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H.B. 164 Enrolled

             1     

MIGRATORY BIRD PRODUCTION AREAS

             2     
2009 GENERAL SESSION

             3     
STATE OF UTAH

             4     
Chief Sponsor: Curtis Oda

             5     
Senate Sponsor: Margaret Dayton

             6      Cosponsors:
             7      Roger E. Barrus
             8      Stephen D. ClarkJulie Fisher
Kevin S. GarnChristopher N. Herrod
Stephen E. Sandstrom              9     
             10      LONG TITLE
             11      General Description:
             12          This bill enacts provisions relating to a migratory bird production area.
             13      Highlighted Provisions:
             14          This bill:
             15          .    defines terms;
             16          .    authorizes the creation of a migratory bird production area;
             17          .    authorizes a landowner to remove land from a migratory bird production area;
             18          .    requires a municipality to have the written permission of all landowners within a
             19      migratory bird production area to annex land within the production area;
             20          .    clarifies the effect the creation of a migratory bird production area would have on
             21      receiving the benefits of the Farmland Assessment Act;
             22          .    prohibits a county from enacting certain ordinances regarding a migratory bird
             23      production area;
             24          .    requires a county to exclude activities associated with a migratory bird production
             25      area from being a public nuisance; and
             26          .    establishes a defense for a migratory bird production area in civil or criminal
             27      nuisance actions.
             28      Monies Appropriated in this Bill:
             29          None


             30      Other Special Clauses:
             31          None
             32      Utah Code Sections Affected:
             33      AMENDS:
             34          10-2-403, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2007, Chapter 329
             35      ENACTS:
             36          23-28-101, Utah Code Annotated 1953
             37          23-28-102, Utah Code Annotated 1953
             38          23-28-201, Utah Code Annotated 1953
             39          23-28-202, Utah Code Annotated 1953
             40          23-28-301, Utah Code Annotated 1953
             41          23-28-302, Utah Code Annotated 1953
             42          23-28-303, Utah Code Annotated 1953
             43          23-28-304, Utah Code Annotated 1953
             44          23-28-305, Utah Code Annotated 1953
             45     
             46      Be it enacted by the Legislature of the state of Utah:
             47          Section 1. Section 10-2-403 is amended to read:
             48           10-2-403. Annexation petition -- Requirements -- Notice required before filing.
             49          (1) Except as provided in Section 10-2-418 , the process to annex an unincorporated
             50      area to a municipality is initiated by a petition as provided in this section.
             51          (2) (a) (i) Before filing a petition under Subsection (1) with respect to the proposed
             52      annexation of an area located in a county of the first class, the person or persons intending to
             53      file a petition shall:
             54          (A) file with the city recorder or town clerk of the proposed annexing municipality a
             55      notice of intent to file a petition; and
             56          (B) send a copy of the notice of intent to each affected entity.
             57          (ii) Each notice of intent under Subsection (2)(a)(i) shall include an accurate map of


             58      the area that is proposed to be annexed.
             59          (b) (i) Subject to Subsection (2)(b)(ii), the county in which the area proposed to be
             60      annexed is located shall:
             61          (A) mail the notice described in Subsection (2)(b)(iii) to:
             62          (I) each owner of real property located within the area proposed to be annexed; and
             63          (II) each owner of real property located within 300 feet of the area proposed to be
             64      annexed; and
             65          (B) send to the proposed annexing municipality a copy of the notice and a certificate
             66      indicating that the notice has been mailed as required under Subsection (2)(b)(i)(A).
             67          (ii) The county shall mail the notice required under Subsection (2)(b)(i)(A) within 20
             68      days after receiving from the person or persons who filed the notice of intent:
             69          (A) a written request to mail the required notice; and
             70          (B) payment of an amount equal to the county's expected actual cost of mailing the
             71      notice.
             72          (iii) Each notice required under Subsection (2)(b)(i)(A) shall:
             73          (A) be in writing;
             74          (B) state, in bold and conspicuous terms, substantially the following:
             75          "Attention: Your property may be affected by a proposed annexation.
             76          Records show that you own property within an area that is intended to be included in a
             77      proposed annexation to (state the name of the proposed annexing municipality) or that is
             78      within 300 feet of that area. If your property is within the area proposed for annexation, you
             79      may be asked to sign a petition supporting the annexation. You may choose whether or not to
             80      sign the petition. By signing the petition, you indicate your support of the proposed
             81      annexation. If you sign the petition but later change your mind about supporting the
             82      annexation, you may withdraw your signature by submitting a signed, written withdrawal with
             83      the recorder or clerk of (state the name of the proposed annexing municipality) within 30 days
             84      after (state the name of the proposed annexing municipality) receives notice that the petition
             85      has been certified.


