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House approves HB 164 raising initial payout for wildlife damage claims
Summary
The House passed HB 164 unanimously, updating wildlife-removal rules and increasing the Division of Wildlife's initial assessment payment from $500 to $1,000 and permitting the division to reconcile remaining damages at fiscal year-end.
House Bill 164, concerning wildlife remediation on private property, passed the Utah House on a unanimous vote and will be sent to the Senate.
Representative Michael Styler explained HB 164 to the chamber: property owners who want wildlife removed must provide reasonable access and the Division of Wildlife will pay damages caused by wildlife. Under current practice the division paid $500 as an initial assessment; HB 164 increases that initial payment to $1,000 and allows the division to pay the balance—at the end of the fiscal year—if funds remain. The bill also allows the division to consider any revenue the landowner derived from permits when assessing damages.
Representative Styler said the changes reflect existing language and create a clearer payment process for property owners who suffer wildlife damage. With summation waived, the House voted and HB 164 passed 64–0.
Next steps: HB 164 will be forwarded to the Senate for further action.
