Rep. Norm Thurston — Voting Record

Bill

Number

H.B. 309 (2025GS)

Sponsor

Rep. Snider, Casey

Final action

Governor Signed 3/24/2025

Outcome

Became law — signed by Gov. Spencer J. Cox

Summary

What it does

• This bill:
• modifies definitions;
• addresses night hunting of nonprotected wildlife;
• imposes requirements for holding a hunting or combination license for service on the Wildlife Board or a regional advisory council;
• addresses definition of and access to wildlife management areas;
• modifies provisions concerning the Department of Agriculture and Food's activities related to livestock depredation and big game protection;
• addresses compensation for damage to livestock;
• corrects a definition of "big game"; and
• makes technical and conforming changes.

Every vote on this bill

Bill text

36
23A-1-101
23A-1-103
23A-1-204
23A-2-301
23A-2-302
23A-2-303
23A-6-101
23A-6-402
23A-8-101
23A-8-201
23A-8-202
23A-11-101
23A-11-302
0
Wildlife Amendments
2025 GENERAL SESSION
STATE OF UTAH
Chief Sponsor: Casey Snider
Senate Sponsor: Michael K. McKell
LONG TITLE
General Description:
This bill addresses state activities related to wildlife.
Highlighted Provisions:
This bill:
modifies definitions;
addresses night hunting of nonprotected wildlife;
imposes requirements for holding a hunting or combination license for service on the 
Wildlife Board or a regional advisory council;
addresses definition of and access to wildlife management areas;
modifies provisions concerning the Department of Agriculture and Food's activities 
related to livestock depredation and big game protection;
addresses compensation for damage to livestock;
corrects a definition of "big game"; and
makes technical and conforming changes.
Money Appropriated in this Bill:
None
Other Special Clauses:
None
Utah Code Sections Affected:
AMENDS:
23A-1-101
, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2024, Chapter 80
23A-1-103
, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2024, Chapter 347
23A-1-204
, as renumbered and amended by Laws of Utah 2023, Chapter 103
23A-2-301
, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2024, Chapter 529
23A-2-302
, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2023, Chapter 211 and renumbered and 
amended by Laws of Utah 2023, Chapter 103
23A-2-303
, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2024, Chapter 529
23A-6-101
, as renumbered and amended by Laws of Utah 2023, Chapter 103
23A-6-402
, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2024, Chapter 347
23A-8-101
, as enacted by Laws of Utah 2023, Chapter 103
23A-8-201
, as renumbered and amended by Laws of Utah 2023, Chapter 103
23A-8-202
, as renumbered and amended by Laws of Utah 2023, Chapter 103
23A-11-101
, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2024, Chapter 347
23A-11-302
, as renumbered and amended by Laws of Utah 2023, Chapter 103
Be it enacted by the Legislature of the state of Utah:
Section 1, Section 
23A-1-101
 is amended to read:
23A-1-101
. Definitions.
As used in this title:
(1)
"Activity regulated under this title" means an act, attempted act, or activity prohibited or 
regulated under this title or the rules and proclamations promulgated under this title 
pertaining to protected wildlife including:
(a)
fishing;
(b)
hunting;
(c)
trapping;
(d)
taking;
(e)
permitting a dog, falcon, or other domesticated animal to take;
(f)
transporting;
(g)
possessing;
(h)
selling;
(i)
wasting;
(j)
importing;
(k)
exporting;
(l)
rearing;
(m)
keeping;
(n)
using as a commercial venture; and
(o)
releasing to the wild.
(2)
"Aquaculture facility" means the same as that term is defined in Section 
4-37-103
.
(3)
"Aquatic animal" means the same as that term is defined in Section 
4-37-103
.
(4)
"Aquatic wildlife" means species of fish, mollusks, crustaceans, aquatic insects, or 
amphibians.
(5)
"Bag limit" means the maximum limit, in number or amount, of protected wildlife that 
one person may legally take during one day.
(6)
"Big game" means species of hoofed protected wildlife.
(7)
"Carcass" means the dead body of an animal or the animal's parts.
(8)
"Certificate of registration" means a paper-based or electronic document issued under 
this title, or a rule or proclamation of the Wildlife Board granting authority to engage in 
activities not covered by a license, permit, or tag.
(9)
"Closed season" means the period of time during which the taking of protected wildlife 
is prohibited.
(10)
"Dedicated hunter program" means a program that provides:
(a)
expanded hunting opportunities;
(b)
opportunities to participate in projects that are beneficial to wildlife; and
(c)
education in hunter ethics and wildlife management principles.
(11)
"Department" means the Department of Natural Resources.
(12)
"Director" means the director of the division appointed under Section 
23A-2-202
.
(13)
"Division" means the Division of Wildlife Resources.
(14)
"Division of Law Enforcement" means the division within the Department of Natural 
Resources created under Title 79, Chapter 2, Part 7, Division of Law Enforcement.
(15)
Subject to Section 
23A-1-103
, "domicile" means the place:
(a)
where an individual has a fixed permanent home and principal establishment;
(b)
to which the individual if absent, intends to return and has an actual plan, method, 
and means to return to the individual's domicile within six months;
(c)
in which the individual, and the individual's family voluntarily reside, not for a 
special or temporary purpose, but with the intention of making a permanent home; 
and
(d)
is a place where the individual resides for the majority of the individual's time.
(16)
"Endangered" means wildlife designated as endangered according to Section 3 of the 
federal Endangered Species Act of 1973.
(17)
"Executive director" means the executive director of the Department of Natural 
Resources.
(18)
"Fee fishing facility" means the same as that term is defined in Section 
4-37-103
.
(19)
"Feral" means an animal that is normally domesticated but has reverted to the wild.
(20)
"Fishing" means to take fish or crayfish by any means.
(21)
"Furbearer" means species of the Bassariscidae, Canidae, Felidae, Mustelidae, and 
Castoridae families, except coyote and cougar.
(22)
"Game" means wildlife normally pursued, caught, or taken by sporting means for 
human use.
(23)
"Hunting" means to take or pursue a reptile, amphibian, bird, or mammal by any 
means.
(24)
"Hunting guide" means the same as that term is defined in Section 
58-79-102
.
(25)
"Intimidate or harass" means to physically interfere with or impede, hinder, or 
diminish the efforts of an officer in the performance of the officer's duty.
