2
3
4
5
6
7 LONG TITLE
8 General Description:
9 This bill modifies provisions related to the release or transplantation of species.
10 Highlighted Provisions:
11 This bill:
12 ▸ prohibits the release or transplantation of live terrestrial or aquatic wildlife into the
13 wild without a certificate of registration issued by the Division of Wildlife
14 Resources or as otherwise provided by Title 23, Wildlife Resources Code of Utah;
15 ▸ states that the Division of Wildlife Resources may only authorize the transplanting
16 of big game, turkeys, wolves, threatened or endangered species, or sensitive species
17 as described in Section 23-14-21; and
18 ▸ makes technical changes.
19 Money Appropriated in this Bill:
20 None
21 Other Special Clauses:
22 None
23 Utah Code Sections Affected:
24 AMENDS:
25 23-13-14, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2015, Chapter 231
26
27 Be it enacted by the Legislature of the state of Utah:
28 Section 1. Section 23-13-14 is amended to read:
29 23-13-14. Release of wildlife unlawful -- Penalty.
30 (1) (a) A person may not release or transplant a live terrestrial or aquatic wildlife into
31 the wild:
32 (i) without a certificate of registration issued by the division authorizing the release; or
33 (ii) except as provided in this title and rules and regulations established by the Wildlife
34 Board in accordance with Title 63G, Chapter 3, Utah Administrative Rulemaking Act.
35 (b) The division may only authorize the transplanting of big game, turkeys, wolves,
36 threatened or endangered species, or sensitive species as provided in Section 23-14-21.
37 (2) Except as provided in Subsection (3), a person who violates Subsection (1) is guilty
38 of a class A misdemeanor.
39 (3) A person who knowingly and without lawful authority imports, transports, or
40 releases a live species of wildlife that the person knows is listed as threatened or endangered, or
41 is a candidate to be listed under the Endangered Species Act, 16 U.S.C. Sec. 1531 et seq., with
42 the intent to establish the presence of that species in an area of the state not currently known to
43 be occupied by a reproducing population of that species is guilty of a third degree felony.
Legislative Review Note
Office of Legislative Research and General Counsel