             86          There will be no public election on the proposed annexation because Utah law does not
             87      provide for an annexation to be approved by voters at a public election. Signing or not signing
             88      the annexation petition is the method under Utah law for the owners of property within the
             89      area proposed for annexation to demonstrate their support of or opposition to the proposed
             90      annexation.
             91          Under Utah law, the elected officials of (state the name of the proposed annexing
             92      municipality) may have no choice but to grant the annexation petition if the county's property
             93      tax rate for municipal services in the area proposed to be annexed is higher than the property
             94      tax rate of (state the name of the proposed annexing municipality) and if other statutory
             95      conditions are met.
             96          You may obtain more information on the proposed annexation by contacting (state the
             97      name, mailing address, telephone number, and email address of the official or employee of the
             98      proposed annexing municipality designated to respond to questions about the proposed
             99      annexation), (state the name, mailing address, telephone number, and email address of the
             100      county official or employee designated to respond to questions about the proposed
             101      annexation), or (state the name, mailing address, telephone number, and email address of the
             102      person who filed the notice of intent under Subsection (2)(a)(i)(A), or, if more than one person
             103      filed the notice of intent, one of those persons). Once filed, the annexation petition will be
             104      available for inspection and copying at the office of (state the name of the proposed annexing
             105      municipality) located at (state the address of the municipal offices of the proposed annexing
             106      municipality)."; and
             107          (C) be accompanied by an accurate map identifying the area proposed for annexation.
             108          (iv) A county may not mail with the notice required under Subsection (2)(b)(i)(A) any
             109      other information or materials related or unrelated to the proposed annexation.
             110          (c) (i) After receiving the certificate from the county as provided in Subsection
             111      (2)(b)(i)(B), the proposed annexing municipality shall, upon request from the person or
             112      persons who filed the notice of intent under Subsection (2)(a)(i)(A), provide an annexation
             113      petition for the annexation proposed in the notice of intent.


             114          (ii) An annexation petition provided by the proposed annexing municipality may be
             115      duplicated for circulation for signatures.
             116          (3) Each petition under Subsection (1) shall:
             117          (a) (i) be filed with the city recorder or town clerk, as the case may be, of the proposed
             118      annexing municipality; and
             119          (ii) when filed and if applicable, be accompanied by a written statement, signed by the
             120      petition sponsors, certifying that signatures on a petition that does not comply with the
             121      requirements of Subsection (3)(d) were gathered before the effective date of that Subsection;
             122          (b) contain the signatures of:
             123          (i) the owners of private real property that:
             124          (A) is located within the area proposed for annexation;
             125          (B) (I) subject to Subsection (3)(b)(i)(B)(II), covers a majority of the private land area
             126      within the area proposed for annexation; and
             127          (II) covers 100% of the private land area within the area proposed for annexation, if
             128      the area is within:
             129          (Aa) an agriculture protection area created under Title 17, Chapter 41, Agriculture and
             130      Industrial Protection [Area; and] Areas; or
             131          (Bb) a migratory bird production area created under Title 23, Chapter 28, Migratory
             132      Bird Production Area; and
             133          (C) is equal in value to at least 1/3 of the value of all private real property within the
             134      area proposed for annexation; or
             135          (ii) if all the real property within the area proposed for annexation is owned by a
             136      public entity other than the federal government, the owner of all the publicly owned real
             137      property;
             138          (c) be accompanied by:
             139          (i) an accurate and recordable map, prepared by a licensed surveyor, of the area
             140      proposed for annexation; and
             141          (ii) a copy of the notice sent to affected entities as required under Subsection


