Debate over livestock and community protection districts: supporters cite local control, opponents warn of lethal federal wildlife-services practices

House Bill 2403 drew a lengthy public hearing March 24 in the House Committee on Agriculture, Land Use, Natural Resources and Water. The bill would authorize voluntary local formation of livestock and community protection districts (sometimes called predator-control districts) that could assess landowners who opt in to raise funds for services that prevent, reduce, and mitigate animal damage to property and livestock.

Why it matters: The measure addresses growing conflicts between rural landowners and wildlife and would restore an option that lapsed after the legislature allowed voluntary predator districts in 2015 and did not renew the program in 2022. Proponents say local funds and locally governed programs will let counties contract for professional services (including both nonlethal and lethal methods as permitted by law). Opponents said the measure would enable further funding of the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Wildlife Services program, which they said relies heavily on lethal and inhumane techniques.

What happened in…