HB1396Introduced in the House of Delegates
Dogs; hunting game animals, fur-bearing animals, and nuisance species, permits, civil penalties.
Introduced by Marty Martinez, District 29
What does this bill do?
Plain-English breakdown
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Official description
Department of Wildlife Resources; permits; use of dogs in hunting game animals, fur-bearing animals, and nuisance species; civil penalties. Directs the Department of Wildlife Resources to establish a permit for persons and a permit for organizations that hunt game animals, fur-bearing animals, or nuisance species with the aid of dogs and makes it 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 for 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. The bill exempts from permitting requirements any person or organization (a) engaged in mounted fox hunting or hunting waterfowl, migratory birds, or upland game birds; (b) using a tracking dog to retrieve a wounded or dead bear, turkey, or deer; (c) whose dog remains in the immediate visual presence and control of such person or organization; or (d) on public lands where hunting is allowed. Finally the bill subjects any person who violates the provisions of the bill to a civil penalty of no more than $50 for a first violation and no less than $100 but no more than $250 for a second or subsequent violation within three years.
Where it stands
Continued to next session in Finance and Appropriations (15-Y 0-N)
March 4, 2026
How did lawmakers vote?
House of Delegates votes
4 recorded votes · each counted separately
Senate votes
2 recorded votes · each counted separately
SenateStage: Continued to next session in Finance and Appropriations (15-Y 0-N) · March 4, 2026
15
Yes
0
No
0
Absent or Not Voting
15 senators recorded in this Senate vote. Colors show vote categories only, not whether a vote was good or bad.
What do people think?
Citizen Voice
How would you vote on this bill?
An unofficial public opinion poll. It does not affect the bill or the official vote.
One response per device. Location is self-reported and not verified. Results are informal and not a scientific survey.
See how each senator voted
| Senator | District | Vote |
|---|---|---|
| Mark Obenshain | 2 | Yes |
| Todd Pillion | 6 | Yes |
| Creigh Deeds | 11 | Yes |
| Lashrecse Aird | 13 | Yes |
| Lamont Bagby | 14 | Yes |
| Louise Lucas | 18 | Yes |
| Aaron Rouse | 22 | Yes |
| Mamie Locke | 23 | Yes |
| Richard Stuart | 25 | Yes |
| Ryan McDougle | 26 | Yes |
Bill history
Presented and ordered printed 26105415D
Referred to Committee on Agriculture, Chesapeake and Natural Resources
Assigned HACNR sub: Agriculture
House subcommittee offered
Subcommittee failed to recommend passing by indefinitely (3-Y 5-N)
Subcommittee recommends reporting with substitute (6-Y 3-N)
House committee offered
Reported from Agriculture, Chesapeake and Natural Resources with substitute (15-Y 7-N)
Committee substitute printed 26107741D-H1
Read first time
Read second time
committee substitute agreed to
Engrossed by House - committee substitute
Read third time and passed House (55-Y 39-N 0-A)
Constitutional reading dispensed (on 1st reading)
Referred to Committee on Agriculture, Conservation and Natural Resources
Assigned HACNR sub: Companion Animals
Senate subcommittee offered
Reported from Agriculture, Conservation and Natural Resources with substitute and rereferred to Finance and Appropriations (8-Y 6-N)
Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (HB1396)
Committee substitute printed 26108421D-S1
Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (HB1396)
Continued to next session in Finance and Appropriations (15-Y 0-N)
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