Appropriations committee advances bill that trims farmer damage reimbursements, alters fees and penalties for Fish and Wildlife

The House Appropriations Committee on May 6 voted to advance H.230, a bill amending state fish-and-wildlife law that would (1) change fishing-tournament permit fees, (2) authorize a free mentored fishing weekend over Labor Day, (3) reclassify and raise some fines for wildlife violations, and (4) repeal a farmer damage reimbursement program that currently caps payments at $5,000 per year.

The measure drew most attention for its proposed repeal of the department’s reimbursement program for crop and livestock damage caused by deer and black bear. Jim Steffey, manager at the Joint Fiscal Office, told the committee the program reimbursed four farmers over the last three fiscal years and that $207,000 had been paid out over that period. He said one unusually large claim required a one‑time appropriation in fiscal year 2023 or 2024.

"Over the last three fiscal years for which we have complete data, there's been four farmers that were reimbursed under this program," Steffey said. "Two hundred seven thousand dollars has been dispersed by the program over those three fiscal years." He also said the program typically draws from the Department of Fish and Wildlife base funds, which are largely fed by hunting licenses and fees.

Department and bill proponents told the committee the reimbursement provision is rarely used and can force the department to cover large claims from its fee-funded base budget. Michael O'Grady, representing Lehi Council and presenting the bill materials to the committee, described H.230 as "multiple, fairly technical amendments to fish and wildlife law" with "one or two significant substantive sections," and noted the reimbursement provision could reduce pressures on the department's fee-funded budget if removed.

The bill would also change tournament-permit fees from a single $50 base fee to a tiered schedule: $10 for up to 25 participants, $30 for 26–50 participants and $100 for more than 50 participants. Proponents said the change is intended to align fees with the size of events. H.230 further would allow the commissioner of the Department of Fish and Wildlife to designate Labor Day weekend as a free mentored fishing weekend when an unlicensed angler may fish with a licensed angler for three days.

On enforcement and penalties, committee staff and the department said the bill raises maximum fines for some big-game violations and reclassifies certain offenses from criminal to civil (handled through the judicial bureau), a change the Joint Fiscal Office described as likely to have minimal fiscal impact. The committee also discussed language creating an “intentional” standard for unlawful taking of certain reptiles and amphibians; Department staff asked whether that would be enforceable in situations such as incidental roadkill, and bill proponents said routine, unintentional incidents would not be treated as a taking.

Several members raised procedural and policy concerns. Some committee members said the agriculture committee had not reviewed the change that would remove the farmer reimbursement provision and suggested that committee might want to weigh in because the reimbursement has long been available to farmers. Others warned that eliminating the reimbursement shifts costs onto farmers or onto the department’s fee-funded base, which is primarily supported by sportsmen’s license fees.

Committee discussion noted implementation details and dependencies: the department indicated the reimbursement historically came from Fish and Wildlife base funds (not federal grants), the Joint Fiscal Office emphasized a rare but very large claim drove past costs, and members discussed whether the Attorney General should review enforcement language. Committee members also flagged that the provision has been used only a few times (Steffey referred to "three to four times" in committee testimony) and that past legislatures made the program available without a dedicated legislative appropriation.

After discussion the committee took a roll call vote to advance the bill. The chair called the question, a member moved to support the bill, and the clerk recorded votes. Several representatives voted in favor and at least two recorded votes against; the clerk completed the roll call and the bill was advanced to the next stage on the calendar.

The committee’s action sends H.230 back to the calendar and to subsequent floor or conference steps. Members said other bills with fiscal implications were forthcoming from Ways and Means and that the committee would continue to coordinate scheduling.