             142      (2)(a)(i)(B) and a list of the affected entities to which notice was sent;
             143          (d) if the area proposed to be annexed is located in a county of the first class, contain
             144      on each signature page a notice in bold and conspicuous terms that states substantially the
             145      following:
             146          "Notice:
             147          * Under Utah law, the elected officials of (state the name of the proposed annexing
             148      municipality) may have no choice but to grant this annexation petition if the county's property
             149      tax rate for municipal services in the area proposed to be annexed is higher than the property
             150      tax rate of (state the name of the proposed annexing municipality) and if other statutory
             151      conditions are met.
             152          * There will be no public election on the annexation proposed by this petition because
             153      Utah law does not provide for an annexation to be approved by voters at a public election.
             154          * If you sign this petition and later decide that you do not support the petition, you may
             155      withdraw your signature by submitting a signed, written withdrawal with the recorder or clerk
             156      of (state the name of the proposed annexing municipality). If you choose to withdraw your
             157      signature, you must do so no later than 30 days after (state the name of the proposed annexing
             158      municipality) receives notice that the petition has been certified.";
             159          (e) if the petition proposes the annexation of an area located in a county that is not the
             160      county in which the proposed annexing municipality is located, be accompanied by a copy of
             161      the resolution, required under Subsection 10-2-402 (6), of the legislative body of the county in
             162      which the area is located; and
             163          (f) designate up to five of the signers of the petition as sponsors, one of whom shall be
             164      designated as the contact sponsor, and indicate the mailing address of each sponsor.
             165          (4) A petition under Subsection (1) may not propose the annexation of all or part of an
             166      area proposed for annexation to a municipality in a previously filed petition that has not been
             167      denied, rejected, or granted.
             168          (5) A petition under Subsection (1) proposing the annexation of an area located in a
             169      county of the first class may not propose the annexation of an area that includes some or all of


             170      an area proposed to be incorporated in a request for a feasibility study under Section 10-2-103
             171      or a petition under Section 10-2-125 if:
             172          (a) the request or petition was filed before the filing of the annexation petition; and
             173          (b) the request, a petition under Section 10-2-109 based on that request, or a petition
             174      under Section 10-2-125 is still pending on the date the annexation petition is filed.
             175          (6) If practicable and feasible, the boundaries of an area proposed for annexation shall
             176      be drawn:
             177          (a) along the boundaries of existing local districts and special service districts for
             178      sewer, water, and other services, along the boundaries of school districts whose boundaries
             179      follow city boundaries or school districts adjacent to school districts whose boundaries follow
             180      city boundaries, and along the boundaries of other taxing entities;
             181          (b) to eliminate islands and peninsulas of territory that is not receiving municipal-type
             182      services;
             183          (c) to facilitate the consolidation of overlapping functions of local government;
             184          (d) to promote the efficient delivery of services; and
             185          (e) to encourage the equitable distribution of community resources and obligations.
             186          (7) On the date of filing, the petition sponsors shall deliver or mail a copy of the
             187      petition to:
             188          (a) the clerk of the county in which the area proposed for annexation is located; and
             189          (b) the chair of the planning commission of each township in which any part of the
             190      area proposed for annexation is located.
             191          (8) A property owner who signs an annexation petition proposing to annex an area
             192      located in a county of the first class may withdraw the owner's signature by filing a written
             193      withdrawal, signed by the property owner, with the city recorder or town clerk no later than 30
             194      days after the municipal legislative body's receipt of the notice of certification under
             195      Subsection 10-2-405 (2)(c)(i).
             196          Section 2. Section 23-28-101 is enacted to read:
             197     
CHAPTER 28. MIGRATORY BIRD PRODUCTION AREA


