Natural Resources

Wildlife Resources

Rule 42: Fees, Exchanges, Surrenders, Refunds, and Reallocation of Wildlife Documents

Effective Date:

Admin. Code Reference: R657-42

Rule Type: Proposed Rule

NOTICE OF SUBSTANTIVE CHANGE

TYPE OF FILING: Amendment

Filing ID: 58283

Rule or section number:

R657-42

1. Agency Information

Title catchline:

Natural Resources, Wildlife Resources

Building:

DNR Complex

Street address:

1594 W North Temple

City, state:

Salt Lake City, UT 84416

Mailing address:

PO Box 146301

City, state and zip:

Salt Lake City, UT 84414-6301

2. Contact Persons

Name:

Phone:

Email:

Staci Coons

801-450-3093

stacicoons@utah.gov

Please address questions regarding information on this notice to the persons listed above.

3. General Information

A. Rule or section catchline:

R657-42. Fees, Exchanges, Surrenders, Refunds, and Reallocation of Wildlife Documents

B. Purpose of the new rule or reason for the change:

This rule is being amended pursuant to Regional Advisory Council and Wildlife Board meetings conducted annually for taking public input and reviewing the Division of Wildlife Resources' (DWR) rules pursuant to wildlife documents in Utah.

C. Summary of the new rule or change:

The amendment to this rule updates the Natural Disaster language to allow the Division Director to grant relief under qualifying circumstances.

5. Fiscal Information

Provide an estimate and written explanation of the aggregate anticipated cost or savings to:

A. State budget:

The amendments to Rule R657-42 are administrative in nature, the DWR has determined that these changes can be initiated within the current workload and resources of the DWR, therefore, the DWR does not believe that these amendments would create a cost or savings impact to the state budget or the DWR's budget since the changes will not increase workload and can be carried out with existing budget.

B. Local governments:

Local governments are not directly or indirectly impacted by these proposed amendments because this rule does not create a situation requiring services from local governments.

C. Small businesses ("small business" means a business employing 1-49 persons):

The proposed rule amendments will not directly impact small businesses because a service is not required of them.

D. Non-small businesses ("non-small business" means a business employing 50 or more persons):

The proposed rule amendments will not directly impact non-small businesses because a service is not required of them.

E. Persons other than small businesses, non-small businesses, state, or local government entities ("person" means any individual, partnership, corporation, association, governmental entity, or public or private organization of any character other than an agency):

The proposed rule amendments do not have the potential to impact other persons that take aquatic species in Utah, nor is a service required of them.

F. Compliance costs for affected persons:

DWR has determined that this amendment may not create additional costs for those individuals seeking relief under qualifying events from the Division Director.

6. Regulatory Impact Summary Table

Enter the cost or savings in the relevant cell. If there is no cost or savings, enter, "$0." If a cost or savings is inestimable, enter, "inestimable."

Fiscal Cost

FY2027

FY2028

FY2029

FY2030

FY2031

State Budget

Local Governments

Small Businesses

Non-Small Businesses

Other Persons

Total Fiscal Cost

Fiscal Benefits

FY2027

FY2028

FY2029

FY2030

FY2031

State Budget

Local Governments

Small Businesses

Non-Small Businesses

Other Persons

Total Fiscal Benefits

Net Fiscal Benefits

7. Regulatory Impact Analysis Approval

After conducting a thorough analysis, it was determined that this proposed rule amendment will not result in a measurable fiscal impact to businesses.

The Commissioner of the Department of Natural Resources, Jamie Barnes, has reviewed and approved this fiscal analysis.

8. Family Impact Information

A. The agency has considered this rule's impact on family health, stability, and formation:

☒

9. Citation Information

Provide citations to the statutory authority for the rule. If there is also a federal requirement for the rule, provide a citation to that requirement:

Section 23A-4-201

Section 23A-4-207

Section 23A-4-301

11. Public Notice Information

The public may submit written or oral comments to the agency identified in box 1.

A. Comments will be accepted until:

11/16/2026

12. Effective Date Information

This rule change MAY become effective on:

(NOTE: This is the date the agency anticipates making the filing effective. It is NOT the effective date)

11/23/2026

13. Agency Authorization Information

Agency head or

designee and title:

Riley Peck, Director

Date:

09/22/2026

R657. Natural Resources, Wildlife Resources.

