Early Saturday morning, May 11, the 2024 Vermont Legislative Session adjourned sine die. This means the legislative session is completed for the year.
This year, the legislative session was up and down for sportsmen. Only a handful of sportsmen-related bills were introduced, with one making it to the governor’s desk for consideration.
The good news first. Anti-sportsman bill, S. 258 failed. This bill proposed a change in the authority of the Fish & Wildlife Board, and its composition, while also restructuring the appointment process. The bill also banned coyote hunting with dogs and implemented vague and unenforceable baiting requirements.
At the Governor’s Desk:
But here’s the bad news. H. 626 creates a Division of Animal Welfare within the Department of Public Safety to develop, implement, and administer a centralized program for investigating and enforcing animal welfare requirements in the State. The bill would also amend or establish standards for the operation of animal shelters and animal rescue organizations.
Animal welfare is important to the Sportsmen’s Alliance, BUT we know exactly how far so-called animal “welfare” individuals and organizations will go…regulating sporting dogs and hobby breeders right out of existence. Your Government Affairs team will be paying close attention to the creation, development, and implementation of this new animal welfare division to ensure sporting dogs and hobby breeders are protected.
“This bill could be a problem if the animal extremists take control of it,” said Dr. Todd Adkins, vice president of government affairs at the Sportsmen’s Alliance. “We will have to watch this like a hawk and ask all sportsmen to do the same so we can make sure it’s not used as a vehicle for anti-hunting or anti-sportsmen hijinks.”
Even though the 2024 legislative session is over, the Sportsmen’s Alliance will continue to monitor activities in the Green Mountain State. Continue to keep an eye on your inbox, as you never know when issues that sportsmen need to be aware of may arise.
On our interactive map, you can view the bills the Sportsmen’s Alliance monitored during the legislative session. Please share this message with your family and friends, as sportsmen throughout Vermont must continue to stay actively involved in defending our hunting, fishing, and trapping heritage for present and future generations to enjoy.
About the Sportsmen’s Alliance: The Sportsmen’s Alliance protects and defends America’s wildlife conservation programs and the pursuits – hunting, fishing and trapping – that generate the money to pay for them. Sportsmen’s Alliance Foundation is responsible for public education, legal defense and research. Its mission is accomplished through several distinct programs coordinated to provide the most complete defense capability possible. Stay connected to Sportsmen’s Alliance: Online, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
