Utah Legislative Bill Summaries
With the 2026 Utah Legislative Session wrapped, we reflect on a session that brought forward a range of bills impacting public lands, waters, and wildlife. Utah BHA has followed and engaged closely throughout, supporting policies that strengthen conservation and opposing those that threaten access, funding fairness, and public trust.
Below is a summary of key legislation we tracked this session and what it means for hunters and anglers across the state. While the session may be over, the work doesn’t stop here. The outcomes of these bills will shape how our lands and wildlife are managed moving forward.
We encourage every citizen to stay engaged, continue following these issues, and reach out to your elected officials. Your voice plays a critical role in protecting Utah’s hunting and angling heritage. Visit the BHA elected officials directory to find out who your state representatives are and reach out to them on issues that matter to you.
H.B. 546 – Public Lands Duty of Care Amendments – Representative Ken Ivory
H.B. 546 promotes the transfer of federally managed public lands to the state, claiming that the state “never ceded legislative jurisdiction” over federal proprietary interest lands (i.e. those federal lands where the federal government holds only a proprietary interest). The bill asserts the state’s jurisdiction over natural resources, zoning and planning, and enforcement of state law on federal proprietary interest lands.
BHA position: Oppose – Utah was never granted legislative jurisdiction over any federal lands in the first place. This bill represents another attempt to gain state control over federal lands – a concept that BHA opposes. Removing federal protections from federal lands exposes our public lands to privatization and threatens the multiple use mandate that supports our hunting and angling heritage.
Impact to Hunters and Anglers
Federal public lands are the backbone of hunting and angling opportunities in Utah. Transferring these lands to state control increases the risk of land sales, leasing, restricted access, and management decisions that prioritize revenue over public use. Hunters and anglers rely on the multiple-use mandate that governs federal lands, and efforts like this threaten to erode that framework. This bill represents a long-term risk to access, habitat protection, and the public’s ability to use and enjoy these lands.
Bill Status: Signed by Governor
H.B. 431 – Wildlife Crossing Amendments – Representative Scott Chew
H.B. 431 sets aside Transportation Investment Fund dollars on an ongoing basis for wildlife crossings and livestock safety projects, promoting wildlife connectivity. Additionally, the bill would require UDOT and DWR to recommend prioritized projects to utilize this funding.
BHA position: Support
Impact to Hunters and Anglers
Wildlife crossings are one of the most effective tools available to improve habitat connectivity and reduce wildlife mortality. By investing in these projects, Utah supports healthier migration patterns and more resilient wildlife populations. Hunters and anglers benefit directly from these outcomes through improved herd health and long-term sustainability of the resource. This is a strong example of proactive, science-based conservation.
Bill Status: Signed by Governor
H.B. 30 – Wildlife Management Area Amendments – Representative David Shallenberger
H.B. 30 repeals the requirement of holding a hunting/fishing license to access a Wildlife Management Area (WMA), which was initially a requirement passed in the 2025 Legislative Session. Rather, the bill creates the Wildlife Management Area Stewardship Fund, which would allow members of the public to make a voluntary monetary contribution to the Division of Wildlife Resources (DWR) to assist with WMA management. It also requires those accessing a WMA to view an approved educational video with digital verification.
BHA position: Oppose – While BHA is open to revisions of the existing law regarding WMA access, we support a required monetary contribution by those accessing WMA’s to assist with their management and future WMA acquisitions.
Impact to Hunters and Anglers
This bill creates an imbalance between those who use Wildlife Management Areas and who pays for them. WMAs are largely funded through license dollars from hunters and anglers, yet this bill expands access without requiring broader users to contribute financially. BHA supports a model where those who benefit from these lands help support their upkeep. To ignore this creates an imbalance where the hunting and fishing community continues to fund and support these lands, while a broader user base benefits without contributing. Over time, this model risks both increased restrictions and an erosion of the user-pay, public-benefit structure that has long supported wildlife conservation.
Bill Status: Signed by Governor
H.B. 49 – Law Enforcement Salary Amendments – Representative Ryan Wilcox
Requires salary ranges and pay progression for Department of Natural Resources law enforcement officers to be equivalent to those of Department of Public Safety peace officers. While the original bill caused concern due to the fiscal note directing a lion’s share of the increases to be supported by the wildlife resources restricted account, the bill has been amended to support the increases via the general fund.
BHA position: Support.
Impact to Hunters and Anglers
Strong enforcement is essential to protecting wildlife and maintaining fair chase. By ensuring conservation officers are compensated competitively—and shifting funding responsibility to the general fund—this bill strengthens Utah’s ability to retain qualified officers without placing additional burden on sportsmen-funded accounts. Hunters and anglers benefit from a well-supported enforcement system that protects wildlife from poaching and illegal activity.
Bill Status: Signed by Governor
H.B. 93 – Goshen Bay Waterfowl Management Area – Representative Doug Walton
This bill establishes the Goshen Bay Waterfowl Management Area on state sovereign lands. The establishment of the WMA would ensure the area is preserved as habitat and allow additional waterfowl hunting and fishing opportunities.
BHA position: Support.
Impact to Hunters and Anglers
Expanding Wildlife Management Areas is one of the most direct ways to protect habitat and increase opportunity. This bill secures important habitat for waterfowl while enhancing access for hunting and fishing. Investments in habitat are investments in the future of hunting and angling, and this legislation provides a clear conservation benefit.
Bill Status: Signed by Governor
H.B. 111 – Wildlife Amendments – Representative Bridger Bolinder
H.B. 111 serves as the general “clean up” bill for wildlife-related Code in Utah.
BHA position: Support.
Impact to Hunters and Anglers
This bill improves clarity and functionality within Utah’s wildlife code, helping ensure regulations are workable and enforceable. Updates like this supports more efficient management and reduce unnecessary barriers for hunters and anglers.
Bill Status: Signed by Governor
H.B. 168 – Hunting and Fishing Amendments – Representative Rex Shipp
H.B. 168 creates the Poaching Mitigation Fund and directs restitution funds to DNR Law Enforcement.
BHA position: Support.
Impact to Hunters and Anglers
This bill strengthens enforcement tools and ensures that penalties for unlawful activity directly support conservation efforts.
Bill Status: Signed by Governor
S.B. 209 – Gooseberry Narrows State Park Designation – Senator Derrin Owens
The first version of S.B. 209 would attempt to add Gooseberry Narrows to the state park system. A substitute version of the bill downgraded the effort to a feasibility study for dam construction in this area.
BHA position: Oppose
Impact to Hunters and Anglers
This bill raises significant concerns for both habitat and access.
Bill Status: Signed by Governor (substitute feasibility study version)
H.B. 444 – State Land Access Road Amendments – Representative Troy Shelly
The substitute version improves DWR’s autonomy in managing Wildlife Management Areas.
BHA position: Support (substitute only)
Impact to Hunters and Anglers
This version better balances access and wildlife protection.
Bill Status: Signed by Governor
H.B. 326 – Animal Depredation Amendments – Representative Rex Shipp
This bill strengthens Utah’s depredation program and feral swine protections.
BHA position: Support.
Impact to Hunters and Anglers
Protecting habitat from invasive species directly benefits wildlife populations.
Bill Status: Signed by Governor
H.B. 509 – Wetlands Study Amendments – Representative Doug Owens
Directs DNR to conduct a statewide wetlands study.
BHA position: Support.
Impact to Hunters and Anglers
Wetlands are critical habitat for waterfowl, fish, and countless other species.
Bill Status: Signed by Governor
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