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Wildlife board adopts rule implementing HB309; federal employee exemptions debated
Summary
The board approved a rule implementing House Bill 309 that requires valid hunting or fishing licenses to access certain Wildlife Management Areas and added an exemption for federal land‑management employees performing official duties.
The Utah Wildlife Board voted June 12 to adopt rule language to implement House Bill 309, which added a license requirement for people accessing certain Wildlife Management Areas (WMAs) in Utah’s first‑ and second‑class counties.
Chelsea (staff) told the board HB309 took effect May 7 and that the law limits the board’s authority: it may define exemptions and what qualifies as an educational program or visitor center, and it applies to WMAs in specified counties. Several RACs recommended adding an exemption for federal land‑management agency employees conducting official duties; board staff said current statute already allows the division to grant written permission or enter contracts, and the board voted to include a license exemption for federal employees performing official duties.
Director Riley Peck summarized online public input: 17 submissions, many expressing concern the change was government overreach or a “money grab,” while other commenters supported license purchases as a means to contribute to WMA acquisition and management. Several board members emphasized that WMAs are managed for wildlife and are funded largely through hunting and fishing license revenue and associated excise funds.
Board action: The board approved the division’s proposal as presented and added an explicit exemption in rule for federal land‑management employees while conducting official duties. Staff said they can also manage exemptions by written contract if desired.