(26)
(a)
"Light enhancement device" means a device or other technology that allows an 
individual to see in the dark.
(b)
"Light enhancement device" includes a spotlight, thermal vision, and night vision.
(26)
(27)
(a)
"Natural flowing stream" means a topographic low where water collects 
and perennially or intermittently flows with a perceptible current in a channel formed 
exclusively by forces of nature.
(b)
"Natural flowing stream" includes perennial or intermittent water flows in a:
(i)
realigned or modified channel that replaces the historic, natural flowing stream 
channel; and
(ii)
dredged natural flowing stream channel.
(c)
"Natural flowing stream" does not include a human-made ditch, canal, pipeline, or 
other water delivery system that diverts and conveys water to an approved place of 
use pursuant to a certificated water right.
(27)
(28)
(a)
"Natural lake" means a perennial or intermittent body of water that collects 
on the surface of the earth exclusively through the forces of nature and without 
human assistance.
(b)
"Natural lake" does not mean a lake where the surface water sources supplying the 
body of water originate from groundwater springs no more than 100 yards upstream.
(28)
(29)
"Natural resources officer" means the same as that term is defined in Section 
79-2-701
.
(30)
"Night hunting" means the practice of using a light enhancement device to aid in 
seeing in the dark while hunting wildlife between sunset and sunrise that is not protected 
wildlife.
(29)
(31)
"Nominating committee" means the Wildlife Board Nominating Committee 
created in Section 
23A-2-302
.
(30)
(32)
"Nonresident" means a person who does not qualify as a resident.
(31)
(33)
"Open season" means the period of time during which protected wildlife may be 
legally taken.
(32)
(34)
"Outfitter" means the same as that term is defined in Section 
58-79-102
.
(33)
(35)
"Pecuniary gain" means the acquisition of money or something of monetary 
value.
(34)
(36)
"Permit" means a paper-based or electronic document that grants authority to 
engage in specified activities under this title or a rule or proclamation of the Wildlife 
Board.
(35)
(37)
"Person" means an individual, association, partnership, government agency, 
corporation, or an agent of the individual, association, partnership, government agency, 
or corporation.
(36)
(38)
"Pollute water" means to introduce into waters within the state matter or thermal 
energy that:
(a)
exceeds state water quality standards; or
(b)
could harm protected wildlife.
(37)
(39)
"Possession" means actual or constructive possession.
(38)
(40)
"Possession limit" means the number of bag limits one individual may legally 
possess.
(39)
(41)
(a)
"Private fish pond" means a pond, reservoir, or other body of water, 
including a fish culture system, located on privately owned land where privately 
owned fish:
(i)
are propagated or kept for a private noncommercial purpose; and
(ii)
may be taken without a fishing license.
(b)
"Private fish pond" does not include:
(i)
an aquaculture facility;
(ii)
a fee fishing facility;
(iii)
a short-term fishing event; or
(iv)
private stocking.
(40)
(42)
"Private stocking" means an authorized release of privately owned, live fish in 
the waters of the state not eligible as:
(a)
a private fish pond under Section 
23A-9-203
; or
(b)
an aquaculture facility or fee fishing facility under Title 4, Chapter 37, Aquaculture 
Act.
(41)
(43)
"Private wildlife farm" means an enclosed place where privately owned birds or 
furbearers are propagated or kept and that restricts the birds or furbearers from:
(a)
commingling with wild birds or furbearers; and
(b)
escaping into the wild.
(42)
(44)
"Proclamation" means the publication that is:
(a)
used to convey a statute, rule, policy, or pertinent information related to wildlife; and
(b)
issued in accordance with a rule made by the Wildlife Board under this title.
(43)
(45)
(a)
"Protected aquatic wildlife" means aquatic wildlife except as provided in 
Subsection 
(43)
(45)
(b).
(b)
"Protected aquatic wildlife" does not include aquatic insects.
(44)
(46)
(a)
"Protected wildlife" means wildlife, except as provided in Subsection 
(44)
(46)
(b).
(b)
"Protected wildlife" does not include:
(i)
coyote;
(ii)
feral swine;
(ii)
(iii)
field mouse;
(iii)
(iv)
gopher;
(iv)
(v)
ground squirrel;
(v)
(vi)
jack rabbit;
(vi)
(vii)
muskrat;
 or
(viii)
striped skunk;
(vii)
(ix)
raccoon
.
; or
(x)
red fox.
(45)
(47)
"Regional advisory council" means a council created under Section 
23A-2-303
.
(46)
(48)
"Released to the wild" means to be turned loose from confinement.
(47)
(49)
(a)
"Reservoir constructed on a natural stream channel" means a body of water 
collected and stored on the course of a natural flowing stream by impounding the 
stream through excavation or diking.
(b)
"Reservoir constructed on a natural stream channel" does not mean an impoundment 
on a natural flowing stream where all surface water sources supplying the 
impoundment originate from groundwater springs no more than 100 yards upstream.
(48)
(50)
Subject to Section 
23A-1-103
, "resident" means a person who:
(a)
has been domiciled in the state for six consecutive months immediately preceding the 
purchase of a license; and
(b)
does not claim residency for hunting, fishing, or trapping in another state or country.
(49)
(51)
"Sell" means to offer or possess for sale, barter, exchange, or trade, or the act of 
selling, bartering, exchanging, or trading.
(50)
(52)
"Short-term fishing event" means an event when:
(a)
privately acquired fish are held or confined for a period not to exceed 10 days for the 
purpose of providing fishing or recreational opportunity; and
(b)
no fee is charged as a requirement to fish.
(51)
(53)
"Small game" means species of protected wildlife:
(a)
commonly pursued for sporting purposes;
(b)
not classified as big game, aquatic wildlife, or furbearers; and
(c)
excluding turkey, cougar, and bear.
(52)
(54)
"Spoiled" means impairment of the flesh of wildlife that renders the flesh unfit 
for human consumption.
(53)
(55)
"Spotlighting" means throwing or casting the rays of a spotlight, headlight, or 
other artificial light on a highway or in a field, woodland, or forest while having in 
possession a weapon by which protected wildlife may be killed.
(54)
(56)
"Tag" means a card, label, or other paper-based or electronic means of 
identification used to document harvest of protected wildlife.
(55)
(57)
"Take" means to:
(a)
hunt, pursue, harass, catch, capture, possess, gather, angle, seine, trap, or kill 
protected wildlife; or
(b)
attempt an action referred to in Subsection 
(55)
(57)
(a).
(58)
