BILL AS INTRODUCED H.473
2025 Page 1 of 1
VT LEG #381255 v.1
H.473 1
SHORT FORM 2
Introduced by Representative Austin of Colchester 3
Referred to Committee on 4
Date: 5
Subject: Fish and wildlife; wildlife reintroduction; catamount 6
Statement of purpose of bill as introduced: This bill proposes to require the 7
Department of Fish and Wildlife to conduct a feasibility study of the 8
reintroduction of the puma concolor, commonly referred to as the cougar or 9
catamount, into the State of Vermont. The feasibility study would address how 10
the catamount would be reintroduced, the locations in the State suitable for 11
reintroduction, how to manage conflicts between humans and reintroduced 12
catamount, a metric for determining success of reintroduction, an estimated 13
timeline for reintroduction, and an estimated cost of reintroduction. The 14
Commissioner of Fish and Wildlife would be required to submit the results of 15
the feasibility study to the House Committee on Environment and the Senate 16
Committee on Natural Resources and Energy on or before January 1, 2027. 17
An act relating to the reintroduction of catamounts to the State of Vermont 18
It is hereby enacted by the General Assembly of the State of Vermont: 19
(TEXT OMITTED IN SHORT-FORM BILLS) 20