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[Utah Code Table of Contents]
[TITLE 23. Table of Contents]
23-24-1 Procedure to obtain compensation for livestock damage done by bear or mountain lion.
(1) As used in this section:
(a) "Damage" means injury or loss to livestock.
(b) "Division" means the Division of Wildlife Resources.
(c) "Livestock" means cattle, sheep, goats, or turkeys.
(2) When livestock are damaged by a bear or mountain lion, the owner may receive compensation for the fair market value of the damage. To obtain this compensation, the owner of the damaged livestock shall notify the division of the damage as soon as possible, but no later than four days after the damage is discovered. This notification is required each time any damage is discovered.
(3) Proof of loss forms, provided by the division, shall be filed no later than 30 days after the original notification of damage was given to the division by the claimant.
(4) (a) The division, with the assistance of the Department of Agriculture and Food in making the determination, shall either accept or deny the claim for damages within 30 days after the proof of loss form is filed. The division shall pay all accepted claims to the extent of money appropriated by the Legislature for this purpose, except money appropriated from the Wildlife Resources Account may be used to provide compensation for only up to 50% of the fair market value of any damaged livestock.
(b) The division may not pay mountain lion and bear damage claims to livestock owners who have failed to file with the commissioner of agriculture and food their completed livestock form and appropriate fee as outlined in Section 4-23-7 for the immediately preceding and current year.
(c) If the division denies a claim, except as provided in Subsection (4)(b), the claimant may appeal the decision to a panel consisting of one person selected by the claimant, one person selected by the division, and a third person selected by the first two panel members. The panel shall decide whether the division should pay all or a portion of the claim.
(5) The Wildlife Board is authorized, subject to Title
63, Chapter 46a, Utah Administrative Rulemaking Act, to make
and enforce rules to administer and enforce this section.
1997
