Section 1. Section 4-23-103 is amended to read:4-23-103Effective 05/06/26. Definitions.As used in this chapter:(1)"Agricultural crops" means any product of cultivation;(1)"Agricultural production" means the raising, cultivation, harvesting, or processing of livestock, poultry, or crops:(a)for commercial purposes; and(b)on land primarily dedicated to the raising, cultivation, harvesting, or processing of livestock, poultry, or crops.(2)"Board" means the Agricultural and Wildlife Damage Prevention Board;.(3)"Bounty" means the monetary compensation paid to personsa person for the harvest of predatory or depredating animals;a depredating animal.(4)"Damage" means any injury or loss to livestock, poultry, agricultural crops,agricultural production or wildlife inflicted by predatory or depredating animals or depredating birds;a depredating animal.(5)"Depredating animal" means a field mouse, gopher, ground squirrel, jack rabbit, raccoon, or prairie dog;an animal that causes damage to agricultural production or wildlife.(6)"Depredating bird" means a Brewer's blackbird or starling;(7)"Livestock" means cattle, horses, mules, sheep, goats, and swine;(8)"Predatory animal" means any coyote; and(6)"Take" means the same as that term is defined in Section 23A-1-101.(9)(7)"Wildlife" means any form of animal life generally living in a state of nature, except a predatory animal or a depredating animal or bird.the same at that term is defined in Section 23A-1-101.

Section 2. Section 4-23-105 is amended to read:4-23-105Effective 05/06/26Repealed 07/01/34. Board responsibilities -- Damage prevention policy -- Rules -- Methods to control depredating animals.(1)The board is responsible for the formulation of the agricultural and wildlife damage prevention policy of the state and may, consistent with Title 63G, Chapter 3, Utah Administrative Rulemaking Act, adoptmake rules to implement the agricultural and wildlife damage prevention policy which shall beis administered by the department.(2)In the board's policy deliberations the board shall:(a)specify programs designed to prevent damage to livestock, poultry, and agricultural cropsagricultural production; and(b)specifyapprove methods for the prevention of damage and for the selective control of predators and depredating birds and animals including hunting, trapping, chemical toxicants, and the use of aircraftdepredating animals.(3)The board may also:(a)specify bounties on designated predatory animals andspecies of depredating animals, not including protected wildlife; (b)recommend: (i)procedures for the payment of bounty claims,; (ii)recommend bounty districts,; (iii)recommend persons not authorized to receive bounty,; and (iv)recommend to the department other actions the board considers advisable for the enforcement of the board's policies; and(b)(c)cooperate with federal, state, and local governments, educational institutions, and private persons or organizations, through agreement or otherwise, to effectuate the board's policies.

Section 3. Section 4-23-106 is amended to read:4-23-106Effective 05/06/26. Department to issue licenses and permits -- License and permit fees -- Aerial hunting -- Rulemaking.(1)The department is responsible for the issuance of permits and licenses for the purposes of the federal Fish and Wildlife Act of 1956.(2)A private person may not use an aircraft for the prevention of damage without first obtaining a use permit from the department.(3)The department may issue an annual permit for aerial hunting to a private person for the protection of land, water, wildlife, livestock, domesticated animals, human life, or crops, if the person shows that the person or the person's designated pilot, along with the aircraft to be used in the aerial hunting, are licensed and qualified in accordance with the requirements of the department set by rule.(4)The department may predicate the issuance or retention of a permit for aerial hunting upon the permittee's full and prompt disclosure of information as the department may request for submission pursuant to rules made by the department.(1)The department may issue an aerial hunting permit to a landowner and an aerial hunting license to a pilot for the taking of a coyote from an aircraft to prevent damage to agricultural production, in accordance with the Airborne Hunting Act, 16 U.S.C. Sec. 742j-1.(5)(2)The department shall collect an annual fee, set in accordance with Section 63J-1-504, from a person who has an aircraft for which a permit is issued or renewed under this sectionfor an aerial hunting permit and aerial hunting license described in Subsection (1).(6)(3)Aerial hunting activity under aan aerial hunting permit issued by the department is restricted to taking a coyote:(a)(i)on private lands that are owned or managed by the permittee;(ii)on state grazing allotments where the permittee is permitted by the state or the StateSchool and Institutional Trust Lands Administration to graze livestock; or(iii)on federal grazing allotments where the permittee is permitted by the United States Bureau of Land Management or United States Forest Service to graze livestock; and(b)only during the time period for which the private land owner has provided written permission for the aerial hunting.(7)(4)The departmentboard shall make rules, in accordance with Title 63G, Chapter 3, Utah Administrative Rulemaking Act, that are necessary to carry out the purpose of this section. and establish:(a)qualifications for a pilot to obtain an aerial hunting license;(b)requirements for an aircraft used in aerial hunting; and(c)any reporting information required from a permittee or licensee.(5)As a condition to obtaining a permit or license under this section, a permittee or licensee shall assume all liability for an accident, injury, or damage arising from the permittee's or licensee's aerial hunting activity.(8)(6)The issuance of an aerial huntingA permit or license issued under this section does not authorize the holderpermittee or licensee to use aircraft to hunt, pursue, shoot, wound, kill, trap, capture, or collect protected wildlife, as defined in Section 23A-1-101take wildlife other than a coyote, unless also authorized by the Division of Wildlife Resources under Section 23A-5-315.(7)The department may suspend or revoke a permit or license issued under this section if the department determines that the permittee or licensee:(a)provided false information in submitting an application for a permit or license;(b)violated a requirement of this chapter or rules adopted by the board; or(c)engaged in willful conduct that is detrimental to the interests of agricultural production.

