DAR File No. 42968

Natural Resources, Wildlife Resources

Rule R657-53

Amphibian and Reptile Collection, Importation, Transportation and Possession

Notice of Proposed Rule

(Amendment)

DAR File No.: 42968
Filed: 06/11/2018 10:26:17 AM

RULE ANALYSIS

Purpose of the rule or reason for the change:

These rule amendments are to clarify procedures, standards, and requirements for the collection, importation, transportation, and possession of amphibians and reptiles.

Summary of the rule or change:

The amendments to this rule remove the Certification Review Committee from this rule.

Statutory or constitutional authorization for this rule:

• Section 23-14-18
• Section 23-14-19

Anticipated cost or savings to:

the state budget:

These rule amendments remove an internal committee. The Division of Wildlife Resources (DWR) has determined that by removing the Certification Review Committee from this rule does not create a cost or savings impact to the state budget or DWR's budget.

local governments:

None--This filing does not create any direct cost or savings impact to local governments because they are not directly affected by this rule. Nor are local governments indirectly impacted because this rule does not create a situation requiring services from local governments.

small businesses:

None--This filing does not create any direct cost or savings impact to small businesses because they are not directly affected by this rule. Nor are small businesses indirectly impacted because this rule does not create a situation requiring services from small businesses.

persons other than small businesses, businesses, or local governmental entities:

These rule amendments remove an internal committee. DWR has determined that removing the Certification Review Committee from this rule does not generate a cost or savings impact to other persons.

Compliance costs for affected persons:

These amendments remove an internal committee from rule language. DWR has determined that there are no additional compliance costs associated with these amendments.

Comments by the department head on the fiscal impact the rule may have on businesses:

After conducting a thorough analysis, it was determined that these proposed rule changes will not result in a fiscal impact to businesses.

Michael R. Styler, Executive Director

The full text of this rule may be inspected, during regular business hours, at the Office of Administrative Rules, or at:

Natural Resources
Wildlife Resources
1594 W NORTH TEMPLE
SALT LAKE CITY, UT 84116-3154

Direct questions regarding this rule to:

• Staci Coons at the above address, by phone at 801-538-4718, by FAX at 801-538-4709, or by Internet E-mail at stacicoons@utah.gov

Interested persons may present their views on this rule by submitting written comments to the address above no later than 5:00 p.m. on:

07/31/2018

This rule may become effective on:

08/07/2018

Authorized by:

Mike Fowlks, Deputy Director

Appendix 1: Regulatory Impact Summary Table*

Fiscal Costs	FY 2019	FY 2020	FY 2021
State Government	$0	$0	$0
Local Government	$0	$0	$0
Small Businesses	$0	$0	$0
Non-Small Businesses	$0	$0	$0
Other Person	$0	$0	$0
Total Fiscal Costs:	$0	$0	$0
Fiscal Benefits
State Government	$0	$0	$0
Local Government	$0	$0	$0
Small Businesses	$0	$0	$0
Non-Small Businesses	$0	$0	$0
Other Persons	$0	$0	$0
Total Fiscal Benefits:	$0	$0	$0
Net Fiscal Benefits:	$0	$0	$0

 

*This table only includes fiscal impacts that could be measured. If there are inestimable fiscal impacts, they will not be included in this table. Inestimable impacts for State Government, Local Government, Small Businesses and Other Persons are described above. Inestimable impacts for Non - Small Businesses are described below.

 

Appendix 2: Regulatory Impact to Non - Small Businesses

These proposed changes to Rule R657-53 are not expected to have any fiscal impact on large businesses revenues or expenditures, because there are no services required from them in order to implement these rule changes.

 

The head of department of Natural Resources, Michael Styler, has reviewed and approved this fiscal analysis.

 

 

R657. Natural Resources, Wildlife Resources.

R657-53. Amphibian and Reptile Collection, Importation, Transportation and Possession.

R657-53-1. Purpose and Authority.

(1) Under Title 23, Wildlife Resources Code of Utah, this rule governs the collection, importation, transportation, possession, and propagation of amphibians and reptiles.

(2) Nothing in this rule shall be construed as superseding the provisions set forth in Title 23, Wildlife Resources Code of Utah. Any provision of this rule setting forth a criminal violation that overlaps a section of that title is provided in this rule only as a clarification or to provide greater specificity needed for the administration of the provisions of this rule.

(3) In addition to this rule, additional regulation is provided in R657-40. Where a more specific provision has been adopted, that provision shall control.

(4) Specific dates, species, areas, number of pre-authorized certificates of registration, limits and other administrative details which may change annually are published in the proclamation of the Wildlife Board for amphibians and reptiles.

(5) Amphibians and reptiles lawfully collected from wild populations in Utah and thereafter possessed remain the property of the state for the life of the animal pursuant to Section 23-13-3. The state does not assert ownership interest in lawfully possessed, captive-bred amphibians and reptiles, but does retain jurisdiction to regulate the importation, possession, propagation and use of such animals pursuant to Title 23 of the Utah Code and this rule.

(6) This rule does not apply to division employees acting within the scope of their assigned duties.

 

R657-53-17. [ Certification Review Committee ] Division Responsibilities.

(1) The division[shall establish a Certification Review Committee which shall], in consultation with the Department of Agriculture and Food and the Department of Health, will be responsible for:

(a) reviewing:

(i) petitions to reclassify species and subspecies of amphibians or reptiles; and

(ii[) appeals of certificates of registration; and

(iii]) requests for variances to this rule; and

(b) making recommendations to the Wildlife Board.

