This bill addresses the management of wildlife resources and wildlife habitats.
This bill:
AI-generated summary, not yet reviewed by Better Utah staff. Please consult the bill text.
A recent substitute version of this bill keeps its earlier core provisions—creating a Poaching Mitigation Fund fed by restitution payments and new investigation-cost reimbursements from convicted poachers, with the money used by the Division of Law Enforcement for anti-poaching education, equipment, and training, and directing the state to prevent grizzly bears from establishing a presence in Utah until they lose federal endangered species protections statewide—while adding new provisions that redirect the existing Guide and Outfitter Fund to that same division and require people convicted of poaching-related crimes to reimburse the state for investigation expenses. The substitute also overhauls the guide and outfitter system by eliminating the "spotter" registration category, requiring a guide to be employed by or affiliated with a registered outfitter, changing how registration fees for guides and outfitters are set, and limiting to two or three the number of people who may assist in a single hunt. Other provisions would let nurse practitioners and physician assistants, not just physicians, verify a hunter's illness or disability for license refunds or free licenses; create new criminal penalties for pilots who knowingly help someone illegally take wildlife from an aircraft; reduce from 600 to 300 feet the required distance for discharging a weapon near homes or livestock buildings within wildlife and waterfowl management areas; and allow the state to require hunters to report hunt information, with fines capped at $25 for failing to do so. Finally, the bill changes how the state publicizes proposed purchases of private land for wildlife purposes, requiring notice to be posted on official websites rather than in a newspaper, and removes an outdated requirement that license suspensions be reported to the Division of Professional Licensing.
Current version: HB0111S02 (Substitute)
Introduction
Jan 20
House Rules
House Committee
Jan 28
House Floor Vote
Feb 6
Senate Rules
Mar 4
Senate Committee
Feb 26
Senate 2nd Reading
Mar 5
Senate 3rd Reading
Mar 6
House Concurrence
Mar 6
Governor Signed
Mar 25
IntroductionJan 20
House Rules
House CommitteeJan 28
House Floor VoteFeb 6
Senate RulesMar 4
Senate CommitteeFeb 26
Senate 2nd ReadingMar 5
Senate 3rd ReadingMar 6
House ConcurrenceMar 6
Governor SignedMar 25
This bill addresses the management of wildlife resources and wildlife habitats.
This bill:
AI-generated summary, not yet reviewed by Better Utah staff. Please consult the bill text.
A recent substitute version of this bill keeps its earlier core provisions—creating a Poaching Mitigation Fund fed by restitution payments and new investigation-cost reimbursements from convicted poachers, with the money used by the Division of Law Enforcement for anti-poaching education, equipment, and training, and directing the state to prevent grizzly bears from establishing a presence in Utah until they lose federal endangered species protections statewide—while adding new provisions that redirect the existing Guide and Outfitter Fund to that same division and require people convicted of poaching-related crimes to reimburse the state for investigation expenses. The substitute also overhauls the guide and outfitter system by eliminating the "spotter" registration category, requiring a guide to be employed by or affiliated with a registered outfitter, changing how registration fees for guides and outfitters are set, and limiting to two or three the number of people who may assist in a single hunt. Other provisions would let nurse practitioners and physician assistants, not just physicians, verify a hunter's illness or disability for license refunds or free licenses; create new criminal penalties for pilots who knowingly help someone illegally take wildlife from an aircraft; reduce from 600 to 300 feet the required distance for discharging a weapon near homes or livestock buildings within wildlife and waterfowl management areas; and allow the state to require hunters to report hunt information, with fines capped at $25 for failing to do so. Finally, the bill changes how the state publicizes proposed purchases of private land for wildlife purposes, requiring notice to be posted on official websites rather than in a newspaper, and removes an outdated requirement that license suspensions be reported to the Division of Professional Licensing.
Motion: Favorable Recommendation
Motion: Favorable Recommendation
Governor Signed
Lieutenant Governor's office for filing
House/ to Governor
Executive Branch - Governor
House/ received enrolled bill from Printing
Clerk of the House
House/ enrolled bill to Printing
Clerk of the House
Enrolled Bill Returned to House or Senate
Clerk of the House
Last updated Aug 29, 2026, 5:26 PM