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Senate approves hunting-license changes requiring license before draw entry and adjusting fees
Summary
Senate Bill 161, carried by a sponsor from the Department of Wildlife Resources, passed the Senate for third reading after debate. The bill requires hunters to hold a license before applying to a draw, adjusts certain fees (including a $5 reduced fishing license for 12- and 13-year-olds), and makes some fee reductions; roll-call was 27–0 (2 absent).
The Utah Senate on Thursday approved for third reading Senate Bill 161, a package of hunting and fishing-license changes carried at the request of the Department of Wildlife Resources (DWR).
Senator Christiansen, sponsor of the bill, told the Senate that about ‘‘90 percent of the funding for the division of wildlife resources is generated internally through sales of licenses and other funds associated with wildlife management’’ and described proposals to require hunters to buy a license before applying for a hunt draw, create a combination license, reduce fees for certain general licenses, and create a reduced $5 fishing license for youth ages 12 and 13.
During floor debate senators raised questions about the effect on hunters who only seek big-game draw opportunities. Sponsor Christiansen said the combination license price change would be modest in most cases and that, for example, a typical deer hunter’s annual cost including permits would increase by roughly $6 under the packaged changes. Senator Jenkins and others warned that requiring a license to enter a draw could deter some in-state participants who historically did not purchase small-game licenses.
Senators also asked whether fee revenue could be used to address hunting access on school trust lands; Christiansen said that specific negotiation with the School and Institutional Trust Lands Administration (SITLA) was separate from this bill and not included in its provisions. Senator Hilliard noted the executive appropriations committee had identified about $450,000 currently in the budget related to ongoing agreements and that any additional funds would likely require a supplemental request.
After floor discussion, the sponsor moved that SB161 as amended be read for the third time. The roll-call result was announced as 27 yes, 0 nays, and 2 absent; the bill will be read for the third time and advance on the calendar.
Next steps: SB161 will continue through the Senate reading process and any subsequent concurrence or enrollment steps as required by Senate rules.