Section 4. Section 4-23-107 is amended to read:4-23-107Effective 05/06/26. Annual fees on sheep, goats, cattle, and turkeys -- Fee determined by board -- Collection methods.(1)To assist the department in meeting the annual expense of administering this chapter, the following annual predator control fees are imposed upon animals owned by persons whose interests this chapter is designed to protect: Sheep and goats (except on farm dairygoats or feeder lambs)...............................................................................at least $.70 but notmore than $1 per headCattle (except on farm dairy cattle)..........................................................at least $.15 but notmore than $.50 per headTurkeys (breeding stock only)..................................................................at least $.05 but notmore than $.10 per head(1)The department shall impose an annual predator control fee on the following animals to assist the department in covering the annual cost of administering the provisions of this chapter:(a)sheep and goats, excluding on farm dairy goats or feeder lambs;(b)cattle, excluding on farm dairy cattle; and(c)turkeys used for breeding stock.(2)The amount of the fees imposed upon each category of animals specified in this section shall beis: (a)determined by the board annually on or before July 1 of each year.; and(b)included in the annual fee schedule submitted to the Legislature in accordance with Section 63J-1-504.(3)(a)Fee brand inspected cattle are subject to a predator control fee upon change of ownership or slaughter.(b)The fee shall be collected by the local brand inspector at the time of the inspection of cattle, or withheld and paid by the market from proceeds derived from the sale of the cattle.(c)Cattle that are fee brand inspected prior to confinement to a feedlot are not subject to any subsequent predator control fee.(4)(a)Fleece of sheared sheep is subject to a predator control fee upon sale of the fleece.(b)(i)The fee shall be withheld and paid by the marketing agency or purchaser of wool from proceeds derived from the sale of the fleece.(ii)The department shall enter into cooperative agreements with in-state and out-of-state wool warehouses and wool processing facilities for the collection of predator control fees on the fleece of sheep that graze on private or public range in the state.(c)The fee shall be based on the number of pounds of wool divided by 10 pounds for white face sheep and five pounds for black face sheep.(5)Predator control fees on turkey breeding stock shall be paid by the turkey cooperative.(6)(a)Livestock owners shall pay a predator control fee on any livestock that uses public or private range in the state that is not otherwise subject to the fee under Subsection (3) or (4).(b)By September 1 of each year, the commissioner shall mail to each owner of livestock specified in Subsection (6)(a) a reporting form requiring sufficient information on the type and number of livestock grazed in the state and indicating the fee imposed for each category of livestock.(c)An owner shall file the completed form and the appropriate fee with the commissioner before December 31 of each year.(d)If any person who receives the reporting form fails to return the completed form and the imposed fee as required, the commissioner is authorized to commence suit through the office of the attorney general, in a court with jurisdiction, to collect the imposed fee, the amount of which shall be as determined by the commissioner.(7)A fee collected under this section shall be remitted to the department and deposited in the Agricultural and Wildlife Damage Prevention Account.

