1. (1) There is created a Wildlife Board Nominating Committee that consists of 11 members.

2. (2) The governor shall appoint members to the nominating committee as follows:

   1. (a) three members shall be appointed from a list of at least two nominees per position submitted by the agriculture industry;
   2. (b) three members shall be appointed from a list of at least two nominees per position submitted by sportsmen groups;
   3. (c) two members shall be appointed from a list of at least two nominees per position submitted by watchable wildlife interests;
   4. (d) one member shall be appointed from a list of at least two nominees submitted by federal land management agencies;
   5. (e) one local elected official shall be appointed from a list of at least two nominees submitted by the Utah Association of Counties; and
   6. (f) one range management specialist shall be appointed from a list of at least two nominees submitted jointly by the Utah Chapter, Society of Range Management and the Utah Chapter, The Wildlife Society.
3. (3) A wildlife region described in Subsection 23A-2-303(1) shall be represented by at least one member. A wildlife region may not be represented by more than three members.

4. (4)

   1. (a) The nominating committee shall nominate at least two, but not more than four, candidates for each position or vacancy that occurs on the Wildlife Board.
   2. (b) The nominating committee may not nominate a candidate for a position or vacancy on the Wildlife Board if the candidate does not meet the requirements of Subsection 23A-2-301(2)(c)(i)(A) on the day the candidate is nominated by the nominating committee.

5. (5)

   1. (a) Except as required by Subsection (5)(b), as terms of current nominating committee members expire, the governor shall appoint a new or reappointed member to a four-year term.

   2. (b) Notwithstanding the requirements of Subsection (5)(a), the governor shall, at the time of appointment or reappointment, adjust the length of terms to ensure that:

      1. (i) the terms of nominating committee members are staggered so that approximately half of the nominating committee is appointed every two years; and
      2. (ii) members from the same wildlife region serve staggered terms.
   3. (c) If a vacancy occurs for any reason, the governor shall appoint a replacement in the same manner that the position was originally filled to serve the remainder of the unexpired term.
6. (6) The nominating committee shall select a chair and vice chair from the nominating committee's membership.
7. (7) Six members shall constitute a quorum.

8. (8) A member of the nominating committee may not receive compensation or benefits for the member's service, but may receive per diem and travel expenses in accordance with:

   1. (a) Section 63A-3-106;
   2. (b) Section 63A-3-107; and
   3. (c) rules made by the Division of Finance pursuant to Sections 63A-3-106 and 63A-3-107.

Amended by Chapter 116, 2025 General Session