Latest news with #HB309
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Ohio bill would give counties the power to cut property taxes
COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) – A new Ohio proposal would give counties the authority to lower property taxes if they determine the amount collected is more than needed. Every county in the state has a budget commission, made up of the county auditor, treasurer and prosecutor, which is tasked with overseeing the taxation process for local governments. As Fort Rapids sale looms, Columbus church eyes plan to redevelop waterpark House Bill 309, introduced by David Thomas (R-Jefferson) in May, would require the panels to review the budgets of taxing authorities annually. If a local government is collecting more money than a public entity — such as a school or law enforcement agency — needs, the legislation gives budget commissions the power to suspend or reduce tax rates. 'If the local government doesn't actually need the full amount of that revenue, or if they're providing the service for less, or can, why should the taxpayers still be charged a much higher tax rate?' Thomas said. Christopher Galloway, the Lake County auditor, testified in support of the bill at its first hearing. He said county prosecutors' different interpretations of legal precedents have resulted in budget commissions' responsibilities being unclear and varying across counties. Galloway claimed that while the Lake County budget commission has 'been a rubber stamp' on tax budgets for decades due to its prosecutors' legal opinions, its neighboring county of Geauga rolls back rates when an entity's budget does not require the full amount of taxes. He said he wants all 88 counties to have that ability. Chillicothe paper mill will close in August after stating it would remain open 'HB309 won't be talked about around kitchen tables like a statewide initiative to eliminate property taxes, but it is in fact a REAL and effective means of controlling property taxes in the State of Ohio,' he said in written testimony. The legislation comes as many Ohioans are expressing frustrations with the costs of property taxes, including a group of citizens who recently started collecting signatures to amend Ohio's constitution and eliminate property taxes altogether. 'Clearly, our taxpayers are telling us across Ohio that the current status quo is not working,' Thomas said. However, not everyone is in support of the bill, with some claiming it is an attempt to undermine the will of voters. The nonprofit League of Women Voters is among those who have criticized the legislation. 'House Bill 309 is just another example of this gerrymandered state legislature's effort to take power away from local governments and voters,' a spokesperson said in a statement. 'Slowly but surely, corrupt politicians in the Ohio Statehouse are trying to end local control and reduce the rights of Ohio citizens. What Ohioans need are real solutions to real problems, not this.' Dispensary reacts to Ohio marijuana limit changes Thomas disagreed with such concerns, stating if the legislation passed, voters would still have the 'full authority and say over the services they want.' The provision has also been folded into a larger property tax relief overhaul, House Bill 335, which combines multiple bills and would deliver $3.5 billion in property tax relief, according to Thomas. House Bill 309's second hearing will take place on Wednesday, when opponents of the measure will have the chance to testify. House Bill 335 was introduced last week and awaits its first hearing. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
03-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
You'll soon need a license to enter these Utah wildlife management areas
SALT LAKE CITY — You'll soon need a hunting or fishing license to access more than two dozen Utah wildlife management areas along the Wasatch Front. State wildlife officials are proposing a new rule requiring a license in management areas in Davis, Salt Lake, Utah and Weber counties. This is in coordination with the passage of HB309, which goes into law next week. However, there will be some exceptions, especially in areas that attract more than just hunters and anglers. The new law addressed several wildlife-related items, including a few related to wildlife management areas. First, it redefined wildlife management areas as properties that 'protect, conserve and perpetuate wildlife resources' rather than just a piece of land owned by the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources. Aside from some exceptions, such as written permission, it also added a new requirement that anyone 18 or older must have a valid hunting, fishing, or combination license to access a management area in a county of the 'first or second class,' which currently applies only to 30 properties along the Wasatch Front. Hunting and fishing are considered the 'primary recreational activities' at wildlife management areas, but many have brought in people for other recreation, such as those looking to view wildlife. Some of these areas then experienced an uptick in usage in recent years, especially after the COVID-19 pandemic, which led to more considerable challenges in managing the spaces, said Faith Heaton Jolley, the division's spokeswoman. 'Unfortunately, just like everywhere else, in some cases, they were loved to death,' she told 'We did get some vandalism, we saw some littering (and) things like that in some of these wildlife areas.' However, wildlife management areas are only acquired and maintained through hunting and fishing license fees and a tax tied to purchasing hunting or fishing equipment, which factored into the law change. It goes into effect on Wednesday, along with many other new laws passed this year. Meanwhile, the rule the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources is proposing aims to clarify the new law, so it's easier for everyone to understand and follow, Chelsea Duke, the division's wildlife lands coordinator, said in a video explaining the new rule. Birdseye Blackhawk Causey Cinnamon Creek (A license is only required in the Weber County portion) Dairy Fork Farmington Bay (A license is not required at the Eccles Wildlife Education Center and Hasenyager Reserve) Harold Crane (A license is only required in the Weber County portion) Hobble Creek Howard Slough Lake Fork Lasson Draw Lee Kay (A license is not required for entrance to the shooting range) Loafer Mountain Lower Hobble Creek Middle Fork Ogden Bay Provo Peak Rock Island Santaquin (A license is only required in the Utah County portion) Spencer Fork (A license is only required in the Utah County portion) Starvation Timpanogos Weber Face West Hills (A license is only required in the Utah County portion) Willard Bay Upland Game Area (A license is only required in the Weber County portion) Since educational programs and education/visitor centers were among the exemptions, the new rule wouldn't apply to the Eccles Wildlife Education Center or Hasenyager Reserve at Farmington Bay Wildlife Management Area in Davis County, which also serves as a popular location for birdwatching. 'This area is closed to hunting and provides educational opportunities for the public; therefore, this education and visitor center would be exempt from the requirement,' she said. Division employees, contractors and volunteers carrying out duties in a management area would also be exempt while on the job. Management areas on sovereign lands or lands owned by the Utah Reclamation Mitigation Conservation Commission are also exempt from needing a license, Duke added. Areas like the Provo River Delta, Diamond Fork and Utah Lake Wetland Preserve would be exempt because of the latter. Some additional exemptions apply to management areas that straddle county lines. For example, licenses would be required on the Weber County side of Cinnamon Creek, Harold Crane and Willard Bay Upland Game wildlife management areas, as well as the Utah County side of Santaquin, Spencer Fork and West Hills management areas, but not in any of the neighboring county sections. The proposal is one of a few that the Utah Wildlife Board will consider during its meeting at Eccles Wildlife Education Center, 1157 S. Waterfowl Way in Farmington, on June 12. People can weigh in by submitting public comments online by the end of June 5, or by attending a series of regional advisory council meetings across the state between May 13 and May 22.