"Thermal vision" means the ability of a biological or artificial system to detect infrared 
radiation by detecting temperature to capture and recognize diverse levels of infrared 
illumination.
(56)
(59)
"Threatened" means wildlife designated as threatened pursuant to Section 3 of 
the federal Endangered Species Act of 1973.
(57)
(60)
"Trapping" means taking protected wildlife with a trapping device.
(58)
(61)
"Trophy animal" means an animal described as follows:
(a)
deer - a buck with an outside antler measurement of 24 inches or greater;
(b)
elk - a bull with six points on at least one side;
(c)
bighorn, desert, or rocky mountain sheep - a ram with a curl exceeding half curl;
(d)
moose - a bull with at least one antler exceeding five inches in length;
(e)
mountain goat - a male or female;
(f)
pronghorn antelope - a buck with horns exceeding 14 inches; or
(g)
bison - a bull.
(59)
(62)
"Upland game" means pheasant, quail, partridge, grouse, ptarmigan, mourning 
dove, band-tailed pigeon, turkey, cottontail rabbit, or snowshoe hare.
(60)
(63)
"Waste" means to:
(a)
abandon protected wildlife; or
(b)
allow protected wildlife to spoil or to be used in a manner not normally associated 
with the protected wildlife's beneficial use.
(61)
(64)
"Wild" means the natural environment, including a private pond or private 
property.
(62)
(65)
"Wildlife" means:
(a)
crustaceans, including brine shrimp and crayfish;
(b)
mollusks; and
(c)
vertebrate animals living in nature, except feral animals.
(63)
(66)
"Wildlife Board" means the board created in Section 
23A-2-301
.
(64)
(67)
"Wildlife parts" means biological material derived from the body or anatomy of 
wildlife, including:
(a)
an antler or horn;
(b)
a hide;
(c)
a bone; or
(d)
meat.
Section 2, Section 
23A-1-103
 is amended to read:
23A-1-103
. Domicile or residency.
(1)
(a)
Subject to Subsections 
23A-1-101
(15) and 
23A-1-101
(47)
(50)
, an individual is 
considered a resident who:
(i)
has been domiciled in the state for six consecutive months immediately preceding 
the purchase of a license or application of a license, permit, or tag; and
(ii)
does not claim residency for hunting, fishing, or trapping in another state or 
country.
(b)
To create a new domicile an individual shall:
(i)
abandon the old domicile; and
(ii)
be able to prove that a new domicile has been established.
(2)
A Utah resident retains Utah residency if that individual leaves this state:
(a)
to serve in the armed forces of the United States or for religious or educational 
purposes; and
(b)
the individual complies with Subsection 
23A-1-101
(47)(b)
(50)(b)
.
(3)
(a)
A member of the armed forces of the United States and dependents are residents 
for the purposes of this title as of the date the member reports for duty under assigned 
orders in the state if the member:
(i)
is not on temporary duty in this state; and
(ii)
complies with Subsection 
23A-1-101
(47)(b)
(50)(b)
.
(b)
A member shall present a copy of the assignment orders to a division office to verify 
the member's qualification as a resident.
(4)
A nonresident attending an institution of higher learning in this state as a full-time 
student may qualify as a resident for purposes of this title if the student:
(a)
has been present in this state for 60 consecutive days immediately preceding the 
purchase of the license; and
(b)
complies with Subsection 
23A-1-101
(47)(b)
(50)(b)
.
(5)
A Utah resident license is invalid if a resident license for hunting, fishing, or trapping is 
purchased in another state or country.
(6)
An absentee landowner paying property tax on land in Utah does not qualify as a 
resident.
Section 3, Section 
23A-1-204
 is amended to read:
23A-1-204
. Night hunting of nonprotected wildlife -- County ordinances -- 
Permits.
(1)
(a)
For purposes of a county ordinance enacted pursuant to this section, "motor 
vehicle" means the same as that term is defined in Section 
41-6a-102
.
(b)
For purposes of this section, "nonprotected wildlife" means the wildlife that is 
excluded from the definition of protected wildlife under Section 
23A-1-101
.
(2)
Spotlighting may be used to hunt coyote, red fox, striped skunk, or raccoon
A person 
may engage in night hunting of nonprotected wildlife
 when allowed by a county 
ordinance enacted pursuant to this section.
(3)
The 
county 
ordinance shall provide that:
(a)
a hunter shall carry 
the artificial light used to spotlight coyote, red fox, striped 
skunk, or raccoon
a light enhancement device used to locate nonprotected wildlife
;
(b)
a motor vehicle headlight or light attached to or powered by a motor vehicle may not 
be used to 
spotlight the coyote, red fox, striped skunk, or raccoon
locate 
nonprotected wildlife
; and
(c)
while hunting with the use of 
an artificial light
a light enhancement device
, the 
hunter may not occupy or operate a motor vehicle.
(4)
The 
county 
ordinance may specify:
(a)
the time of day and seasons when 
spotlighting
night hunting
 is permitted;
(b)
areas closed or open to 
spotlighting
night hunting
 within the unincorporated area of 
the county;
(c)
safety zones within which 
spotlighting
night hunting
 is prohibited;
(d)
the weapons permitted; and
(e)
penalties for violation of the 
county 
ordinance.
(5)
(a)
A county may restrict the number of hunters engaging in 
spotlighting
night 
hunting
 by requiring a permit to 
spotlight
night hunt
 and issuing a limited number of 
permits.
(b)
(i)
A county may charge a fee for a 
spotlighting
night hunting
 permit.
(ii)
A county ordinance shall establish the permit fee.
(iii)
A county shall remit revenue generated by the permit fee to the division for 
deposit into the Wildlife Resources Account, except the Wildlife Board may allow 
a county that enacts an ordinance pursuant to this section to retain a reasonable 
amount to pay for the costs of administering and enforcing the 
county 
ordinance if 
the use of the permit revenues does not affect federal funds received by the state 
under Wildlife Restoration Act, 16 U.S.C. Sec. 669 et seq., and Sport Fish 
Restoration Act, 16 U.S.C. Sec. 777 et seq.
(6)
A county may require a hunter to notify the county sheriff of the time and place the 
hunter will be engaged in 
spotlighting
night hunting
.
(7)
The requirement that a county enact an ordinance before a person may 
use spotlighting 
to hunt coyote, red fox, striped skunk, or raccoon
engage in night hunting to hunt 
nonprotected wildlife
 does not apply to:
(a)
a person or the person's agent who is lawfully acting to protect the person's crops or 
domestic animals from predation by those animals; or
(b)
an animal damage control agent acting in the agent's official capacity under a 
