Utah Code 4-39-308. Study of importation of domesticated elk

4-39-308. Study of importation of domesticated elk.

(1)

As used in this section:

Agriculture: means the science and art of the production of plants and animals useful to man, including the preparation of plants and animals for human use and disposal by marketing or otherwise. See Utah Code 4-1-109
Department: means the Department of Agriculture and Food created in Chapter 2, Administration. See Utah Code 4-1-109
Domesticated elk: means elk of the genus and species cervus elaphus, held in captivity and domestically raised for commercial purposes. See Utah Code 4-39-102
State: when applied to the different parts of the United States, includes a state, district, or territory of the United States. See Utah Code 68-3-12.5

(a)	“Committee” means the Natural Resources, Agriculture, and Environment Interim Committee.

(b)	“Eastern importation” means the importation into the state of domesticated elk originating east of the 100 degree meridian.

(2)

(a)	The department shall conduct a study of domesticated elk importation.

(b)	The department shall coordinate with the Division of Wildlife Resources and relevant stakeholders that have an interest in domesticated elk importation to conduct the study described in Subsection (2)(a).

(3)

The study described in Subsection (2) shall:

(a)	evaluate the risk to domesticated elk in the state of meningeal worm infection related to eastern importation;

(b)

evaluate strategies to mitigate meningeal worm infection related to eastern importation, including:

(i)

tracking;

(ii)

testing;

(iii)

vaccination; and

(iv)	treatment;

(c)	study avenues for importation of domesticated elk breeding stock other than eastern importation, including potential risks and strategies for mitigating risks; and

(d)	include a study or evaluation of any other factors the department determines necessary to conduct the study described in Subsection (2).

(4)

The study described in Subsection (2) may include:

(a)	review of relevant literature; and

(b)	surveys of other states’ disease mitigation strategies and practices.

(5)

(a)	The department shall report to the committee on or before the committee’s September 2023 interim committee meeting.

(b)

The report described in Subsection (5)(a):

(i)

shall include recommendations:

(A)	for or against eastern import, including recommendations for how to implement eastern import, if any; and

(B)	for importation of domesticated elk breeding stock, including recommendations for implementation and disease mitigation strategies; and

(ii)	may include recommendations for legislation.

(6)	If the committee decides to recommend legislative action based on the report and recommendations described in Subsection (5), the committee shall prepare legislation for consideration by the Legislature in the 2024 General Session.

Enacted by Chapter 110, 2023 General Session