Yahoo
03-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
You'll soon need a license to enter these Utah wildlife management areas
SALT LAKE CITY — You'll soon need a hunting or fishing license to access more than two dozen Utah wildlife management areas along the Wasatch Front. State wildlife officials are proposing a new rule requiring a license in management areas in Davis, Salt Lake, Utah and Weber counties. This is in coordination with the passage of HB309, which goes into law next week. However, there will be some exceptions, especially in areas that attract more than just hunters and anglers. The new law addressed several wildlife-related items, including a few related to wildlife management areas. First, it redefined wildlife management areas as properties that 'protect, conserve and perpetuate wildlife resources' rather than just a piece of land owned by the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources. Aside from some exceptions, such as written permission, it also added a new requirement that anyone 18 or older must have a valid hunting, fishing, or combination license to access a management area in a county of the 'first or second class,' which currently applies only to 30 properties along the Wasatch Front. Hunting and fishing are considered the 'primary recreational activities' at wildlife management areas, but many have brought in people for other recreation, such as those looking to view wildlife. Some of these areas then experienced an uptick in usage in recent years, especially after the COVID-19 pandemic, which led to more considerable challenges in managing the spaces, said Faith Heaton Jolley, the division's spokeswoman. 'Unfortunately, just like everywhere else, in some cases, they were loved to death,' she told 'We did get some vandalism, we saw some littering (and) things like that in some of these wildlife areas.' However, wildlife management areas are only acquired and maintained through hunting and fishing license fees and a tax tied to purchasing hunting or fishing equipment, which factored into the law change. It goes into effect on Wednesday, along with many other new laws passed this year. Meanwhile, the rule the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources is proposing aims to clarify the new law, so it's easier for everyone to understand and follow, Chelsea Duke, the division's wildlife lands coordinator, said in a video explaining the new rule. Birdseye Blackhawk Causey Cinnamon Creek (A license is only required in the Weber County portion) Dairy Fork Farmington Bay (A license is not required at the Eccles Wildlife Education Center and Hasenyager Reserve) Harold Crane (A license is only required in the Weber County portion) Hobble Creek Howard Slough Lake Fork Lasson Draw Lee Kay (A license is not required for entrance to the shooting range) Loafer Mountain Lower Hobble Creek Middle Fork Ogden Bay Provo Peak Rock Island Santaquin (A license is only required in the Utah County portion) Spencer Fork (A license is only required in the Utah County portion) Starvation Timpanogos Weber Face West Hills (A license is only required in the Utah County portion) Willard Bay Upland Game Area (A license is only required in the Weber County portion) Since educational programs and education/visitor centers were among the exemptions, the new rule wouldn't apply to the Eccles Wildlife Education Center or Hasenyager Reserve at Farmington Bay Wildlife Management Area in Davis County, which also serves as a popular location for birdwatching. 'This area is closed to hunting and provides educational opportunities for the public; therefore, this education and visitor center would be exempt from the requirement,' she said. Division employees, contractors and volunteers carrying out duties in a management area would also be exempt while on the job. Management areas on sovereign lands or lands owned by the Utah Reclamation Mitigation Conservation Commission are also exempt from needing a license, Duke added. Areas like the Provo River Delta, Diamond Fork and Utah Lake Wetland Preserve would be exempt because of the latter. Some additional exemptions apply to management areas that straddle county lines. For example, licenses would be required on the Weber County side of Cinnamon Creek, Harold Crane and Willard Bay Upland Game wildlife management areas, as well as the Utah County side of Santaquin, Spencer Fork and West Hills management areas, but not in any of the neighboring county sections. The proposal is one of a few that the Utah Wildlife Board will consider during its meeting at Eccles Wildlife Education Center, 1157 S. Waterfowl Way in Farmington, on June 12. People can weigh in by submitting public comments online by the end of June 5, or by attending a series of regional advisory council meetings across the state between May 13 and May 22.
