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House approves hunting guide enforcement, retains class B framework for wildlife infractions
Summary
Lawmakers amended and passed HB 153 to tighten enforcement of guiding and spotter rules, move licensing oversight to the Division of Wildlife Resources and preserve class B misdemeanor status with limits on imprisonment and probation.
The Utah House passed second substitute House Bill 153, hunting amendments, after floor amendments and debate, approving the measure by a vote of 50–22. The bill adds enforcement provisions for guides and spotters, increases certain guide‑related spotter requirements, and moves licensing authority for guiding from the Division of Occupational and Professional Licensing to the Division of Wildlife Resources.
Representative Shipp, sponsor, said the bill followed conversations with members of the sportsmen’s caucus and wildlife officials and aimed to add enforcement “teeth” for bad actors while clarifying that guiding as an activity is not newly authorized. “We're dealing with wildlife. That's who ought to be in charge of this,” Shipp said when explaining why licensing should move to the Division of Wildlife Resources.
Floor discussion addressed the criminal classification in the bill. Representative Tesher questioned why the offense was drafted as a class B misdemeanor without a right to imprisonment or probation and asked whether an infraction might be more appropriate. Representative Casey Snider (on the floor in support) explained that wildlife infractions are commonly class B misdemeanors and the amendment preserves statutory consistency while addressing jail‑capacity concerns by restricting sentencing options.
House members adopted Amendment 1 to the second substitute and then passed the bill 50–22. The bill will be transmitted to the Senate for consideration.
