HB 264: Generally revise wildlife location data subject to public information requests - Montana

HB0264_3(9).pdf → HB0264_X.pdf · 3 edits

MINOR

The bill was finalized and enrolled, adding certification signatures from the House and Senate. The substantive text was reorganized to consolidate the new wildlife data rules into a standalone Section 1 and integrated the amendment to the public records law (Section 2-6-1003) into a single, comprehensive Section 2. The policy content regarding data release timelines and restrictions remains consistent with the draft version.

Scope change

The bill's scope regarding wildlife data and public records remains unchanged; only the document structure and formatting were modified to reflect the final enrolled state.

TECHNICAL

The bill text was restructured to combine the new wildlife data provisions and the public records amendment into a single cohesive section, removing redundant headers and formatting inconsistencies found in the draft version.

Certification blocks for the Chief Clerk, Speaker of the House, and President of the Senate were added, indicating the bill has passed both chambers and is ready for the governor's signature.

Minor formatting adjustments were made to the section headers and page numbering to align with standard enrolled bill formatting.

HB0264_2(12).pdf → HB0264_3.pdf · 3 edits

MINOR

The bill was renumbered from HB 264.2 to HB 264.3, indicating it is a new version of the legislation. Substantive changes include adding a legal exemption allowing data release if required by other laws, clarifying that data sharing applies specifically to 'research project partners' rather than just 'research partners', and correcting a reference to subsections (1) through (2) and (3) instead of (1) through (3).

Scope change

The scope of data sharing was narrowed slightly by specifying 'research project partners' and the applicability of the law was broadened by adding an exception for other legal requirements.

REQUIREMENT

Added a clause stating that the department may release data if required by other laws, overriding the general prohibition.

ELIGIBILITY

Changed the term 'research partners' to 'research project partners' to specify the type of entity eligible for data sharing.

TECHNICAL

Corrected a cross-reference in the text from subsections (1) through (3) to subsections (1) through (2) and (3).

HB0264_1(7).pdf → HB0264_2.pdf · 3 edits

MINOR

The bill was amended to clarify that wildlife location data can be shared with research partners and other government agencies through formal data-sharing agreements, rather than being strictly prohibited from release. Additionally, the time limit for releasing study-related data was reduced from three years to one year, and the list of entities authorized to receive this data was expanded to include any party the department has shared information with under a valid agreement.

Scope change

The scope of the bill was expanded to explicitly permit data sharing with research partners and other government agencies under specific agreements, and the definition of who can receive the data was broadened.

REQUIREMENT

The restriction on releasing wildlife location data was modified to allow sharing via data-sharing agreements with research partners and other government agencies.

TIMELINE

The timeframe for releasing wildlife location data used in studies was shortened from 3 years to 1 year after the study and report are completed.

ELIGIBILITY

Eligibility to receive wildlife location data was expanded to include any party with whom the department has entered a data-sharing agreement.

LC3547.pdf → HB0264_1.pdf · 3 edits

MINOR

The bill was renumbered from LC 3547 to HB 264.1 and updated to reflect its status as an authorized print version. The text includes minor formatting adjustments to the bill's header and page numbering, but no substantive policy changes were made to the content regarding wildlife location data or public information disclosure.

TECHNICAL

Bill number changed from LC 3547 to HB 264.1 to align with the House bill designation.

Header text updated to include 'Authorized Print Version' and adjusted formatting for the bill title and sponsor information.

Page numbering and section headers were slightly reformatted to match standard bill printing conventions.

Generally revise wildlife location data subject to public information requests

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