memorandum of agreement with the division.
Section 4, Section 
23A-2-301
 is amended to read:
23A-2-301
. Wildlife Board created.
(1)
There is created a Wildlife Board that consists of seven members appointed by the 
governor with the advice and consent of the Senate in accordance with Title 63G, 
Chapter 24, Part 2, Vacancies.
(2)
(a)
In addition to the requirements of Section 
79-2-203
, the members of the Wildlife 
Board shall have expertise or experience in at least one of the following areas:
(i)
wildlife management or biology;
(ii)
habitat management, including range or aquatic;
(iii)
business, including knowledge of private land issues; and
(iv)
economics, including knowledge of recreational wildlife uses.
(b)
At least one member of the Wildlife Board shall represent each of the areas of 
expertise under Subsection (2)(a).
(c)
(i)
Except as provided in Subsection 
(2)(c)(iv)
, as a qualification for service on the 
Wildlife Board, a member of the Wildlife Board shall:
(A)
have obtained a hunting or combination license for use by the member that is 
issued under Chapter 4, Licenses, Permits, Certificates of Registration, and 
Tags, at least three times during the five years before the day on which the 
individual is nominated by the nominating committee for appointment to the 
Wildlife Board; and
(B)
possess a hunting or combination license issued under Chapter 4, Licenses, 
Permits, Certificates of Registration, and Tags, while serving on the Wildlife 
Board.
(ii)
The director shall remove an individual from the Wildlife Board if the director 
determines that the individual does not meet the requirement of Subsection 
(2)(c)(i)(A).
(iii)
(A)
The director shall remove an individual from the Wildlife Board 15 days 
after the day on which the director notifies the individual that the individual is 
not in compliance with Subsection 
(2)(c)(i)
(B) unless during the 15-day period 
the individual obtains or otherwise proves that the individual holds a valid 
hunting or combination license.
(B)
The director shall send the notice required by this Subsection 
(2)(c)(iii)
, if the 
director finds that final action has been taken to suspend the license required by 
Subsection 
(2)(c)(i)
(B) or the individual fails to obtain a new license required 
under Subsection 
(2)(c)(i)
(B) once the previous license expires.
(iv)
An individual who is a member of the Wildlife Board as of May 7, 2025, is not 
subject to Subsection (2)(c)(i), except that if the governor reappoints the member 
to the Wildlife Board, the individual is subject to Subsection (2)(c)(i) as of the 
new membership term.
(3)
(a)
The governor shall select a board member from a list of nominees submitted by 
the nominating committee pursuant to Section 
23A-2-302
.
(b)
No more than two members shall be from a single wildlife region described in 
Subsection 
23A-2-303
(1).
(c)
The governor may request an additional list of at least two nominees from the 
nominating committee if the initial list of nominees for a given position is 
unacceptable.
(d)
(i)
If the governor fails to appoint a board member within 60 days after receipt of 
the initial or additional list, the nominating committee shall make an interim 
appointment by majority vote.
(ii)
The interim board member shall serve until the matter is resolved by the 
nominating committee and the governor or until the board member is replaced 
pursuant to this chapter.
(4)
(a)
Except as required by Subsection (4)(b), as terms of current board members 
expire, the governor shall appoint a new member or reappointed member to a 
six-year term.
(b)
Notwithstanding the requirements of Subsection (4)(a), the governor shall, at the 
time of appointment or reappointment, adjust the length of terms to ensure that:
(i)
the terms of board members are staggered so that approximately one-third of the 
Wildlife Board is appointed every two years; and
(ii)
members serving from the same region have staggered terms.
(c)
If a vacancy occurs, the nominating committee shall submit at least two names, as 
provided in Subsection 
23A-2-302
(4), to the governor and the governor shall appoint 
a replacement for the unexpired term.
(d)
A board member may serve only one term unless the board member:
(i)
is among the first board members appointed to serve four years or less; or
(ii)
filled a vacancy under Subsection (4)(c) for four years or less.
(5)
When the governor makes a new appointment or reappointment under Subsection (4)(a), 
or a vacancy appointment under Subsection (4)(c), the governor's new appointment, 
reappointment, or vacancy appointment shall be made with the advice and consent of the 
Senate in accordance with Title 63G, Chapter 24, Part 2, Vacancies.
(6)
(a)
The Wildlife Board shall elect a chair and a vice chair from the Wildlife Board's 
membership.
(b)
Four members of the Wildlife Board constitutes a quorum.
(c)
The director shall act as secretary to the Wildlife Board, but is not a voting member 
of the Wildlife Board.
(7)
(a)
The Wildlife Board shall hold a sufficient number of public meetings each year to 
expeditiously conduct the Wildlife Board's business.
(b)
Meetings may be called by the chair upon five days notice or upon shorter notice in 
emergency situations.
(c)
Meetings may be held at the Salt Lake City office of the division or elsewhere as 
determined by the Wildlife Board.
(8)
A member may not receive compensation or benefits for the member's service, but may 
receive per diem and travel expenses in accordance with:
(a)
Section 
63A-3-106
;
(b)
Section 
63A-3-107
; and
(c)
rules made by the Division of Finance pursuant to Sections 
63A-3-106
 and 
63A-3-107
.
(9)
(a)
A member of the Wildlife Board shall complete an orientation course to assist the 
member in the performance of the duties of the member's office.
(b)
The department shall provide the course required under Subsection (9)(a).
(10)
A member shall comply with the conflict of interest provisions described in Title 63G, 
Chapter 24, Part 3, Conflicts of Interest.
Section 5, Section 
23A-2-302
 is amended to read:
23A-2-302
. Wildlife Board Nominating Committee created.
(1)
There is created a Wildlife Board Nominating Committee that consists of 11 members.
(2)
The governor shall appoint members to the nominating committee as follows:
(a)
three members shall be appointed from a list of at least two nominees per position 
submitted by the agriculture industry;
(b)
three members shall be appointed from a list of at least two nominees per position 
submitted by sportsmen groups;
(c)
two members shall be appointed from a list of at least two nominees per position 
submitted by 
nonconsumptive
watchable
