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Read. Follow. Verify.Vermont requires no net loss of State lands available for hunting and fishing starting July 2026
Last action · January 22, 2026: Read 1st time & referred to Committee on Natural Resources and EnergySponsor: Patrick Brennan
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What This Bill Would Do
Vermont requires the Agency of Natural Resources to ensure no of State land acreage available for hunting and fishing starting July 1, 2026, and mandates the acquisition of replacement acreage within 25 miles if existing land is closed.
Hunters and anglers retain equivalent regional access to public land when state-controlled properties are closed or restricted, while the Agency of Natural Resources must acquire or control replacement acreage and submit an annual report to legislative committees.
Who It Would Affect
Groups the bill's text would affect if enacted, as described in the record. Being affected is not a position for or against it.
Hunters and Anglers
Guaranteed that available State land acreage for hunting and fishing will not drop below the July 1, 2026 baseline level.
Agency of Natural Resources
Required to monitor acreage, acquire replacement land when closures occur, and submit annual reports to legislative committees.
Key Facts
- The Secretary of Natural Resources must ensure State lands remain open for public hunting and fishing unless restricted for fish and wildlife management, public safety, or law compliance.
- Management decisions or actions regarding State lands must not result in a net loss of acreage available for hunting or fishing compared to the baseline of July 1, 2026.
- When State lands used for hunting or fishing are closed, the Secretary must expeditiously acquire replacement acreage to compensate for the loss.
- Replacement acreage must, to the extent possible, be located within 25 miles of the closed land and allow the same hunting or fishing activities.
Show all 6 facts
- Annually on or before January 15, the Secretary must submit a report on closures, replacement acreage, and total available acreage to legislative committees.
- The act takes effect on July 1, 2026.
Frequently Asked Questions
What happens if a piece of State land used for hunting is closed?
When does this requirement take effect?
Who receives the annual report on land closures and replacements?
What else do you want to know?
News Coverage
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Votes, people, money & the original sourceWhere This Stands
Currently in committee. The next step in the legislative lifecycle is Floor Vote.
Procedural history
1 action- Jan 22, 2026SenateIntroducedRead 1st time & referred to Committee on Natural Resources and Energy
Version history
Only one version on file - nothing to compare yet. As later stages (committee substitute, engrossed, enrolled) are captured, the redline appears here.
View official text →Lobbying Activity
No state lobbying filings in our records match this bill. Federal lobbying reports (LDA) cover Congress, so they are not listed on state bills.
Full breakdown
Who this bill affects and the strongest case for and against it, written only from the bill’s own text.
Sponsors
Discoveries
Patterns POLISCOPE noticed across the record. These are observations to investigate, not conclusions.
Establishment of No Net Loss Standard for Recreation
Imposes a strict acreage equivalence requirement on state land management regarding hunting and fishing access.
Connected Entities
Sources
legislature.vermont.gov
Analysis Score
0–100- Significance65How much this matters to a regular citizen
- Controversy25Intensity of disagreement among stakeholders
- Entertainment5Compellingness for a non-policy-wonk reader
- Buzz20Current news / social attention level
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