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Senate approves user-funded upland-game habitat stamp to finance pheasant habitat work
Summary
The Utah Senate passed Senate Bill 63 to create an upland-game habitat stamp paid by upland-game hunters; sponsors said 75% of revenues will go to habitat improvements while questions remained about predator control, private lands and accounting burdens.
Senators voted to advance Senate Bill 63, establishing an upland-game habitat stamp intended to fund habitat improvements for upland game birds such as pheasants.
Senator McMullen, sponsor of SB63, told the chamber the stamp would be paid by hunters pursuing upland game and administered through the Department of Fish and Game. McMullen said the measure is designed to focus funding on habitat improvements and noted the bill limits administrative uses: “It will be handled by the Department of Fish and Game,” he said. He also proposed an amendment to limit certain education spending to no more than 5% of net stamp revenues; the amendment passed.
The Department of Fish and Game’s witness, Jay Robinson, explained which species and activities fall under the department’s jurisdiction, and described licensing rules. Robinson said some predators (fox and skunk) are protected species with a 365‑day season but require a furbearer license, while other animals such as coyotes and raccoons are managed differently. He told senators the department prefers habitat improvements and regulatory changes that allow sportsmen to assist with predator control before the division would take direct control.
Senators raised fiscal and equity questions. Senator Mullins (floor questions) highlighted a fiscal-administration concern, saying that adding restricted funds increases the accounting work for the state accounting office and could require more staff. Other senators pressed how funds would be used — whether to acquire land, place conservation easements, or improve public access — and whether privately run commercial hunting preserves would benefit. McMullen responded that the bill directs 75% of revenues back into pheasant-specific habitat improvements, including seed, seedlings, technical assistance, conservation easements, and willing-seller acquisitions to improve public access.
The Senate recorded a roll-call vote showing the bill passed (recorded in the session as 19 ayes, 4 nays, 6 absent) and placed SB63 on the third-reading calendar.
Next steps: SB63 was placed on the third-reading calendar and will return for final passage action and transmittal to the House or further floor action as required.
