—Martinez and Clark ————— Referred to Committee on Agriculture, Chesapeake and Natural Resources ————— Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia: 1. That the Code of Virginia is amended by adding a section numbered 29.1-516.3 as follows: § 29.1-516.3 . Permit required for the use of dogs in hunting game animals, fur - bearing animals , and nuisance species. A. The Department shall establish a permit for person s and a permit for organizations that hunt game animals, fur - bearing animals , or nuisance species with the aid of dogs. Applications for new and renewed permits shall be on a form prescribed by the Department and shall include a fee of $19 . The Department shall promulgate regulations necessary to implement the provisions of this section including (i) permit issuance procedures, (ii) criteria for permit revocation or suspension, (iii) standards for dog identification and marking of vehicles, (iv) conditions under which exemptions to the requirements of this subsection may be granted, and (v) the implementation of practices th at reduce the likelihood of a hunting dog entering onto real property and for which the permit holder does not have written permission pursuant to subsection C. B . Beginning July 1, 2027, i t is unlawful for any person to (i) release a dog to hunt, pursue, or chase any game animal, fur - bearing animal , or nuisance species on any tract of real property or (ii) engage in hunting any game animal, fur - bearing animal , or nuisance species with the aid of any dog unless such person has been issued a permit to hunt with dogs by the Department. C . No person shall release a dog that hunts, pursues, or chases any game animal, fur - bearing animal , or nuisance species onto or across, or otherwise allow such dog to remain on , private property without written permissi on from the landowner or lawful occupant of such property. D. The provisions of subsection B shall not apply to any person or organization (i) e ngaged in mounted fox hunting; (ii) engaged in hunting waterfowl, (iii) using a tracking dog to retrieve a wounded or dead bear, turkey, or deer pursuant to § 29.1-516.1 ; or (iv) whose dog remains in the immediate visual presence and control of such person , regardless of the species of animal that is otherwise being lawfully pursued.
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