This bill addresses practices related to hunting and fishing.
This bill:
AI-generated summary, not yet reviewed by Better Utah staff. Please consult the bill text.
Utah's hunting and fishing laws would change in several ways under this bill. It would create a new Poaching Mitigation Fund, financed by court-ordered restitution from poaching convictions and by new reimbursements that convicted violators must pay for law enforcement's undercover investigation costs, with the Division of Law Enforcement using the money for anti-poaching education, equipment, and training; that same division would also take over administration of the existing Guide and Outfitter Fund. The bill would eliminate the "spotter" registration category and its associated fees entirely, redefine "guide" to require that the person be employed by or affiliated with a registered outfitter, and generally limit to two (or occasionally three, for certain big-game hunts) the number of people who can provide guide or outfitting services for a single client at one time, while excluding support staff who don't directly help with hunting from that cap. It would also create a new crime for pilots who knowingly, intentionally, or recklessly fly aircraft used to illegally locate or take wildlife, with penalties escalating from a misdemeanor to a felony for repeat violations, and it would remove an outdated requirement that the Division of Wildlife Resources report suspended hunting or fishing privileges to the Division of Professional Licensing.
Current version: HB0168S01 (Substitute)
Introduction
Jan 20
House Rules
House Committee
Feb 5
House Floor Vote
Feb 17
Senate Rules
Mar 4
Senate Committee
Feb 27
Senate 2nd Reading
Mar 2
Senate 3rd Reading
Governor
IntroductionJan 20
House Rules
House CommitteeFeb 5
House Floor VoteFeb 17
Senate RulesMar 4
Senate CommitteeFeb 27
Senate 2nd ReadingMar 2
Senate 3rd Reading
Governor
This bill addresses practices related to hunting and fishing.
This bill:
AI-generated summary, not yet reviewed by Better Utah staff. Please consult the bill text.
Utah's hunting and fishing laws would change in several ways under this bill. It would create a new Poaching Mitigation Fund, financed by court-ordered restitution from poaching convictions and by new reimbursements that convicted violators must pay for law enforcement's undercover investigation costs, with the Division of Law Enforcement using the money for anti-poaching education, equipment, and training; that same division would also take over administration of the existing Guide and Outfitter Fund. The bill would eliminate the "spotter" registration category and its associated fees entirely, redefine "guide" to require that the person be employed by or affiliated with a registered outfitter, and generally limit to two (or occasionally three, for certain big-game hunts) the number of people who can provide guide or outfitting services for a single client at one time, while excluding support staff who don't directly help with hunting from that cap. It would also create a new crime for pilots who knowingly, intentionally, or recklessly fly aircraft used to illegally locate or take wildlife, with penalties escalating from a misdemeanor to a felony for repeat violations, and it would remove an outdated requirement that the Division of Wildlife Resources report suspended hunting or fishing privileges to the Division of Professional Licensing.
Motion: Favorable Recommendation
Motion: Favorable Recommendation
House/ filed
House file for bills not passed
House/ received from Senate
Clerk of the House
Senate/ to House
Clerk of the House
Senate/ strike enacting clause
Senate Secretary
Senate/ 2nd Reading Calendar to Rules
Senate Rules Committee
Last updated Aug 29, 2026, 5:26 PM