All Roll Calls
Yes: 192 • No: 21
UtahS.B. 1492025 General SessionSenateWALLET
Natural Resources Modifications
Sponsored By: Ronald M. Winterton (Republican)
Signed by Governor
Natural ResourcesDepartment of Natural ResourcesPublic LandsWildlifeGovernment Operations (State Issues)HuntingOffice of Energy Development
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
5 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 3 costs, 2 mixed.
Wildlife providers pay annual registration fees
Beginning July 1, 2025, annual guide fees for residents/nonresidents are $250/$750 for big game or bear, and $175/$500 for other protected wildlife, including fishing. Annual outfitter fees for residents/nonresidents are $500/$1,500 for big game or bear, and $350/$1,000 for other protected wildlife, including fishing. Spotters pay $125 annually as residents or $375 as nonresidents. Wildlife Board fee changes take effect when the Legislature adopts the schedule in the immediately following general session. Registration fees, legislative appropriations, and fund earnings support the new Guide, Outfitter, and Spotter Fund, which the division must use to administer the program; no specific appropriation amount is stated.
Hunters face limits on paid help
Beginning July 1, 2025, paid help taking protected wildlife on public land requires a registered guide or outfitter in good standing and the recipient’s required licenses and permits. Generally, at most two people may provide services requiring registration; three are allowed when the retained guide or outfitter helps take moose, bison, bighorn sheep, or mountain goat. No more than two spotters are allowed, and recipients cannot simultaneously use another guide or outfitter for the same species and sex. Knowingly hiring an unregistered provider is a class B misdemeanor with no imprisonment or probation for that offense, and hunting or fishing privileges may be suspended. Operating or participating in unlawful services, or knowingly retaining a provider who violates the rules, also falls under existing wildlife penalties when committed with criminal negligence.
Wildlife guides face new registration rules
Beginning July 1, 2025, covered guides, outfitters, and spotters must apply annually to Utah’s Division of Wildlife Resources and hold the applicable hunting or fishing license. Registration generally covers services for taking protected wildlife on public lands when compensation exceeds $100 in value. Qualifying cooperative wildlife management unit lands are excluded when services cover only species authorized by the unit’s management plan. The division must deny, refuse to renew, or revoke registration during a related hunting or fishing privilege suspension; a matching suspension for the provider’s outfitter chief executive officer also blocks registration. Using a covered provider title without registration is a class B misdemeanor.
Waterfowl guides need permits protecting unguided hunting
Beginning July 1, 2025, commercial guides and outfitters need an annual Wildlife Board permit to provide services in Utah waterfowl management areas. The permit also covers using those areas to transport someone elsewhere for guide or outfitter services. The permit process must preserve opportunities for non-guided hunters and require permit holders to follow Wildlife Board safety standards. This provision sets no permit fee or limit on permit numbers.
Wildlife providers face safety and honesty rules
Beginning July 1, 2025, wildlife guides, outfitters, and spotters must not endanger clients, prospective clients, or others beyond the activity’s inherent risks. They must not use false, deceptive, or misleading ads or misrepresent services, results, facilities, equipment, or fees. Providers must update registration contact information within 30 days after it changes. These rules protect customers while adding duties for providers. Violations are class B misdemeanors, and the division may revoke registration or suspend hunting or fishing privileges.
Sponsors & Cosponsors
Sponsor
Ronald M. Winterton
Republican • Senate
Cosponsors
Carl R. Albrecht
Republican • House
Roll Call Votes
House vote • 3/7/2025
House/ circled
Yes: 0 • No: 0
House vote • 3/7/2025
House/ refused to recede from House amendment
Yes: 0 • No: 0
Senate vote • 3/7/2025
Senate/ refuse to concur with House amendments
Yes: 0 • No: 0
Senate vote • 3/7/2025
Senate Conference Committee - Final Passage
Yes: 16 • No: 11
Senate vote • 3/7/2025
Senate Motion to Adopt Joint Conference Comm Rpt
Yes: 0 • No: 0
House vote • 3/7/2025
House Conference Committee - Final Passage
Yes: 53 • No: 1
House vote • 3/7/2025
House Motion to Adopt Joint Conference Comm Rpt
Yes: 0 • No: 0
House vote • 3/7/2025
House/ passed 3rd reading
Yes: 63 • No: 9
House vote • 3/7/2025
House/ substituted
Yes: 0 • No: 0
House vote • 3/7/2025
House/ uncircled
Yes: 0 • No: 0
Senate vote • 2/10/2025
Senate/ passed 3rd reading
Yes: 27 • No: 0
Senate vote • 2/7/2025
Senate/ passed 2nd reading
Yes: 25 • No: 0
Senate vote • 1/28/2025
Senate Comm - Favorable Recommendation
Yes: 4 • No: 0
Senate vote • 1/28/2025
Senate Comm - Substitute Recommendation
Yes: 4 • No: 0
House vote • Unknown
House/ refused to recede from House amendment
Yes: 0 • No: 0
Senate vote • Unknown
Senate/ refuse to concur with House amendments
Yes: 0 • No: 0
House vote • Unknown
House/ substituted
Yes: 0 • No: 0
House vote • Unknown
House/ circled
Yes: 0 • No: 0
House vote • Unknown
House/ uncircled
Yes: 0 • No: 0
Senate vote • Unknown
Senate Motion to Adopt Joint Conference Comm Rpt
Yes: 0 • No: 0
House vote • Unknown
House Motion to Adopt Joint Conference Comm Rpt
Yes: 0 • No: 0
Actions Timeline
Governor Signed
3/24/2025Senate/ to Governor
3/17/2025SenateSenate/ received enrolled bill from Printing
3/17/2025SenateSenate/ enrolled bill to Printing
3/14/2025SenateEnrolled Bill Returned to House or Senate
3/14/2025Draft of Enrolled Bill Prepared
3/13/2025Bill Received from Senate for Enrolling
3/13/2025Senate/ signed by President/ sent for enrolling
3/12/2025SenateSenate/ received from House
3/12/2025SenateHouse/ to Senate
3/7/2025HouseHouse/ signed by Speaker/ returned to Senate
3/7/2025HouseHouse/ received from Senate
3/7/2025HouseSenate/ to House
3/7/2025SenateSenate Conference Committee - Final Passage
3/7/2025SenateSenate Motion to Adopt Joint Conference Comm Rpt
3/7/2025SenateSenate/ received from House
3/7/2025SenateHouse/ to Senate
3/7/2025HouseHouse Conference Committee - Final Passage
3/7/2025HouseHouse Motion to Adopt Joint Conference Comm Rpt
3/7/2025HouseConference Committee Report
3/7/2025Bill Substituted by Conference Committee
3/7/2025Senate/ to House
3/7/2025SenateSenate Conference Committee Appointed
3/7/2025SenateSenate/ received from House
3/7/2025SenateHouse/ to Senate
3/7/2025House
Bill Text
Enrolled
3/14/2025
Substitute #2
3/7/2025
Substitute #3
3/7/2025
Substitute #1
1/28/2025
Introduced
1/21/2025