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Senate approves $25 wildlife specialty plate after amending land-acquisition language
Summary
The Utah Senate approved Senate Bill 92 to create a $25 special license plate to fund wildlife conservation and trout-stream work, removing a committee amendment phrase that would have allowed proceeds for land acquisition after floor debate and an amendment vote.
The Utah State Senate approved Senate Bill 92 on second reading after deleting a committee amendment reference to "acquisition." The bill, reported favorably by the Transportation and Public Safety Committee, would create a $25 special motor vehicle license plate whose proceeds go to the Division of Natural Resources for conservation and habitat enhancement.
Sponsor Scott Howell described the plate as a voluntary way for outdoor enthusiasts to support conservation: "This bill represents an opportunity ... where their donation of $25 will go directly to the division of natural resources" for programs such as trout-stream and big-game habitat management. Howell said the proposal gives those who enjoy the outdoors another means to contribute as budget cuts have reduced department funding."The funding for the Department of Natural Resources, last year was 22,000,000. This year, it's about 18,000,000," Howell said, underscoring the revenue shortfall the plate aims to address.
Opponents and skeptics raised concerns about whether the plate would undercut existing specialty plates and whether the funds could be used to buy private land. One senator noted the Centennial plate program’s reliance on revenue and asked whether the new plate could reduce Centennial plate sales. Howell responded that the Centennial plate was time-limited and that the wildlife plate would likely attract a different set of contributors.
Senator Blackcomb moved to "scratch the word 'acquisition'" from the committee amendment, arguing that state land purchases could raise community concern and would not necessarily resolve habitat problems. The floor debate included points that federal Pittman-Robertson funds already support land acquisition and that new funds might be better spent on enhancement and cooperative habitat work with private landowners. After debate and a division vote on the amendment, the Senate adopted the change.
Following the amendment, the Senate called the question and recorded the final tally for third-reading placement as 28 ayes, no nays, and one senator answering (listed as absent/recording conventions in the roll call). The bill was placed on the third-reading calendar.
The amendment and the floor discussion made clear the Senate wanted the plate’s revenues directed toward conservation and habitat enhancement activities rather than explicit, broad authority for land purchases. The next formal step is third reading and final passage procedures before enrollment.
