(a) To protect the quality of the fishing experience, the fishery and other aquatic resources and species in this state, the commission may set limits on or otherwise regulate the number of commercially guided fishing boats allowed to launch into or use any river or lake or section thereof in this state. This subsection shall not apply to a person who uses a city, town, county or state boat ramp or other access point to launch a commercially guided fishing boat to guide fishermen if the person is guiding the fishermen to a location where the lands are owned or leased by the person or the person's immediate family member. (b) There is created a commercially guided fishing boats advisory board. The board shall consist of seven (7) members appointed by the commission. One (1) member shall be appointed from each appointment district pursuant to W.S. 9-1-218 and at least two (2) members appointed shall be Wyoming owned drift boat guide business owners. Members shall serve a four (4) year term. The commission may remove any member of the board, subject to W.S. 9-1-202. Vacancies of the board shall be filled by appointment for the unexpired term. The board shall provide recommendations to the commission for promulgating rules under subsection (c) of this section. Members of the board shall receive no compensation but shall be reimbursed by the commission for per diem and travel expenses incurred in the performance of their official duties in the same manner and amount as state employees. (c) The commission may promulgate rules governing the registration and means of tracking the number of commercially guided fishing boats launching into or using any river or lake or section thereof. The commission may hold public meetings in each county in which its rules apply. The rules shall require registration and payment of an annual fee for each commercially guided fishing boat beginning January 1, 2026. The department shall provide two (2) registration stickers one (1) of which shall be displayed on each commercially guided fishing boat and trailer registered under this subsection. (d) As used in this section: (i) "Commercially guided fishing boat" means a fishing boat that is operated by an outfitter or professional fishing guide to provide fishing guide services for financial gain; (ii) "Fishing guide services" means for hire or remuneration, accompanying and providing assistance to a person on a river or lake or section thereof for the purposes of fishing; (iii) "Operate" means to navigate or otherwise use a commercially guided fishing boat; (iv) "Outfitter" or "professional fishing guide" means a person who advertises or holds himself out to the public for hire for the purpose of financial gain to provide fishing guide services, excluding any person who furnishes fishing equipment or boats to a person for exclusively personal and temporary use. "Outfitter" or "professional fishing guide" includes any person requiring the payment of fees or remuneration for providing personal services on a river or lake or section thereof for the purposes of fishing.
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