The bill seeks to reform the appointment process for the State Game Commission, which will be renamed the State Wildlife Commission, and introduces term limits for its commissioners. A new State Wildlife Commission Nominating Committee will be established to provide a list of qualified nominees to the governor. The commission will consist of seven voting members with diverse qualifications, including representation from conservation, agriculture, and indigenous communities. Commissioners will serve six-year terms with a limit of two terms, and the bill outlines the conditions for their removal. Additionally, the commission will have the authority to extend protections to any species of wildlife and will be required to report annually on species in need of conservation.

The bill also proposes amendments to hunting and fishing licenses, introducing new license types such as "quality elk" and "quality deer," which will allow hunting during specially regulated seasons. A "shed hunter license" will be created, which residents will not need to obtain. The bill includes provisions for various licenses for junior, senior, and disabled individuals, as well as discounts for veterans. It mandates that the state wildlife commission will adjust license fees annually for inflation starting in 2027. Furthermore, the bill rebrands the "department of game and fish" to the "department of wildlife" and sets a timeline for the transition, with initial appointments to the new commission beginning January 1, 2027. Certain outdated sections of law will be repealed, and various provisions will take effect on staggered dates, with some as early as April 1, 2026.

Statutes affected:
introduced version: 17-1-1, 17-2A-1, 17-1-2, 17-1-26, 17-2-38, 17-3-13, 17-2-2
Final Version: 17-2A-1, 17-1-2, 17-1-26, 17-2-38, 17-3-2, 17-3-7, 17-3-13