Senate amends Fish and Wildlife bill to keep rulemaking with department, expand advisory board

Senators on the floor debated S258, an act addressing the composition and role of Vermont’s Fish and Wildlife Board, and adopted a committee amendment that narrowed original language and returned rulemaking authority to the Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department.

The amendment, presented by the senator reporting the bill, retains the governor’s 14 appointees, adds two legislative appointees (one by the House and one by the Senate), makes the board advisory and restores rulemaking to the department led by the commissioner, and adds qualifications and a training requirement for appointees. The presenter emphasized "respect" for hunting traditions while arguing the bill broadens representation and relies on peer‑reviewed science.

Opponents framed parts of the proposal as an intrusion on hunting traditions. The senator from Rutland recounted personal hunting experience and urged colleagues to vote no, warning that some constituents view the measure as an existential threat to longstanding practices. The senator from Essex also called the underlying bill "the biggest anti hunting bill" he had seen, criticizing the bill’s origins and the pace of changes prior to the floor vote.

Supporters said the amendment reflects compromise: it keeps the executive’s appointments largely intact while adding limited legislative representation, removes trapping and trail setbacks language that drew opposition, and clarifies that endangered‑species management remains under the secretary’s authority. The presenter cited department materials and a departmental survey to argue that a more inclusive advisory board and department‑led rulemaking would support science‑based stewardship.

The Senate approved the amendment by roll call (21 yes, 8 no) and ordered third reading of S258. The committee on appropriations reported the fiscal impact of one additional board member as roughly $400 and described that as de minimis.

What happens next: S258 was ordered for third reading; further amendments or final passage would occur when the bill returns for third reading.