S.B. 120 Enrolled

1

TARGET SHOOTING AND WILDFIRE REGULATIONS
2 2013 GENERAL SESSION
3 STATE OF UTAH
4 Chief Sponsor: Margaret Dayton
5 House Sponsor: Curtis Oda
6
7 LONG TITLE
8 General Description:
9 This bill provides the state forester with the authority to restrict target shooting in areas
10 where hazardous conditions exist.
11 Highlighted Provisions:
12 This bill:
13 . allows the state forester to restrict or prohibit target shooting in areas where
14 hazardous conditions exist.
15 Money Appropriated in this Bill:
16 None
17 Other Special Clauses:
18 None
19 Utah Code Sections Affected:
20 AMENDS:
21 65A-8-212, as renumbered and amended by Laws of Utah 2007, Chapter 136
22
23 Be it enacted by the Legislature of the state of Utah:
24 Section 1. Section 65A-8-212 is amended to read:
25 65A-8-212. Power of state forester to close hazardous areas -- Violations of an
26 order closing an area.
27 (1) (a) If the state forester finds conditions in a given area in the state to be extremely
28 hazardous, "extremely hazardous" means categorized as "extreme" under a nationally
29 recognized standard for rating fire danger, he shall close those areas to any forms of use by the

30 public, or to limit that use.
31 (b) [The closure shall include the prohibition of open fires for the period of time he
32 finds necessary.] The closure shall include, for the period of time the state forester considers
33 necessary, the prohibition of open fires, and may include restrictions and prohibitions on:
34 (i) smoking;
35 (ii) the use of vehicles or equipment;
36 (iii) welding, cutting, or grinding of metals;
37 (iv) fireworks;
38 (v) explosives; or
39 (vi) the use of firearms for target shooting.
40 (c) Any restriction or closure relating to firearms use:
41 (i) shall be done with support of the duly elected county sheriff of the affected county
42 or counties;
43 (ii) shall undergo a formal review by the State Forester and County Sheriff every 14
44 days; and
45 (iii) may not prohibit a person from legally possessing a firearm or lawfully
46 participating in a hunt.
47 (d) The State Forester and County Sheriff shall:
48 (i) agree to the terms of any restriction or closure relating to firearms use;
49 (ii) reduce the agreement to writing;
50 (iii) sign the agreement indicating approval of its terms and duration; and
51 (iv) complete the steps in Subsections (1)(d)(i) through (d)(iii) at each 14 day review
52 and at termination of the restriction or closure.
53 (2) Nothing in this chapter prohibits any resident within the area from full and free
54 access to his home or property, or any legitimate use by the owner or lessee of the property.
55 (3) The order or proclamation closing or limiting the use in the area shall set forth:
56 (a) the exact area coming under the order;
57 (b) the date when the order becomes effective; and

58 (c) if advisable, the authority from whom permits for entry into the area may be
59 obtained.
60 (4) Any entry into or use of any area in violation of this section is a class B
61 misdemeanor.

[Bill Documents]