UtahAdults will need permits or licenses to enter more Utah wildlife areas
Starting in 2026, adults entering covered Utah wildlife areas will need a permit, license, or permission, and the permit requires a free online video.
What it does
Adults entering covered wildlife areas for any use need a digital permit, a hunting or fishing license, or permission through a contract or property right. Several exceptions apply.
People may give any amount to support wildlife areas. Gifts for a named area generally go there, but gifts totaling less than $1,000 for that area in a fiscal year may go to any wildlife area.
The division may set up a volunteer program to maintain wildlife areas. It may require volunteers to apply and may provide liability coverage or require them to sign a waiver.
Argument forVoluntary gifts could help pay for habitat, trails, and volunteer support, while most gifts for a named area would stay there.
Argument againstAdults may need internet access and time to watch a video before visiting, even if they do not plan to hunt, trap, or fish.
More detail
Adults entering covered areas must have a digital access permit, a hunting, fishing, or combination license, or permission through a contract or property right. The rule applies to people 18 or older entering covered wildlife management areas for any use, including recreation. It does not apply to people under 18. The division must offer the video free online; a person receives a permit after watching it and acknowledging that access may be seasonal or closed for wildlife conservation. Some people may enter without these options, including people traveling on qualifying roads or trails, visiting educational programs or centers, entering areas the director exempts in limited circumstances, or recovering livestock. Some people exempt from hunting, trapping, or fishing license rules still need a digital access permit unless another exception applies. The rule covers first- and second-class counties from July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2027; first- through fourth-class counties from July 1, 2027, through June 30, 2028; and all Utah wildlife management areas starting July 1, 2028.
The Division of Wildlife Resources may accept voluntary gifts for wildlife management areas and deposit them in the stewardship fund. People choose how much to give and whether to support one wildlife management area or wildlife areas generally. The division may use fund money for habitat restoration and protection, trails, and volunteer support. A gift for a specific area generally must be used there. If gifts to that area total less than $1,000 in a fiscal year, the division may use them for any wildlife management area. If a digital permit holder gives at least the board-set fishing license fee, the division must treat the gift as a fishing license for 365 days. A qualifying gift from a digital permit holder counts as a fishing license for 365 days from the day the person gives it.
The division may set up a program for people to volunteer to maintain wildlife areas and may recognize their work. The program may cover people who volunteer to maintain a wildlife management area. The division may require volunteers to apply and may appoint a manager to oversee the program. The division may provide liability coverage or require volunteers to sign a release and waiver.
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Where it stands
- Introduced
- Passed House
- Passed Senate
- To Governor
- Became Law
Looking ahead
No hearings or votes scheduled.
History
- 2026
- Mar 25Governor Spencer Cox SignedBecame Law
- Mar 12House/ to GovernorTo Governor
- Mar 12House/ received enrolled bill from PrintingMinor
- Mar 11House/ enrolled bill to Printing
- Mar 11Enrolled Bill Returned to House or SenateMinor
- Mar 6Draft of Enrolled Bill Prepared
- Mar 6Bill Received from House for EnrollingMinor
- Mar 5House/ signed by Speaker/ sent for enrollingMajor
- Vote recorded Senate/ passed 2nd & 3rd readings/ suspension. Result: pass.Upper
- Mar 5House/ received from SenateMinor
- Mar 5Senate/ to House
- Mar 5Senate/ signed by President/ returned to HouseMajor
- Mar 5Senate/ passed 2nd & 3rd readings/ suspensionPassed Senate
- Mar 5Senate/ Rules to 2nd Reading Calendar
- Mar 5Senate/ 3nd Reading Calendar to Rules [Senate Rules Committee]
- Feb 18Senate/ placed on 3rd Reading Calendar table
- Vote recorded Senate/ passed 2nd reading. Result: pass.Upper
- Feb 18Senate/ 3rd readingMinor
- Feb 18Senate/ passed 2nd readingMinor
- Feb 18Senate/ 2nd & 3rd readings/ suspensionMinor
- Feb 17Senate/ placed on 2nd Reading Calendar
- Feb 17Senate/ committee report favorable [Senate Natural Resources, Agriculture, and Environment Committee]Minor
- Feb 12Senate Comm - Favorable Recommendation [Senate Natural Resources, Agriculture, and Environment Committee]Minor
- Feb 5LFA/ fiscal note publicly available for HB0030
- Feb 5Senate/ to standing committee [Senate Natural Resources, Agriculture, and Environment Committee]Minor
- Feb 4Senate/ 1st reading (Introduced)Minor
- Feb 3Senate/ received from HouseMinor
- Vote recorded House/ passed 3rd reading. Result: pass.Lower
- Feb 3House/ to Senate
- Feb 3House/ passed 3rd readingPassed House
- Feb 3House/ 3rd readingMinor
- Jan 29LFA/ fiscal note publicly available for HB0030S01
- Jan 26House/ 2nd readingMinor
- Jan 26House/ comm rpt/ substituted/ amended [House Natural Resources, Agriculture, and Environment Committee]Major
- Jan 23House Comm - Favorable Recommendation [House Natural Resources, Agriculture, and Environment Committee]Minor
- Jan 23House Comm - Amendment Recommendation [House Natural Resources, Agriculture, and Environment Committee]Minor
- Jan 23House Comm - Substitute Recommendation [House Natural Resources, Agriculture, and Environment Committee]Major
- Jan 23LFA/ fiscal note sent to sponsor for HB0030S01
- Jan 21LFA/ bill sent to agencies for fiscal input for HB0030S01
- Jan 21LFA/ bill assigned to staff for fiscal analysis for HB0030S01
- Jan 21House/ to standing committee [House Natural Resources, Agriculture, and Environment Committee]Minor
- Jan 20House/ 1st reading (Introduced)Minor
- Jan 14House/ received bill from Legislative ResearchMinor
- Jan 13LFA/ fiscal note sent to sponsor for HB0030
- 2025
- Dec 5Numbered Bill Publicly Distributed
- Dec 5Bill Numbered but not Distributed
- Nov 17LFA/ fiscal note sent to sponsor for HB0030
- Oct 30LFA/ bill sent to agencies for fiscal input for HB0030
- Oct 30LFA/ bill assigned to staff for fiscal analysis for HB0030Introduced
Environment & Energy