HB 219 Montana House · 2025 Regular Session

Generally revise hunting laws related to unlawful contest or prize

HB 219 revises Montana's hunting laws related to contests and prizes for harvested animals. The bill specifically creates a new exception allowing licensed individuals who lawfully harvest wolves to receive reimbursements for documented costs incurred during the hunting or trapping process. This change clarifies existing regulations that generally prohibit offering prizes for taking game, while still allowing certain awards for single game birds or fur-bearing animals, or for game animals based on size or weight, typically with a monetary limit.

Bill status signed all 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Jan 2025

Committee Review

Mar 2025

House Passage

Apr 2025

Senate Passage

Apr 2025

Signed into Law

Apr 2025

Introduced Jan 15, 2025 Signed Apr 18, 2025

Maddy AI version diff · 4 comparisons

What changed between versions

HB0219_1(6).pdf → HB0219_X.pdf · 2 edits

MINOR

The bill was renumbered from HB 219.1 to HB 219 and updated its title to reflect that reimbursements apply to all individuals, not just specific groups. The core policy allowing cost reimbursements for wolf hunting and trapping remains unchanged, but the language was broadened to ensure all eligible hunters and trappers can claim these funds.

Scope change

The bill's scope was broadened to explicitly include 'all individuals' for reimbursement eligibility, removing any ambiguity about who qualifies.

SCOPE

The bill title and text were updated to clarify that reimbursement eligibility applies to 'all individuals' rather than a restricted group.

TECHNICAL

The bill number was changed from HB 219.1 to HB 219, and the document was updated to reflect its status as an enrolled bill signed by legislative leaders.

Floor votes · Senate Mar 27, 2025 · House Feb 5, 2025

How they voted

31–19

Passed

Total votes 50

Mar 27, 2025

D Democratic18

18 Nay

100% Nay

R Republican32

31 Yea 1 Nay

96% Yea

Vote distribution

All Yea All Nay Mixed No data

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Apr 17, 2025

Signed into law

(H) Signed by Governor

lower

Apr 9, 2025

Upper · Passed

(S) Signed by President

upper

Apr 7, 2025

Lower · Passed

(H) Signed by Speaker

lower

Mar 27, 2025

Senate · Passed

Senate Vote: pass (31-19)

senate

Mar 21, 2025

Upper · Passed

(S) Committee Report - (S) Fish and Game

upper

Mar 20, 2025

Upper · Passed

(S) Committee Executive Action - (S) Fish and Game

upper

Feb 17, 2025

Committee

(S) Referred to Committee - (S) Fish and Game

upper

Feb 5, 2025

House · Passed

House Vote: pass (57-43)

house

Jan 31, 2025

Lower · Passed

(H) Committee Report - (H) Fish, Wildlife and Parks

lower

Jan 31, 2025

Lower · Passed

(H) Committee Executive Action - (H) Fish, Wildlife and Parks

lower

Jan 16, 2025

Committee

(H) Referred to Committee - (H) Fish, Wildlife and Parks

lower

Jan 15, 2025

Introduced

(H) Introduced

lower

1 primary · 0 co-sponsors