SB 149: Natural Resources Modifications - Utah

Substitute #3 → Enrolled · 8 edits · Mar 24, 2025

MODERATE

This bill establishes a new 'Guide, Outfitter, and Spotter Fund' to finance wildlife management programs and creates mandatory registration requirements for individuals providing hunting services on public lands. It reorganizes the Public Lands Policy Coordinating Office by renaming its head to 'advisor on public lands' and removing the requirement to prepare a constitutional defense plan. Additionally, the bill clarifies definitions for 'public lands' and updates appointment procedures for department directors.

Scope change

The bill expands regulatory oversight to include 'spotters' alongside guides and outfitters on public lands and removes the requirement for the Public Lands Policy Coordinating Office to submit a constitutional defense plan.

FISCAL

Created a new 'Guide, Outfitter, and Spotter Fund' to collect fees and administer guide/outfitter regulations.

REQUIREMENT

Mandated annual registration and specific fees for guides, outfitters, and spotters operating on public lands.

Eliminated the requirement for the Public Lands Policy Coordinating Office to prepare and submit a constitutional defense plan.

Changed the appointment process for the Public Lands Policy Coordinating Office head from 'executive director' to 'advisor on public lands,' requiring Senate confirmation.

DEFINITION

Added a new definition for 'Spotter' as an individual compensated by a guide or outfitter to locate wildlife.

Updated the definition of 'Public lands' to exclude lands in cooperative wildlife management units where services are limited to authorized species.

Revised the definition of 'Outfitter' to explicitly include providing guide services.

TECHNICAL

Reformatted the effective date section to list specific sections with their May 7, 2025 effective dates in a standardized list format.

Introduced → Substitute #1 · 5 edits

MODERATE

This bill amends the Public Lands Policy Coordinating Office (PLPCO) by renaming its head from 'executive director' to 'senior advisor on public lands' and clarifying that this role is appointed by the Governor with Senate consent. It also adds a new coordination council to improve communication between DNR divisions and introduces new sections for identifying potential wilderness areas and coordinating energy regulations. The bill repeals an old committee responsible for mapping R.S. 2477 rights-of-way, streamlining that process by removing the requirement for a separate grant-awarding committee.

Scope change

The bill expands the scope of PLPCO by adding specific duties to identify and manage potential wilderness areas and establishes a new coordination council to enhance inter-agency communication regarding energy and environmental regulations.

DEFINITION

The title and role of the head of the Public Lands Policy Coordinating Office changed from 'executive director' to 'senior advisor on public lands' to clarify reporting lines and appointment authority.

REQUIREMENT

New sections were added to require the senior advisor to identify potential wilderness areas within acquired lands and report findings to the Governor within five years.

A new 'Coordination Council' was created consisting of the DNR executive director and directors of key agencies to meet monthly and discuss methods to enhance regulatory coordination.

The requirement for a specific committee to award grants for inventorying and mapping R.S. 2477 rights-of-way was repealed, simplifying the process for counties to seek funding.

TECHNICAL

Various sections were updated to reflect the new title 'senior advisor' and to add the new coordination council as a member of the DNR's compensation and appointment structures.

Substitute #2 → Substitute #3 · 8 edits

MODERATE

This bill modifies Utah's hunting and public lands regulations by creating a new registration system for guides, outfitters, and spotters, while simultaneously reorganizing the Public Lands Policy Coordinating Office leadership structure. The changes affect how outdoor recreation services are regulated on public lands and clarify reporting relationships between state agencies.

Scope change

The bill expands regulatory oversight to include spotters alongside guides and outfitters, while removing certain requirements for the Public Lands Policy Coordinating Office regarding constitutional defense planning.

REQUIREMENT

New registration requirements created for guides, outfitters, and spotters with specific annual fees ($250-$1,500 for guides/outfitters, $125-$375 for spotters depending on residency and service type).

Removed the requirement for the Public Lands Policy Coordinating Office to prepare and submit a constitutional defense plan.

Renamed the executive director of the Public Lands Policy Coordinating Office to 'senior advisor on public lands' and clarified their appointment and reporting structure.

Repealed the committee required to inventory and map R.S. 2477 rights-of-way.

FISCAL

Established a new 'Guide, Outfitter, and Spotter Fund' to receive registration fees and manage guide/outfitter services on public lands.

DEFINITION

Added new definitions for 'guide services,' 'outfitting services,' and 'spotter' to clarify what activities require registration.

ENFORCEMENT

Created new penalties for unregistered guides, outfitters, and spotters, including misdemeanor charges for knowingly retaining unregistered individuals.

TIMELINE

Set July 1, 2025 as the effective date for most provisions, with May 7, 2025 for public lands and energy-related changes.

Substitute #1 → Substitute #2 · 7 edits

MODERATE

This bill modifies the Public Lands Policy Coordinating Office by renaming its executive director to senior advisor on public lands and clarifying appointment and reporting requirements. It also repeals a committee that was previously required to inventory and map R.S. 2477 rights-of-way, and adds new provisions related to hunting guides, outfitters, and spotters including registration requirements and a new fund.

Scope change

The bill expands the scope to include hunting guide, outfitter, and spotter regulations while simultaneously reducing the scope of the Public Lands Policy Coordinating Office by eliminating a required R.S. 2477 rights-of-way inventory committee.

DEFINITION

Renamed the executive director of the Public Lands Policy Coordinating Office to senior advisor on public lands.

REQUIREMENT

Clarified that the senior advisor and director of the Office of Energy Development are appointed by the governor with Senate consent and report to the executive director of the Department of Natural Resources.

Eliminated the requirement for a committee to inventory and map R.S. 2477 rights-of-way.

Established registration requirements for guides, outfitters, and spotters with the Division of Wildlife Resources.

FISCAL

Created a new Guide, Outfitter, and Spotter Fund to support hunting-related activities.

ENFORCEMENT

Added provisions defining when the use of a guide, outfitter, or spotter is unlawful and outlining penalties for violations.

TIMELINE

Set specific effective dates for various provisions, with most changes taking effect on May 7, 2025, and hunting-related provisions taking effect on July 1, 2025.

Natural Resources Modifications

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