Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Expo Permit Rule topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Rack approves updates to expo permit rule: restricts administrative fees, requires audited conservation use and allows limited virtual variance
Summary
The Rack approved rule changes clarifying accounting, audit and spending requirements for the state’s 200‑permit expo draw, capping administrative draw costs at 20% and specifying audited allocations of revenue to Division work and cooperative projects.
The Rack voted to approve a set of amendments clarifying the Division’s administrative approach for the special‑draw “expo” permit program (the 200‑permit special draw historically tied to the Utah Hunting and Conservation Expo).
Key changes approved include:
• Accounting method: exposition permits will be accounted for in advance (like conservation permits) so draw applicants know which permits are reserved and how the public draw is structured. The Division said this reduces confusion that arose when expo permits were deducted after public draws were finalized.
• Administrative cost cap: the Division proposed, and the Rack accepted, a clear cap of 20% of gross expo application revenue to be used for draw administration/advertising; historically a variable portion was expended and the Division audit showed about 18–22% of receipts went to draw costs.
• Fund allocation and auditing: the rule sets expectations for audited use of the remaining funds. The Division recommended and the Rack accepted an allocation framework: 10% back to the Division (for flights, monitoring, research and PR match), 35% as a cooperative agreement to fund projects in partnership with the Division, and 35% retained by the contractor to spend on Utah wildlife projects subject to audit and reporting; all funds must benefit Utah wildlife and be reported annually.
• Pricing flexibility and virtual variance: the rule gives the awarded contractor discretion to set the application fee between $5 and $10 (the rule retains a low‑cost public application) and allows a limited variance for a virtual expo/draw if both the Division and contractor agree and the board approves that variance (the virtual option was retained as an emergency/contingency tool used during the COVID‑19 period).
• Nonresident restriction removed: language that had made parts of the expo pool nonresident‑only was eliminated; the program remains open to residents and nonresidents under the same application rules.
Conservation organizations (Mule Deer Foundation and Sportsmen & Wildlife) and Backcountry Hunters & Anglers commented in support, noting the program funds on‑the‑ground projects (waterfowl WMAs, bighorn nursery work and other habitat projects). The Rack recognized the audit trail and reporting requirement as key to public transparency.
A motion to accept the proposed rule changes passed unanimously.
The Division will include the amended rule language in the next contract solicitation for the expo permit program and post a plain‑English summary of how fees will be spent and audited.
