BILL AS INTRODUCED H.595
2024 Page 1 of 2
1 H.595
2 Introduced by Representative Brennan of Colchester
3 Referred to Committee on
4 Date:
5 Subject: Fish and wildlife; game; deer or bear doing damage
6 Statement of purpose of bill as introduced: This bill proposes to repeal the
7 requirement that the Department of Fish and Wildlife reimburse persons
8 engaged in the business of farming for damage to crops from deer or bear.
9 An act relating to deer and bear doing damage to crops
10 It is hereby enacted by the General Assembly of the State of Vermont:
11 Sec. 1. 10 V.S.A. §§ 4829–4832 are amended to read:
12 § 4829. PERSON SUFFERING DAMAGE BY DEER OR BLACK BEAR
13 (a) A person engaged in the business of farming who suffers damage by
14 deer to the person’s crops, fruit trees, or crop-bearing plants on land not posted
15 against the hunting of deer, or a person engaged in the business of farming who
16 suffers damage by black bear to the person’s cattle, sheep, swine, poultry, or
17 bees or bee hives on land not posted against hunting or trapping of black bear
18 is entitled to reimbursement for the damage up to an amount not to exceed
19 $5,000.00 per year, and may apply to the Department of Fish and Wildlife
20 within 72 hours of the occurrence of the damage for reimbursement for the VT LEG #372906 v.1
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1 damage. As used in this section, “post” means any signage that would lead a
2 reasonable person to believe that hunting is prohibited on the land.
3 (b) As used in this section, a person is “engaged in the business of farming”
4 if he or she earns at least one-half of the farmer’s annual gross income from the
5 business of farming, as that term is defined in the Internal Revenue Code, 26
6 C.F.R. § 1.175-3. [Repealed.]
7 § 4830. REGULATIONS
8 The State Fish and Wildlife Board shall adopt rules and regulations relating
9 to application for reimbursement, examination by State fish and wildlife
10 wardens of damage, and reimbursement therefor. [Repealed.]
11 § 4831. REIMBURSEMENT
12 Reimbursement under this subchapter shall be made by the State Treasurer,
13 on the voucher of the Commissioner of Fish and Wildlife, from money
14 received by the State Treasurer under the provisions of this part. [Repealed.]
15 § 4832. APPEAL
16 A person who is denied reimbursement under this subchapter or who is
17 dissatisfied with the amount of the reimbursement granted may appeal to the
18 Superior Court of the county in which he or she resides. [Repealed.]
19 Sec. 2. EFFECTIVE DATE
20 This act shall take effect on July 1, 2024.
VT LEG #372906 v.1