KLS Keeping Law Simple Legislation in plain English

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HB0017 • 2024

Fishing outfitters and guides-registration of fishing boats.

AN ACT relating to game and fish; authorizing the Wyoming game and fish commission to regulate commercially guided fishing boats; providing for registration of commercially guided fishing boats, vehicles and trailers operated by outfitters and professional fishing guides; providing definitions; providing rulemaking authority; and providing for an effective date.

Did Not Pass

The latest official action shows that this bill did not move forward in that session.

Sponsor
Travel
Last action
2024-02-12
Official status
inactive
Effective date
3/1/2024

Plain English Breakdown

The bill did not pass, so it will not become law.

Fishing Boat Registration Rules

The bill allows the Wyoming Game and Fish Commission to set rules for registering fishing boats used by professional guides who take people out on rivers or lakes for a fee.

What This Bill Does

  • Authorizes the Wyoming Game and Fish Commission to regulate commercially guided fishing boats.
  • Provides for registration of these boats, vehicles, and trailers if limits are set.
  • Requires an annual fee for each boat or vehicle used by outfitters or professional guides.

Who It Names or Affects

  • Professional fishing guides who take people out on rivers or lakes for a fee.
  • Outfitters providing fishing trips for money.

Terms To Know

Commercially guided fishing boat
A fishing boat operated by an outfitter or professional guide to provide fishing services for financial gain.
Fishing guide services
Providing assistance and accompanying a person on a river or lake for the purpose of fishing, in exchange for money.

Limits and Unknowns

  • The bill did not pass and will not become law.
  • It does not specify how much the annual fee would be or other details about registration.

Bill History

  1. 2024-02-12 House

    H Failed Introduction 38-22-2-0-0

  2. 2024-01-24 House

    H Received for Introduction

  3. 2023-12-11 LSO

    Bill Number Assigned

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text 
24LSO-0140
2024
STATE OF WYOMING
24LSO-0140
Numbered
2.0

HOUSE BILL NO. HB0017

Fishing outfitters and guides-registration of fishing boats.

Sponsored by: Joint Travel, Recreation, Wildlife & Cultural Resources Interim Committee

A BILL

for

AN ACT relating to game and fish; authorizing the Wyoming game and fish commission to regulate commercially guided fishing boats; providing for registration of commercially guided fishing boats, vehicles and trailers operated by outfitters and professional fishing guides; providing definitions; providing rulemaking authority; and providing for an effective date.

Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Wyoming:

Section 1
.

W.S. 23
‑
3
‑
206 is created to read:

23
‑
3
‑
206.

Commercially guided fishing boats; regulatory authority; definitions.

(a)

To protect the quality of the fishing experience, the fishery and other aquatic resources and species in this state, the commission may set limits on the number of commercially guided fishing boats allowed to launch into any river or lake or section thereof.

(b)

In the event that the commission sets limits on the number of commercially guided fishing boats allowed to launch into any river or lake or section thereof, the commission shall promulgate rules governing the registration and means of tracking the number of commercially guided fishing boats launching into any river or lake or section thereof. In addition to requirements under the Administrative Procedure Act, the commission shall hold public meetings in each community in which the rules apply. The rules shall require registration and payment of an annual fee for each commercially guided fishing boat and vehicle or trailer that is operated by an outfitter or professional fishing guide and that is operated during any period of time during a year in any river or lake or section thereof for which the commission has set limits. A registration sticker shall be displayed on each commercially guided fishing boat and on each vehicle or trailer registered under this subsection.

(c)

As used in this section:

(i)

"Commercially guided fishing boat" means a fishing boat that is operated by an outfitter or professional fishing guide to provide fishing guide services for financial gain;

(ii)

"Fishing guide services" means for hire or remuneration, accompanying and providing assistance to a person on a river or lake for the purposes of fishing;

(iii)

"Operate" means to navigate or otherwise use a watercraft;

(iv)

"Outfitter" or "professional fishing guide" means a person who advertises or holds himself out to the public for hire for the purpose of financial gain to provide fishing guide services, excluding any person who furnishes fishing equipment to a person for exclusively personal and temporary use. "Outfitter" or "professional fishing guide" includes any person requiring the payment of dues or remuneration for providing personal services on a river or lake for the purposes of fishing.

Section 2
.

This act is effective July 1, 2024
.

(END)

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HB0017