Utah Code § 23A-2-301 Wildlife Board created.
23A-2-301. Wildlife Board created.
(1) There is created a Wildlife Board that consists of seven members appointed by the governor with the advice and consent of the Senate in accordance with Title 63G, Chapter 24, Part 2, Vacancies.
(2)
(a) In addition to the requirements of Section 79-2-203, the members of the Wildlife Board shall have expertise or experience in at least one of the following areas:
(i) wildlife management or biology;
(ii) habitat management, including range or aquatic;
(iii) business, including knowledge of private land issues; and
(iv) economics, including knowledge of recreational wildlife uses.
(b) At least one member of the Wildlife Board shall represent each of the areas of expertise under Subsection (2)(a).
(c)
(i) Except as provided in Subsection (2)(c)(iv), as a qualification for service on the Wildlife Board, a member of the Wildlife Board shall:
(A) have obtained a hunting or combination license for use by the member that is issued under Chapter 4, Licenses, Permits, Certificates of Registration, and Tags, at least three times during the five years before the day on which the individual is nominated by the nominating committee for appointment to the Wildlife Board; and
(B) possess a hunting or combination license issued under Chapter 4, Licenses, Permits, Certificates of Registration, and Tags, while serving on the Wildlife Board.
(ii) The director shall remove an individual from the Wildlife Board if the director determines that the individual does not meet the requirement of Subsection (2)(c)(i)(A).
(iii)
(A) The director shall remove an individual from the Wildlife Board 15 days after the day on which the director notifies the individual that the individual is not in compliance with Subsection (2)(c)(i)(B) unless during the 15-day period the individual obtains or otherwise proves that the individual holds a valid hunting or combination license.
(B) The director shall send the notice required by this Subsection (2)(c)(iii), if the director finds that final action has been taken to suspend the license required by Subsection (2)(c)(i)(B) or the individual fails to obtain a new license required under Subsection (2)(c)(i)(B) once the previous license expires.
(iv) An individual who is a member of the Wildlife Board as of May 7, 2025, is not subject to Subsection (2)(c)(i), except that if the governor reappoints the member to the Wildlife Board, the individual is subject to Subsection (2)(c)(i) as of the new membership term.
(3)
(a) The governor shall select a board member from a list of nominees submitted by the nominating committee pursuant to Section 23A-2-302.
(b) No more than two members shall be from a single wildlife region described in Subsection 23A-2-303(1).
(c) The governor may request an additional list of at least two nominees from the nominating committee if the initial list of nominees for a given position is unacceptable.
(d)
(i) If the governor fails to appoint a board member within 60 days after receipt of the initial or additional list, the nominating committee shall make an interim appointment by majority vote.
(ii) The interim board member shall serve until the matter is resolved by the nominating committee and the governor or until the board member is replaced pursuant to this chapter.
(4)
(a) Except as required by Subsection (4)(b), as terms of current board members expire, the governor shall appoint a new member or reappointed member to a six-year term.
(b) Notwithstanding the requirements of Subsection (4)(a), the governor shall, at the time of appointment or reappointment, adjust the length of terms to ensure that:
(i) the terms of board members are staggered so that approximately one-third of the Wildlife Board is appointed every two years; and
(ii) members serving from the same region have staggered terms.
(c) If a vacancy occurs, the nominating committee shall submit at least two names, as provided in Subsection 23A-2-302(4), to the governor and the governor shall appoint a replacement for the unexpired term.
(d) A board member may serve only one term unless the board member:
(i) is among the first board members appointed to serve four years or less; or
(ii) filled a vacancy under Subsection (4)(c) for four years or less.
(5) When the governor makes a new appointment or reappointment under Subsection (4)(a), or a vacancy appointment under Subsection (4)(c), the governor's new appointment, reappointment, or vacancy appointment shall be made with the advice and consent of the Senate in accordance with Title 63G, Chapter 24, Part 2, Vacancies.
(6)
(a) The Wildlife Board shall elect a chair and a vice chair from the Wildlife Board's membership.
(b) Four members of the Wildlife Board constitutes a quorum.
(c) The director shall act as secretary to the Wildlife Board, but is not a voting member of the Wildlife Board.
(7)
(a) The Wildlife Board shall hold a sufficient number of public meetings each year to expeditiously conduct the Wildlife Board's business.
(b) Meetings may be called by the chair upon five days notice or upon shorter notice in emergency situations.
(c) Meetings may be held at the Salt Lake City office of the division or elsewhere as determined by the Wildlife Board.
(8) A member may not receive compensation or benefits for the member's service, but may receive per diem and travel expenses in accordance with:
(a) Section 63A-3-106;
(b) Section 63A-3-107; and
(c) rules made by the Division of Finance pursuant to Sections 63A-3-106 and 63A-3-107.
(9)
(a) A member of the Wildlife Board shall complete an orientation course to assist the member in the performance of the duties of the member's office.
(b) The department shall provide the course required under Subsection (9)(a).
(10) A member shall comply with the conflict of interest provisions described in Title 63G, Chapter 24, Part 3, Conflicts of Interest.
Amended by Chapter 116, 2025 General Session