 wildlife interests;
(d)
one member shall be appointed from a list of at least two nominees submitted by 
federal land management agencies;
(e)
one local elected official shall be appointed from a list of at least two nominees 
submitted by the Utah Association of Counties; and
(f)
one range management specialist shall be appointed from a list of at least two 
nominees submitted jointly by the Utah Chapter, Society of Range Management and 
the Utah Chapter, The Wildlife Society.
(3)
A wildlife region described in Subsection 
23A-2-303(1)
 shall be represented by at least 
one member. A wildlife region may not be represented by more than three members.
(4)
(a)
The nominating committee shall nominate at least two, but not more than four, 
candidates for each position or vacancy that occurs on the Wildlife Board.
(b)
The nominating committee may not nominate a candidate for a position or vacancy 
on the Wildlife Board if the candidate does not meet the requirements of Subsection 
23A-2-301(2)(c)(i)(A)
 on the day the candidate is nominated by the nominating 
committee.
(5)
(a)
Except as required by Subsection 
(5)(b)
, as terms of current nominating 
committee members expire, the governor shall appoint a new or reappointed member 
to a four-year term.
(b)
Notwithstanding the requirements of Subsection 
(5)(a)
, the governor shall, at the 
time of appointment or reappointment, adjust the length of terms to ensure that:
(i)
the terms of nominating committee members are staggered so that approximately 
half of the nominating committee is appointed every two years; and
(ii)
members from the same wildlife region serve staggered terms.
(c)
If a vacancy occurs for any reason, the governor shall appoint a replacement in the 
same manner that the position was originally filled to serve the remainder of the 
unexpired term.
(6)
The nominating committee shall select a chair and vice chair from the nominating 
committee's membership.
(7)
Six members shall constitute a quorum.
(8)
A member of the nominating committee may not receive compensation or benefits for 
the member's service, but may receive per diem and travel expenses in accordance with:
(a)
Section 
63A-3-106
;
(b)
Section 
63A-3-107
; and
(c)
rules made by the Division of Finance pursuant to Sections 
63A-3-106
 and 
63A-3-107
.
Section 6, Section 
23A-2-303
 is amended to read:
23A-2-303
. Regional advisory councils created.
(1)
There are created five regional advisory councils that consist of 12 to 15 members each 
from the wildlife region whose boundaries are established for administrative purposes 
by the division.
(2)
(a)
The members shall include individuals who represent the following groups and 
interests:
(a)
(i)
agriculture;
(b)
(ii)
sportsmen;
(c)
(iii)
nonconsumptive
watchable
 wildlife;
(d)
(iv)
locally elected public officials;
(e)
(v)
federal land agencies; and
(f)
(vi)
the public at large.
(b)
(i)
Except as provided in Subsections (2)(b)(iv) and (v), as a qualification for 
service on a regional advisory council, a member of the regional advisory council 
shall:
(A)
have obtained a hunting or combination license for use by the member that is 
issued under Chapter 4, Licenses, Permits, Certificates of Registration, and 
Tags, at least three times during the five years before the day on which the 
individual is nominated for appointment to the regional advisory council under 
Subsection 
(3)
; and
(B)
possess a hunting or combination license issued under Chapter 4, Licenses, 
Permits, Certificates of Registration, and Tags, while serving on the regional 
advisory council.
(ii)
Except as provided in Subsection (2)(b)(iv), the director shall remove an 
individual from a regional advisory council if the director determines that the 
individual does not meet the requirement of Subsection (2)(b)(i)(A).
(iii)
(A)
Except as provided in Subsection (2)(b)(iv), the director shall remove an 
individual from a regional advisory council 15 days after the day on which the 
director notifies the individual that the individual is not in compliance with 
Subsection (2)(b)(i)(B) unless during the 15-day period the individual obtains 
or otherwise proves that the individual holds a valid hunting or combination 
license.
(B)
The director shall send the notice required by this Subsection (2)(b)(iii), if the 
director finds that final action has been taken to suspend the license required by 
Subsection (2)(b)(i)(B) or the individual fails to obtain a new license required 
under Subsection 
(2)(b)(i)
(B) once the previous license expires.
(iv)
An individual who is a member of a regional advisory council as of May 7, 2025, 
is not subject to Subsection 
(2)(b)
(i), except that if the executive director 
reappoints the member to the regional advisory council, the individual is subject 
to Subsection (2)(b)(i) as of the new membership term.
(v)
This Subsection (2)(b) does not apply to an individual selected by the executive 
director to serve on a regional advisory council for the purpose of representing 
agriculture.
(3)
The executive director, in consultation with the director, shall select the members from 
a list of nominees submitted by the respective interest group or agency.
(4)
The regional advisory councils shall:
(a)
hear broad input, including recommendations, biological data, and information 
regarding the effects of wildlife;
(b)
gather information from staff, the public, and government agencies; and
(c)
make recommendations to the Wildlife Board in an advisory capacity.
(5)
(a)
Except as required by Subsection (5)(b), a member shall serve a four-year term.
(b)
Notwithstanding the requirements of Subsection (5)(a), the executive director shall, 
at the time of appointment or reappointment, adjust the length of terms to ensure that 
the terms of council members are staggered so that approximately half of the council 
is appointed every two years.
(6)
When a vacancy occurs in the membership for any reason, the replacement shall be 
appointed for the unexpired term.
(7)
The councils shall determine:
(a)
the time and place of meetings; and
(b)
a procedural matter not specified in this chapter.
(8)
Members of the councils shall complete an orientation course described in Subsection 
23A-2-301
(9).
(9)
A member may not receive compensation or benefits for the member's service, but may 
receive per diem and travel expenses in accordance with:
(a)
Section 
63A-3-106
;
(b)
Section 
63A-3-107
; and
(c)
rules made by the Division of Finance pursuant to Sections 
63A-3-106
 and 
63A-3-107
.
Section 7, Section 
23A-6-101
 is amended to read:
23A-6-101
. Definitions.
As used in this chapter:
(1)
(a)
