HB 153: Hunting Amendments - Utah

Amended 2/18/2025 15:02:496 → Substitute #1 · 7 edits

MODERATE

This bill establishes a new regulatory framework for guides, outfitters, and spotters in Utah wildlife hunting and fishing. It creates a new fund to support these activities, requires registration for those providing services, and sets specific rules about when and how these services can be legally provided. The changes clarify definitions, establish registration fees, and outline penalties for violations.

Scope change

The bill expands regulatory oversight from the Division of Professional Licensing to the Division of Wildlife Resources, creating a dedicated registration system specifically for guides, outfitters, and spotters operating on public lands.

FISCAL

Created a new 'Guide, Outfitter, and Spotter Fund' to collect and manage registration fees and other revenue related to guide and outfitter services.

REQUIREMENT

Requires annual registration with the Division of Wildlife Resources for guides, outfitters, and spotters, with different fees for residents versus nonresidents and for big game versus other wildlife.

Limited the number of spotters allowed (maximum three) and set rules about how many individuals can provide services simultaneously (maximum four).

DEFINITION

Added specific definitions for 'guide,' 'outfitter,' 'spotter,' 'compensation,' 'guide services,' 'outfitting services,' and 'public lands' to clarify what activities are regulated.

ENFORCEMENT

Established penalties including misdemeanor charges for unregistered guides/outfitters/spotters and suspension of hunting/fishing privileges for violators.

TECHNICAL

Repealed previous regulations from the Division of Professional Licensing that governed guide and outfitter activities, transferring authority to the Division of Wildlife Resources.

TIMELINE

Set July 1, 2025 as the effective date for the new registration requirements and fee structure.

Amended Excerpts 2/18/2025 15:02:496 → Amended 2/18/2025 15:02:496 · 3 edits

MINOR

The bill text was reformatted from a House amendment excerpt format to a complete substitute bill format with proper title page, long title, and section numbering. The substantive legislative content appears to be the same, addressing wildlife taking regulations for guides, outfitters, and spotters in Utah.

TECHNICAL

Document formatting changed from amendment excerpt style to complete bill format with proper headers, sponsor information, and section numbering.

Line numbers and amendment markers were replaced with standard bill section numbering and page breaks.

Title page was added with sponsor names, bill number, and session information.

Introduced → Amended Excerpts 2/18/2025 15:02:496 · 2 edits

MINOR

This amendment clarifies the criminal penalty for violating hunting guide and spotter compensation rules by explicitly stating that violators face a class B misdemeanor penalty. It also removes the possibility of imprisonment or probation for these specific violations, limiting punishment to fines only. The change tightens enforcement consistency for hunting guide and outfitter regulations.

Scope change

The penalty enforcement mechanism for hunting guide and spotter violations was modified to exclude imprisonment and probation options.

ENFORCEMENT

Changed criminal penalty for hunting guide/spotter violations from a standard class B misdemeanor to specifically exclude imprisonment or probation, limiting consequences to fines.

REQUIREMENT

Added explicit language clarifying that courts cannot sentence violators to imprisonment or probation for hunting guide compensation violations.

Substitute #2 → Substitute #3 · 5 edits

MODERATE

This bill version updates the legislative text formatting and sponsor information while maintaining the same substantive policy provisions as the previous version. The primary changes are cosmetic: adding a Senate Sponsor name, updating the timestamp, and adjusting line numbers and page breaks. The actual legislative content regarding guide, outfitter, and spotter registration requirements, fees, and definitions remains identical to the prior version.

TECHNICAL

Added Senate Sponsor name (Evan J. Vickers) to the bill header information

Updated document timestamp from 2-12-25 to 03-03

Adjusted line numbers and page breaks in the formatting

Changed 'LONG TITLE' to '3rd Sub. (Cherry) H.B. 153' in the header section

Reformatted the Utah Code Sections Affected list with different indentation and spacing

Substitute #1 → Substitute #2 · 7 edits

MODERATE

This bill introduces a new registration system for guides, outfitters, and spotters who assist hunters on public lands in Utah. It creates a dedicated fund to support regulation, establishes specific registration fees for residents and non-residents, and sets clear rules for when and how these services can be provided legally.

Scope change

The bill expands regulatory oversight to include spotters (previously only guides and outfitters were regulated) and clarifies that compensation for locating wildlife on public lands requires registration.

FISCAL

Created a new 'Guide, Outfitter, and Spotter Fund' to finance administration and enforcement of the new registration program.

REQUIREMENT

Requires annual registration for guides, outfitters, and spotters providing services on public lands, with different fees for residents versus non-residents.

DEFINITION

Added specific definitions for 'guide,' 'outfitter,' 'spotter,' and 'compensation' to clarify what services require registration.

ENFORCEMENT

Establishes penalties for unregistered individuals and provides the Division of Wildlife Resources with authority to revoke registrations and suspend hunting privileges.

ELIGIBILITY

Set specific limits on the number of spotters allowed per guide or outfitter and clarified that compensation for locating wildlife is only legal when the guide/outfitter is properly registered.

TIMELINE

Established July 1, 2025 as the effective date for the new registration requirements.

TECHNICAL

Repealed previous regulations from the Division of Professional Licensing that were superseded by this new comprehensive framework.

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