Committee advances HB 3309 with changes to wildlife management, license and WMA rules

The Natural Resources Interim Committee on June 12 passed HB 3309 (second substitute), a package of wildlife amendments that includes multiple changes to wildlife administration, means and methods, loss compensation, and governance of the state Wildlife Board and regional advisory councils.

Representative Snyder, the sponsor, described provisions in the second substitute: clarifying allowed tools for taking certain wild non‑protected species (for example, coyotes and skunks may be taken with night vision and spotlights); removing prior provisions related to feeding big game; creating a multiplier for livestock loss reimbursement (similar to a multiplier used in Wyoming) for sheep taken by predators; clarifying that Wildlife Management Areas (WMAs) in counties of the first or second class require a hunting or fishing license for access; and proposing that participants in wildlife rulemaking processes (Regional Advisory Councils and the Wildlife Board) have baseline hunting or fishing license participation to ensure those making decisions have familiarity with hunting and fishing processes.

Director Riley Peck of the Division of Wildlife Resources told the committee the changes are intended to support proactive wildlife management, increase clarity, and fund better pre‑listing and mitigation work in some contexts. Members discussed transition provisions: the bill clarifies that individuals already serving on a regional advisory council as of the statute's effective date would not be subject to the new license requirement unless reappointed.

Public commenters included representatives of the Utah Sportsmen's Caucus, Utah Farm Bureau, Utah Wool Growers Association, CWMU Association, livestock producers, conservation organizations and others. Supporters said the multiplier and other provisions help producers and align with North American conservation models; opponents, including Western Wildlife Conservancy, urged that license requirements for board membership would exclude nonconsumptive stakeholders and weaken public representation. Kirk Robinson of Western Wildlife Conservancy argued that buying a hunting license is not a reliable indicator of expertise and said the provision would exclude the views of most Utahns who do not hunt.

Representative Bolander moved the committee recommendation; the second substitute passed with recorded opposition of one member. The committee transcript records discussion, substantial public comment, and a final committee vote recorded as "Any opposed? 1 no."