SB 25-038 — Wildlife Damage Protection of Personal Information
Status: Governor Signed (Mar 20, 2025)
Introduced: Jan 8, 2025
Note: The full bill text was not provided. The summary below explains the bill’s apparent purpose and likely effects based on its title, sponsors, and legislative history. Where the precise statutory language is not available, descriptions identify typical provisions such a title usually entails and note that final, authoritative details require the enacted text.
Purpose / Intent
SB 25-038 is intended to protect personally identifying information associated with individuals and entities involved in wildlife damage reporting, control activities, or compensation/claim programs. The title — “Wildlife Damage Protection of Personal Information” — indicates the bill creates confidentiality or privacy protections for certain records maintained by wildlife agencies or other governmental bodies relating to wildlife damage.
Key provisions (based on title and common legislative practice)
While the enacted statutory language is not provided, bills with this purpose commonly include one or more of the following types of provisions:
- Exemption from public disclosure for certain personal information contained in wildlife damage records (for example: names, addresses, phone numbers, email addresses, Social Security numbers, bank account information, or other identifiers of claimants, landowners, volunteers, or contractors).
- Rules or procedures allowing the state wildlife agency (and potentially local governments) to withhold or redact personal data from records responsive to public records requests.
- Definitions specifying the records covered (e.g., wildlife damage claims, reimbursements, trapper or contractor lists, site locations tied to private owners).
- Processes for individuals to request nondisclosure or redaction of their information and for agencies to respond.
- Penalties or enforcement language for improper disclosure, or instructions for recordkeeping to ensure privacy.
- Carve-outs or exceptions (for example, disclosure required by court order or for law enforcement investigations).
Who is affected
- Individuals and entities who report wildlife damage, file claims, or receive payments or services from state wildlife damage programs (e.g., landowners, lessees, farmers, ranchers).
- Volunteers, contractors, or licensed hunters/trappers participating in wildlife damage control programs.
- State wildlife agencies and any local or county offices that administer wildlife damage responses or records.
- Members of the public, media, researchers, and organizations who request access to wildlife damage records may see reduced access to personal identifying information.
Procedural history / timeline
- Jan 8, 2025 — Introduced in Senate; assigned to Agriculture & Natural Resources.
- Jan 30, 2025 — Senate Agriculture & Natural Resources referred amended to Senate Committee of the Whole.
- Feb 4–5, 2025 — Passed Senate (second reading with committee amendments; third reading passed).
- Feb 6–28, 2025 — Considered and referred in the House; committee on Agriculture, Water & Natural Resources recommended unamended to House Committee of the Whole; House passed.
- Mar 11–12, 2025 — Signed by President of the Senate and Speaker of the House; sent to governor.
- Mar 20, 2025 — Governor signed the bill (enacted).
Primary sponsors include Dylan Roberts, Julie McCluskie, Marc Catlin, and Ty Winter, with many co-sponsors from both parties.
Potential impacts and considerations
- Privacy: Enhanced protections for individuals participating in wildlife damage programs may reduce risks (harassment, privacy invasions, targeted litigation).
- Transparency: The public’s access to details in wildlife damage records may be limited, which could affect investigative reporting, research, and public oversight.
- Administrative burden: Agencies will need to establish redaction procedures, staff training, and possibly update records systems.
- Legal interface: Courts and law enforcement may still be able to obtain records under specific legal processes; the bill may include such exceptions (text required to confirm).
Next steps / where to find the enacted text
To understand the exact legal changes, definitions, exceptions, and effective date, consult the enacted bill text or the updated state statutes where the measure was codified. The official legislative website or the governor’s office will have the enrolled act and the final language.
