Rep. Norm Thurston — Voting Record

Bill

Number

S.B. 113 Second Substitute (2023GS)

Sponsor

Sen. Sandall, S.

Final action

Governor Signed 3/14/2023

Outcome

Became law — signed by Gov. Spencer J. Cox

Summary

What it does

• This bill:
• defines terms, including "animal enterprise" and "working animal"; and
• except for certain exceptions, prohibits a municipality or a county from adopting or enforcing an ordinance or other regulation that prohibits or effectively prohibits the operation of an animal enterprise or the use of a working animal.

Every vote on this bill

Bill text

LOCAL AGRICULTURAL AMENDMENTS
GENERAL SESSION
STATE OF UTAH
Chief Sponsor: Scott D. Sandall
House Sponsor: 
Casey Snider
LONG TITLE
General Description:
This bill modifies the authority of a political subdivision to enact regulations regarding
animal enterprises and working animals.
Highlighted Provisions:
This bill:
▸ defines terms, including "animal enterprise" and "working animal"; and
▸ except for certain exceptions, prohibits a municipality or a county from adopting or
enforcing an ordinance or other regulation that prohibits or effectively prohibits the
operation of an animal enterprise or the use of a working animal.
Money Appropriated in this Bill:
None
Other Special Clauses:
None
Utah Code Sections Affected:
ENACTS:
11-46a-101
, Utah Code Annotated 1953
11-46a-102
, Utah Code Annotated 1953
Be it enacted by the Legislature of the state of Utah:
Section 1. Section 
11-46a-101
 is enacted to read:
CHAPTER 46a. ANIMAL ENTERPRISE AND WORKING ANIMAL REGULATIONS
 11-46a-101.
Definitions.
As used in this chapter:
(1) (a) "Animal" means any nonhuman vertebrate life form.
(b) "Animal" does not include domestic cats, domestic dogs, exotic animals, or
reptiles.
(2) (a) "Animal enterprise" means a commercial enterprise, an academic enterprise, or
a competition that uses or sells animals or animal products for profit, food or fiber production,
agriculture, education, research, sport, or testing.
(b) "Animal enterprise" includes an animal competition, exposition, fair, rodeo, farm,
feedlot, furrier, ranch, or event intended to exhibit or advance agricultural arts and sciences.
(c) "Animal enterprise" does not include an aquarium, circus, horse and carriage
operation, retail pet store, or zoo.
(3) "Exotic animal" means a:
(a) member of the family Felidae not indigenous to Utah, except the species Felis catus
(domestic cat);
(b) nonhuman primate;
(c) nonwolf member of the family Canidae not indigenous to Utah, except the species
Canis familiaris (domestic dog);
(d) bear; and
(e) member of the order Crocodylia.
(4) "Political subdivision" means:
(a) a city, town, or metro township; or
(b) a county, as it relates to the licensing and regulation of an animal enterprise or
working animal in the unincorporated area of the county.
(5) (a) "Working animal" means an animal used for performing a specific duty or
function in commerce, including an animal used for entertainment, herding, transportation,
education, or exhibition.
(b) "Working animal" does not include a horse and carriage operation.
Section 2. Section 
11-46a-102
 is enacted to read:
 11-46a-102.
Limitations on animal enterprise and working animal regulations.
(1) Subject to Subsection (2), a political subdivision may not adopt or enforce an
ordinance or other regulation that prohibits or effectively prohibits:
(a) the operation of an animal enterprise;
(b) the use of a working animal; or
(c) domestic dogs from:
(i) actively participating in an exposition or rodeo; or
(ii) performing a specific duty as a working animal.
(2) Subsection (1) does not apply to an ordinance or other regulation that a political
subdivision adopts or enforces if the ordinance or other regulation:
(a) enforces a state or federal law;
(b) is a land use regulation as that term is defined in Section 
10-9a-103
; or
(c) is adopted or enforced, in accordance with Section 
10-8-15
 or 
19-4-113
, to protect:
(i) drinking water or a source of drinking water from pollution; or
(ii) a waterworks system.