R657-42. Fees, Exchanges, Surrenders, Refunds, and Reallocation of Wildlife Documents.

R657-42-1. Purpose and Authority.

(1) Under the authority of Sections 23A-4-201 and 23A-4-207 the division may issue wildlife documents in accordance with the rules of the Wildlife Board.

(2) This rule provides the standards and procedures for the:

(a) exchange of permits;

(b) surrender of wildlife documents;

(d) reallocation of permits; and

(e) assessment of late fees.

R657-42-12. Natural Disaster Relief.

(1) The division may grant relief for natural disasters that result in the displacement of [a ]permitted hunter from their residence or

significantly impede their travel.

(2) The division may grant relief to individuals whose participation in a hunting activity authorized by an eligible wildlife document is completely or substantially precluded during the designated season due to a natural disaster that directly impacts the permit holder.

(3) A person may request relief pursuant to the requirements of Subsections (1) and (2) by filing an application with the division within 30 days of the last day of the hunting season that is listed on their permit.

(4) Under Sections R657-42-1 and R657-42-2, the hunter must provide documentation of the natural disaster occurring, along with a notarized statement with supporting documentation explaining how the disaster resulted in their displacement, significantly impeded travel, or substantially precluded them from hunting.

(5) The following types of relief may be granted under Subsections (1) and (2) after approval, and upon furnishing a surrendered permit:

(a) reinstate bonus or preference points;

(b) waive the waiting period, if applicable; and

(6) In the event a natural disaster affects a hunt unit, the division director may grant relief if the following criteria are met:

(a) More than 50% of hunting opportunities are unavailable; [and]or

(b) Access to more than 50% of public land within an individual hunt unit has been closed due to administrative actions of the state or federal government in restricting public access to such lands.

(7) If the criteria outlined in Subsection (6) are met, the division director may grant one or more of the following types of relief:

(a) reinstate bonus or preference points;

(b) waive the waiting period, if applicable;

(d) extend the hunting opportunity to the subsequent year for the same season and unit.

(8) If the criteria outlined in Subsection (6), are not met, the division director may grant the following type of relief:

(a) waive the requirement that a permit be surrendered more than 30 days before the hunt to qualify for point reinstatement under Section

R657-42-4.

(9) Under Subsections (6), (7), and ([7]8), the hunter will be required to follow any instructions given by the division director to receive

the relief described in Subsections (7) and (8).

KEY: wildlife, permits

Date of Last Change: [August 22,] 2026

Notice of Continuation: March 15, 2023

Authorizing, and Implemented or Interpreted Law: 23A-4-201; 23A-4-207; 23A-4-301

!--dar--

NOTICE OF SUBSTANTIVE CHANGE

TYPE OF FILING: Amendment

Filing ID: 58283

Rule or section number:

R657-42

1. Agency Information

Title catchline:

Natural Resources, Wildlife Resources

Building:

DNR Complex

Street address:

1594 W North Temple

City, state:

Salt Lake City, UT 84416

Mailing address:

PO Box 146301

City, state and zip:

Salt Lake City, UT 84414-6301

2. Contact Persons

Name:

Phone:

Email:

Staci Coons

801-450-3093

stacicoons@utah.gov

Please address questions regarding information on this notice to the persons listed above.

3. General Information

A. Rule or section catchline:

R657-42. Fees, Exchanges, Surrenders, Refunds, and Reallocation of Wildlife Documents

B. Purpose of the new rule or reason for the change:

C. Summary of the new rule or change:

The amendment to this rule updates the Natural Disaster language to allow the Division Director to grant relief under qualifying circumstances.

5. Fiscal Information

Provide an estimate and written explanation of the aggregate anticipated cost or savings to:

A. State budget:

B. Local governments:

Local governments are not directly or indirectly impacted by these proposed amendments because this rule does not create a situation requiring services from local governments.

C. Small businesses ("small business" means a business employing 1-49 persons):

The proposed rule amendments will not directly impact small businesses because a service is not required of them.

D. Non-small businesses ("non-small business" means a business employing 50 or more persons):

The proposed rule amendments will not directly impact non-small businesses because a service is not required of them.

