Why It Matters: Last week, the Utah Legislature wrapped up the 67th General Session. During the state’s 45-day legislative session, one of the shortest in the nation, several bills impacting sportsmen and women passed through both chambers and now await action from Governors Sportsmen’s Caucus member Governor Cox, who has until March 26 to sign or veto the bills.
Highlights:
- The 2026 Utah legislative session adjourned on March 6.
- Members of the Utah Legislative Sportsmen’s Caucus championed several key bills supporting hunting access, wildlife conservation, and sportsmen’s priorities.
Utah has one of the shortest legislative sessions in the country, with only 45 days for lawmakers to introduce, debate, and pass legislation, while also finalizing the state budget. As the 2026 legislative session adjourned on March 6, several bills impacting hunters, anglers, and wildlife management crossed the finish line.
Last year’s legislative session saw House Bill 309 (HB 309) introduced by former Utah Legislative Sportsmen’s Caucus Co-Chair, and former National Assembly of Sportsmen’s Caucuses Executive Council member, Representative Casey Snider that required individuals to possess a valid hunting or fishing license to access Wildlife Management Areas (WMAs). This bill also redefined WMAs as areas to “protect, conserve, and perpetuate wildlife resources.” House Bill 30 (HB 30), which passed both the House and the Senate this session, will instead require individuals who do not possess a valid hunting or fishing license to watch an educational video approved by the division before accessing a WMA via a QR code posted at the entrance. WMAs are obtained and maintained by funding from hunting and fishing license fees, as well as federal excise taxes connected to purchasing fishing and hunting equipment. They are primarily funded by sportsmen and women, yet they are frequently used by other recreationists. CSF continues to advocate for policies that recognize the significant financial contributions made by sportsmen and women toward WMA management.
Sponsored by Representative Welton, House Bill 93 (HB 93) establishes the Goshen Bay Waterfowl Management Area at Utah Lake, a popular recreational area for many sportsmen. This bill passed both chambers and is making its way to Governor Spencer Cox’s desk. CSF supports policies that expand hunting access opportunities. The creation of the Goshen Bay WMA will provide both habitat protection and hunting opportunities for sportsmen and women in Utah.
In 2012, the Utah Mule Deer Protection Act was enacted, commonly referred to as the predator control program. The program recently increased the bounty to $100 for coyotes taken in mule deer habitat and $50 for coyotes taken outside of mule deer habitat. The program is successful at removing coyotes in crucial mule deer habitat. However, due to the increase in participation, the program faces an approximate $200,000 funding shortfall. Senator Musselman requested additional funding to address the gap for this year and future fiscal years. Hunting is the preferred tool for wildlife management, as it continues to be the most effective, cost-efficient, and socially acceptable method of population control.
Approximately 10,000 wildlife-vehicle collisions occur annually on Utah roads. Wildlife crossing infrastructure has been shown to reduce these collisions by more than 90 percent. House Bill 431 (HB 431), introduced by Utah Legislative Sportsmen’s Caucus Member Representative Chew, passed both the House and Senate and establishes a year-over-year funding mechanism for wildlife crossing infrastructure, which would allow the state to leverage available federal matching funds. CSF strongly supports efforts to bolster habitat connectivity through building and expanding wildlife crossings to provide safe passage for wildlife.
Finally, Utah Legislative Sportsmen’s Caucus member Bridger Bolinder introduced House Bill 111 (HB 111) early in the session. The bill includes wildlife-related amendments, including a provision supported by CSF that reduces the required distance from a building to discharge a firearm from 600 feet to 300 feet without written permission. As Utah continues to rapidly grow, so does development near wildlife management areas. This amendment helps ensure that hunters can continue to safely and legally access WMAs as development expands.
As the legislative session concludes, CSF thanks the Utah Legislative Sportsmen’s Caucus, and the Caucus Advisory Council for their continued dedication to advancing policies that support Utah’s hunters, anglers, and outdoor traditions.