Utah Code § 23A-2-303 — Utah Code / Title 23A / Chapter 23A-2 / § 23A-2-303
§ 23A-2-303. Regional advisory councils created.
Status: in_force

(1) There are created five regional advisory councils that consist of 12 to 15 members each from the wildlife region whose boundaries are established for administrative purposes by the division. (2) (a) The members shall include individuals who represent the following groups and interests: (i) agriculture; (ii) sportsmen; (iii) watchable wildlife; (iv) locally elected public officials; (v) federal land agencies; and (vi) the public at large. (b) (i) Except as provided in Subsections (2)(b)(iv) and (v), as a qualification for service on a regional advisory council, a member of the regional advisory council 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 for appointment to the regional advisory council under Subsection (3); and (B) possess a hunting or combination license issued under Chapter 4, Licenses, Permits, Certificates of Registration, and Tags, while serving on the regional advisory council. (ii) Except as provided in Subsection (2)(b)(iv), the director shall remove an individual from a regional advisory council if the director determines that the individual does not meet the requirement of Subsection (2)(b)(i)(A). (iii) (A) Except as provided in Subsection (2)(b)(iv), the director shall remove an individual from a regional advisory council 15 days after the day on which the director notifies the individual that the individual is not in compliance with Subsection (2)(b)(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)(b)(iii), if the director finds that final action has been taken to suspend the license required by Subsection (2)(b)(i)(B) or the individual fails to obtain a new license required under Subsection (2)(b)(i)(B) once the previous license expires. (iv) An individual who is a member of a regional advisory council as of May 7, 2025, is not subject to Subsection (2)(b)(i), except that if the executive director reappoints the member to the regional advisory council, the individual is subject to Subsection (2)(b)(i) as of the new membership term. (v) This Subsection (2)(b) does not apply to an individual selected by the executive director to serve on a regional advisory council for the purpose of representing agriculture. (3) The executive director, in consultation with the director, shall select the members from a list of nominees submitted by the respective interest group or agency. (4) The regional advisory councils shall: (a) hear broad input, including recommendations, biological data, and information regarding the effects of wildlife; (b) gather information from staff, the public, and government agencies; and (c) make recommendations to the Wildlife Board in an advisory capacity. (5) (a) Except as required by Subsection (5)(b), a member shall serve a four-year term. (b) Notwithstanding the requirements of Subsection (5)(a), the executive director shall, at the time of appointment or reappointment, adjust the length of terms to ensure that the terms of council members are staggered so that approximately half of the council is appointed every two years. (6) When a vacancy occurs in the membership for any reason, the replacement shall be appointed for the unexpired term. (7) The councils shall determine: (a) the time and place of meetings; and (b) a procedural matter not specified in this chapter. (8) Members of the councils shall complete an orientation course described in Subsection 23A-2-301(9). (9) 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.