"General plan" means a document that a municipality or county adopts that sets 
forth general guidelines for proposed future development of the land within the 
municipality or county.
(b)
"General plan" includes what is commonly referred to as a "master plan."
(2)
"Management plan" means a document prepared in accordance with this chapter that 
describes how one or more tracts of land owned or managed by the division are to be 
used.
(3)
"Wildlife management area" means:
(a)
a single tract of land owned or managed by the division; or
(b)
two or more tracts of land owned or managed by the division that are within close 
proximity of each other and managed as a single unit.
(3)
(a)
Except as provided in Subsection (3)(b), "wildlife management area" means one 
or more tracts of land owned or managed by the division to:
(i)
protect, conserve, and perpetuate wildlife resources;
(ii)
provide public access; or
(iii)
allow wildlife-based recreation.
(b)
"Wildlife management area" does not include a walk-in access area, fish hatchery, 
angler access area, division facility, or shooting range.
Section 8, Section 
23A-6-402
 is amended to read:
23A-6-402
. Right of access to lands for hunting, trapping, or fishing reserved to 
public -- Exception.
(1)
Except as provided in Section 
65A-2-5
, there is reserved to the public the right of access 
to lands owned by the state, including those lands lying below the official government 
meander line or high water line of navigable waters, for the purpose of hunting, 
trapping, or fishing.
(2)
When a department or agency of the state leases or sells land belonging to the state 
lying below the official government meander line or the high water line of the navigable 
waters within the state, the lease, contract of sale, or deed shall contain a provision that:
(a)
the lands shall be open to the public for the purpose of hunting, trapping, or fishing 
during the lawful season, except as provided by Section 
65A-2-5
; and
(b)
the lessee, contractee, or grantee may not charge a person who desires to go upon the 
land for the purpose of hunting, trapping, or fishing.
(3)
Lands referred to in this section shall be regulated or closed to hunting, trapping, or 
fishing as provided in this title for other lands and waters.
(4)
The division may temporarily close that portion of a highway, as defined in Section 
72-1-102
, that enters into or crosses land owned by the division if closure is needed for 
the benefit of wildlife.
(5)
(a)
Except as provided in Subsections (5), (6), and (7), an individual who is 18 years 
old or older may not enter that portion of a wildlife management area that is located 
within a county of the first or second class for any use unless the individual:
(i)
holds a valid hunting, fishing, or combination license;
(ii)
is permitted to engage in the use under a contract with, or other permission given 
by, the division; or
(iii)
is permitted to engage in the use or to access the land in accordance with a 
property right giving the individual the right to use or access land within the 
wildlife management area.
(b)
If the use engaged in by an individual described in Subsection (5)(a) would require a 
specific license, permit, cooperative agreement, or certificate of registration under 
this title if engaged in on other lands or waters, the individual shall hold the correct 
license, permit, cooperative agreement, or certificate of registration to engage in the 
use.
(6)
(a)
If an individual is expressly exempt under this title from a requirement to hold a 
license, permit, cooperative agreement, or certificate of registration to engage in 
hunting, trapping, or fishing if engaged in on other lands or waters, the individual is 
not required to hold a hunting, fishing, or combination license to enter a wildlife 
management area described in Subsection (5)(a).
(b)
An individual may travel on a highway, as defined in Section 
72-1-102
, located 
within a wildlife management area described in Subsection (5)(a) without obtaining a 
hunting, fishing, or combination license.
(c)
An individual may participate in an educational program or visit an education or 
visitor center located within a wildlife management area described in Subsection 
(5)(a) without obtaining a hunting, fishing, or combination license.
(7)
(a)
The Wildlife Board may make rules, in accordance with Title 63G, Chapter 3, 
Utah Administrative Rulemaking Act, to define for purposes of Subsection (6):
(i)
what is meant to be "expressly exempt under this title from a requirement to hold a 
license, permit, cooperative agreement, or certificate of registration to engage in 
hunting, trapping, or fishing"; or
(ii)
what constitutes an "educational program" or "education or visitor center."
(b)
The Wildlife Board may not exempt an individual under Subsection (6)(a), on the 
basis that the individual is not engaged in hunting, trapping, or fishing within a 
wildlife management area.
Section 9, Section 
23A-8-101
 is amended to read:
23A-8-101
. Definitions.
As used in this chapter:
(1)
"72 hours" means a time period that begins with the hour a request for action is made 
pursuant to Section 
23A-8-402
 and ends 72 hours later with the exclusion of any hour 
that occurs on the day of a legal holiday that is on a Monday or Friday and listed in 
Section 
63G-1-301
.
(2)
"Cultivated crops" means:
(a)
annual or perennial crops harvested from or on cleared and planted land;
(b)
perennial orchard trees on cleared and planted land;
(c)
crop residues that have forage value for livestock; and
(d)
pastures.
(3)
"Depredation" means an act causing damage or death.
(4)
"Depredation mitigation plan" means the plan described in Subsection 
23A-8-402(2)
.
(5)
"Growing season" means the portion of a year in which local conditions permit normal 
plant growth.
(6)
"Livestock" means cattle, sheep, horses, goats, or turkeys.
(7)
"Management unit" means a prescribed area of contiguous land designated by the 
division for the purpose of managing a species of big game animal.
(8)
"Mitigation review panel" means the panel created under Section 
23A-8-404
.
(9)
(a)
For purposes of 
Part 2, Damage in General
, "predator" means a mountain lion or 
bear.
(b)
For purposes of 
Part 4, Damage by Big Game
, "predator" means a cougar, bear, or 
coyote.
(10)
"Predator control program" means a program of the Department of Agriculture and 
Food that helps resolve conflicts with wildlife to protect agriculture, other property and 
natural resources, and to safeguard human health and safety.
(11)
"State trapper" means an individual of the Department of Agriculture and Food within 
the predator control program.
(10)
(12)
For purposes of Section 