The proposed rule amendments do not have the potential to impact other persons that take aquatic species in Utah, nor is a service required of them.

F. Compliance costs for affected persons:

DWR has determined that this amendment may not create additional costs for those individuals seeking relief under qualifying events from the Division Director.

6. Regulatory Impact Summary Table

Enter the cost or savings in the relevant cell. If there is no cost or savings, enter, "$0." If a cost or savings is inestimable, enter, "inestimable."

Fiscal Cost

FY2027

FY2028

FY2029

FY2030

FY2031

State Budget

Local Governments

Small Businesses

Non-Small Businesses

Other Persons

Total Fiscal Cost

Fiscal Benefits

FY2027

FY2028

FY2029

FY2030

FY2031

State Budget

Local Governments

Small Businesses

Non-Small Businesses

Other Persons

Total Fiscal Benefits

Net Fiscal Benefits

7. Regulatory Impact Analysis Approval

After conducting a thorough analysis, it was determined that this proposed rule amendment will not result in a measurable fiscal impact to businesses.

The Commissioner of the Department of Natural Resources, Jamie Barnes, has reviewed and approved this fiscal analysis.

8. Family Impact Information

A. The agency has considered this rule's impact on family health, stability, and formation:

☒

9. Citation Information

Provide citations to the statutory authority for the rule. If there is also a federal requirement for the rule, provide a citation to that requirement:

Section 23A-4-201

Section 23A-4-207

Section 23A-4-301

11. Public Notice Information

The public may submit written or oral comments to the agency identified in box 1.

A. Comments will be accepted until:

11/16/2026

12. Effective Date Information

This rule change MAY become effective on:

(NOTE: This is the date the agency anticipates making the filing effective. It is NOT the effective date)

11/23/2026

13. Agency Authorization Information

Agency head or

designee and title:

Riley Peck, Director

Date:

09/22/2026

R657. Natural Resources, Wildlife Resources.

R657-42. Fees, Exchanges, Surrenders, Refunds, and Reallocation of Wildlife Documents.

R657-42-1. Purpose and Authority.

(1) Under the authority of Sections 23A-4-201 and 23A-4-207 the division may issue wildlife documents in accordance with the rules of the Wildlife Board.

(2) This rule provides the standards and procedures for the:

(a) exchange of permits;

(b) surrender of wildlife documents;

(d) reallocation of permits; and

(e) assessment of late fees.

R657-42-12. Natural Disaster Relief.

(1) The division may grant relief for natural disasters that result in the displacement of [a ]permitted hunter from their residence or

significantly impede their travel.

(5) The following types of relief may be granted under Subsections (1) and (2) after approval, and upon furnishing a surrendered permit:

(a) reinstate bonus or preference points;

(b) waive the waiting period, if applicable; and

(6) In the event a natural disaster affects a hunt unit, the division director may grant relief if the following criteria are met:

(a) More than 50% of hunting opportunities are unavailable; [and]or

(b) Access to more than 50% of public land within an individual hunt unit has been closed due to administrative actions of the state or federal government in restricting public access to such lands.

(7) If the criteria outlined in Subsection (6) are met, the division director may grant one or more of the following types of relief:

(a) reinstate bonus or preference points;

(b) waive the waiting period, if applicable;

(d) extend the hunting opportunity to the subsequent year for the same season and unit.

(8) If the criteria outlined in Subsection (6), are not met, the division director may grant the following type of relief:

(a) waive the requirement that a permit be surrendered more than 30 days before the hunt to qualify for point reinstatement under Section

R657-42-4.

(9) Under Subsections (6), (7), and ([7]8), the hunter will be required to follow any instructions given by the division director to receive

the relief described in Subsections (7) and (8).

KEY: wildlife, permits

Date of Last Change: [August 22,] 2026

Notice of Continuation: March 15, 2023

Authorizing, and Implemented or Interpreted Law: 23A-4-201; 23A-4-207; 23A-4-301

!--dar--

Navigation Menu

Navigation Menu

Natural Resources

Wildlife Resources

Rule 42: Fees, Exchanges, Surrenders, Refunds, and Reallocation of Wildlife Documents