HB 129: Deer; permit may be issued to kill if damaging residential plants and certain property.

Official summary

Abstract published by the legislature (via Open States). Text as published by the legislature; reproduced verbatim.

Killing of deer damaging residential plants and certain property. Allows the Director of the Department of Wildlife Resources or his designee to issue a permit to kill a limited number of antlered deer when such deer cause damage to residential plants and the Director or his designee determines, upon inspection, that there is clear and convincing evidence that the damage was done by antlered deer. Upon a landowner or lessee's request, the bill also requires the Director or his designee to issue a permit to kill antlerless deer on commercial agricultural production lands when such deer cause damage to fruit trees, Christmas trees, crops, horticultural plants, or personal property utilized for commercial agricultural production within the Commonwealth. When such damage is caused by antlered deer, the bill requires the Director or his designee to issue a permit to kill a limited number of antlered deer if the Director or his designee determines that there is clear and convincing evidence that the damage was done by antlered deer. The bill also changes the extent to which a person can assist in hunting when his hunting license has been revoked or suspended in the Commonwealth by prohibiting such person from assisting in hunting until the hunting restriction has been lifted. Current law allows such a person to assist in hunting after a certain period of time.

Sponsors

Sponsors by party (alphabetical): Republican 1

“Support” is shown only as formal sponsorship recorded by the legislature. Roll-call votes are available on the official bill page.

Recent official actions

1. April 13, 2026Approved by Governor-Chapter 912 (effective 7/1/2026)
2. April 2, 2026Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (HB129)
3. March 31, 2026Governor's Action Deadline 11:59 p.m., April 13, 2026
4. March 31, 2026Enrolled Bill communicated to Governor on March 31, 2026
5. March 31, 2026Signed by Speaker
6. March 30, 2026Signed by President
7. March 30, 2026Bill text as passed House and Senate (HB129ER)
8. March 30, 2026Enrolled
9. March 10, 2026Senate substitute agreed to by House (91-Y 8-N 0-A)
10. March 9, 2026Passed Senate with substitute (33-Y 7-N 0-A)
11. March 9, 2026Engrossed by Senate - committee substitute
12. March 9, 2026Agriculture, Conservation and Natural Resources Substitute agreed to

Showing 12 most recent of 38 actions. Full history