All Roll Calls
Yes: 136 • No: 14
UtahH.B. 302026 General SessionHouse
Wildlife Management Area Amendments
Sponsored By: David Shallenberger (Republican)
Signed by Governor
Natural ResourcesDepartment of Natural ResourcesWildlifeFishingHuntingOutdoor RecreationNew Rulemaking Authority
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
6 provisions identified: 4 benefits, 1 costs, 1 mixed.
Permits now required to enter wildlife areas
Beginning July 1, 2026, adults 18 and older need authorization to enter many wildlife areas. The rule starts in first- and second-class counties on July 1, 2026; in first- through fourth-class counties on July 1, 2027; and statewide on July 1, 2028. You can enter if you have a hunting, fishing, or combination license; a digital access permit; written permission or a contract with the division; or a property right. The division provides a free online video and gives a digital access permit after you finish it and confirm access can be seasonal or closed. People who are exempt from needing a license still need a digital access permit to enter a wildlife area unless this law says otherwise.
Donation counts as a fishing license
Starting July 1, 2026, if you hold a digital access permit and donate at least the fishing license fee set by the Wildlife Board, your donation counts as a fishing license for 365 days. You may fish statewide during that year using your digital access permit.
Public hunting and fishing access protected
Beginning July 1, 2026, when the state leases or sells land below the official meander or high-water line, the deal must keep the land open for hunting, trapping, and fishing in season. The new holder cannot charge people to go there for those activities. Access still follows other state land rules.
When you can enter without a permit
Starting July 1, 2026, you may drive on a road that crosses a wildlife area and use a trail that starts and ends outside the area without a digital access permit. You may also attend educational programs or visit an education or visitor center in a wildlife area without a permit. If your livestock wandered in from adjacent land where grazing is allowed, you may enter as needed to recover them. The division director may grant limited exemptions that do not harm the wildlife area’s purpose.
New fund and volunteer program for wildlife areas
Beginning July 1, 2026, the state creates the Wildlife Management Area Stewardship Fund for habitat work, trail care, and volunteer support. The fund gets donations, legislative appropriations, and investment earnings, and the treasurer invests the money. The division may accept donations for a specific wildlife area or for all areas; if gifts to one area total under $1,000 in a year, they may be used anywhere. The division can run a volunteer program, ask for an application, and require liability coverage or a signed waiver. The Wildlife Board sets detailed rules for permits and the video, donations, trails, and the volunteer program, and the division reports each year by October 1 on how the fund was used.
Temporary road closures for wildlife safety
Beginning July 1, 2026, the Division of Wildlife Resources can temporarily close a highway that enters or crosses division-owned land when needed for wildlife. Drivers may face short closures or detours when the division uses this power.
Sponsors & Cosponsors
Sponsor
David Shallenberger
Republican • House
Cosponsors
Keven J. Stratton
Republican • Senate
Roll Call Votes
Senate vote • 3/4/2026
Senate/ passed 2nd & 3rd readings/ suspension
Yes: 28 • No: 1
Senate vote • 2/18/2026
Senate/ passed 2nd reading
Yes: 20 • No: 1
House vote • 2/12/2026
Senate Comm - Favorable Recommendation
Yes: 5 • No: 0
House vote • 2/3/2026
House/ passed 3rd reading
Yes: 58 • No: 11
House vote • 1/23/2026
House Comm - Favorable Recommendation
Yes: 8 • No: 1
House vote • 1/23/2026
House Comm - Amendment Recommendation
Yes: 9 • No: 0
House vote • 1/23/2026
House Comm - Substitute Recommendation
Yes: 8 • No: 0
Actions Timeline
Governor Signed
3/25/2026House/ to Governor
3/12/2026HouseHouse/ received enrolled bill from Printing
3/12/2026HouseHouse/ enrolled bill to Printing
3/11/2026HouseEnrolled Bill Returned to House or Senate
3/11/2026Draft of Enrolled Bill Prepared
3/6/2026Bill Received from House for Enrolling
3/6/2026House/ signed by Speaker/ sent for enrolling
3/5/2026HouseHouse/ received from Senate
3/5/2026HouseSenate/ to House
3/4/2026SenateSenate/ signed by President/ returned to House
3/4/2026SenateSenate/ passed 2nd & 3rd readings/ suspension
3/4/2026SenateSenate/ Rules to 2nd Reading Calendar
3/4/2026SenateSenate/ 3nd Reading Calendar to Rules
3/4/2026SenateSenate/ placed on 3rd Reading Calendar table
2/18/2026SenateSenate/ 3rd reading
2/18/2026SenateSenate/ passed 2nd reading
2/18/2026SenateSenate/ 2nd & 3rd readings/ suspension
2/18/2026SenateSenate/ placed on 2nd Reading Calendar
2/17/2026SenateSenate/ committee report favorable
2/17/2026SenateSenate Comm - Favorable Recommendation
2/12/2026Senate/ to standing committee
2/5/2026SenateSenate/ 1st reading (Introduced)
2/4/2026SenateSenate/ received from House
2/3/2026SenateHouse/ to Senate
2/3/2026House
Bill Text
Enrolled
3/11/2026
Amended 1/26/2026 10:01:914
1/26/2026
Substitute #1
1/21/2026
Introduced
12/5/2025