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Conservation officers ask for additional funding; committee opens bill file to pursue pay parity
Summary
Utah Conservation Officers Association requested the remaining funding needed to reach pay parity with other state law‑enforcement agencies. After discussion the committee voted to open a bill file to pursue Department of Natural Resources law‑enforcement compensation and related policy/appropriation options.
Sean Spencer, representing the Utah Conservation Officers Association, returned to the committee to seek the remainder of funding needed to bring natural‑resource law enforcement compensation closer to parity with other state agencies.
Spencer summarized results of an association survey comparing starting pay, mid‑career pay (around 12 years), and top‑of‑scale pay across about 50 state law‑enforcement agencies. He said last year the Legislature provided $2 million (a mix of $500,000 general fund and $1.5 million DNR restricted funds), which corrected many internal compression issues. Spencer requested an additional $2.8 million in general fund to complete the parity work that remains.
Representative Ballard moved to open a bill file titled 'Department of Natural Resources Law Enforcement Compensation.' Committee discussion noted the request implicates appropriations and could be handled via an RFA (request for appropriations) during the regular session; sponsor and other members said opening a bill file would allow policy work to proceed. The committee voted unanimously to open the bill file.
Ending: The bill file is open for the interim; staff and sponsors will develop policy language and coordinate potential appropriation requests for the session.