Section 5. Section 4-23-109 is amended to read:4-23-109Effective 05/06/26. Proceeds of sheep fee -- Refund of sheep fees -- Annual review of books, records, and accounts.(1)(a)Subject to the other provisions of this Subsection (1), the commissioner may spend an amount each year from the proceeds collected from the fee imposed on sheep for the promotion, advancement, and protection of the sheep interests of the state.(b)The amount described in Subsection (1)(a) shall be the equivalent to an amount that:(i)equals or exceeds 18 cents per head; and(ii)equals or is less than 25 cents per head.(c)The commissioner shall set the amount described in Subsection (1)(a):(i)on or before January 1 of each year; and(ii)in consultation with one or more statewide organizations that represent persons who grow wool.(d)A sheep fee is refundable in an amount equal to that part of the fee used to promote, advance, or protect sheep interests.(e)A refund claim shall be filed with the department on or before January 1 of the year immediately succeeding the year for which the fee was paid.(f)A refund claim shall be certified by the department to the state treasurer for payment from the Agricultural and Wildlife Damage Prevention Account created in Section 4-23-108.(2)Any expense incurred by the department in administering refunds shall be paid from funds allocated for the promotion, advancement, and protection of the sheep interests of the state.(3)An accountant approved by the commissioner shall annually review the books, records, and accounts of any organization that receives funds from the Agricultural and Wildlife Damage Prevention Account, created in Section 4-23-108, for the purpose of promoting, advancing, or protecting the sheep interests of the state.(3)(a)The books, records, and accounts of the Utah Woolgrowers Association, or any other organization which receives funds from the agricultural and wildlife damage prevention account, for the purpose of promoting, advancing, or protecting the sheep interests of the state, shall be audited at least once annually by a licensed accountant.(b)The results of this audit shall be submitted to the commissioner.

Section 6. Section 4-23-111 is amended to read:4-23-111Effective 05/06/26. Holding a raccoon or coyote in captivity prohibited -- Penalty.(1)No individual mayAn individual may not hold in captivity a raccoon or coyote, except as provided by rules of the Agricultural and Wildlife Damage Prevention Board.(2)The department shall enforce this section in cooperation with:(a)the Division of Law Enforcement created in Section 79-2-702; and(b)the Department of Health and Human Services created in Section 26B-1-201.(2)The Division of Wildlife Resources, with the cooperation of the department and the Department of Health, shall enforce this section.(3)AnyA violation of this section is an infraction.

Section 7. Section 4-25-102 is amended to read:4-25-102Effective 05/06/26. Definitions.For the purpose ofAs used in this chapter:(1)(a)"Estray" means:(i)an unbranded sheep, cow, horse, mule, or ass found running at large;(ii)a branded sheep, cow, horse, mule, or ass found running at large whose owner cannot be found after reasonable search; or(iii)a swine found running at large whose owner cannot be found after reasonable search.(b)"Estray" does not mean any unweaned animal specified in this section that is running with its mother.(2)"Feral swine" means any species, or hybrid species:(a)of the family Suidae, including the European boar, the Eurasian boar, the Russian boar, a feral hog, or a domestic pig;(b)that is not conspicuously identified by an ear tag or other form of visual identification; and(c)that is roaming freely upon public land or private land.(1)(a)"Estray" means livestock, as that term is defined in Section 4-7-103, found running at large.(b)"Estray" does not include an unweaned animal specified in this section that is running with the unweaned animal's mother.(2)"Feral swine" means an animal that is a member of the family:(a)Tayassuidae, including Javalina and Peccary; or(b)Suidae if:(i)the animal exhibits the phenotypic characteristics of a Eurasian or Russian boar; or(ii)(A)the animal roams freely upon public land or private land not belonging to the animal's owner; and(B)the animal's owner cannot be found after a reasonable search.(3)"Peace officer" means an officer certified in accordance with Title 53, Chapter 13, Peace Officer Classifications.(3)(4)"Swine" means any domesticated species of the family Suidae that is conspicuously identified by an ear tag or other form of visible identificationraised for an agricultural, commercial, or personal purpose.

Section 8. Section 4-25-301 is amended to read:4-25-301Effective 05/06/26. Unlawful actions -- Criminal penalty -- Civil liability.(1)A personAn individual is guilty of a class B misdemeanor if the personindividual:(a)is in control of a swine; and(b)allows the swine to run at large.(2)A personAn individual described in Subsection (1) is liable for damage caused by the swine running at large.(3)Except as provided in Section 4-25-302, an individual is guilty of a third degree felony if the individual:(a)releases a swine on public or private property for hunting;(b)releases a feral swine on public or private property for any purpose;(c)hunts, traps, captures, kills, or attempts to hunt, trap, capture, or kill a feral swine; or(d)imports, transports, or possesses a live feral swine in the state.