(2[) The committee shall consist of the following individuals:

(a) the director or the director's designee who shall represent the director's office and shall act as chair of the committee;

(b) the chief of the Aquatic Section;

(c) the chief of the Wildlife Section;

(d) the chief of the Administrative Services Section;

(e) the chief of the Law Enforcement Section;

(f) the state veterinarian or his designee; and

(g) a person designated by the Department of Health.

(3]) The division shall require a fee for the submission of a request provided in Section R657-53-18 and R657-53-19.

 

R657-53-18. Request for Species Reclassification.

(1) A person may make a request to change the classification of a species or subspecies of amphibian or reptile provided in this rule.

(2) A request for reclassification must be made to the [Certification Review Committee]division by submitting an application for reclassification.

(3)(a) The application shall include:

(i) the petitioner's name, address, and phone number;

(ii) the species or subspecies for which the application is made;

(iii) the name of all interested parties known by the petitioner;

(iv) the current classification of the species or subspecies;

(v) a statement of the facts and reasons forming the basis for the reclassification; and

(vi) copies of scientific literature or other evidence supporting the change in classification.

(b) In addition to the information required under Subsection (a), the petitioner must provide any information requested by the [committee]division necessary to formulate a recommendation to the Wildlife Board.

(4)(a) The [committee]division shall, within a reasonable time, consider the request for reclassification and shall submit its recommendation to the Wildlife Board.

(b) The [committee]division shall send a copy of its recommendation to the petitioner and other interested parties specified on the application.

(5)(a) At the next available Wildlife Board meeting the Wildlife Board shall:

(i) consider the [committee]division recommendation; and

(ii) any information provided by the petitioner or other interested parties.

(b) The Wildlife Board shall approve or deny the request for reclassification based on the issuance criteria provided in Section R657-53-11(1).

(6) A change in species classification shall be made in accordance with Title 63G, Chapter 4, Administrative Rulemaking Act.

(7) A request for species reclassification shall be considered a request for agency action as provided in Subsection 63G-4-201(3) and Rule R657-2.

 

R657-53-19. Request for Variance.

(1) A person may make a request for a variance to this rule for the collection, importation, propagation, or possession of an amphibian or reptile classified as prohibited under this rule by submitting a request for variance to the [Certification Review Committee]division.

(2)(a) A request for variance shall include the following:

(i) the name, address, and phone number of the person making the request;

(ii) the species or subspecies of the amphibian or reptile and associated activities for which the request is made; and

(iii) a statement of the facts and reasons forming the basis for the variance.

(b) In addition to the information required under Subsection (a), the person making the request must provide any information requested by the [committee]division necessary to formulate a recommendation to the Wildlife Board.

(3) The [committee]division shall, within a reasonable time, consider the request and shall submit its recommendation to the Wildlife Board.

(4) At the next available Wildlife Board meeting the Wildlife Board shall:

(a) consider the [committee]division recommendation; and

(b) any information provided by the person making the request.

(5)(a) The Wildlife Board shall approve or deny the request based on the issuance criteria provided in Section R657-53-11.

(b) If the request applies to a broad class of persons and not to unique circumstances of the applicant, the Wildlife Board shall consider changing the species classification before issuing a variance to this rule.

(6)(a) If the request is approved, the Wildlife Board may impose any restrictions on the person making the request considered necessary for that person to maintain the standards upon which the variance is made.

(b) Any restrictions imposed on the person making the request shall be included in writing on the certificate of registration which shall be signed by the person making the request.

(7) A request for variance shall be considered a request for agency action as provided in Subsection 63G-4-201(3) and Rule R657-2.

 

R657-53-20. Appeal of Certificate of Registration Denial.

(1) A person may appeal the division's denial of a certificate of registration by submitting an appeal request to the [Certification Review Committee.]consistent with R657-2.

(2) The request must be made within 30 days after the date of the denial.

[(3) The request shall include:

(a) the name, address, and phone number of the petitioner;

(b) the date the request was mailed;

(c) the species or subspecies of the amphibian or reptile and the activity for which the application was made; and

(d) supporting facts and other evidence applicable to resolving the issue.

(4) The committee shall review the request within a reasonable time after it is received.

(5) Upon reviewing the application and the reasons for its denial, the committee may:

(a) overturn the denial and approve the application; or

(b) uphold the denial.

(6) The committee may overturn a denial if the denial was:

(a) based on insufficient information;

(b) inconsistent with prior action of the division or the Wildlife Board;

(c) arbitrary or capricious; or

(d) contrary to law.

(7)(a) Within a reasonable time after making its decision, the committee shall mail a notice to the petitioner specifying the reasons for its decision.

(b) The notice shall include information that a person may seek Wildlife Board review of that decision.

(8)(a) If the committee upholds the denial, the petitioner may seek Wildlife Board review of the decision by submitting a request for Wildlife Board review within 30 days after its issuance.

(b) The request must include the information provided in Subsection (3).

(9)(a) Upon receiving a request for Wildlife Board review, the Wildlife Board shall, within a reasonable time, hold a hearing to consider the request.

(b) The Wildlife Board may:

(i) overturn the denial and approve the application; or

(ii) uphold the denial.

(c) The Wildlife Board shall provide the petitioner with a written decision within a reasonable time after making its decision.

(10) An appeal contesting initial division determination of eligibility for a certificate of registration shall be considered a request for agency action as provided in Subsection 63G-4-201(3) and Rule R657-2.]

 

KEY: wildlife, import restrictions, amphibians, reptiles

Date of Enactment or Last Substantive Amendment: [ May 10, 2010 ] 2018

Notice of Continuation: April 12, 2018

Authorizing, and Implemented or Interpreted Law: 23-14-18; 23-14-19; 23-20-3; 23-13-14