Rep. Norm Thurston — Voting Record

Bill

Number

H.B. 141 (2022GS)

Sponsor

Rep. Whyte, S.

Final action

Governor Signed 3/21/2022

Outcome

Became law — signed by Gov. Spencer J. Cox

Summary

What it does

• This bill:
• defines terms; and
• authorizes the Division of Wildlife Resources to close a wildlife management area to target shooting in certain circumstances and with certain conditions.

Every vote on this bill

Bill text

TARGET SHOOTING REGULATIONS
GENERAL SESSION
STATE OF UTAH
Chief Sponsor: Stephen L. Whyte
Senate Sponsor: 
David P. Hinkins
LONG TITLE
General Description:
This bill addresses the regulation of target shooting in wildlife management areas.
Highlighted Provisions:
This bill:
▸ defines terms; and
▸ authorizes the Division of Wildlife Resources to close a wildlife management area
to target shooting in certain circumstances and with certain conditions.
Money Appropriated in this Bill:
None
Other Special Clauses:
None
Utah Code Sections Affected:
ENACTS:
23-21-2.6
, Utah Code Annotated 1953
Be it enacted by the Legislature of the state of Utah:
Section 1. Section 
23-21-2.6
 is enacted to read:
 23-21-2.6.
Target shooting prohibitions.
(1) As used in this section:
(a) "County sheriff" means the individual holding the office of county sheriff in the
portion of a wildlife management area where target shooting will be, or is, prohibited under this
section.
(b) "Director" means the director of the Division of Wildlife Resources.
(c) "Extremely hazardous" means categorized as "extreme" under a nationally
recognized standard for rating fire danger.
(2) Subject to Subsections (3) and (4), the division may prohibit the use of firearms for
target shooting within all or part of a wildlife management area if the director finds, and the
county sheriff agrees, that conditions in that portion of the wildlife management area are
extremely hazardous.
(3) A prohibition under this section:
(a) shall undergo a formal review by the director and the county sheriff every 14 days;
(b) may not prohibit an individual from legally possessing a firearm or lawfully
participating in a hunt; and
(c) may only remain in place for as long as extremely hazardous conditions exist in the
area that is subject to the prohibition.
(4) The director and the county sheriff shall:
(a) via a written document, agree to the terms of a prohibition under this section,
including:
(i) the exact area where target shooting is prohibited; and
(ii) the date when the prohibition becomes effective; and
(b) comply with Subsection (4)(a) at each formal review under Subsection (3)(a).