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House approves bill to raise depredation compensation to 100% for verified cougar and bear kills, adds turkeys
Summary
House passed HB106 to increase compensation for verified livestock kills by cougars or bears from 50% to 100%, expand eligibility to include turkeys and move funding sources; debate focused on valuation, verification and fraud concerns.
The Utah House passed House Bill 106 on Feb. 6, changing depredation compensation rules to allow up to 100% compensation for verified kills of livestock by cougars and bears and expanding coverage to include turkeys.
Floor discussion explained the current program paid 50% from a restricted account; HB106 proposes full compensation with funding adjustments. A sponsor explained the marketplace valuation process and said fair market value would be set and verified by the Department of Agriculture. The bill also proposes using the general fund in addition to the previously restricted account that collected fees tied to livestock sales.
Members questioned verification procedures and potential fraud if compensation rose from 50% to 100%. The sponsor described a “stringent” verification process administered by wildlife and natural-resources divisions and said historically only about half of claimed kills were verifiable under existing criteria.
The scope of covered species drew debate: some legislators sought to remove turkeys, worried inclusion could create perverse incentives for producers not to invest in predator protection; others argued turkeys are vulnerable in small enclosures and merit coverage. An amendment to delete turkeys failed after floor votes and the sponsor urged support, citing rising recorded incidents involving predators.
After extended questioning and a roll-call, the bill passed the House and will go to the Senate for consideration.