23A-8-302
, "turkey" means a wild, free-ranging turkey 
and does not include a privately owned or domestic turkey.
(11)
"Wildlife Services Program" means a program of the United States Department of 
Agriculture that helps resolve conflicts with wildlife to protect agriculture, other 
property, and natural resources, and to safeguard human health and safety.
(12)
"Wildlife specialist" means a United States Department of Agriculture, Wildlife 
Services specialist
.
(13)
(a)
"Wolf" means the gray wolf Canis lupus.
(b)
"Wolf" does not mean a wolf hybrid with a domestic dog.
Section 10, Section 
23A-8-201
 is amended to read:
23A-8-201
. Procedure to obtain compensation for livestock damage done by 
bear, mountain lion, wolf, or eagle.
(1)
(a)
(i)
Except as provided by Subsection 
(1)(a)(ii)
, if livestock are damaged by a 
bear, mountain lion, wolf, or an eagle, the owner may receive compensation for 
the fair market value of the damage to the livestock.
(ii)
The owner of livestock may not receive compensation if the livestock is damaged 
by a wolf within an area where a wolf is endangered or threatened under the 
Endangered Species Act of 1973, 16 U.S.C. Sec. 1531, et seq.
(b)
To obtain compensation under this section, the owner of the damaged livestock shall 
notify the division of the damage as soon as possible, but no later than four days after 
the damage to the livestock is discovered.
(c)
The owner shall notify the division each time damage to livestock is discovered.
(2)
The livestock owner shall file a proof of loss form, provided by the division, no later 
than 30 days after the original notification of damage to livestock was given to the 
division by the owner.
(3)
(a)
(i)
The division, with the assistance of the Department of Agriculture and Food
,
shall:
(A)
within 30 days after the owner files the proof of loss form, either accept or 
deny the claim for damages; and
(B)
subject to Subsections 
(3)(a)(ii)
 through 
(3)(a)(iv)
, pay the accepted claims to 
the extent money appropriated by the Legislature is available for this purpose.
(ii)
Money appropriated from the Wildlife Resources Account may be used to 
provide compensation for only up to 50% of the fair market value of damaged 
livestock.
(iii)
Money appropriated from the Wildlife Resources Account may not be used to 
provide compensation for livestock damaged by an eagle or a wolf.
(iv)
The division may not pay an eagle damage claim until the division has paid all 
accepted mountain lion and bear livestock damage claims for the fiscal year.
(b)
The division may not pay mountain lion, bear, wolf, or eagle damage claims to a 
livestock owner unless the owner has filed a completed livestock form and the 
appropriate fee as outlined in Section 
4-23-107
 for the immediately preceding and 
current year.
(c)
The division's payment is subject to a 3:1 multiplier for a bear or mountain lion 
damage claim if the livestock owner has demonstrated and documented husbandry 
practices to prevent losses including daily contact with the livestock and the use of 
guardian animals.
(d)
The division may not pay damage claims in excess of the total number of animals of 
a single species owned by an individual producer.
(c)
(e)
(i)
Unless the division denies a claim for the reason identified in Subsection 
(3)(b)
, the owner may appeal the decision to a panel consisting of one person 
selected by the owner, one person selected by the division, and a third person 
selected by the first two panel members.
(ii)
The panel shall decide whether the division should pay all of the claim, a portion 
of the claim, or none of the claim.
(4)
The Wildlife Board may make rules, in accordance with 
Title 63G, Chapter 3, Utah 
Administrative Rulemaking Act
, and enforce rules to administer and enforce this section.
Section 11, Section 
23A-8-202
 is amended to read:
23A-8-202
. Livestock depredation by predators.
(1)
If a predator harasses, chases, disturbs, harms, attacks, or kills livestock, within 96 
hours of the act:
(a)
in a depredation case, the livestock owner, an immediate family member, or an 
employee of the livestock owner on a regular payroll and not specifically hired to 
take a predator, may take predators subject to the requirements of this section;
(b)
a landowner or livestock owner may notify the division of the depredation or human 
health and safety concerns, who may authorize a local hunter to take the offending 
predator or notify a 
wildlife specialist
state trapper
; or
(c)
the livestock owner may notify a 
wildlife specialist
state trapper
 of the depredation 
who may take the depredating predator.
(2)
A depredating predator may be taken at any time by a 
wildlife specialist
state trapper
, 
supervised by the 
Wildlife Services Program
Department of Agriculture and Food
, 
while acting in the performance of the 
wildlife specialist's
state trapper
 assigned duties 
and in accordance with procedures approved by the division.
(3)
(a)
A depredating predator may be taken by an individual authorized in Subsection 
(1)(a)
:
(i)
with a weapon authorized by the division, pursuant to rules made by the Wildlife 
Board in accordance with 
Title 63G, Chapter 3, Utah Administrative Rulemaking 
Act
, for taking the predator; or
(ii)
only using snares:
(A)
with written authorization from the director;
(B)
subject to the conditions and restrictions set out in the written authorization; 
and
(C)
if the division verifies that there has been a chronic depredation situation 
when numerous livestock have been killed by a predator as described in rule 
made by the Wildlife Board in accordance with 
Title 63G, Chapter 3, Utah 
Administrative Rulemaking Act
.
(b)
An individual authorized in Subsection 
(1)(a)
 to take depredating predators may take 
no more than two bears per incident.
(4)
(a)
In accordance with Subsection 
(4)(b)
, the division may issue a depredation permit 
to take a predator on specified private lands and public land grazing allotments with a 
chronic depredation situation when numerous livestock have been killed by predators.
(b)
The division may:
(i)
issue one or more depredation permits to an affected livestock owner or a designee 
of the affected livestock owner, provided that the livestock owner does not receive 
monetary consideration from the designee for the opportunity to use the 
depredation permit;
(ii)
determine the legal weapons and methods of taking allowed; and
(iii)
specify the area and season that the depredation permit is valid.
(5)
(a)
A predator taken under Subsection 
(1)(a)
 or 
(4)
 remains the property of the state 
and shall be delivered to a division office or employee with 96 hours of the take.
