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Utah House approves voluntary tax contribution to help ranchers with wolf depredation
Summary
House Bill 305 lets taxpayers opt to contribute on individual income tax returns to a restricted wolf depredation and management account; the House passed the measure 65–0 after sponsors described safeguards, a phase-out threshold, and fiscal projections.
House Bill 305, presented by Representative Peterson, would establish a restricted account funded by voluntary individual income tax contributions to help ranchers recoup losses from wolf depredation should wolves be present in Utah.
Representative Peterson framed the bill as a voluntary mechanism aligned with public interest in wolf reintroduction: he said polls show strong public support for wolves and argued that those who want wolves in the state can elect to contribute to cover damage that ranchers may face. Peterson said the measure limits the Division of Wildlife Resources’ authority to what federal rules permit and includes a phase-out if collections fall below $30,000 for three continuous years.
Members from rural districts spoke in support, detailing the potential scale of livestock losses and characterizing the contribution option as a fair way for citizens to help affected producers. Representative Mascall and Representative Buckmeyer described firsthand experience with predator losses. Representative Peterson disclosed a conflict of interest as a farmer–rancher with federal permits and walked through the fiscal note, which showed modest initial collections and identified start-up costs; he described the money anticipated as "new money" that would be unappropriated until collected.
The measure passed unanimously on the floor. The clerk recorded 65 yes votes and 0 no votes, and the bill will be transmitted to the Senate.