             198     
Part 1. General Provisions

             199          23-28-101. Title.
             200          This chapter is known as the "Migratory Bird Production Area."
             201          Section 3. Section 23-28-102 is enacted to read:
             202          23-28-102. Definitions.
             203          As used in this chapter:
             204          (1) "Migratory bird" is as defined in 16 U.S.C. Sec. 715j.
             205          (2) "Migratory bird production area" means an area of land that is:
             206          (a) created under this chapter; and
             207          (b) used according to the description in Subsections 23-28-201 (1)(b)(iii)(A) through
             208      (B).
             209          Section 4. Section 23-28-201 is enacted to read:
             210     
Part 2. Migratory Bird Production Area

             211          23-28-201. Creation of a migratory bird production area.
             212          (1) (a) On or before July 1, 2010, an owner or owners of at least 500 contiguous acres
             213      of land in an unincorporated area may dedicate the land as a migratory bird production area by
             214      filing a notice of dedication with the county recorder of the county in which the land is
             215      located.
             216          (b) The notice of dedication shall contain:
             217          (i) the legal description of the land included within the migratory bird production area;
             218          (ii) the name of the owner or owners of the land included within the migratory bird
             219      production area; and
             220          (iii) an affidavit signed by each landowner that all of the land, except as provided by
             221      Subsection (2), within the migratory bird production area is:
             222          (A) actively managed for migratory bird:
             223          (I) production;
             224          (II) habitat; or
             225          (III) hunting; and


             226          (B) used for a purpose compatible with the purposes described in Subsection
             227      (1)(b)(iii)(A).
             228          (c) A person who files a notice of dedication under this section shall give a copy of the
             229      notice of dedication within ten days of its filing to the legislative body of the county in which
             230      the migratory bird production area is located.
             231          (2) (a) The notice of dedication may designate land, the amount of which is less than
             232      1% of the total acreage within a migratory bird production area, upon which the landowner
             233      may build a structure described in Subsection 23-28-302 (1)(b).
             234          (b) (i) An owner may build or maintain a road, dike, or water control structure within
             235      the migratory bird production area.
             236          (ii) A road, dike, or water control structure is not considered a structure for purposes
             237      of Subsection (2)(a).
             238          (3) (a) Within 30 days of the day on which the county legislative body receives a copy
             239      of the notice of dedication under Subsection (1)(c), the county legislative body may bring an
             240      action in district court to cancel or revise a migratory bird production area on the basis that an
             241      affidavit filed as part of the notice of dedication under Subsection (1)(b)(iii) is inaccurate.
             242          (b) In bringing the action, the county legislative body shall specify the portion of the
             243      migratory bird production area and the affidavit subject to the action.
             244          (c) In an action brought under this Subsection (3), the person who files an affidavit
             245      described in Subsection (3)(a) has the burden to prove by a preponderance of the evidence that
             246      the affidavit is accurate.
             247          (d) If the court cancels or revises a migratory bird production area, the person who
             248      filed the original notice of dedication shall file a revision notice with the county recorder
             249      reflecting the court's order.
             250          Section 5. Section 23-28-202 is enacted to read:
             251          23-28-202. Removing property from a migratory bird production area.
             252          (1) A landowner may file a revision notice with the county recorder of the county in
             253      which the migratory bird production area is located to remove land from a migratory bird


             254      production area.
             255          (2) The revision notice shall contain:
             256          (a) a legal description of the land removed from the migratory bird production area;
             257          (b) the name of the owner or owners of the land removed from the migratory bird
             258      production area.
             259          (3) A person who files a revision notice under this section shall give a copy of the
             260      revision notice within ten days of its filing to the legislative body of the county in which the
             261      migratory bird production area is located.
             262          (4) If removing land from a migratory bird production area results in a migratory bird
             263      production area of less than 300 contiguous acres:
             264          (a) the migratory bird production area ceases to exist; and
             265          (b) the landowner shall:
             266          (i) notify each landowner within the former migratory bird production area; and
             267          (ii) file the revision notice required by this section for the entire migratory bird
             268      production area.
             269          Section 6. Section 23-28-301 is enacted to read:
             270     
Part 3. Protections

