Committee endorses pay adjustments for conservation officers in House Bill 49

The Senate Natural Resources committee voted to favorably recommend the fourth substitute to House Bill 49, which updates pay policy for law‑enforcement personnel under the Division of Natural Resources.

Sponsor and supporters said the substitute decouples pay decisions from other agencies and establishes a framework to work with HR and agency leadership to bring conservation officers’ pay more in line with other state peace officers. Sean Spencer (Utah Conservation Officers Association) told the committee a cross‑agency survey placed conservation officers near the bottom of pay scales and said parity is necessary to recruit and retain experienced officers.

Multiple public witnesses backed the measure. Herbert Lay, speaking for the Utah Stream Access Coalition, said equal pay would help the division recruit officers who understand navigability and public access. David Spadafore, representing the Utah Chiefs of Police Association, also endorsed the bill. Representatives from sportsmen’s groups and the Fraternal Order of Police urged support, citing officer safety and public‑resource protection.

The sponsor and others acknowledged budget constraints; Representative sponsors noted available funding as the Legislature works through the budget cycle. The committee adopted the fourth substitute and recorded a unanimous committee recommendation (chair announced 6–0).

What happens next: The committee recommended the bill to the full Senate; any appropriation required to implement pay changes will be resolved in the budget process.