(b)
The division may issue a predatory damage permit to a person who has taken a 
depredating predator under Subsection 
(1)(a)
 that authorizes the individual to keep 
the carcass.
(c)
An individual who takes a predator under Subsection 
(1)(a)
 or 
(4)
 may acquire and 
use a limited entry permit or harvest objective permit in the same year.
(d)
Notwithstanding Subsections 
(5)(b)
 and 
(c)
, a person may retain no more than one 
predator carcass annually.
(6)
Money derived from the sale of a predator taken under this section shall be deposited 
into the Wildlife Resources Account created in Section 
23A-3-201
.
(7)
Nothing in this section prohibits the division from permitting the removal of a bear 
causing damage to cultivated crops on cleared and planted land pursuant to rule made by 
the Wildlife Board in accordance with 
Title 63G, Chapter 3, Utah Administrative 
Rulemaking Act
.
(8)
Nothing is this section prohibits receiving compensation for livestock damage done by a 
bear, mountain lion, wolf, or eagle in accordance with Section 
23A-8-201
.
Section 12, Section 
23A-11-101
 is amended to read:
23A-11-101
. Definitions.
As used in this chapter:
(1)
"Big game" includes deer, elk, 
big horn
bighorn
 sheep, moose, mountain goats, 
pronghorn
.
, or bison.
(2)
(a)
"Big game byproduct" means those parts of the carcass of a lawfully taken big 
game animal that are listed in Subsections (2)(a)(i) through (ix):
(i)
bones with less than 1/2 inch of attached muscle tissue;
(ii)
fat, tendons, ligaments, cartilage, and silverskin with less than 1/2 inch attached 
muscle tissue;
(iii)
muscle tissue damaged by wound channels and within one inch of damaged 
tissue;
(iv)
head;
(v)
rib and neck meat on deer, pronghorn, mountain goat, and bighorn sheep;
(vi)
antlers and horns;
(vii)
legs below the knee and hock;
(viii)
internal organs; and
(ix)
hide.
(b)
Notwithstanding Subsection (2)(a), "big game byproduct" does not include:
(i)
brain or brain tissue;
(ii)
spine or any part of the spinal column;
(iii)
any portion of the carcass of an animal testing positive for chronic wasting 
disease;
(iv)
any carcass or portion of a carcass that otherwise fails to meet local, state, or 
federal regulations governing processing, sale, or distribution of wild game; and
(v)
spoiled product.
(3)
(a)
"Centerfire rifle hunt" means a hunt for which a hunter may use a centerfire rifle, 
except as provided in Subsection (3)(b).
(b)
"Centerfire rifle hunt" does not include:
(i)
a bighorn sheep hunt;
(ii)
a mountain goat hunt;
(iii)
a bison hunt;
(iv)
a moose hunt;
(v)
a hunt requiring the hunter to possess a statewide conservation permit; or
(vi)
a hunt requiring the hunter to possess a statewide sportsman permit.
(4)
"Cultivated crops" means:
(a)
annual or perennial crops harvested from or on cleared and planted land;
(b)
perennial orchard trees on cleared and planted land;
(c)
crop residues that have forage value for livestock; and
(d)
pastures.
(5)
"Financial advantage" means an act through which a person in lawful possession of a 
protected wildlife carcass uses or disposes of that carcass or carcass parts in a 
transaction for which the person receives consideration or expects to recover associated 
costs.
(6)
"Management unit" means a prescribed area of contiguous land designated by the 
division for the purpose of managing a species of big game animal.
(7)
"Predator" means a cougar, bear, or coyote.
(8)
"Shed antler" means any portion of an antler that:
(a)
has been dropped naturally from a big game animal as part of the big game animal's 
annual life cycle; and
(b)
has a rounded base commonly known as the antler button or burr attached which 
signifies a natural life cycle process.
(9)
"Shed horn" means:
(a)
the sheath from a pronghorn that has been dropped naturally as part of the animal's 
annual life cycle; or
(b)
bighorn sheep, mountain goat, or bison horn naturally detached from the horn core.
(10)
"Spoiled product" means any portion of a protected wildlife carcass that is not fit for 
human or animal consumption due to the presence of parasites, pathogens, or rot.
(11)
"Statewide conservation permit" means a permit:
(a)
issued by the division;
(b)
distributed through a nonprofit organization founded for the purpose of promoting 
wildlife conservation; and
(c)
valid:
(i)
on open hunting units statewide; and
(ii)
for the species of big game and time period designated by the Wildlife Board.
(12)
"Statewide sportsman permit" means a permit:
(a)
issued by the division through a public draw; and
(b)
valid:
(i)
on open hunting units statewide; and
(ii)
for the species of big game and time period designated by the Wildlife Board.
Section 13, Section 
23A-11-302
 is amended to read:
23A-11-302
. Big game protection -- Director authority.
(1)
It is the policy of the state that big game animals are of great importance to the citizens 
of the state, the citizen's quality of life, and the long term sustainability of the herds for 
future generations.
(2)
(a)
Unless the condition described in Subsection 
(2)(b)
 is determined, the director 
shall take immediate action to reduce the number of predators within a management 
unit when the big game population is under the established herd size objective for 
that management unit.
(b)
Subsection 
(2)(a)
 does not apply if the division determines that predators are not 
significantly contributing to the big game population being under the herd size 
objective for the management unit.
(3)
Immediate action under Subsection 
(2)
 includes any of the following management tools:
(a)
increasing take permits or tags for cougar and bear until the herd size objective is 
met;
(b)
allowing big game hunters to harvest predators with the appropriate permit during a 
big game hunting season, including issuing over-the-counter predator permits;
(c)
professional trapping and predator control by 
the United States Department of 
Agriculture Wildlife Services,
the following, including aerial control measures:
(i)
the Department of Agriculture and Food's predator control program;
(ii)
 private contracts
,
;
 and 
(iii)
the general public
, including aerial control measures
; and
(d)
other management tools as determined by the director.
(4)
The director shall annually give a status report on predator control measures 
implemented pursuant to this chapter and 
Chapter 8, Part 4, Damage by Big Game
, to 
the Natural Resources, Agriculture, and Environmental Quality Appropriations 
Subcommittee and Natural Resources, Agriculture, and Environment Interim Committee.
Section 14. 
Effective Date.
This bill takes effect on 
May 7, 2025
.
3-7-25 1:02 PM