Section 9. Section 4-25-302 is amended to read:4-25-302Effective 05/06/26. Exclusive authority for removal of swine -- Exception.A person is guilty of a third degree felony if the person releases a:(1)swine on public or private property for hunting purposes; or(2)feral swine on public or private property for any purpose.(1)Feral swine may be seized, captured, destroyed, or depopulated at any time, in any place, and in any manner by:(a)the department or an authorized agent of the department;(b)the Department of Natural Resources or an authorized agent of the Department of Natural Resources; and(c)a peace officer.(2)Notwithstanding Subsection 4-25-301(3), an individual may kill or destroy a feral swine if the feral swine:(a)presents an immediate threat of death or serious bodily injury to an individual; or(b)is a threat of harm to private land or personal property.

Section 10. Section 4-25-303 is amended to read:4-25-303Effective 05/06/26. Vehicle forfeiture -- Public sale -- Notification required.(1)Feral swine are detrimental to the state's interests in agriculture and wildlife.(2)Feral swine may be seized, captured, or destroyed at any time, in any place, and in any manner by:(a)the department and the department's authorized agents;(b)the Division of Wildlife Resources and the Division of Wildlife Resources' authorized agents; or(c)a certified peace officer.(3)(a)Notwithstanding Section 76-13-202, 76-13-203, or 76-13-204, and subject to the requirements of this section, an individual may kill a feral swine roaming on private or public land.(b)An individual shall obtain the consent of the landowner before killing a feral swine on private land.(c)Feral swine may be killed:(i)year-round;(ii)in any number; and(iii)with a firearm, bow and arrow, or crossbow.(4)Feral swine may not be hunted or killed under Subsection (3)(c):(a)with the use of artificial light or night vision equipment, except as authorized by county ordinance; or(b)from or with any airborne vehicle or device, except as provided in Section 4-23-106.(5)An individual may not receive compensation, or attempt to receive compensation, from hunting feral swine.(6)An authorized individual who kills a swine under this section is not liable to the owner for the loss of the swine, unless:(a)the swine is conspicuously identified by an ear tag or other form of visual identification; and(b)the individual who killed the swine knew the swine was identified by an ear tag or other form of usual identification.(1)A peace officer may seize and impound a vehicle if the peace officer has probable cause to believe that the vehicle was used in the commission of an offense under Section 4-25-301, in accordance with:(a)Title 77, Chapter 11a, Seizure of Property and Contraband; and(b)Title 77, Chapter 11b, Forfeiture of Seized Property.(2)A vehicle seized under this section is subject to forfeiture through a public sale conducted by the sheriff of the county where the seizure occurred.(3)A sheriff in possession of a vehicle seized under Subsection (1) shall:(a)provide written notice to the vehicle owner of the proposed public sale described in Subsection (2) no later than 30 days before the day on which the public sale occurs; and(b)inform the vehicle owner of the legal and administrative process for contesting the proposed public sale of the vehicle.

Section 11. Section 63I-1-204 is amended to read:63I-1-204Effective 05/06/26. Repeal dates: Title 4.(1)Section 4-2-108, Agricultural Advisory Board created -- Composition -- Responsibility -- Terms of office -- Compensation -- Executive committee, is repealed July 1, 2028.(2)Section 4-17-104, Creation of State Weed Committee -- Membership -- Powers and duties -- Expenses, is repealed July 1, 2026.(3)Title 4, Chapter 18, Part 3, Utah Soil Health Program, is repealed July 1, 2026.(4)Section 4-20-103, Utah Grazing Improvement Program Advisory Board -- Duties, is repealed July 1, 2032.(5)Section 4-23-104, Agricultural and Wildlife Damage Prevention Board created -- Composition -- Appointment -- Terms -- Vacancies -- Compensation, is repealed July 1, 2034.(6)Section 4-23-105, Board responsibilities -- Damage prevention policy -- Rules -- Methods to control predators and depredating birds anddepredating animals, is repealed July 1, 2034.(7)Section 4-24-104, Livestock Brand Board created -- Composition -- Terms -- Removal -- Quorum for transaction of business -- Compensation -- Duties, is repealed July 1, 2035.(8)Section 4-39-104, Domesticated Elk Act advisory council, is repealed July 1, 2027.(9)Title 4, Chapter 46, Part 2, Land Conservation Board, is repealed July 1, 2027.(10)Subsection 4-46-304(2)(d), regarding the Land Conservation Board, is repealed July 1, 2027.(11)Subsection 4-46-401(3)(a), regarding the Land Conservation Board, is repealed July 1, 2027.

Section 12. Repealer.Title.Title.

Section 13. Effective Date.This bill takes effect on May 6, 2026.