             271          23-28-301. Farmland Assessment Act.
             272          (1) Creation of a migratory bird production area does not impair the ability of land
             273      within the migratory bird production area to qualify for the benefits of Title 59, Chapter 2,
             274      Part 5, Farmland Assessment Act.
             275          (2) The eligibility of land for the benefits of Title 59, Chapter 2, Part 5, Farmland
             276      Assessment Act, is determined exclusively by the provisions of that act, notwithstanding the
             277      land's location within a migratory bird production area.
             278          Section 7. Section 23-28-302 is enacted to read:
             279          23-28-302. Limitations on local regulations.
             280          (1) (a) A county within which a migratory bird production area is located shall
             281      encourage the continuity, development, and viability of the migratory bird production area.


             282          (b) A structure or improvement historically or customarily used in conjunction with a
             283      migratory bird production area is considered a permitted use under the county's zoning law,
             284      ordinance, or regulation.
             285          (2) A county within which a migratory bird production area is located may not:
             286          (a) enact a law, ordinance, or regulation that unreasonably restricts an activity
             287      normally associated with the migratory bird production area;
             288          (b) change the zoning designation of, or a zoning regulation applying to land within a
             289      migratory bird production area unless the county receives written approval for the change from
             290      all the landowners within the migratory bird production area; or
             291          (c) enact a law, ordinance, or regulation concerning the use, operation, or discharge of
             292      a firearm that is more restrictive than state law, except as provided by Subsection
             293      23-14-1 (3)(b).
             294          Section 8. Section 23-28-303 is enacted to read:
             295          23-28-303. Nuisances.
             296          (1) (a) A county shall exclude the activities described in Subsection (1)(b) from the
             297      definition of public nuisance in a county law or ordinance regulating a public nuisance.
             298          (b) An activity or occurrence normally associated with a migratory bird production
             299      area is not a nuisance, including:
             300          (i) hunting;
             301          (ii) discharging a firearm;
             302          (iii) improving habitat;
             303          (iv) trapping;
             304          (v) eradicating weeds;
             305          (vi) discing;
             306          (vii) planting;
             307          (viii) impounding water;
             308          (ix) raising a bird or other domestic animal;
             309          (x) grazing;


             310          (xi) an activity conducted in the normal course of an agricultural operation as defined
             311      in Section 78B-6-1101 ; and
             312          (xii) an odor.
             313          (2) In a civil action for nuisance or a criminal action for public nuisance under Section
             314      76-10-803 , it is a complete defense if the action is:
             315          (a) normally associated with a migratory bird production area;
             316          (b) conducted within a migratory bird production area; and
             317          (c) not in violation of any federal or state law.
             318          (3) An owner of a new development located in whole or in part within 1,000 feet of a
             319      migratory bird production area shall provide the following notice on any plat filed with the
             320      county recorder:
             321          "Migratory Bird Production Area
             322          This property is located in the vicinity of an established migratory bird production area
             323      in which hunting and activities related to the management and operation of land for the benefit
             324      of migratory birds have been afforded the highest priority use status. It can be anticipated that
             325      these uses and activities may now or in the future be conducted on land within the migratory
             326      bird production area. The use and enjoyment of this property is expressly conditioned on
             327      acceptance of any annoyance or inconvenience that may result from activities normally
             328      associated with a migratory bird production area."
             329          Section 9. Section 23-28-304 is enacted to read:
             330          23-28-304. Annexation restrictions.
             331          A municipality may annex real property within a migratory bird production area as
             332      provided by Title 10, Chapter 2, Part 4, Annexation.
             333          Section 10. Section 23-28-305 is enacted to read:
             334          23-28-305. Application of Water Quality Act.
             335          A migratory bird production area is subject to Title 19, Chapter 5, Water Quality Act.


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